Pastor's Blog

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Today is a tough day for me emotionally as it marks the twelfth anniversary of Evangelist Bruce Gill’s home going.  I still cannot believe that Bruce is gone.  It seems like yesterday.  Bruce was only forty nine years old when he departed this life.  Death stings!

Pastor Terry Rainey has a major blood clot in one of is legs. Pray that it will be taken care with the blood thinners.

Virginia Morris did well through her surgery yesterday.  Keep praying.

Larry Whitehurst will be traveling to Florida next week to get fitted for his radiation.  Pray for Larry & Judy.

Tammy Womack continues to need our prayer support.

Miss Georgia Crawley has been hospitalized with gall bladder issues and will be having surgery tomorrow.  Of course, this is Larry’s mother, Tyrone’s aunt, and Maxine Dupont’s double first cousin.  Pray for Miss Georgia.

Terry Lucky’s sister-in-law had some major surgery yesterday.  I do not know the results but do ask that you pray.

We had a really good day in our services yesterday.  New faces in the crowd last night which was good.

Leslie Hacker’s Braves have now taken two straight from Bobby & the boys.  Meanwhile the Phillies were beaten by the Diamondbacks while the Dodgers lost to the A’s which puts the Dodgers one half game behind the D’backs.  I am in hopes that Bobby & the boys can turn this thing around and get back in the race.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Virginia Morris will have gall bladder surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

Bro. Benny McGath was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning.  Can you say “happy camper?”  The stone disappeared so no procedure was needed.  Praise the Lord!

Keep praying for Bro. Jerry Hovel.

Tammy Womack continues to need our prayer support.

Pastor Terry Rainey has a blood clot in his good leg.  Very painful.  Pray that the blood thinners dissolve the clot and that there are no complications.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  The key word for the Friendship family is “faithful!”

Bobby & the boys split with Leslie Hacker’s Braves yesterday so each team actually lost a half game to the Phillies in the standings.  The Dodgers climbed back on top in the NL West thanks to their win over the A’s and the Phillies win over the Diamondbacks.  The regular season is down to about forty eight or so games remaining so now is the time to make moves on the field!

College football is coming!  Cannot get here fast enough for me.

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

Bro. Benny McGath was hospitalized on Sunday night as he is battling a kidney stone.  They hope to correct the problem this morning and the plans are for him to be discharged this afternoon.  Pray for him.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Larry Whitehurst will travel to Florida next week to be fitted for his radiation treatments.  The following week will see the beginning of twenty five treatments.  Pray for Larry as he receives these treatments and as he and Judy travel.

Larry also told me that Tammy Womack continues to not do well physically so keep praying for her, Pastor John and the family.

Marie Brooks has had a skin condition on her lower leg for several years.  There is no known cure.  It is not contagious.  The doctor saw some pre-cancerous cells and has given her a lotion to use for eight weeks.  It is basically like a chemo lotion.  It will not cure the original problem but should take care of these cells.  She also has issues with her sciatic nerve.  Pray for Marie.

Bro. Jerry Hovel is having some difficulty with his knee.  Pray for him as he recovers and does therapy.

Virginia Morris is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning.  Pray for her and keep praying for Steve.

Keep praying for Terry Lucky.

McKemie Place ministry tonight.  Want to be involved?  Help?  Attend?  Contact Randall or Rita Broome for the details.

Big four game series begins this afternoon for Bobby & the boys as they square off against Leslie Hacker’s Braves.  In my opinion, they need to win at least three of these games in order to put some pressure on the Phillies.  (Being the expert that I am!)

Only twenty five days before the “official” beginning of the college football season!  I am ready!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Happy birthday to my sweet mother-in-law, Ann Clark.  I hope that she has a wonderful day.  She is a wonderful lady!

We were blessed with a really good day to begin our new church year as far as Sundays are concerned.  The attendance in the evening service was strong and for that I am most grateful.   The Spirit was excellent in all three of our worship services.  I was blessed by Eddie Albritton’s testimony in the evening service.  The video was not good quality so there will be a repeat of that in the near future.

Bro. Jerry Hovel continues to recover at home.  Keep praying.

Terry Lucky & Steve Morris both had issues on Saturday night that prevented them from attending a Sunday morning service.  Pray for them.

Virginia Morris will have surgery this Wednesday, 8/8.

Liz Whalen is scheduled to have surgery later this month.

Larry Whitehurst will most likely be going to Jacksonville for twenty five radiation treatments.  I think his doctor will give him a more definite plan/schedule either today or within in the next day or so.  Pray for Larry.

Jenny Marion’s sister passed from this life over the weekend.  Pray for the family.

Marie Brooks has been having some health issues and they kept her out of our services yesterday.  She will see a doctor today.

Nanette Fontenot keeps going as she waits out the time when she can put weight on her foot.

It was a real joy for me to see Pastor Clint & Suzanne Landry and their family in our 10:30AM service yesterday.  What a pleasant surprise.  I am really proud of Pastor Clint.

Bobby & the boys have won two in a row but remain six games behind the Phillies in the NL East.  I suspect they need to make their move beginning with their four game series against Leslie Hacker’s Braves which begins tomorrow afternoon.  Meanwhile, the Dodgers are tied with the Diamondbacks for the NL West lead.  Pastor Wes Bates’ beloved Cubbies continue to lead the NL Central.  The AL races are basically over in my opinion.

Fall practice has begun on the college campuses – hooray!

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

The team members all arrived home safe and sound yesterday afternoon/evening.  Sylaina Hinkle said it was the smoothest day of flying that she has ever experienced.  The Michigan folks had an uneventful day in their travels as did Kendall Hargraves as she flew to Houston.  We give God the thanks for His protection.

The teams final day was a good one.  The house dedications were special.  You just have to experience those to really understand just how special they can be.

Kendall Hargraves led approximately half of the children who are involved in our feeding center in presenting a program to the team.  It was precious!  Bible memorization and singing.  Good stuff.

The team then went to the adjoining farm and enjoyed a pizza supper.  Unique place.  Unique pizza.

Share time was pretty short and then everyone packed for home.

So, the trip was a success.  To God be the glory!

P.S. – You can read Deidra’s latest blog at shininglightabroad.com for a more detailed look at all this team did during their time in Guatemala.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

I apologize for not posting an entry yesterday.  No excuses.  Sometimes it just does not happen.

Bro. Jerry sent me a message telling me that he was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  That is good news.  Keep praying for his recovery.

Also, keep praying for Miss Gloria Whitmore as she continues in her recovery from her surgery.

Pray for Pastor John, Tammy and their family as Tammy battles a malignancy.

Pray for Larry & Judy as they continue to seek wisdom in how to proceed regarding Larry’s tumor.

Regular schedule this Sunday, 8/5, and, Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit all three services.  I sure hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family.

Adult choir practice resumes this Sunday, 8/5, at 5:00PM.

Our deacons will meet this Sunday, 8/5, at 4:00PM.  This will be our new slate of deacons.

I am asking the Missions Committee to meet with me at 5:00PM this Sunday.

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

The team had a good Tuesday even though it did not go as planned.  The day began with Dr. Rex Looney leading the musical worship and then bringing a word from the Word.  He did well in both.

The building team then returned to the two villages where the twenty houses have been built.  The eight needing concrete received  it and all twenty were finished.  They are now ready for the dedication.

Anthony Shaneyfelt stayed on GRACE Mountain and led a small team assigned the task of removing the paving stones in front of the feeding center.  Those stones have got very uneven over the years as the ground has settled under them.  They have to be removed in order to correct the problem.  Those folks worked hard and did a nice job of removing a good portion of them.  Anthony did a nice job of coordinating that effort!

A team left around 9:30AM to go to the volcano relief area.  They came to a river that was deemed impassable by the van so they did not get to go to the distribution site.  However, the truck with the supplies crossed the river and the food was distributed.  So what did that team do?  Went to San Martin in San Lucas and ate so they were good!

The “Michigan four” cooked soup that will be frozen and served to the volcano victims at a later date.

All is well here.  Thanks for praying.  Thanks for checking on this team.  Blessings!

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this morning and tonight.

I am going to assume that Bro. Jerry Hovel’s surgery was a success as I have heard no different.  I do not do social media and no one sent me an update.  Pray for Bro. Jerry as he recovers.

Keep praying for Larry Whitehurst as he and Judy pray through his situation regarding treatment options.

My inbox has been over run with folks replying to some “test” but I have to tell you that I am totally clueless on that one.  The only thing I know for certain is that it was not me sending out a test.

Speaking of a test, the MCPSS administrators and teachers begin the new school year today and the students begin on Monday, 8/6.  That means high school football games are only a few weeks away and college football begins one week later.  I am ready for those respective seasons.

Bobby & the boys put up twenty five runs last night – wow!  They still have work to do to catch the Phillies and Leslie Hacker’s Braves but maybe last night’s offensive display will be the jump start they have needed.  The Dodgers have lost their last three games and are now behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West.

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