May
31
2020
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SUNDAY, 5/31/20

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

We will receive an anniversary offering for Bro. Jerry Hovel today in all three of our services.  We will not receive the offering in our normal fashion but will have a basket on the platform to receive cards and monetary gifts.  Checks should be made payable to Friendship Baptist Church.  May 2020 marks Bro. Jerry’s twentieth anniversary on our staff.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

Visited Stella Brinkman around mid-afternoon yesterday.  Her condition was basically unchanged.  Last night around 8:30PM Jennifer Brinkman sent me an update saying Stella’s breathing was becoming more labored.  My prayer for the past two days has been for God to be merciful in this situation.  Pray for Stella and her family.

How about that crew that showed up at Sharon Jardee’s house yesterday morning!  There were at least twenty three present and I am probably not remembering everyone.  The move was basically complete in a little over an hour.  Way to go Friendship family!  Good stuff!

We are basically back to a normal schedule this morning.  I envision today will be a morning of working out the kinks, making some adjustments, et cetera as we move into June.  I appreciate each person who has helped get us ready for today and that includes planning, cleaning, et cetera.  The workers in our preschool building will be wearing masks.  We plan on limiting the number of folks in that building.  Remember, no nursery or childcare in the 8:00AM service.

Today is a very special day for me in that my mama, my older brother and his wife will be joining us for our 10:30AM service.  It has been a good number of years since mama has been in one of our services so I am blessed that she will be with us.  Obviously, I wish dad could join us too.

John Milton Ladnier came bearing garden gifts yesterday – tomatoes and cucumbers.  The man is an amazing gardener.  He also shares his produce many times over to many folks.  Thank you John Milton!

So how much did Seth Switzer get me for on the truck?  Actually they are still adding so there is no telling what the final tally will be!  Like father, like son!

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

 

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
30
2020
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ANNIVERSARY OFFERING FOR BRO. JERRY HOVEL

Tomorrow, 5/31, has been set aside to recognize Bro. Jerry Hovel.  The month of May marks the twentieth anniversary of Bro. Jerry serving as our associate pastor/minister of education.  We will receive a love offering in all three services as a tangible way to show our love and appreciation to Bro. Jerry and his family.

Bro. Jerry is married to Tena and they have two sons, Josh & Luke.  Obviously, Tena is also a major part of the Friendship family.

So, join us tomorrow in celebrating Bro. Jerry’s  anniversary of serving the Lord through the Friendship family.  Pass the word!

There will be a basket setting on the stage to receive financial gifts and cards.  The offering plates will not be used to receive this offering.  Checks should be made payable to Friendship Baptist Church.

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
30
2020
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SATURDAY, 5/30/20

Happy birthday to my wife, Lisa.  I am very biased in my opinion but she is the best pastor’s wife ever!  Best looking one too!  She successfully juggles her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, business woman, et cetera.  I definitely out punted the coverage on this one!  How old is she today?  If you are going strictly on looks, then she is still in her thirties although she is a tad older than that.  I hope Lisa has a great day today!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Visited with Stella Brinkman yesterday morning.  Received word later that they had removed all means of life support.  As of last night around 10:00PM she was resting well and being kept comfortable with medicines.  Keep praying for Stella and her family.

Bro. Jerry tells me there was a pretty good response from the men willing to help move Sharon Jardee this morning.  All available men are asked to meet at Sharon’s house at 7:00AM.  Thank you in advance to each person helping.

It seems that Brianne Seymour, Debbie Adkinson, and others have the nursery and preschool ready for this Sunday morning – 9:15AM and 10:30AM.  I appreciate all they have done and I am looking forward to getting back to a somewhat normal on Sundays.

Joey Switzer has taught his son, Seth, very well.  Decided to put new tires on the truck that belonged to my dad for fear of dry rot on the existing ones.  Joey gives me a price of $420 out the door.  Not so fast my friend!  I took the truck to the shop around 10:00AM for a simple tire change and was finally called around 7:00PM last night saying it would be ready today around noon.  They were talking turbo jet replacement, paint job, et cetera.  Seth calls me to tell me all of these things that they need to repair, replace while they are in there.  Something tells me that “out the door” price just changed to an “out of this world” price.  Just saying!

My Friday was spent mowing and in the garden.  I hope that it will dry enough for me to be able to plow the middles this afternoon.  We shall see.

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

 

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
29
2020
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FRIDAY, 5/29/20

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Stella Brinkman was moved yesterday afternoon to a hospice facility.  She remains on a vent for the time being.  Her family is allowed to be in the room with her.  Obviously, this is a much better situation for the family as far as being with Stella.  Stella’s situation is not good so please keep praying.  Lord willing, I will visit her this morning.

Tim Knighten has a date for his surgery – Monday, June 29.  Praise the Lord!  Keep praying for Tim.

Ok, the focal point of today’s blog is a call to the men of the church to help a widow within our church family.  Listen to the Apostle Paul’s writing to the church in I Timothy 5:3 – “Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her.”

Sharon Jardee is a widow indeed having no one to care for her.  She needs to move from one location in Grand Bay to another and this move needs to take place this Saturday, May 30 (tomorrow).  Bro. Jerry has tried to secure men to help but so far his pleas have fallen on deaf ears minus two (last count I had).  So, I am calling on the staff, the deacons (not just the nine presently serving), and any other man (young or old) to show up at Sharon’s house tomorrow morning at 7:00AM to help move her furniture and appliances.  A moving truck will be there and I really believe that this job can be finished (both locations) in under two hours IF enough men show up.  Sharon’s present address is 11072 Moreland Drive E.  It would be great, not totally necessary, if you would send Bro. Jerry a text today if you can come help.  His number is 251 599 6968.

The highlight of my vacation day yesterday was a trip to Bucees and back.  What an amazing place.  I think they have one hundred and twenty gas pumps and one hundred and twenty five were being used.  The place was packed inside too.  Was social distancing taking place?  LOL!  If you have never ventured over to Bucees then you should go just once.

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

 

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
28
2020
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THURSDAY, 5/28/20

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Stella Brinkman will be moved to a hospice care facility at some point today if all goes as planned.  This will allow her family members to be with her 24/7 in limited numbers.  Stella’s situation is very dire so keep praying for her and for her family.

Tim Knighten continues to wait on the surgeon to set a date to do the surgery.  Pray for Tim.

Keep praying for Debbie Kendrick’s mother.

I want to say “thank you” to Bill & Debbie Kendrick for bringing squash and cucumbers to our morning service yesterday and sharing those things with those in attendance.  John Milton does the same thing many times over on an individual basis.  Thank you brothers for “doing good” to others.

It seems our first Wednesday back to “normal” went well last night.  I appreciate Bro. Abel leading the charge to refresh our seating arrangements in the auditorium.  It was really nice to see adults, teens and children milling about after our evening service.

We are going with a regular schedule this Sunday morning, 5/31.  This includes Sunday School, nursery, extended session and children’s church during the 10:30AM hour.

I am using another vacation day today to work around the house.  My brother, his wife, and my mama are supposed to be in our 10:30AM service this Sunday, 5/31.  I am looking forward to them joining us.

Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel are in the office today and are available to assist in any way.  I am available in the event of an emergency.

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

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
27
2020
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WEDNESDAY, 5/27/20

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Stella Brinkman remains in the hospital.  Her children were allowed to visit her yesterday.  They, along with the medical folks, continue to explore their options.  Keep praying.

Tim Knighten continues to wait for a word from the surgeon as to when his surgery will take place.  Pray for Tim.

Shirley Hill is one of the finest ladies I have ever known.  Pray for her as she walks through this valley after having buried her husband yesterday.  Again, privacy is requested for the time being as Shirley works through some things.  Pray for Shirley.

Bill & Debbie Kendricks’ granddaughter, Molly Estes, will be having surgery on her ankle this morning.  Pray for all to go well, please.

We are going to be on a “normal” schedule tonight beginning at 6:30PM.  Not exactly what that “normal” will look like but we will be flexible and adjust as we go.  Let me stress again that no one should feel forced to attend any of our services.  If you are older, have underlying health issues or just plain are skeptical of being in a crowd then please do not come into the buildings.  Each person and family have to do what is right for them.

By the way, we will be having our 10:00AM service this morning.

Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel and I met yesterday afternoon.  We are planning on “all systems go” this Sunday morning minus our buses running their routes.  If you are a teacher in our adult department then please contact me by tomorrow noon to let me know if you will, or will not, be present this Sunday.  Teachers in our youth department need to contact Bro. Abel.  Children’s department teachers please contact Bro. Jerry.  Preschool department teachers please contact me.

There will be no food served on our campus this Sunday or any other Sunday for the immediate future.  We ask each class to cooperate with us in this matter and thank you in advance for doing so.

More details coming in tomorrow’s entry.

My older brother and his son are bringing my dad’s 1991 truck to me today.  Dad bought it new and it has a whopping 139,000 miles on it.  I am thankful to have it in my possession.

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

 

 

 

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
26
2020
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SHIRLEY HILL’S HUSBAND, JOE, PASSES FROM THIS LIFE

I just came back to the office after preaching the graveside service for Joe Hill, husband of Shirley Hill for almost fifty five years.  Joe was seventy nine years old.  He passed from this life this past Saturday, May 23, while in the hospital.

Shirley did not want anyone to know until after the graveside service.  She does not want any thing in the way of food, et cetera.  The family respectfully requests that folks not bombard Shirley with calls, messages or visits for the time being as she needs some time to work through some things.

So pray for Shirley and the family.  Shirley is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known.  Just a jewel.

 

 

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
26
2020
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TUESDAY, 5/26/20

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

The church office is open today from 8:00AM until 4:00PM.

I do not have any updates on our sick folks since yesterday was a holiday.

Originally, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30 each year but that got changed in 1968 to the last Monday in May.  That means Memorial Day 2021 will be on Monday, 5/31.

I do have a special prayer request but I cannot share it now.  I “may” post an entry later today or it may be in the morning.  I am simply honoring a wish and once I post it then you will understand.  Just pray, please.  God knows.

We plan on having our regular classes i.e. RA’s, GA’s, et cetera tomorrow night beginning at 6:30PM.  Teachers, if you are comfortable with being present and teaching, please be prepared.  More details coming either in tomorrow’s blog or directly to you.

I will be meeting with Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel over the next couple of days to set a definite plan for this Sunday’s Sunday School, nursery, extended session, children’s church, et cetera.  I hope to include that plan in my blog Wednesday but it may be Thursday’s entry that includes it.

I can write with certainty that there will be no nursery, extended session or children’s church during the 8:00AM hour this Sunday.  Those things will all take place during our 10:30AM service.  My hope is that we will also have a nursery and preschool care during our 6:00PM service.

My Memorial Day was just as I had thought it would be.  I was in the garden at the crack of dawn and then on the mower until around noon.  Lisa got home from the island early with the canned beans in tow.  The grandchildren spent the day in the pool.  Brad grilled.  We all ate.  I then was extremely lazy in the afternoon and evening.  It was a good day!

I have to give props to Grant Tillman for the irrigation system he installed for my garden.  It is awesome.  There are three valves that I turn on alternately and the entire garden is watered.  No more moving water hoses, sprinklers, et cetera.  What a great thing for me!  Thank you Grant for a job well done!

We had issues with our swimming pool but no despair as Gary & Rachelle Walton came to the rescue late yesterday afternoon.  They know pools!  They are booked all the way through September – crazy!

The forecast is calling for a pretty good chance of rain each remaining day of this week.  Saturday looks to be the wettest.  We shall see if they get it right.

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

 

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
25
2020
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MONDAY, 5/25/20

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

The church office is close today, 5/25, in observance of Memorial Day.  Thank God for those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms! “All gave some.  Some gave all!”  Remember those heroes today!

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our three services and Sunday School yesterday.  It was a holiday weekend so it seemed our overall numbers were down some but it is really hard to tell because we do not yet know what “normal” numbers are these days.  I appreciated Bro. Abel preaching in our evening service and the one hundred plus who attended that service.  I was blessed by the young families who attended yesterday.

We were blessed to have two folks come forward making public professions of faith and one uniting with the Friendship family on promise of letter.  God gives the increase.

This Sunday, 5/31, we are basically going to go back as normal meaning three worship services, Sunday School classes, extended session (10:30AM), nursery (10:30AM) and children’s church (10:30AM).  Please note there will be no nursery, extended session or children’s church in the 8:00AM hour.

We will meet in the auditorium for all three of our worship services.  We are going to observe the ordinance of baptism in the evening service.  I think we will have at least three folks following the Lord in believer’s baptism.  We “may” also observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper too – TBD.

Yes, we plan on having our individual Sunday School classes.  Any teacher who is uncomfortable with teaching in such a setting is asked to contact me via e-mail (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) by the close of the office (4:00PM) Wednesday, 5/27.  We are going to look at dividing some of our adult classes in order to decrease the numbers and hopefully eventually grow.  Remember folks, this is a “learn as we go” process and I appreciate your prayers and cooperation.  Again, anyone uncomfortable with this arrangement is free to stay away.  Our adults, regardless of age, are invited to join Jeff Holifield in the auditorium for Sunday School.

Stella Brinkman’s situation remains basically unchanged.  Pray for Stella and her family.

I was wrong on Jo Nell’s situation.  I said that she would have a procedure on June 10.  Not so fast my friend.  She has a consultation on June 10.

Tim Knighten is simply waiting on the surgeon to set a date for his surgery.  The problem is that so many elective surgeries have been delayed lately that the operating room schedules are backed up big time.  Pray that they can work Tim in very soon.

Sonny and Jeanette Bates shared with me last night that Sonny’s numbers have been down for the third consecutive time which is a good thing.  Praise the Lord.

Ben Thomas’s mother had a pace maker put in yesterday.  That was in Georgia and Ben traveled to be with her.  Michelle & Jayden joined us for our 10:30AM service.  Pray for Ben’s mother.

Lord willing, I will spend some time in the garden early this morning and then mowing some grass.  Maybe Lisa will let me have some of the afternoon off – we shall see.

Lisa has been on the island this weekend but she has been productive as she has been canning green beans.  As a matter of fact, she canned all we need canned this year so that part of the garden is finished.

I pray that you will have a great Memorial Day with Jesus.

 

 

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |
May
22
2020
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MAY 22, 2020

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Tim Knighten got his scan results back yesterday.  He has renal cell carcinoma.  The plan is to remove the tumor robotically.  As it stands right now, no chemo or radiation will be needed.  Pray for Tim as he navigates this part of his life.

No update on Stella Brinkman.  Keep praying for Stella and family.

Services this Sunday on our campus at 8:00AM (Senior adults in auditorium – all others in CAB for live video feed); 10:30AM (auditorium) & 6:00PM (CAB).  At 9:15AM our adults will meet in the auditorium for a Sunday School lesson taught by Bro. Jerry Hovel, our students will meet in the youth building for a lesson taught by Bro. Abel and our children will meet in the CAB for a lesson taught by Bro. Dale.

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

Written by Teddie in: Uncategorized |

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