Sunday

“But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him?” (Romans 10:14a, HCSB)

One way children will “hear” is through the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Our church is collecting them this morning and dedication them to “speak” to young hearts through the gifts and the printed words that Samaritan’s Purse will include in each one. Thank-you to those who have packed a box already. It’s not too late for those of you who have not done so already. Please let a church staff member or me know today if you wish to turn in a box later than today. You may go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/ to learn more about Operation Christmas Child. If you didn’t participate this year, you can begin to make plans to do so next year.

The Georgia Barnette Offering for state missions is doing well. So far, we have collected $6,109.00 toward our goal of $7,500.00. If you have not given, please try to do so today. If you have already given, you might want to give more. It’s never too late to contribute. Be sure to mark your check and envelope with “Georgia Barnette”. The need to build and rebuild after recent hurricanes is great.

Bobbie Raborn and Frankie Gehringer will be the deacons of the week this week. If you have a need or know of a need, please contact one of these men.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is doing better. Pray for her and Mr. Philip as she continue to work to overcome this health issue she has been dealing with this year. Thank God for the medical personnel who have worked so diligently to help her.

The WMU of FBC will meet at 4 P.M. today in the heritage room. If you are interested in missions, please try to attend.

The next two projects for our associational WMU will be stamped Christmas cards for the prisoners at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail and new toys for the children of migrants. You may begin bringing them to the church office at FBC, Kentwood.

Billy Thomas Whitaker
(September 14, 1934 – November 15, 2008)
Billy Thomas Whitaker born on September 14, 1934 and passed away at 9:55AM, Saturday, November 15, 2008 at his residence in Amite. Mr. Billy was the son of the late George B. & Viola Burks Whitaker. He was 74 and a native of Baton Rouge.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Edna Jones Whitaker, Amite; 4 daughters, Rhonda Knippers and husband, Chris, Loranger, Judy Miller and husband, Ronnie, Amite, Carolyn Spiess and husband, William, Independence, & Robin Clark and husband, Wayne, Bay Minette, AL; a son, Dennis White and wife, Susan, Lake Charles; 3 sisters, Loraine Ayer, Zachary, Irene Rogillio and husband, Ellis, Clinton, & Ola King, Baker; a brother, Edwin “Hunky” Whitaker and wife, Joyce, Zachary; 30 grandchildren & numerous great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 3 sons, Ray Whitaker, Kenny Whitaker & Lloyd Whitaker; 2 granddaughters, Lizzie Whitaker & Lacey Whitaker.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Sunday, November 16, 2008 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and on Monday, November 17, 2008 after 8:00AM until Religious Services at 10:00AM in the funeral home Chapel with Rev. Mike Hegwood officiating. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Baker, LA.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.

KneEmail by Mike Benson
Manual

HAVE YOU EVER tried to figure out the remote control for your television set…?

I find myself calling our cable company at least once or twice a year to say, “Hey, how do I make this thing work?” Inevitably, some techie on the other end of the line asks, “Well, Sir, did you read the instruction manual?”

You’re probably like me — you either can’t bring yourself to actually read an owner’s manual or you can’t decipher the hieroglyphics if you do read it. There is nothing more irritating than a manual for whatever gadget, gizmo, or appliance you might have.

During my research, I discovered one group of professionals tha apparently isn’t into owner’s manuals. A sign in an engineering firm’s reception area read: “Real engineers don’t read owner’s manuals. Reliance on a reference book is a hallmark of the novice and coward.” Another wall held the following sign: “Real engineers don’t seek technical support. To do so is a sign of weakness.” Engineers may be the only ones in our society who can comprehend gadgets and devices without some kind of manual. The rest of us need help to figure out all the buttons, blinking lights, and electronics that overwhelm us.

As frustrated as we might become with electronic devices, there’s something far more important we need help with: our lives and the problems we face, the challenges we encounter, and the sorrows we endure. Since we are created beings with a free will and a purpose for our lives, there must be some instructions for us somewhere that ensure we will function at optimal capacity. I would like to suggest that the Bible is just such a book, put here so you and I can live up to our maximum potential. In fact, if I were given the assignment of coming up with a new title for the Bible, it might very well be:

LIFE: AN OWNER’S MANUAL
Your Tiime-Honored, Time-Tested Guide to the
Here and Now
and the
Then and There. (Mike Macintosh)

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” ( 2 Pet. 1:3).

Posted by Mike Benson at October 9, 2008 10:57 AM

Have a special Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee