Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Visited with Bro. Jerry yesterday morning and he was in pain from his second surgery but was feeling much better otherwise.  Being the doctor that I am, I think the second surgery actually addressed and corrected his original problem.  Regardless, he is much better.  His body now needs to mend from the two hour surgery.  Keep praying.

Miss Martez Richerson was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Kayla has done a nice job of keeping me updated.  I will visit with her later this morning.

Our exercise leagues went well late yesterday afternoon.  Things were pretty desperate as I was called into action to officiate one of the games – help me Rhonda!  Not only did I not have a clue but I was also carrying a one year old child for one of the four quarters!  Same format this afternoon as far as the games are concerned.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening on our campus.

Where do I shop?  Thanks for asking.  I have already mentioned Grand Bay Auto Supply.  While I do not “shop” there I can also recommend Sweet Tea in Grand Bay.  It is owned by Bibbi Bosarge who has attended Friendship for months and became a member of the Friendship family on Easter Sunday.  Here is the deal – the name is misleading.  I have been in this store one time to get some half & half tea.  Folks, they have no tea!  Are you serious!  It is a boutique.  My wife loves it and while I have not been in the store my debit card has!  What I have found is that it is a great place for a man to purchase a gift card and give to his wife, grown daughters, et cetera and they are happy campers.  Personally, bath bombs are not for me – just saying!  It would be a great marketing strategy to have some “sweet tea” available for the customers as they browse through the store but Bibbi has not sought out my advice.  (By the way, I know Bibbi’s real name!  LOL!)

Hack’s Braves won last night while Bobby & the boys and the Dodgers took it on the chin.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.  Good bye April 2019!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Jerry Hovel underwent another surgery yesterday afternoon after having a test performed to see if there were any additional problems.  Obviously, they found one and were able to correct it by doing laparoscopic surgery.  So, prayerfully Bro. Jerry now is on his way to a complete healing.  Praise the Lord.  Keep praying.

We were blessed with a very good day in our services yesterday.  It was a joy to observe the ordinance of baptism in our first service.  Our attendance was good – not Easter Sunday good but still good.  We were missing a good number of our Friendship family members for various reasons.

Our exercise leagues will have four games this afternoon (two at 5:30PM and two at 6:30PM) and then repeat the process tomorrow afternoon.  This Saturday, 5/4, will bring this season to a close.

I need to hear from our senior adults regarding their attendance for our 10:30AM service and the meal this Sunday, May 5.  Please call the church office by Thursday noon.

Also need to hear from the families wishing to take part in the “parent/child” dedication service on May 12 at 10:30AM.  Please call the church office by this Thursday, 5/2.

We will recognize the high school class of 2019 on Sunday, May 19, during our 10:30AM service.  We need to hear from the graduates planning to participate in this service no later than Thursday, May 16.  Please call the church office.

Lisa and I had a wonderful Saturday.  We were able to spend some quality time with my parents and Eddie & Sue.  We then had a delightful visit with Mr. & Mrs Dendy along with one of their daughters and her husband.  Mr. & Mrs. Dendy recently celebrated their seventy fifth wedding anniversary – how about that!

Our day was capped as we had a wonderful time of fellowship with Decker & Martha Terry in Montgomery.  This is a most godly couple who love the Lord, His church, His ministries and His missions.  Martha is homebound but she is a prayer warrior.  If you need to be encouraged then just go visit Decker & Martha!

It is almost daybreak and Lisa has told me that I have to get the garden plowed before heading to the office today or else!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Jerry Hovel remains hospitalized.  I have not visited him for the past two days but have been keeping tabs on him.  I am told he is getting there as far as his recovery is concerned.  Keep praying!

Regular schedule this morning and tonight on our campus.  We will observe the ordinance of baptism in our 8:00AM service.

Lisa and I left our house at 3:15AM yesterday morning and pulled back into our garage at 10:00PM last night.  So, almost nineteen hours and almost eight hundred miles later we had completed our road trip.  We thank God for granting us traveling mercies.  I will share some details in a later post – probably tomorrow.

JT Lastorka pitched and hit the Mobile Christian Leopards to a third, and deciding, game victory in their second round playoff series yesterday.  They will now travel to Montgomery this weekend to play in the third round.  Best of luck to JT and team.

By the way, I attended JT’s two games on Friday night and ended up sitting between Bob & Jason.  Am I a blessed guy or what!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Jerry was “some” better when I visited with him yesterday morning.  They were going to begin to allow him to eat some real food.  It appears that slowly but surely his body is recovering.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Baptism as a part of the 8:00AM service.

JT Lastorka and the Leopards host two second round playoff games today against American Christian.  Best of luck to JT and his team.  I hope to catch at least one of those games.

Lord willing, tomorrow is going to be a marathon day for Lisa and me.  I have not seen my parents since the end of December.  So, we plan to leave early in the morning to drive to Hartselle to visit with them, drive back down to Birmingham to visit Mr & Mrs Dendy (both in their 90’s), drive back down to Montgomery and visit Decker & Martha Terry (a wonderful, godly couple who support an untold number of mission efforts around the world including GRACE Ministries) and then arrive home tomorrow night.  I am no longer twenty years old but sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do!

As for today, Lisa has laid the law down – “you want to see your parents?  Get the yard work done and ‘your’ garden needs plowing as well!”  Full day for me!

I am a Lakers fan and never have liked the Celtics.  However, sad to read that John Havlicek passed from this life yesterday.  He was a really good basketball player.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Visited briefly with Bro. Jerry shortly after noon yesterday.  He was not having a good day.  They had done an x-ray which did not reveal any new problems but it seems something is not right.  Keep praying for Bro. Jerry.

Miss Maxine Dupont has a great grandson who was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  Pray for him.

Miss Martez Richerson has not been feeling so well lately so please add her to your prayer list.

Spoke to Wendy Johnston yesterday afternoon and she is going stir crazy but is doing ok.  Wendy does not like being limited in her ability to go and do.  Pray for George!

Eddie Albritton had to come home from work early yesterday as he was not feeling well.  (Can you say milking it?)

Good day in our services yesterday.  Dale was out of pocket as he is ministering in Seattle.  (I think Seattle is in Mississippi but maybe I am wrong on that one)

Nice story – Soy & Deidra helped provide funds for a family in Guatemala to get a pump for their well.  They now have water which they have not had for the past three years!  Total cost was around three hundred dollars.  Soy & Deidra simply were not aware of the need until a day or so ago.

Here comes the rain!  The forecast calls for the rain to begin mid afternoonish and last for several hours.  Stay dry and be safe.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Keep praying for Bro. Jerry as he remains in the hospital.  Lord willing, I will visit with him following our service this morning.

The visitation with the Richerson family and the service for Norman’s brother takes place today in the Bay Minette area.  Visitation begins at 1:00PM and lasts until the service begins at 3:00PM.  Pray for the Richerson family.

We are on a regular schedule today – morning and evening.  We will be on a regular schedule on Wednesdays until we come to our VBS week in early June.  Let’s make Wednesday attendance important.  Or important again.

Need to hear from our senior adults regarding the service/meal on Sunday, May 5.

Need to hear from those families wishing to participate in the parent/child dedication on Sunday, May 12.

Dale needs to hear from our students who plan on taking part in “camp” this Summer.

Still shopping at Grand Bay Auto Supply.  Have you given them a try?  You should.

I know a good handy man who is available for hire if anyone needs help around the house.  Contact me and I will put you in touch with him.

As you probably know, Eddie Albritton lives alone.  I have been thinking – what if I could find some other guy to be a roomie with Eddie?  That would benefit both parties.  I need to think on that one to see if anyone comes to mind.

Our weather has been fantastic!  Rain is coming tomorrow but there are no complaints from me about the past several days weather wise.  Thank you Lord.

I was wrong about JT’s baseball series this Friday and Saturday.  They play at home – hooray!

Bobby & the boys won last night to pull back to five hundred.  Pastor Wes’ beloved Cubbies beat the Dodgers – not good!  Hack’s Braves also took it on the chin last night.

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

Obviously, Bro. Jerry remains hospitalized.  He did not seem as good to me this morning as he did yesterday.  He need rest, peace and quiet.  Therefore, I suggested that anyone visiting him limit their visits to five minutes or less.  Bro. Jerry agreed as did the nurse.  Actually, the best thing would probably be no visitors while he is in the hospital and then when he comes home for the first week or so.

Bro. Jerry is very grateful for each person who has visited him.  He just does not feel well and his focus needs to be on getting better not on entertaining company.  You can send him messages on FB, send him texts, et cetera.  Most of all he covets your prayer support.

So, if you want to be offended by all of this then be offended at me, not him.  Pray for Bro. Jerry.

Melvin Murphy Richerson, age 90, born in the Rabun Community and a resident of Bay Minette, AL died Sunday, April 21, 2019 at his residence. He was a retired crane operator at International Paper.

He is survived by his children, Sharon (Lamar) Still of Opelika, AL, Steve (Linda) Richerson of Bay Minette, AL, Johnny RIcherson of Rabun, Beth (Larry) Newman of Salem, AL and Lynn (Lonnell) Hadley of Lottie; one brother, Norman (Martez) Richerson of Grand Bay, AL; grandchildren, Christy Castellani, Trent Still, Jaron Richerson, Mandy Reid, Chase Richerson, Pamela Ganey, Tommy Wayne Richerson, Jason Jamieson and Mitchell Hadley and great grandchildren, Jade, Drew, Jocelyn, Caley, Easton, Kaitlin, Jackson, Paige and Allison.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Nora Mae Cooper Richerson, Irene Pfeffer Richerson; a son, Tony Richerson and two grandsons, Gregory Plunkett and Jacob Jamison.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at Vision Ministries Church with Reverend Alan Blackmon officiating. Burial will follow at Dean Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. service at Vision Ministries Church.

Pallbearers will be Chase Richerson, Wayne Richerson, Trent Still, Jarod Richerson, Russell Hartwick and Drew Castellani.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

What a difference a surgery can make!  Bro. Jerry looked better yesterday morning than I have seen him look in about the last month.  He needs a couple of things to happen and he will be on his way home.  Praise the Lord.  Keep praying.

Keith Barrett was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  He was a happy camper!  Aninha will take great care of him!  (He may wish he was back in the hospital – LOL!). Pray for Keith’s complete recovery.

Received a call just before 9:00PM last night that Eddie Albritton had been taken to the hospital by ambulance.  I went to check on him and when I left a little before midnight it seemed he would be coming back home.  “May” have been food poisoning.  He was a sick puppy.  (He did hit me up for ten dollars and asked about getting back on the folks bringing food to him since he is sick – just saying!)

The service for Norman Richerson’s brother will take place tomorrow afternoon.  I am going to post the obit once I post this entry.  Pray for the Richerson family.

We are going to observe the ordinance of baptism in our 8:00AM service this Sunday and possibly our 6:00PM service too.

Senior adults – I need to hear from you regarding Sunday, May 5.

Parents of young children – I need to hear from you regarding Sunday, May 12.

Our exercise leagues will have a special day on Saturday, May 4, as that is closing day.  Amy Reynolds needs a few guys who will be willing to bring their grill to help with the tube steaks.  If you will help then please contact her.

Where do I shop?  That is a great question so thank you for asking.  I try to shop in Grand Bay as much as possible.  If I need automobile parts or hardware supplies I always go to Grand Bay Auto Supply which is located on Grand Bay Wilmer Road just North of I-10.  GBAS is owned by Donnie & Marisa Felps.  They have all of your automobile supplies, can make keys, have hardware supplies, et cetera.  Marisa is a very active member of the Friendship family.  I encourage you to use Grand Bay Auto Supply as much as possible.

How does my garden grow?  Thank you for asking.  I planted eight rows of corn and three rows of snap beans on April 11.  I could not have asked for a better initial stand of corn.  I was a bit worried about the snap beans but they have come up pretty good now. So now I wait on the other seven rows of snap beans, peas and okra that I planted last Wednesday, 4/17.  It will soon be time to begin to make this a Santa Claus garden.  (Again, could not have done this without the kindness of John Milton Ladnier!)

JT and team will play in the second round of the state playoffs this weekend.  I “think” they will have to travel.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

I am going with the “no news is good news” regarding Bro. Jerry’s situation.  I will visit him later this morning.  Keep praying for Bro. Jerry.

Attempted to visit Keith Barrett yesterday afternoon but he was not available for company.  So, I plan to see him this morning too.  Keep praying for Keith.

The visitation and service for Norman Richerson’s brother will take place Wednesday afternoon.  I do not know the exact location at this time.  However, I do know the visitation will be from 1:00PM until the 3:00PM service time.  Pray for the Richerson family.

The Lord blessed us with a really great day in our two services yesterday.  We saw five folks join the Friendship family by letter and five others join on statement.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!

The sunrise service was really good.  It was especially good to have the fox family join us.  Bro. Michael did a wonderful job of sharing the Gospel.  Randall did a nice job with the musical worship and the message in song.

I have to say a huge “thank you” to Randall Broome, James Mareno & Logan Wainwright for getting everything set up for that service.  I am sure others were involved but these three were the ring leaders.  We had a lot of folks helping right before the service and then afterwards in getting everything put back in place.  Thank you to all involved!

Jonny The Baptist did a wonderful service by providing coffee and hot chocolate before, during and after the sunrise service.  Thank you JTB!

Our 10:30AM service as strong.  Full house, great musical worship, great message in song by Randall, Rita & Jennifer, great message by Dr. Michael and then the front lined with folks desiring membership during the invitation.  To God be the glory!

If the Lord allows me to live and to continue to serve as the pastor of the Friendship family then I have already thought about some things for next Easter (April 12, 2020).  I am open to comments, suggestions, helps, ideas, et cetera on how we can make the Easter weekend even more effective in reaching folks with the Gospel.  Send me a message within the next few days if you so desire.

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