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)

Good morning from Birmingham.  Titus and I came up early yesterday afternoon and I will admit it was a tough drive for me after having driven from 1:30 until 5:00AM.  However, we made it and we are thankful to God.  Today, Lisa, Titus & I will meet Dr. John Nicely from Michigan and his two sons, Sam & Jacob, for the Bama game.  Dr. John is very, very involved in our work in Guatemala.  Jacob is from Guatemala.  Someone influenced him several years ago to become an Alabama fan and the rest is history.

Brandon, Pam & JZ leave tomorrow for Gainesville.  Pray for them.  Pray for the trial to go well.  Pray for JZ to receive the actual medication.

Keep praying for those affected by Hurricane Michael.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Finance Committee meets at 4:00PM.  Pastor Jordan Lollar will preach in our evening service.

I am really blogging for one reason which is to say a huge “congratulations” to Coach Eric Collier and the Theodore Bobcats for their victory last night.  Coach Collier was quick to give God the glory.  Eric is such a nice guy.  Grateful to have him and his family as a part of the Friendship family.  I wish I could have been in attendance but then again that would have meant sitting somewhere around Sanna Collier listening to that cowbell!  Just saying!

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

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

The celebration of life service for Dorothy Weeks will take place today beginning at 10:00AM from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  It will be preceded by one hour of visitation with the family.  This is Elizabeth Martin’s maternal grandmother.  Pray for the family.

The celebration of life service for Carolyn Diane Halbrook will take place today beginning at 2:00PM from the Coden United Methodist Church in Coden, AL.  It will be preceded by one hour of visitation with the family.  This is Vera Bosarge’s sister.  Pray for the family.

Visited with Kelsey yesterday morning and she was getting close to giving birth.  I “assume” that she did.  Pray for Kelsey, the baby and the family.

Brandon, Pam & JZ Baker leave Sunday heading to Gainesville, FL for the clinical trial for JZ.  Pray for JZ as well as for his parents.

Keep praying for the folks whose lives have been impacted by Hurricane Michael.  Really strong storm.

It is a long story but suffice it to say that in the past nineteen hours I have driven about seven hundred miles (eleven hours), visited for two hours with my parents/family and slept two and one half hours.  I just hung out the remaining time!  I will drive another four hours this afternoon, Lord willing.  Pray for traveling mercies for me.

Dodgers vs the Brewers tonight.  Not sure if the Dodgers can handle the Brewers as they have been red hot!

Let’s go Bama!  Ready for the games this weekend.

Coach Collier and his team have my best wishes on the game tonight.

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

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

Riley & Donna Glass’ granddaughter, Kelsey, was admitted to the hospital last night.  They will induce her labor today as there is a potential problem if she continues to carry the baby in her womb.  Pray for mother and child along with the rest of the family.

The visitation and service for Miss Dorothy Weeks takes place tomorrow morning with the visitation going from 9:00AM until the 10:00AM service time.  Everything at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  Pray for Doug, Holly & Elizabeth Martin along with the rest of the family.

The visitation and service for Diane Halbrook also takes place tomorrow with everything being at the Coden Methodist Church.  Visitation begins at 1:00PM and lasts until the 2:00PM service time.  Pray for David & Vera along with the family.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday morning and last night.  Will Reynolds even joined us for the evening service.  I am very thankful to those who are faithful to attend our Wednesday services.

My numbers were a bit off concerning the number from the Friendship family who attended the visitation and/or service for Phillip’s mother.  Some had come and gone before Lisa and I arrived.  I am very grateful to each person who went to support Phillip & Claire.

As I write this entry there have been two deaths contributed to Hurricane Michael.  Pray for those families and for all of the folks who must now begin the process and picking up and carrying on following the destruction.  Pray for the first responders, the utility folks, law enforcement, et cetera.

Speaking of the weather, Kendall Falana has now told me when we can expect to receive some Fall weather.  Give it a couple of weeks he says.

Speaking of Fall, I am ready for the college football weekend.  Mizzou could give Alabama’s defense some problems.  AU will handle UT easily.

Coach Collier and his Bobcats have a huge game tomorrow night against the Yellow Jackets.  I am wishing the Bobcats the absolute best and hope they can win the Region!  If so, you may be looking at Coach Saban’s eventual replacement.  Just saying!

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

Doug Martin’s mother-in-law passed from this life last night.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

Brandy Gazzier was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Just posted the obituary for Vera Bosarge’s sister.

Obituary for Carolyn Diane Vesper Halbrook

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

As of yesterday morning, Brandy Gazzier remained in the hospital.  She was in hopes of possibly being discharged at some point yesterday.  Not sure if that happened.  Pray for Brandy.

Doug Martin’s mother-in-law was in ICU and not doing well when I visited yesterday morning.  Pray for her and the family.

Hurricane Michael has turned into a monster of a storm.  We certainly need to pray for those who will be affected by it as it makes landfall today.  It appears that the folks in South Carolina and North Carolina are going to get even more rain as a result of this storm.  They are still dealing with high water from Hurricane Florence.  I really appreciate Kendall Falana keeping me in the loop with these storms.

We are on a regular schedule today and tonight.

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

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

The visitation with the Wanda Turner (Phillip’s mother) takes place today from 11:00AM until the 1:00PM celebration of life service.  Visitation and service at the Trinity Bible Church in Escatawpa, MS.  I am in hopes that a good number of the Friendship family members will be able to attend either the visitation or service.  Phillip & Claire are really great members of the Friendship family.  Pray for the family.

The arrangements for Vera’s sister are on hold.  It seems that a service will take place on Friday but nothing has been finalized yet.  Just pray for the family.

Brandi Wescovich Morgan’s paternal grandmother, Ella Mae Wescovich, passed from this life this past Sunday, 10/7.  The visitation will take place today from 2:00 – 3:00PM at Serenity Funeral Home.  The graveside service will take place at 3:30PM from the Oddfellows Cemetery in Bayou La Batre.  Pray for the family.

Brandy Gazzier was chomping at the bit to get out of the hospital yesterday.  Not sure if that happened.  She was waiting on test results when I visited.  Pray for Brandy.

Doug Martin’s mother-in-law is in ICU.  Pray for her.

Zach Switzer tore his ACL playing football this past Friday night.  Surgery on 10/30.  Pray for a successful surgery and a complete healing.  (Joey wants us to take up an offering but we are not going to do so)

Mandi Fortner is one of Lisa’s best friends.  Mandi’s parents are great friends too.  This past Wednesday, 10/3, Mandi’s mother took a fall.  Hurt her leg.  Went with Mandi on Thursday in order to lead a ladies’ conference at Pastor Terry Rainey’s church in South Carolina.  Finally went to the doctor yesterday.  Fractured femur.  Emergency surgery last night.  Three pins inserted.  Surgery deemed successful.  All I can say is that Katherine is one tough lady!  Read up on a broken femur and you will know what I am talking about.  Pray for complete healing.

Karlie Garnett’s fiancé, Kaleb Barker, is the starting quarterback for Troy.  He hurt his knee in the game this past Saturday and is out for the season.  Will have surgery on Friday.  He was enjoying a really good season.  His life is about to change drastically when Willard becomes his father-in-law!  That may be tougher than a torn ACL!  Just saying!

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow.  I thought Hurricane Michael might pay us a visit but that does not appear likely now.  I talked to Kendall Falana and he agreed to move it away from our area of the coast.  Pray for those who will be impacted by this hurricane.  It is presently forecasted to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall.

Folks, Kendall Falana knows weather.  Basically never gets it wrong.  If you want to know what the weather will be at your place on November 12, 2018 at 3:05PM just ask Kendall!  That goes for any date, any time.  The man is amazing!  You do not believe me?  Just ask his wife, Lee!

Well, the Dodgers won the series against Leslie Hacker’s Braves.  Honestly, the Braves arrived a year early.  They are so young.  The Brewers are on fire.  Not sure if the Dodgers can handle them.  I hope so but then it will be the Astros or Red Sox in the series which would be another tall order.  Meanwhile, Red Sox 16 Yankees 1 – are you serious?

Speaking of the MLB, it was great having Bobby Henley back in our services this past Sunday.  I wish the Nationals had made the playoffs but am really glad to have Bobby home.

This entry has been too long.  My apologies.

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)

This entry is late.  You think?  My apologies.  No excuses.

Brandy Gazzier was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Lindsey Vice told me what the suspected problem is but all I can remember is gastro and elevated blood counts.  Regardless, pray for Brandy.

The visitation and service for Phillip Turner’s mother takes place tomorrow.  Visitation is from 11:00AM until 1:00PM when the celebration of life service begins.  Everything from the Trinity Bible Church in Moss Point (which is really in Escatawpa).  Pray for the Turner family.

Vera Bosarge’s sister passed from this life early yesterday morning.  Very unexpected.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the family.

Miss Cora Martin was able to go back to the assisted living facility late last week.  Clara said Miss Cora is obviously doing better.

Virginia told me that Steve is “getting there” slowly but surely (paraphrase).

Pray for Brandon, Pam and their son, JZ, as they go to Florida next week.  Thanks for those who joined us in prayer last night.

Good day in our services yesterday.  God is faithful.

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

Wanda Jean Turner, 63, of Escatawpa, MS passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018, after a short battle with cancer. She was born January 16, 1955 in Andalusia, AL to Charlie and Mary Smith. She was an employee of Moss Point School District for nearly thirty years and a devoted member of Trinity Bible Church. She enjoyed singing, baking, crafting, and family dinners after church. Most of all, she enjoyed being “Granny”. Wanda was preceded in death by her father, Charlie Smith; son, Charles Green; and brothers, Phillip and Harry Smith. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Bobby Turner; mother, Mary Smith; sons, Lindsey (Amanda) Turner and Phillip (Claire) Turner; sisters, Beck (Randolph) Cooper, Polly (Royce) King, Mary (Rick) Delauder, Gail Watson, Wynona (Gene) Harris, Charlene (Michael) Bosarge, and Terri (Dave) Bohannon; granddaughters, Charlee, Mary, and Collins Turner; along with numerous other nieces, nephews, close friends and extended family. She was also “Granny” to Aubrey & Tessa Hester and Travis & Allie Harris. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Trinity Bible Church, 7313 Elder Ferry Rd., Moss Point, MS 39563. Funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Perry Smith officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Serene Memorial Gardens in Moss Point, MS. Pallbearers will be Michael Bosarge, Gene Harris, Corey Harris, Robert Harris, Christon Green, and Charles Green. Wanda’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff on 1 North Center at Singing River Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Trinity Bible Church.

Phillip graciously sent me a message that I received early this morning sharing that his mother passed from this life around 11:00PM last night, 10/4/18.  Obviously the arrangements are incomplete at this time.  I simply ask that you join me in praying for Phillip and his family as they walk through this valley.  Phillip and Claire are an amazing young couple and we are blessed to have them as a part of the Friendship family.