Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 31:17-32:12 Matthew 10:24-11:6 Psalm 13:1-6 Proverbs 3:16-18

Drew & Andrea Timberlake are set to welcome their second child, Andrew Shane, into this world at some point today as they will induce labor on Andrea this morning.  She was admitted to the hospital yesterday and the doctor decided to induce since her due date is only a couple of days away.  Pray that all goes well.

Miss Gloria Morrison, in my opinion, looked better yesterday than she has all week.  She said that she was feeling better and Mr. Morrison said the doctors agree that she is getting a “little” better each day.

Stella Brinkman was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Vera Bosarge’s sister, Juanita McRoy, remains hospitalized.

Sherry Woods was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Joey McManus is in SICU.  His surgery took longer than expected but I do not know the end result.

Good day in our services yesterday/last night.  Lisa and Ann did an excellent job with the meal for the 7:30PM Bible study.

Pray for revival.  Pray for Pastor Jack Bailey as he prepares to preach the Word to us.  Pray without ceasing.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 30:1-31:16 Matthew 10:1-23 Psalm 12:1-8 Proverbs 3:13-15

Miss Gloria Morrison seemed about the same to me as I visited yesterday.  She needs to be up and about some but that is extremely difficult for her as she feels so badly.

Bro. Jerry attended a surgery for a member of the Friendship family yesterday but I am not sure if that is for public consumption.  Everything went well and I think that person came home.

Joey McManus underwent some major surgery yesterday.  Whenever I stopped by to check on him they were still operating and that was about four hours into the surgery.

Sherry Woods was out of it when I visited her because of medication.  (Kerry keeps asking them to up the dosage!)  Still having pain but hopefully today will be a much better day.

I have a friend going through a very tough time right now.  He wrote yesterday asking for prayer.  Please join me in praying for him.

Regular schedule this morning (10:00AM) and evening (6:30 & 7:30PM).  The food for the Bible study at our house will be turkey, dressing and all of the trimmings.  (Can you say turkeys were on sale following Christmas?)  It will be good as my mother-in-law will be cooking the dressing and it is always the best.

We had fourteen or fifteen folks attend prayer meeting last night.  They ranged in age from young adults to senior adults.  All we did last night was pray individually.  There was not a corporate time of prayer.  It was good!

The first night of the TBA went well too.  We had about fourteen or fifteen show up for that as well (different group).  We will play next week.  The “ticket” to getting in is that you have to attend the revival service that evening.  Who were the most dominate players the first night of TBA?  It is hard to say but probably Paul Seymour and me!

It makes me sick!  I am now hearing from my Michigan and Michigan State friends as they celebrate OSU’s victory in football.  They despise OSU or so they say.  Could it be that they are really OSU closet fans?

Pray for revival!  Pray for Pastor Jack Bailey.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 28:1-29:35 Matthew 9:18-38 Psalm 11:1-7 Proverbs 3:11-12

Gloria Morrison seemed to be doing better yesterday.  The doctor says she has to get up and about some in order to go home.

Juanita McRoy is Vera Brewer’s sister and she is in the hospital.  She has heart problems but has such a wonderful attitude about life here and in the hereafter.

Larry Moss was in the hospital over the weekend but was discharged yesterday afternoon.

Sherry Woods had surgery on her leg/ankle yesterday.  It went good but took a bit longer than expected.

Morris Bryant’s nephew, Joey McManus, will have surgery today.  This is related to the cancer he is battling.

Shirley Taylor’s funeral service takes place today at noon from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  Lisa and I will attend that service, Lord willing.

Prayer meeting tonight from 6:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Simply praying!

Pray for revival!  Pray for Pastor Jack Bailey.

Someone left the water on in a sink in the fellowship hall and there was some flooding as a result.  Bro. Jerry Hovel and Maria & Logan Wainwright worked really hard to clean it up yesterday.  I am grateful for their efforts.

I found out yesterday that Chad Whitehurst and Kristy Sullenberger are now Mr & Mrs.  Knot was tied on 1/5/15.  Congratulations to the newlyweds!

The TBA begins tonight at 9:00PM in the CAB.  It is open to all men, no students, who attended at least one of the worship services at Friendship this past Sunday.  Attending a Sunday worship service is the ticket to taking part in the TBA the following Tuesday night.  What is the TBA?  Tuesday Basketball Action.

Eight guys came over to watch the game with me last night.  Lisa and Deidra fed us very well.  Yes, I picked OSU to win.  However, I did not expect it to be like that!  Since Bama played OSU closer than the Ducks did, Bama finishes #2.  At least that is how Ross Hatcher feels about it!

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.  Be intentional!  

June 7, 1940 – Jan. 9, 2015 Shirley Helms Taylor, age 74, a native of Geneva, AL and a longtime resident of Grand Bay, AL passed away on Friday, January 9, 2015. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Clyde and Connie Pearl Helms, birth mother, Dolly Eva Helms, sister, Ruth Wheeler, brother, David Helms. She is survived by her loving husband, Colon N. Taylor, daughter, Jackie (Jeff) MacFarland, granddaughter, Amber MacFarland, siblings, Mary (Dewayne) Morgan, Martha (Jimmy) Lawson, Cornelia (Tommy) Stone, Coy (Louise) Helms, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 12 noon with visitation from 10 am until service time. Interment will be in Serenity Memorial Gardens.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 26:17-27:46 Matthew 9:1-17 Psalm 10:16-18 Proverbs 3:9-10

Tuesday, 1/13 – Genesis 28:1-29:35 Matthew 9:18-38 Psalm 11:1-7 Proverbs 3:11-12

Wednesday, 1/14 – Genesis 30:1-31:16 Matthew 10:1-23 Psalm 12:1-8 Proverbs 3:13-15

Thursday, 1/15 – Genesis 31:17-32:12 Matthew 10:24-11:6 Psalm 13:1-6 Proverbs 3:16-18

Friday, 1/16 – Genesis 32:13-34:31 Matthew 11:7-30 Psalm 14:1-7 Proverbs 3:19-20

Saturday, 1/17 – Genesis 35:1-36:43 Matthew 12:1-21 Psalm 15:1-5 Proverbs 3:21-26

Sunday, 1/18 – Genesis 37:1-38:30 Matthew 12:22-45 Psalm 16:1-11 Proverbs 3:27-32

This entry is late and for that I apologize.  Have not been online much at all since early yesterday morning.

Daphne & I visited Miss Gloria Morrison on Saturday.  She was not feeling well.  I will visit again this morning.

We also visited Morris & Diane Bryant’s daughter, Whitney, who gave birth early Saturday morning.  She and her daughter are doing fine.  I do not remember the statistics but all is well.

Brianne Woods’ mother, Sherry, will have surgery today.  This is designed to correct a surgery from years ago because of  a fall from a ladder.  Pray that all goes well.

Really good services yesterday.  The 8:00AM attendance went right back to “normal” even though we did not have that service for two Sundays.

Prayer meeting tomorrow night from 6:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  No singing, no preaching, just praying.

Pray for revival.  Pray for Pastor Jack as he prepares to come share the Word with us.

I am going to take OSU in an upset over the Ducks tonight.  (I am probably doing this because I will be facing a lot of my B1G Ten friends in a few weeks and want to say that I picked one of their teams)  I really could care less who wins.  Thinking of watching the Bama vs LSU championship game from a few years ago.

On to the NFL – did not hurt my feelings that the Cowboys got beat yesterday.  The Cowboys did play very well.  A little surprised that the Colts won at Denver.

Friendship family – be intentional this week and let me hear from you!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 23:1-24:51 Matthew 8:1-17 Psalm 9:13-20 Proverbs 3:1-6

Amy Huhn sent me an e-mail yesterday saying that her mother, Gloria Morrison, is in the hospital.  Will definitely be there through the weekend.  She is battling cancer.  Keep her and the family in your prayers, please.

Lisa Thompson continues to receive chemotherapy treatments so keep praying for her.

Men’s breakfast this morning at 8:00AM.  Fellowship hall.  All men encouraged to attend.

Upward basketball today from 8:00AM until 3:00PM.

Pray for revival!  Pastor Jack Bailey will be with us beginning Sunday, 1/18, through Wednesday, 1/21.  Regular times on Sunday and Wednesday.  A 6:30PM start Monday & Tuesday night.  Pray without ceasing!

GRACE Ministries 2015 calendars for sale – $7 each.  (Folks, do you realize how valuable a picture of Bernard Suthoff is?)  You have to contact the pastor in order to purchase one.

They tell me the college football national championship game takes place this Monday night, 1/12.  However, I checked and neither Alabama or Auburn have a game so that must not be true!  I know that one of those two teams has played in every championship game since the 2009 season so I would figure one of them would be in this year’s championship game?  Do not believe everything you read!

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

For our two Yankee readers – this entry is being written at 2:45AM and the temperature in Grand Bay is 33 degrees and is expected to drop to 29 degrees before daybreak.  So, please do not complain to us about cold – we know cold!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 20:1-22:24 Matthew 7:15-29 Psalm 9:1-12 Proverbs 2:16-22

Caroline Ford’s sister, Mary Alford, and Sonny Bates’ cousin and my friend, Junior Taylor, will both be buried today in Oklahoma and Hartselle, AL respectively.  Pray for these two families as they walk through these valleys.

Men’s breakfast tomorrow morning at 8:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men encouraged to attend.

The 5K run in memory of “C” takes place tomorrow at USA.  I am pretty sure it also begins at 8:00AM.  Kayla has the details.

Upward basketball play takes place tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM in the fellowship hall.

Yesterday was a productive day for signing folks up for the 12/5 – 12/12/15 GRACE Ministries trip.  You must contact me via e-mail in order to sign up.

Same thing for those wishing to purchase a 2015 GRACE Ministries calendar – contact me via e-mail.  We only have about fifty to sell.  Seven dollars each.

Regular schedule Sunday morning and evening.  Finance Committee meets at 4:00PM.  Folks going on either the June or August GRACE trips meet after the evening service.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 18:16-19:38 Matthew 6:25-7:14 Psalm 8:1-9 Proverbs 2:6-15

I was wrong!  (If you would go back and read through the blog entries, you would see that I get to write those three words pretty regularly!)  I said in our service last night that I did not think the real temperature would get down to twenty one degrees.  According to weather.com, it did!  Says it feels like nine degrees.  The wind from the NNE makes it tough.  Glad I do not work outside on mornings like this.

BTW, Missionary Mark Mast wrote yesterday that he was “amused” at my Sunday blog exhorting folks to attend the worship service in spite of the rain.  In Rainy River (Canada) they were dealing with snow and a real temperature of twenty seven below zero Sunday morning – ouch!

Our first Wednesday of 2015 was blessed.  Really strong attendance in the morning service and a nice attendance in the evening service.  We had a very nice group for the 7:30PM Bible study.  As usual, Lisa did a great job of preparing the meal.

Kim French of 1 Fine Day Photography designed a very nice 2015 calendar for GRACE Ministries.  Those calendars arrived yesterday.  Each sponsor of a child involved in the Jennie Blaukamp Ministry Center will receive one of these calendars.  We have a limited number (around 50) of others available for purchase at seven dollars each (we have like $6.87 in each calendar).  Here is how you can purchase one – send me an e-mail with your request.  Initially, we are going to limit it to one calendar per order.

Men’s breakfast this Saturday, 1/11, from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men invited!

A 5K run in memory of Caryn Suthoff takes place this Saturday, 1/11, at USA.  Contact C’s sister, Kayla, if you want more information.

We need revival!  The dates of Sunday, 1/18, through Wednesday, 1/21, have been set aside for a special emphasis on revival.  Pastor Jack Bailey will be with us bringing messages from the Word.  Folks, pray without ceasing.

The December GRACE Ministries trip is slowly, but surely, filling up.  It will reach capacity once it is open to others.  Do not assume that I know you are going even if you have verbally told me.  The way to sign up is by sending me an e-mail.

There will be a mandatory meeting this Sunday evening following the service for everyone signed up for either the June or August GRACE trips.  We will meet in the youth building and church attendance is a must.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 16:1-18:15 Matthew 6:1-24 Psalm 7:1-17 Proverbs 2:1-5

This entry is being written by a blessed pastor!  Last night, eleven other members of the Friendship family joined me in the auditorium for prayer.  It was indeed a “sweet hour of prayer!”  I was very content being there by myself and would have been blessed if one other person had joined me so you can imagine how blessed I felt last night.  What did we do?  We prayed!  I am encouraged and I thank those eleven folks for being encouragers!

Rob Nevin had a stent placed in one of his carotid arteries yesterday.  The procedure went well.  Rob spent the night in ICU but should be discharged this morning.  Rev does such a good job of caring for Rob so he is in good hands.

Faron Steiner, Winston & Ruby Gulley’s granddaughter, remains hospitalized.  I was unaware of this until late yesterday afternoon.  Bro. Jerry attempted to visit yesterday but she was not in the room.

Clara Broadus’ sister, Faye, remains hospitalized.  She has been moved to a hospital closer to her home in Florida.

Sonny Bates’ cousin, Junior Taylor, passed away yesterday morning.  I have known Junior literally all of my life as he was a member of my home church, lives on the same road (Taylor Road) my parents live on, and I used to work at Western Auto where he worked for years.  He has battled cancer for the past couple of years.  Junior was 82 years of age having been born on February 29, 1932.  May be the only person I know personally who was born on 2/29.  Pray for Junior’s family.

The funeral service for Caroline Ford’s sister will be Friday in Oklahoma.  Pray as Caroline and other family members travel there and back.

Teddy Ray & Rachel’s daughter and family are traveling home today.  Pray for them!

There will be a men’s breakfast this Saturday, 1/10, from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited.

Also, there is a 5K run in memory of “C” at USA this Saturday morning.  You can contact Kayla Hatcher for the details.

We are on a regular schedule today with services at 10:00AM and 6:30PM.  Classes at 6:30PM and young adult Bible study at 7:30PM.  I think the menu is Frito pie or something close.

Friendship family – be intentional today!  Share Jesus, read your Bible, be kind!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 13:5-15:21 Matthew 5:27-48 Psalm 6:1-10 Proverbs 1:29-33

Rob Nevin has been admitted to the hospital and will be having surgery this morning.

Caroline Ford’s sister, Mary Alford, passed from this life yesterday morning.  She lived in Oklahoma and Caroline seemed to think the service would take place tomorrow or Thursday.  Pray for the family.

Lisa and I visited with Kara & baby Ava yesterday afternoon.  Mother and daughter are doing very well.

I also visited with Brandon & Pam and their firstborn son, Charlie, yesterday afternoon.  They are also doing well.

Men’s breakfast this Saturday, 1/10, beginning at 8:00AM.  All men are invited.  Takes place in the fellowship hall.

Revival services Sunday morning, 1/18, through Wednesday night, 1/21, featuring the preaching ministry of Pastor Jack Bailey.  Regular times on Sunday and 6:30PM Monday – Wednesday.

There will be a mandatory meeting this Sunday evening, 1/11, of all folks signed up for either of the GRACE Ministries trips being led by the pastor this Summer.  This meeting will follow the evening worship service and will take place in the youth building.

I will be in the auditorium tonight from 6:00 – 7:00PM for a time of prayer.  The door on the west side (keyboard side) will be the only one open.  This will be a time for prayer only.  “If my people. . . “

IE3 – I heard from several folks yesterday regarding encouragement.  Our Sunday School class has set an attendance goal for this Sunday, 1/11.  If we reach it, we will have our highest attendance of this church year thus far – equipping.  We need to baptize at least two folks this Sunday evening – evangelism.

I hear that I won an award for Christmas spirit based on my office decor.  Problem is – I never saw it.  Thanks to whoever had my back – it is called respect!  I appreciate it!