Pastor's Blog

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

Marisa Felps sent me an update on Donnie.  He is much improved.  So much so that he is thinking he may go to work next week.  Marisa says, “no so fast my friend!”  Keep praying!

Keep praying for Diane Bryant’s father.

Edna Pearl called and gave me an update on Linda Rogers’ heart surgery.  Everything went well and Linda is doing well.  Praise the Lord.  Keep praying!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 1/3.  Deacons meet at 5:00PM.

The most pressing question asked to me yesterday was, “which family are you considering to be their personal trainer?”  Because of the privacy laws I am not allowed to divulge that information.  Just look for the family within the Friendship family who begins to look lean, trim and strong.

I pray that you will have a great New Year’s Eve with Jesus.

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

The visitation with the Betty Oliver family takes place this morning beginning at 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Pray for Dale, Kerry, Stacy and the rest of the Oliver family.

The memorial service for Martha Kendrick takes place this Saturday, 1/2, at 11:00AM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for the Kendrick family.

A graveside service will be held for Jack Sims on Monday, 1/4, beginning at 10:00AM in the Grand Bay Cemetery.  Pray for Annette, Todd & the family.

No services or activities on our campus this morning or tonight.

The church office will be closed tomorrow.

Lisa and the Taylor clan arrived safely on GRACE Mountain around 3:00PM yesterday.  Thanks to those who prayed for traveling mercies.  I miss my wife but I am happy for her as she has had her share of travel disappointments regarding Guatemala lately.

I have the possibility of what I am going to call a new “ministry” opportunity.  I arrived home from Birmingham earlier than I expected and took advantage by going to WOW for a hour or so.  An entire family from within the Friendship family came in to join WOW.  They seemed excited to see me and the mother asked if I would be their trainer (if my memory serves me correctly)?  I am considering this request.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 1/3.  Deacons will meet at 5:00PM.

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

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

Word came early last night that Jack Sims passed from this life.  Jack Sims is a legend in Grand Bay!  An icon!  Has anyone ever done more for the people of Grand Bay than Jack Sims and his wife, Annette?  Pray for Annette, Todd and the family as they walk through this valley.

The celebration of life service for Betty Oliver will take place tomorrow, 12/30, beginning at 11:00AM from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with Dale and family.  Pray for the Oliver family during this time.

The celebration of life service for Martha Kendrick will take place this Saturday, 1/2/21, beginning at 11:00AM from the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for the Kendrick family.

Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey will fly back to Guatemala today.  Lisa will be joining them (I am sure Soy is thrilled!)  Pray for safety in travel for my family.

Want to hear some great news?  Deidra shared the need for a van to be used by SLAM in Guatemala to transport students to and from school.  Also, to help with the transportation of the students in the church for their youth Bible study.  God showed up and He showed out and the members of the Friendship family stepped up and gave sufficient funds to finish meeting this need – hallelujah!  Thank you to each person who gave.  Glory to God for His blessings!

Lord willing, I will be doing one of those “you are not as young as you used to be things” today.  After leaving the Mobile airport I will head to Birmingham to attend a meeting relating to our mission work in Guatemala.  I will then drive home after the meeting.    Some will think I am crazy and those some will be right!  Pray for traveling mercies!

Remember, nothing on our campus tomorrow morning or evening.

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

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

The Lord blessed and we had a good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was up a bit even though we had some Friendship family members out of town.  I was blessed!  Thank you Jesus.

Three families suffered loss over the past few days – the Betty Oliver family, the Martha Kendrick family and the Pastor Chad Massey family.  As far as I know, none of the arrangements have been completed for any of these services.  Pray for the families.

Diane Bryant’s father is in the hospital battling COVID.  He is not doing well and prayers are appreciated.

Peggy Knighten was in our second service yesterday.  It was good to see her, repaired shoulder and all.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps.

Linda Rogers will have open heart surgery tomorrow, 12/29, in Louisiana.  Pray that all goes well.

As far as I know, outside of Diane’s father, the Friendship family is COVID free at the moment.  That is a blessing!  Coach Collier was in our second service yesterday and it was good to see him.

Deidra did extremely well in sharing during the two services.  Folks gave toward the purchase of the van for SLAM.  Thank you to each person who gave.  The amount needed to purchase the van now stands at approximately seventy five hundred dollars.  I am praying that amount will be given prior to the beginning of 2021.  Checks need to be made to SLAM.

Soy, Deidra and the girls are scheduled to fly back to Atlanta tomorrow.  It has been great having Deidra and the girls here.

No services/activities on our campus this Wednesday, 12/30.

The church office will be closed Thursday, 12/31.

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

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

Regular schedule on our campus in the morning with worship at 8:00AM & 10:30AM.  Sunday School will begin at 9:15AM.  I am encouraging all available members of the Friendship family to be in attendance for one of the services and SS.

The 8:00AM service will be live streamed.

There will be NO service or activities tomorrow evening.

Please remember that Bro. Jerry Hovel is on vacation and you are not to contact him.  He will return to the church next Sunday, 1/3/21.

You can go ahead and begin praying for Linda Rogers as she will be having open heart surgery on December 29.  That surgery will take place in Louisiana.

As far as I know, we have no new cases of the virus within the Friendship family and only one member is still within their ten days.  Praise the Lord!

Word came to me yesterday that Pastor Chad Massey, First Baptist Dawes, has passed from this life.  I do not know any of the details but do ask that you pray for Pastor Chad’s family and church family.  (Mike or Janice, please send your phone number to me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net)

Arrangements are pending for the person whom I mentioned in yesterday’s entry.  Lord willing, I will be preaching that service but the details are not yet finalized.  Pray for the family.

FYI, the church office will be closed this Thursday, 12/31.

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

Merry Christmas!

He gave the greatest Gift so let’s remember to be thankful to Him today!

Also, enjoy the cooler temperatures.  I like it when it is cooler during the Christmas season.

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

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

Reach My City (Jonny Gaston) will be hosting a Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM in the parking lot of State Farm Insurance.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Peggy Knighten’s surgery went well per the report from Tim.  He said she was experiencing some pain which is certainly understandable.  Pray for Peggy.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps.

Bill Kendrick has a family member who was taken into emergency surgery yesterday afternoon.  Pray.

I am going to be transparent here in saying that I am discouraged by our recent attendance, or lack thereof, in the auditorium on Wednesdays.  I understand those who are staying away out of caution because of the virus but there are many more who are simply choosing not to attend.  When I was on the proverbial “shelf” there were those who told me it was because I was away.  Well, I have been back for the past two Wednesdays so that excuse is no longer valid.

I was grateful to see Jeff & Nadine Holifield and Larry & Judy Whitehurst in our morning service yesterday.  All four of them have battled through the virus.  Jeff is still battling pneumonia but he has been determined to get back in our services.  The other three a clockwork faithful so I was not surprised to see them yesterday.

Honestly, our Sunday attendance has taken a hit too.  It just seems that folks have gotten real comfortable not attending the corporate services.  Folks, this goes against Scripture.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning, 12/27, with worship services at 8:00AM & 10:30AM.  Sunday School will begin at 9:15AM.  No evening service or activities this Sunday.  No services or activities next Wednesday, 12/30.

The weather forecasters are calling for lows of thirty one tonight, twenty seven tomorrow night and thirty three Saturday night.  Yes!

I pray that you will have a great Christmas Eve with Jesus.

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

Peggy Knighten is having surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

Donnie Felps is showing some improvement.  Praise the Lord!

Pray for Miss Connie Hardy.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.

Jonny Gaston & Reach My City are hosting a Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM in the State Farm parking lot.  Sit in your vehicle or bring a chair.  Dress warm as it is supposed to be a bit cool.

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

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

Tim Knighten will be having a scan today.  Peggy Knighten will be having shoulder surgery tomorrow.  Pray for Tim & Peggy.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps.  Pray for Marisa too.

Coach Eric Collier is battling the virus.  He asked me to thank the folks who have been praying for him as he has had some tough days.  Keep praying.

Jeff Holifield is now a month into his battle with the virus and pneumonia.  This thing has really stayed with Jeff.  Pray for a recovery for Jeff very soon.

There are at least two other members of the Friendship family who are presently battling the virus.  I only list names if I have been given permission.  God knows those two folks and I ask you to pray for them and their caregivers.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  I pray the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend, if possible.

Remember, Bro. Jerry Hovel begins a time of vacation tomorrow and it ends on January 2.  Please do not contact him by any means relating to church matters.  Please do not take the attitude that “he will not mind” as everyone needs time away.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning, 12/27 – buses will run their routes, Sunday School, extended session, children’s church, and worship at 8:00AM & 10:30AM.

Looks like we are going to get some cooler temperatures Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – how sweet is that!

There was a basketball game in our first and second grade league last night.  That was a fun game to watch.

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

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

This entry is late!  Duh!  Why?  Yes!

Let me begin by saying that the Lord really blessed our services yesterday morning and evening.  Our attendance was not the greatest in the world but the Spirit was excellent.  We saw altar decisions in the first service and then a profession of faith in the second service.  To God be the glory!

I want to say “thank you” to Emmy Hutto & Addison Tillman for their help in the 10:30AM service.  I was blessed!

Jeanette Bates and the choir did a fantastic job in our evening service.  Someone made this comment following the service, “the choir had such a sweet spirit!”  That is a huge compliment.  Yes, the numbers were down but those folks sang as unto the Lord and He honored their ministry.  Thank you Jeanette & choir!  Great stuff!

Tim Knighten will be having a scan tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Peggy Knighten will be having shoulder surgery on Wednesday.  Pray for Peggy!

Donnie Felps continues to be on a roller coaster ride.  Keep praying!

We have three or four folks from the Friendship family who are presently battling the virus.  Keep praying for them.

We are on a regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning  meaning 8:00AM worship, Sunday School at 9:15AM and then 10:30AM worship.  There will be no service on Sunday evening.

The church office will be closed this Thursday, December 24.

Bro. Jerry Hovel will be on vacation from Wednesday, 12/23, until Saturday, 1/2/21.  I am asking that he not be contacted electronically, by phone, et cetera.  If you need something then you can call the church office or contact Bro. Abel or me personally.

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