Pastor's Blog

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Esther 1-2; Acts 5:1-21

This brief entry is coming from Gate 2 in the Mobile airport as Dana & I are about to board a plane headed to Guatemala with a detour through Atlanta.  Lisa was originally scheduled to fly with us but with Brad & Daphne being in South Korea someone had to stay with the other three grandchildren.  We drew straws and Lisa lost!  Folks, Lisa is like the best grandmother in the world.  Such a selfless person.  Lucky man I am!

I failed to mention Clara Broadus’ mother in yesterday’s entry.  My mistake.  As of my conversation with Clara this past Sunday morning, they had yet to determine what happened to Miss Cora.  She remains in the hospital.  So Clara is doing a lot of traveling and a lot of sitting at the hospital.  Pray for Miss Cora.

Visited with Wanda Jordan late yesterday afternoon.  It was determined that she did have a stroke and had actually had two others previously.  They are going to do more tests today.  I think the focus will be on her carotid arteries today.  Wanda is such a sweet, sweet lady.  Pray for her.

Had another good visit with Tommy Watson yesterday.  I was thrilled to see him move the fingers on his left hand and to move his left leg a little.  He will eventually move to the rehab wing of the hospital and therapy should be intense and will hopefully be a means of making him whole.  Pray to that end!

I totally forgot to mention in yesterday’s entry that we are not going to be having the Monday night prayer times during June.  We will begin again at a date to be announced later.  I apologize if anyone went to the church yesterday to pray and found the doors locked.  Forgive me.

Morris & crew continue to prep the CAB floor.  The paint should be sprayed on tomorrow by Sir Bernard.  The CAB is closed all week.

John Milton Ladnier can flat out grow some vegetables.  He rode over to the house yesterday afternoon with a huge bucket full of sweet peppers, another bucket full of hot peppers and a bunch of tomatoes too.  The thing about John Milton is that he grows it and then gives much of it away!  He is a giver!  The older he gets the more he reminds me of his dad, Dub!  Now there was only one Dub but John Milton is running a real close second.  I appreciate John’s generosity.

Keep praying for Pastor Joe David Bailey on his mission trip.  He should return home later this week.

Brad & Daphne arrived safe and sound to South Korea.  They were very blessed in that they got bumped up to business class on the flight from Atlanta to South Korea.  That is a huge difference!  I hope they enjoyed it as on the way home they will be seated in coach with a screaming child!  Talk about the other end of the totem pole!  LOL!

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow.  The adults will meet in the choir room and the students will be in the auditorium.  Thanks for being flexible.  Aaron “Piper” Chinners will host the 7:30PM Bible study.  Contact him for the details as it will not be at our house.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 12-13; Acts 4:23-37
Tuesday, June 20 – Esther 1-2; Acts 5:1-21
June 21 Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42
June 22 Esther 6-8; Acts 6
June 23 Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21
June 24 Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43
June 25 Job 3-4; Acts 7:44-60

Blessed be the name of the Lord!  He blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  The attendance in the 8:00AM service was strong, the men’s choir in the 10:30AM service was amazing and the participation in last night’s service was such a blessing and a good time of fellowship.  Dale did a wonderful job in all three of the services.  Thank you for giving financially to support Dale & Karla (it is just after midnight so I do not know the offering total).  Join me in saying “to God be the glory, great things He hath done!”

Randall did his usual good job of bringing a message in song and then “The Grants” did a good job of doing likewise in the 10:30AM service.  Thank you Charles and crew!  They should buy a bus!  Seth could be the manager and Jimmy could drive the bus!

Thanks to each person who helped set up, serve, clean, et cetera last night.  Our deacons did a great job cooking the burgers and dogs.  Thanks brothers!

Wanda Jordan got sick while on our campus yesterday morning and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.  They kept her for tests.  I will check on her today.  Pray for Wanda.

I will also be checking on Tommy Watson today.  Obviously, he remains in the hospital.

Phil Sims was in our first service yesterday.  It was a blessing to see Phil back in his rightful place!  It was also good to see Ross & Betty Clair back after their time in the hospital with Helen.

Brad & Daphne leave today to go get our seventh grandchild.  They are scheduled to return home this weekend.  Pray all goes well.

We have a team leaving for Guatemala this Thursday, 6/22.  They will be flying from Atlanta, Birmingham, Mobile and Pensacola.  Pray for this team.

Deidra is writing a blog like once every other month.  You can find it at shininglightabroad.com if interested.  She has always spoken “negative” (can you say “jealous?”) of my blog and now she is a blogger.  Hilarious!

Let me credit (very reluctantly) to our cake winners last night – Brad Hutto, Bill Kendrick, Morris Bryant & Jason Husband.  Are you serious?  Folks, there was one (count them – one) made from scratch cake in that contest and it did not even place?  Cakes are made to eat.  You cannot eat “it looks good!”  Cakes are about taste!  Where did those judges come from?  Never again!

Also, Morris Bryant and Charles Grant made some fine ice cream!  Thanks guys!

The CAB is closed this week in order for the floor to be painted.  Thanks to Morris Bryant for coordinating this effort.  Thanks to each person assisting him.

Well, I made a mistake!  I realize that floors you so take a moment and catch your breath.  I failed to have the church vote on the wind coverage.  We will do so on July 2.  My mistake.  My apology.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 7-9; Acts 3

Donna Glass had exploratory surgery yesterday morning and everything went well.  No problems were found and she was sent home.  Praise the Lord!

Attempted to visit with Tommy Watson yesterday but he was sleeping.  I am just very hesitant to wake a patient.  I saw Caleb yesterday afternoon and he said Tommy’s condition was about the same.

Spoke to Phil Sims via the phone yesterday.  He is doing well.  Has been released by his surgeon and has been given permission to drive again so he is a happy camper.

Visited with Greg & Rita Boutwell yesterday afternoon.  Greg has gone through a bunch and has a bunch more ahead of him.  Rita is a good care giver.  Pray for Greg & Rita.

Pray for the Barnhill family as they continue to grieve the loss of Bill Barnhill.

Pastor Joe David Bailey should be at his destination now.  Pray for his week of ministry.

Big day tomorrow at Friendship as we honor God by recognizing the fathers present in our morning services.  Special guest singer in the 10:30AM service and we are asking all men to take part in the choir.

The evening service will take place in the CAB and will begin at 5:00PM.  It will feature the men’s cake baking contest and homemade ice cream contest.  Dale & Karla Bosarge will be our featured messengers.  We will receive a love offering for Dale & Karla in all three of our services tomorrow.

The deacons will be cooking burgers and dogs for the 5:00PM hour.  We need you to bring the trimmings.  Men, we need cakes & ice cream!

I can verify that Wes Garrison arrived at the Mobile airport safe and sound last night.  I can also verify that Seth Tagert was at work!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:22-47

Spoke to Pastor Joe David Bailey yesterday afternoon just before he boarded his first flight on his mission trip.  He should arrive at his destination at some point tonight.  Long trip.  Pray for him.  Pray the mission goes well.

It is a little past 4:30AM and I will be heading to the hospital for a surgery in just a few minutes.  Not sure if I am at liberty to share about it so I will just ask you to pray.  Early surgery but I have no idea on the expected time frame for the surgery.

The memorial service for Steve Barnhill’s brother, William (Bill), takes place today at 2:00PM from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  There will be an hour of visitation with the family prior to the service.  Pray for the family.

Vera Bosarge’s nephew was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.

I literally spent all morning yesterday on the phone with the phone company trying to rectify our office phone situation.  I am still waiting on the proverbial “call back!”

I am hearing from some men now regarding the cake baking on Sunday.  Need more and need ice cream makers too!  Deacons are cooking burgers & dogs so we need the church family to bring the trimmings.  Service begins at 5:00PM.

After office hours yesterday, the rains had come which meant I could perhaps rest a bit?  Not so fast my friend!  In walks Lisa who says, “the rain has softened the ground so you need to go pull the corn stalks out of the garden!”  So, I spent until dark thirty doing just that and was able to get approximately half of it done.  Now I could rest!  Nope!  Lisa had the grocery list on the counter and said, “you have a surgery in the morning so I want groceries bought tonight!”  That meant I left the house at 9:30PM heading to Walmart which put me home around 11:00PM.  Thank God she was asleep whenever I got home or who knows what would have been next!

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

Dr. Rex, I need to hear from you this morning, please.  Thanks!

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-21

This entry is late.  I apologize.  No excuse.  Just sorry!

Soy, Deidra and the girls arrived safe and sound to GRACE Mountain around 10:00PM Guatemala time last night.  Thank God for a good day of traveling for them although it was a long one.  Special thanks to my brother, Eddie, and our travel agent friend, Claudia, for all of their help in getting them there.

Pastor Joe David Bailey leaves today on his mission trip.  Pray for him as he will be gone for ten days.  Long travel time going and coming.

Had a wonderful visit with Tommy Watson yesterday afternoon.  Wonderful because Tommy can now communicate verbally.  So good to hear him talk.  Keep praying for Tommy.

Nadine’s mother should have been moved to a rehab facility yesterday afternoon.  Keep praying for Mrs. Jones.

Vera’s nephew is now in a regular hospital room.

The men’s cake baking contest needs contestants!  Just saying!  Homemade ice cream too!

The church will vote by voice vote this Sunday evening, 6/18, on whether or not to drop our wind coverage.  The motion will be to do so and it comes from the Trustees, Finance Committee, Buildings & Grounds Committee and Deacons.

The deacons will be bringing names for deacon election at a later point in time.

Special thanks to the firm of Hackevans for the work they have done on the CAB doors thus far.  Three are in place.  Being slowed by the lack of materials (back order).  Leslie Hacker and Bob Evans should apply for a LLC, buy a materials trailer, and have at it!

Special thanks to the folks who helped dismantle the stage, et cetera in the CAB last night too.  Getting ready for the paint job.  I appreciate the help and the spirit!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading –  Ezra 9-10; Acts 1

Today is National Flag Day in the USA.  Flag Day was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916.  It was on  August 3rd, 1949, that President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

Today is also farewell day for the Turrentine family as we bid Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney, & Audrey “farewell” on this new journey in their lives.  They are excited.  I am excited for them.  Mixed emotions on my part for sure but happy to see them walking in obedience to the Will of God for their lives.  Thank you to those who have supported them in any sense of the word and to those who will support them in the future.  God has been faithful – blessed be the name of the Lord!

The celebration of life service for Miss Fannie Fortenberry takes place this afternoon beginning at 2:00PM from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for the family and for this service.

Jennifer Brown’s paternal grandmother passed from this life in the early hours of today.  Pray for Jennifer and family as they walk through this valley.

Nadine’s mother has had a pretty tough go of it since her fall and subsequent surgery.  Pray for Mrs. Jones, Nadine and the others involved in helping in this situation.

Tommy Watson remains in the hospital.  My sickness has prevented me from seeing him the past two days but I plan on visiting with him this afternoon.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  Our 7:30PM Bible study will continue even though Soy will no longer be the teacher/facilitator.  Aaron “Piper” Chinners will lead the study tonight.  The meal will be lasagna with the trimmings.

Our adult choir will meet in the auditorium from 7:15 until 8:00PM tonight for rehearsal.  This rehearsal time will remain in place for the next three Wednesdays (6/14, 6/21 & 6/28).  Choir members, thank you for being Christlike and flexible.

Remember, the CAB will be closed next week, Monday, June 19 – Saturday, June 24, to all activity as the floor will be repainted.  No exceptions.  Morris Bryant is leading this effort.  I appreciate him doing so.

Leslie Hacker & Bob Evans began the difficult process of replacing the CAB doors yesterday.  They worked hard.  It is a job!  I appreciate what they are doing.  The new doors look nice.

Today is going to be a full one for me.  Prayers appreciated.

Pastor Joe David Bailey leaves on his mission trip tomorrow.  He will be driving to Atlanta and then flying from there.  Pray for him.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading –  Ezra 6-8; John 21

Wednesday, June 14 – Ezra 9-10; Acts 1
Thursday, June 15 – Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-21
Friday, June 16 – Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:22-47
Saturday, June 17 – Nehemiah 7-9; Acts 3
Sunday, June 18 – Nehemiah 10-11; Acts 4:1-22

Kenny Cooper’s address for Monday, June 19 – Friday, June 23, 2017: 5800 Clyo Road Centersville, Ohio 45459.

Why was there no blog entry yesterday?  Fair question.  Let me just say this – I have been to Guatemala numbers of times since 1998 and have seen some folks get “Montezuma’s Revenge” but I have been blessed to not be in that number.  Well, Sunday night around 10:30PM “Montezuma” visited me in my house and it was not pretty unless you call sleeping in the bathroom floor pretty!  I was down all night Sunday night, all day yesterday and into the night last night.  I am not one hundred percent as I write this but I am much, much better and do not think I am contagious.  However, I will not be making any visits to hospitals, convalescent homes, et cetera today just to be on the safe side.  As a matter of fact, I will most likely work from the house today.  (Is Lisa a good nurse?  Well, I will just say that she is a good looking nurse and leave it at that!  LOL!).

Miss Fannie Fortenberry passed from this life early yesterday morning.  I posted her obituary on this site.  Visitation tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM at Serenity with the service tomorrow afternoon beginning at 2:00PM.  The service will also be at Serenity.

Steve & Stacy Barnhill are regular attenders of our 8:00AM worship service on Sundays.  Steve’s brother, Bill, passed from this life on Saturday.  The visitation will take place this Friday, 6/16, from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM service time at Serenity.

Helen Hatcher was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon – hooray!  So happy for Helen and her parents!  (The “bad” nurse goes back on tonight so Helen got out just in time!).

Tommy Watson remains in the hospital.

Jennifer Brown’s paternal grandmother remains in a Memphis, TN hospital.  It is my understanding they are going to remove the ventilator today and the expectation is that she will pass from this life soon thereafter.  Jennifer is there with her.  Pray for all involved in this situation.

Vera Bosarge told me that her brother was moved into a regular room yesterday.  He was having some pain in his left shoulder so they were going to run tests to determine the cause.

As far as I know, Nadine Holifield’s mother remains in the hospital.  Nadine has a lot on her plate right now.

Tommy Johnson was at church Sunday and looked well.  He is wearing a heart monitor for the time being.

Ethan Nelson told me Sunday that his sister, Shelby, is continuing to recover from her skin graft surgery but is doing as expected.  Yes, she is having pain but the doctors say she is on the way to recovery.  Just going to be a long road.

Pastor Joe David Bailey leaves this week on a foreign mission trip.  He is going to a place that can be considered unsafe in some ways.  Pray for him, please.

The next three Wednesday nights (June 14, 21 & 28) will see our adult choir rehearsal time be from 7:15 – 8:00PM in the auditorium.  This change is all on me but it comes with Jeanette’s blessings.  The hope is that the folks involved in other ministries i.e. convalescent home, student Bible studies, GA’s, RA’s, et cetera can now take part in rehearsal.

Speaking of the choir, this Sunday, 6/18, we want all men in the choir for the 10:30AM service.

The CAB will be closed the week of Monday, June 19, through Saturday, June 24, to all activities.  Morris Bryant and his Cracker Jack crew will be painting the floor.

Speaking of the CAB, the firm of Hackevans will begin installing the new doors today, 6/13.  Talk about a crew!

I tried to tell you to take the Warriors in five.  I was basically too sick to watch much of the game last night but probably would not have watched it if I had been well.

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

Age 54, a resident of Theodore, AL went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 10, 2017. He was born March 21, 1963 to Luther and Jackie Barnhill. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Luther. Left to cherish his memories are his mother, Jackie, sons, William Morgan Jr. and Morgan Daniel, brothers, Steve (Stacy), Hank (Elizabeth), Luther Jr., Wyatt (Cori) and Perry (Maria), sisters, Sheila and Debbie, twelve nieces and nephews including, TJ, Luke and Makayla to whom he was exceptionally close. Bill had a host of other family and friends left with a lifetime and heart full of memories. He will be missed. A memorial service will be held at Serenity Funeral Home on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 2pm with visitation from 1pm until service time.

Mrs. Fannie Jane Fortenberry, 83, passed away June 12, 2017 at her residence. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 PM Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Serenity Funeral Home Chapel in Theodore. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 PM at Serenity Funeral Home.

Mrs. Fortenberry was a homemaker and is preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Ray Fortenberry. She enjoyed fishing, doing needlepoint and spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren.

Mrs. Fortenberry is survived by her daughter, Evelyn Mitchell (Ricky); sons, Tim Fortenberry (Debbie) and Kenny Ray Fortenberry (Leesa); 6 sisters; 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Sorry for the late notice but there will be no prayer time in the auditorium tonight, 6/12.  Thank you!