I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

~PHILIPPIANS 3: 10-11~

OBITUARIES

Carolyn Jane McElveen Baham

August 4, 1929 – January 17, 2023

Carolyn Jane McElveen Baham, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on January 17, 2023. She was 93 years old, and throughout her life was known for her nurturing, kind, and thoughtful ways. She was a person of very strong faith and a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Independence, Louisiana. She truly had the heart of a servant and was always there to support, encourage, and advocate for anyone in need. In early adulthood she was employed by Lallie Kemp Hospital in Independence, where she took X-ray dictation and worked in the business office. Later in life she was part owner of Buster’s Furniture in Amite, Louisiana, serving primarily as office manager and administrator. She was preceded in death by her husband, L.E. “Buster” Baham, and her brother, R.E. McElveen, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Martha Buchanan and Rebecca Fabre (Jody), her granddaughter, Colleen Fabre, siblings Elsie Danley and Jerry McElveen (Sue), and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Due to recent exposure to Covid among family members, a private graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Amite Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life service for family and friends will be planned and announced at a later date. Her family gratefully acknowledges the kind and loving care provided by New Hope Manor skilled nursing facility in Cedar Park, Texas and Silverado Hospice of Austin, Texas. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Helen Hunter

September 20, 1931 – January 26, 2023

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born September 20, 1931 in Rayville, LA and was 91 years of age. She is survived by daughter, Diane Booty (Clyde); son, Robbie Hunter (Sharon); 2 grandchildren, J. Clyde Booty, III (Barbara) and Robbie Hunter, Jr. (Shellie); 5 great-grandchildren, Taylor Felder (Christian), Jathen Hunter, Chloe Guidry (Randy), Jay Booty, and Carson Booty (Stephanie); 2 great-great-grandchildren, Cam and Cason Guidry; 3 step-grandchildren, Darlene Doss (Jim), Donnie Owens, and Randy Fowler; and 8 step-great-grandchildren; 4 step-great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, Elias and Allie Salsbury; 4 sisters and 1 brother, Ouida McCarty, Jena Cordell, Elias Salsbury, Sadie Evans, and Patricia Brown; and grandson, Ryan Foy. Visitation at New Jerusalem United Pentecostal Church, Kentwood, from 10:00AM until religious services at 2:00PM on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Services conducted by Rev. Matt Booty and Rev. Jay Mennoa. Interment New Jerusalem Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

ILLNESS

Please say special prayers for Jane Wickham. Her illness causes her a lot of pain. Pray the pain level decreases so Jane is able to do more of the things she enjoys in life.

CLOSE CALL.

Yesterday morning, David and I both were almost hit by a vehicle which was like a minibus-large SUV cross. The elder driver was driving too fast for a parking lot and did not see us crossing to get to our vehicle. David and I both had to move very quickly to avoid being run over. Then, David yelled at the man to slow down. The driver had not seen us and was as shaken and thankful for our safety as we were. The driver came to the car and apologized after he parked his vehicle. We had a car load of OCC purchases. I suppose God wants us to continue shopping for and packing “Shoeboxes”! We thanked/thank God for his protection.

TODAY’S PRAYER FOCUS

Today, let’s say a special pray for all drivers to be alert and aware of the situation they are driving in each time they get behind the steering wheel.

READ SCRIPTURE TODAY

January 28 – Matthew 25: 31-46

The Sheep and the Goats (NIV Version)

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

I reach out to others by . . . .

Tomorrow Morning’s Sermon Topic and Bible Passages

January 29 @ 10:30 @ FBC, Kentwood

“Teaching is Not for the Timid”

Janes 3:1

If you or your class have purchased some items for the “Shoeboxes”, please place them in the collection basket at the front of the sanctuary in the morning.

OCC Workday

One week from today at 9:00 A.M. I’m looking forward to another great day and hoping to have more children and youth to help us.

Anna Lee