Pastor's Blog

I told you this is a fluid situation and changes could happen at any moment.  In an effort to be consistent and cautious, we will not have a nursery, childcare or classes for any child under the sixth grade in any of our services – Wednesday or Sunday.  All buildings on our campus will be locked with the exception of the CAB (youth) and auditorium today and then the auditorium on Sunday.

Again, no nursery, childcare or classes for any child under the sixth grade – Wednesday or Sunday.

Please pass the word!  Stay tuned!

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Visited with Belvin McDonald yesterday.  They were in the process of trying to get him discharged today by moving him to oral medications, et cetera.  Keep praying for Belvin.

Eddie Albritton was in therapy when I stopped by his hospital room.  I saw his wife in the parking lot as I was leaving and she was coming.  Keep praying for Eddie and his therapy.

Myrtle Bowden was taken to the hospital late Monday night but returned home early Tuesday morning.  Keep praying for Myrtle.

We have some within the Friendship family who have now lost their jobs temporarily due to the virus.  Some of them have been told to expect six weeks with no pay.  Dale & Karla have seen their entire March & April schedule wiped clean due to cancellations.  We need to pray for these folks.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight with the exception of no children’s or preschool choir tonight.  Again, sick folks do not need to attend.  I am totally fine with anyone else, regardless of age, who chooses to not attend out of concern, being uncomfortable, et cetera.  Yes, our elderly folks need to be very cautious when it comes to getting out in any public setting and that includes church services.

By the way, our CAB is closed to any sporting activities i.e. basketball games whether they be one on one, two on two or whatever. Just FYI.

I have heard from folks on both sides of the proverbial aisle when it comes to how the church should respond to this virus.  I appreciate those who have shared their thoughts and I appreciate the kind attitudes shown.  Some of my younger pastor friends are really struggling with how to handle this situation.  We all are because we have never done this before.  Again, the situation is fluid and something could happen any day to change our plans.

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

First, we are dealing with a very fluid situation and are taking one Sunday at a time regarding our service schedule.

Second, folks who are sick do not need to attend any church service or be in a public meeting of any kind.  Common sense.

Third, any person who is uncomfortable, nervous, afraid, et cetera about attending a church service because of the potential of coming in contact with the coronavirus just needs to stay away.  Church attendance is voluntary!  Always has been, always will be.

We will be having three worship services this Sunday, March 22, 2020.  These services will begin at the regular times – 8:00AM, 10:30AM & 6:00PM.  There will be one difference from a normal Sunday – all three services will be exact duplicates when it comes to the songs and message.  Therefore, we are asking folks to only attend one of the three services.  This will allow us to keep the numbers lower and somewhat in line with the recommendations from the government agency.

Our buses will not be running their routes this Sunday, March 22, 2020.  We will not have any Sunday School classes this Sunday, March 22, 2020.  We will not have our AWANA ministry or Discipleship Training classes this Sunday, March 22, 2020.  We will not provide nursery or childcare in our 8:00AM service.  Hopefully, we will have workers in place to provide childcare and nursery in our Preschool Building for the 10:30AM & 6:00PM services.  We will not have children’s church this Sunday, March 22, 2020.

We will be receiving our regular offerings this Sunday, March 22, 2020, but will not be passing the offering plates.  We are asking folks to refrain from handshakes, hugs, et cetera.

We will be having adult choir rehearsal in the auditorium this Sunday, March 22, 2020, beginning at 5:00PM.  Our hope is to have the Easter musical as planned.  The choir will not be singing this Sunday morning, March 22, 2020.

My suggestion to families with children who do not want their children out in public would be for one parent to attend a service while the other parent remains at home with the children and then reverse roles for another service.  Of course, your children are welcome to attend but that decision is yours to make as a parent.

Our staff and deacons will lead the effort to wipe down the auditorium following each worship service.  Any help will be appreciated.

We will not be doing any mailings for the time being and maybe never again.  We are going digital through the FB page and the website.  We hope to have some stuff up within a day or two.

Our church secretaries are “seasoned” ladies and we want to limit any possible exposure to the virus.  Therefore, they will not be in the church office on a regular basis, if at all.  So, if you call the office and do not get an answer that is why.  Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel and I will be around most of the time and can always be reached on our cell phones in the event of an emergency.

Our soccer leagues are on “hold” for the time being.  Bro. Abel & Amy Reynolds will be making a decision soon as to what to do with this season.

Our Vacation Bible School will take place at some point in July.  Details TBA.

Finally, be in much prayer as we navigate our way through this most different time.  Contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you.

This Saturday, March 21, 2020, we will gather at 8:00AM to clean/sanitize our auditorium and preschool building.  We need men, women & teens to come help us clean/disinfect things.  Please bring cleaning supplies, if possible.  I suspect this will only take a couple of hours if enough folks show up.

Bibbi Bosarge asked to be in charge of this project and I have reluctantly agreed to her request.  It is not necessary but why not send Bibbi an e-mail letting her know you will attend – bibbibosarge1@gmail.com.  Do it now while you are thinking of it.

On another cleaning note, we will have at least three deacons present in each of our Sunday services.  These men will be asked to wipe down/clean the auditorium following the completion of each service.

Here is the schedule for this Sunday, 3/22/20:

8:00AM – Brad Hutto, Carl Ray Moulds, Raymond Wilkinson

10:30AM – Sonny Bates, Jeff Holifield, Jimmy Tagert

6:00PM – Rick Bradley, Grant Tillman, TJ Vice

Any others willing to help clean following the services are more than welcome to join the fun!

First, if anyone is sick then they are asked to be wise and not attend church services or any other public gathering.  That is just using common sense.

Second, it is obvious that church attendance is voluntary.  Always has been, always will be.  If anyone feels uncomfortable, nervous, et cetera about attending a church service because of the coronavirus then do not attend.  We want you to join us in our services but the ultimate decision is up to you for you and your family.

So, the schedule on our campus for tomorrow, March 18, 2020, will be normal with one exception – our children’s choir and preschool choir will not meet.  We will have our morning service beginning at 10:00AM and our evening service/classes/Bible studies beginning at 6:30PM.

We will encourage folks in our services to refrain from handshakes, hugs, et cetera for the time being.

Please pass the word about tomorrow’s schedule on our campus.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

I will be entering another post later today explaining our plans for the immediate future regarding our services, ministries, et cetera.  Please check back for that information.

Belvin McDonald is getting some good news from the doctors and hopes to soon begin physical therapy.  It is undecided at this point whether that will be in patient or in home.  Keep praying for Belvin.

Eddie Albritton, Sr. remains in the hospital but they really have not done much in the way of physical therapy up to this point.  Pray for Eddie.

Thank you to each person who helped minister to the Sarah Thornton family yesterday following the COLS.

We had a good meeting of our church leadership last night.  We did not all agree on everything but the attitudes were good and we are all determined to make this thing work to the glory of God.  We all need to be diligent in our prayer life.

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

The celebration of life service for Sarah Criswell Thornton takes place this morning beginning at 10:00AM from the chapel at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, Alabama.  Pray for Tom, Ginger, Joy and the family.

If are helping with the food for the Thornton family then please have your dish in our Preschool Building no later than 9:00AM today.  Thank you for being a part of this ministry.

Belvin McDonald remains hospitalized and they are looking to get him into rehab once his hospital stay is over.  Pray for Belvin.

Eddie Albritton’s dad also remains in rehab.  Keep praying.

Some of the hospitals are now limiting visitors because of the virus so I am not sure how that will work for me getting in to see folks this week.

Our attendance was down yesterday and I attribute most of that to fear of the virus.  I wholeheartedly encourage folks who are sick to stay home and that includes trips to stores, restaurants, et cetera in addition to church services.  I think the older folks need to use caution in these same areas.  Now as for everyone else – pretty much amazes me that folks cannot attend church because of the virus but can go everywhere else without giving it a second thought.

I have called a meeting tonight of our church staff and deacons as we will pray, discuss this situation and then go from there.  I want us to be wise but not to live in fear.

It was a joy to baptize Kate Timberlake last night in our service.  Dylan Westbrook, the AWANA children and the workers all did a nice job of sharing with us during our evening service.

Deidra made it back to Guatemala safe and sound.  She had to go through additional screening once in Guatemala but otherwise it was business as normal.  Thank you for praying.

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Belvin McDonald was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  Pray for Belvin.

We are on a regular schedule on our campus today with one major exception – our evening service will begin at 5:00PM and will be finished no later than 6:00PM.  This is being done in order for the members of the Friendship family to go to Serenity Funeral Home and visit with the Sarah Criswell Thornton family.  That visitation is set to end at 7:00PM.

As for this morning we will meet for worship at 8:00AM, Bible study at 9:15AM and then worship at 10:30AM.

We will receive a special offering for the travel bus purchase in all three services today.

The celebration of life service for Sarah Thornton will take place tomorrow beginning at 10:00AM from the chapel at Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for Tom, Ginger, Joy and the entire family.

Deidra had to change her return flight to today as Guatemala will no longer accept flights from the US or Canada beginning tomorrow.  Pray that she will have no problems getting back into Guatemala.  We were blessed to have her with us for a couple of days.  Pray for Lisa as she will be returning from New Orleans today having taken Deidra to the airport there.

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

Our evening service tomorrow, 3/15, will begin at 5:00PM and will end no later than 6:00PM.  This will allow the members of the Friendship family to attend the visitation with the Sarah Criswell Thornton family at Serenity Funeral Home.  Please note this change and pass the word.

Sarah Criswell Thornton of Grand Bay Alabama passed away unexpectedly on March 13, 2020, Sarah was born on November 10, 1939 to the late John and Ola Mae Brown. Sarah was preceeded in death by her late husband Murray Criswell, seven brothers, William Brown, Conway Brown, Raymond Brown, Henry Brown, Matt Brown, Joseph Brown, Ed Brown and one sister Francis Tuttle.

Sarah was an educator for 35 years. Sarah worked at Grand Bay Elementary, Friendship Baptist Church, and Magnolia Springs Christian School during her 35 year tenure. She attended and graduated from Perkinston College. Sarah loved to garden and sew and spent many hours makng special outfits, blankets and other items for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As a devout Christian Sarah had an unshakable faith as a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay for many years.

Mrs. Thornton is survived by Thomas Thornton, Sr., Viola Gilbert, Ginger (Gary) Smith, Joy (Neil) Saucer, Thomas (Pam) Thornton, Jr.. Her grandchildren Jena (Ryan) Butler, Kasey (Hank) Romine, Adam Smith(Payton Dueitt), Skylar Thornton. Great grand children Sarah Vivian, and Stella Ruth Butler, and Reid Smith. Also her life long friends Edna Hollifield and Margaret Eubanks.

There will be a Visitation at Serenity Funeral Home on Sunday evening March 15, 2020 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and a celebration of her life on Monday at Serenity Funeral Home in the chapel March 16, 2020 at 10:00am.