God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.  

Therefore we will not fear,

though the earth give way

and the mountains fall

into the heart of the sea, 

 though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

~Psalm 46:1-3~

OBITUARY

R. Stephen Raacke

October 29, 1942 – January 15, 2023

R. Stephen Raacke of Hammond, La. passed away Sunday, January 15, 2023 at his home. He was born October 29, 1942 in Amite, La. to Heloise Ellis Raacke and Norbert E. Raacke. As a young man he worked for Boh Brothers Construction and was proud that he drove some of the piling for the New Orleans Superdome and One Shell Square. Later he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a police officer when he joined the Hammond Police Department. HPD sent him to the FBI Academy to further his law enforcement education and training. Throughout his career he worked with various agencies on the Local, State and Federal level. He retired as a Lieutenant. After retirement he worked 12 years for the Tangipahoa Parish Coroner’s Office. He then fulfilled another dream by moving to Middle Tennessee to manage a 230 acre horse farm where he loved working outdoors with the horses in the beauty of the Tennessee foothills which stirred his soul. After 12 years of management he moved back home to Tangipahoa Parish to be near his family and friends. He is survived by his favorite wife of over 35 years Penny Lyons Raacke, his son James Raacke (Tammy), of Littleton, Colorado and his daughter Ginger Raacke McKinney (Jeff), of Ponchatoula, La., his brother Norbert E. “Tippy” Raacke, Jr. of New Orleans, La., five grandchildren and passel of great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son Clinton Stephen Raacke. Arrangements will be announced at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com

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January 17

Luke 18: 9-14

Matthew 6: 1-18

If this tax collector came to my church, he would be treated . . . .

TODAY”S PRAYER FOCUS

Today, let’s pray for our churches. Many have been growing since Covid. Pray each church finds ways to include new families by involvement other than worship services and Sunday School.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Last week, i told you we needed spoons for our shoeboxes. That day, we found two stores with over a hundred spoons costing 3/1.00 or 4/1.00. We still need about 300, but we have a good idea where to shop – Family Dollar and Dollar General. When you pass one of these stores, stop and check for teaspoons and tablespoons, please.

Today, before an appointment in McComb, we will be shopping for OCC. I am working on a shortage of calculators. Please pray for us to find more calculators. We need many more before we can pack the 200 “pencil bags” for the girls. If you happen to see any solar calculators ($1.00 – $1,25). please pick up some for us. You can leave your “find” in the basket to the right at the front on the church. We appreciate your prayers and your shopping.

I’ll try to keep you updated about our current shopping needs. I hope you will join in the fun of shopping. Any number is helpful!

More ideas will be shared later. For now, the focur is spoons and calculators.

FIFTH SUNDAY SINGING

This month, we (FBC) will be traveling to/sharing with Sp2ing Creek Baptist Church. Make plans to join us there on the fifth Sunday, January 19th.

Thank you for reading, praying, and taking action.

Anna Lee

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