Pastor's Blog

Steve Morris is scheduled to have his swallowing test today.  Pray that all goes well.

Dale Ellerman’s father is scheduled to have some tissue taken today in order for the doctors to determine the type of his malignancy.  Pray for a conclusive determination.

The visitation for Marie Brooks and family takes place tomorrow from 10:00AM until the noon service time.  Visitation and service at Holder Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS.  Pray for the family.

Please continue to pray for those on our prayer list.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

We are going to begin asking folks to sign up for the barbecue fellowship set for Sunday, July 3, beginning at 5:00PM.  We just need to get an idea of how many folks plan to attend so we will have sufficient food.  This sign up will begin tomorrow.

Our 2022 VBS begins this Sunday, 6/5, and will take place from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.

The study in Romans is being suspended until the first Sunday in August due to VBS.  Bill Kendrick has gotten Turek to agree to this new schedule.

All of the Sundays on our campus in June are set to be on a regular schedule time wise morning and evening.  Same holds true for our Wednesdays.  Just FYI.

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

Happy birthday to my wife, Lisa.  How old?  Yes.  We are planning on celebrating her birthday later this afternoon with a meal.  I pray that she will have a great day!

The church office is closed today due to the Memorial Day holiday.  Regular hours tomorrow.

Rhea Wilkinson was discharged from the hospital yesterday and was in our church service last night.  How about that!  She has been referred to other doctors for follow up.  Pray for Rhea.

Dale Ellerman’s father has been diagnosed with a malignancy.  It is certainly not a good situation.  Pray for Mr. Ellerman.

Steve Morris will have a swallowing test tomorrow.  Keep praying for Steve.

Robert & Roseanne Baria’s daughter, Darlene, was in our second morning service yesterday.  She continues to need our prayer support.

Myrtle Bowden continues to not be physically able to attend our services.  Keep Myrtle in your prayers.

Pray for our friend, Juan, as he begins his travels home this week.

Andy Hamil did an excellent job of sharing his testimony in our evening worship service.  A really good word from one of the finest members of the Friendship family.  Thank you Bro. Andy!

Our attendance definitely suffered yesterday due to the Memorial Day holiday.  I am praying for safety for those who will be traveling home today.

Our 2022 VBS begins this Sunday evening from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  We will have our regular evening service at 6:00PM in the auditorium.  The Bible study on Romans will be paused until August.

Our family is hosting a baby shower for our daughter, Gina, this Saturday, June 4, from 10:00AM until noon at our house.  It will be a come and go brunch.  It is a boy.  All of the ladies of the Friendship family are invited to attend.  Please note that this is not a church sponsored shower and no one is under any obligation to attend.  No personal invitations have been sent to the members of the Friendship family so this is your invitation.  Thank you for your consideration and understanding.

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

Rhea Wilkinson has been admitted to the hospital.  Her white blood cell count is high and the doctors are trying to determine the cause.  Pray for Rhea Rhea, Raymond & Tina.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of the medical folks dealing with Rhea’s case.

Mrs. Elizabeth Mae “Libby” Boudwin, 84, of Pascagoula, MS passed away on May 27, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. Libby was born on July 9, 1937 in Grand Bay, AL.

Her family was her life, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved making friends at, and had a special love for, the Heritage House Restaurant where she worked as a hostess. She enjoyed traveling and she was of the Baptist faith.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Boudwin, her parents Jesse Lee and Eula Mae (Stringer) Hudson, her brothers James Lee Hudson and Jesse Hudson and her infant sister.

She is survived by her children Cathy Crane of Ocean Springs, Carla Crane of Pascagoula, and Doug (Patty) Crane of Moss Point. She is also survived by her brother Levon (Fran) Hudson and her sister Marie (Terrell) Brooks of Grand Bay, AL. Her grand children Will Patrick, Heather (Jason) Patrick, Matt (Val) Winstead, Erica (Drake) Stone, Erin Crane & Brance (Ashley) Crane. Her great grandchildren Avery, Grayson, Harper, Kylie, Braydon, Matthew, Christian, Cameron, Cole, Blayne, Logan, Kaelyn, Jack, Ella, Lennox and Lawson. She will also be deeply missed by her special and dear friends Shirley and Bobby Switzer.

Visitation will be Wednesday June 1, 2022 from 10:00am till 12:00pm at Holder Wells Funeral Home, 4007 Main Street, Moss Point, MS 39563. The funeral service will begin at 12:00pm from the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jeff Switzer officiating. Burial will follow in Grand Bay Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandsons: Will Patrick, Matthew Winstead, Brance Crane, Avery Patrick, Grayson Patrick, Cole Daugherty, and Logan Daugherty.

Marie Brooks sent me a message yesterday afternoon sharing that her sister, Libby, had just passed from this life.  Obviously, not unexpected but death stings regardless.  Pray for Marie and family.  Arrangements pending.

Steve Morris has a swallowing test scheduled for this Tuesday, May 31.  Keep praying for Steve & Virginia!

Rick Bradley’s father remains in the hospital.  I am not sure if the same is true of Amy Huhn’s father but do ask that you continue to pray for Mr. Bradley & Mr. Morrison.

Also, keep praying for the others whose names have been on our recent prayer list.  Pray without ceasing!

The Lord blessed our time at the Mission of Hope last night.  We give Him thanks!  I appreciate Jeanette Bates going to play the piano and Brad Hutto leading the musical worship.  A huge thank you to Stacy & Gayla Dyess for cooking the meal.  The men basically licked the pans clean!  Good stuff!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  It is a holiday weekend so my hope is that those of us who are in town will be faithful to attend.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  If you are out of town, find a church near you and attend their service.

An answer to prayer – Steve Morris was given an appointment to see a GI doctor but it was three weeks out.  Yesterday, he called and, due to a cancellation, Steve will see the doctor today – hallelujah!  Pray for the doctor to be able to help Steve with his swallowing.

Rick Bradley’s father remains in the hospital and is waiting on a room to become available on the physical therapy floor.  Keep praying for Mr. Bradley.

Amy Huhn’s father remains in the hospital as far as I know.  I spoke to him yesterday afternoon and the plan was to do another scan today and then go from there.  The doctors are not sure of the root of his problem.  Pray for Mr. Bobby.

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden.

Keep praying for Miss Martez Richerson.

Elaine Brown will finish her radiation treatments today.  Rodney Whitehurst finished his yesterday.  Keep praying!

Marie Brooks’ sister, Libby, remains at home under hospice care so keep praying for Libby too.

Good day in our services yesterday morning and last night.  We give God the glory.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

We are now all set for cakes for the auction on Sunday, July 3.  Thank you to the folks who have volunteered to provide the twenty five cakes and pies.

Mission of Hope service this Friday, 5/27, beginning at 7:00PM.  Everyone invited.

Enjoy the rain today and be safe!

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

Phillip, Claire and Collins Turner welcomed Jack into this world on Monday afternoon.  Mother and son are doing well and came home yesterday afternoon.  Jack checked into this world weighing seven pounds and four ounces and is twenty one inches long.  Congratulations to this fine, young family!

Tim Knighten heard from his doctor at M.D. Anderson yesterday.  If I understand it correctly, there was no new growth in the tumor from March until May.  Therefore, if they will wait until August to do another scan and, if there is no new growth elsewhere, they will do surgery leaving Tim’s kidney in place.  So, keep praying for Tim and for there to be no new growth.

Amy Huhn’s father, Bobby Morrison, continues to need our prayers.  I visited with him Monday afternoon but he was asleep so I did not awaken him.  I am not sure if he remains in the hospital but do ask that you pray.

Miss Martez Richerson has been struggling physically more and more as the weeks go by.  She is at home receiving good care from Norman and the daughters.  Pray for Martez!

Marie Brooks’ sister, Libby, is at home under hospice care.  They has stopped all treatments and she is not eating or drinking.  Pray for Libby’s family including Marie and their brother, Lavon.

Myrtle was able to go vote yesterday and is doing some better.  Keep praying.

I have not heard from Steve Morris as to the results of his visit with the doctor.  What I do know is that Steve continues to need our prayers.

This afternoon should mark the end of Rodney Whitehurst’s radiation treatments this go around and tomorrow will do the same for Elaine Brown.  Keep praying for Rodney & Elaine in their respective situations.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps, Shawn Felps, Lynn Cosentino and Greta Stewart.  Pray for Marisa too as she is helping in all of these situations.

Obviously, we are all heartbroken over the situation involving the shooting at the school in Texas.  Pray for those families!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

We need some additional workers in the nursery during Sunday School each Sunday.  My wife, Lisa, is going to take a rotation this Sunday.

The rain sounded so good throughout the night!  Praise the Lord!  I am happy for the farmers and the folks raising a garden.

On a personal note – I am very happy for my niece, Tracie Turrentine, as yesterday she was elected as Superintendent of Education for Morgan County.  I believe Tracie is going to do well in this position.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Enjoy the rain and stay safe!

If you have not done so already, go vote!  Voting is an important part of our freedom as Americans.

Steve Morris had an appointment with a doctor this morning as he is having problems swallowing his pills and his food.  He is losing weight due to the lack of food being taken in.  Pray for Steve.

Tim Knighten has a 4:00PM consult with the doctor(s) from M.D. Anderson.  Pray for that meeting to go well.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

I pray that you will have a great rest of your day with Jesus.

First, congratulations to my great nephew, Grayson Glenn, as he will graduate from Danville High School tonight.  He will then attend USA and has already been admitted into medical school once he completes his undergraduate degree.  Grayson is a very intelligent guy but, more importantly, a committed follower of Jesus!

The celebration of life service for Rhett’s father will take place today at 3:00PM from First Baptist Atmore.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the Butler family.  Lord willing, I will attend the visitation and service.  Pray for Rhett and family during this time.

Shawn Felps’ surgical procedure has been postponed until some point in June.

Amy Huhn’s father, Bobby Morrison, is in the hospital.  Pray for him.

Rick Bradley’s father remains in the hospital.  He is doing better and should begin physical therapy soon.  Pray for Mr. Bradley.

Myrtle Bowden remains at home and is missed in our services.  She has worked with the children’s choir all year but could not be present for the program last night.  Pray for Myrtle.

Elaine Brown was in our early service yesterday and has four more radiation treatments left.  She seems to be doing well through it all.  Keep praying.

Tim Knighten expects to have a phone consult with the doctors from M.D. Anderson.  It is either tomorrow or next Tuesday.  I need to get clarification on that.  Regardless, keep praying for Tim.

Rodney Whitehurst will finish his radiation treatments this Wednesday.  He is also doing better.  Keep praying.

Marie Brooks’ sister, Libby, continues to struggle physically.  Pray for Libby and her family.

Tena Hovel and the children did a great job with the musical last night.  Thank you to the parents who have their children involved in the choir.

We were blessed with a really good day in our morning services.  The proverbial icing on the cake was seeing Paul make a public profession of faith in the second service.  Thanks to deacon Bill Kendrick for investing in Paul’s life and helping bring him to this point.  Good stuff!

Deidra and the girls arrive on GRACE Mountain safe and sound around 11:30PM (their time) last night.  Special thanks to Eddie Albritton for his help getting them to the airport late yesterday afternoon.

Did you see where the man in Wisconsin has eaten at least one Big Mac every day with the exception of eight days since 1972?  Wow!

I encourage folks to vote tomorrow.  My niece, Tracie Turrentine, will running for Superintendent of Education in Morgan County.  I may drive up and vote for her!  Tracie will be an excellent Superintendent of Education!

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

Mr. Walter M. Butler, Sr. of Walnut Hill, Florida was born September 18, 1946 and passed away on May 18, 2022 in Pensacola, Florida.

Mr. Butler, a native of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, resided in the Atmore and Walnut Hill area for the past twenty-three years.
Mr. Butler had a career in lumber sales and newspaper advertising. In his business trips all over South Alabama and Northwest Florida, Walter made friends everywhere he went. His outgoing personality and his gift of being able to talk to anyone, at any time and any place, assured that he never met a stranger. These contacts resulted in numerous friendships that lasted a lifetime.
During the course of his life, Walter volunteered his talents by holding office or working with the following organizations: The Boy Scouts of America, Jaycees, United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile, United Cerebral Palsy of Alabama, Leadership Atmore, Atmore Lions Club, American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and the First Baptist Church of Atmore. He was always willing to serve in any way possible.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cordell Lee and Newton Butler, and brother, Charles Sprinkle.

Walter is survived by his wife, Elsie Nall Butler; sons, Walter (Beth) Butler, Jr. of Springville, Alabama, Rhett (Heidi) Butler of Grand Bay, Alabama, and Whitney (Holly) Butler of Semmes, Alabama; step-son Eric (Angela) Stuart of Walnut Hill, Florida; step-daughter Rebecca (Blaine) Durbin of Spanish Fort, Alabama; ten grandchildren; brother, Carl (Carol) Butler of Mobile, Alabama and sisters Pat Stewart and Darla (Jess) Bryant of Lititz, Pennsylvania and Sherri Sprinkle of Mobile, Alabama.
Visitation will be Monday, May 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Atmore, Alabama beginning at 2:00 pm with a Memorial Service to follow at 3:00 pm with Dr. Kevin Garrett officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to United Cerebral Palsy at 3058 Dauphin Square Connector, Mobile, Alabama 36607, First Baptist Church Atmore Children’s Program or a charity of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.