This is the day we say good-bye to 2024 whether it was a good year for us or not. I hope you can remember many good events from 2024. If it represents difficult memories, work to eliminate them from your memory and prepare for 2025. Whether you celebrate or not, we will be living in 2025 when we wake up in the morning, God willing. Let’s do as Luke tells us in chapter 12, verse31 and seek God’s kingdom every day. When our live end here, we can live on in Heaven.
Prayer Focus for Today
Let’s pray we can live for Christ this last day of 2024 and all the remaining days of our lives.
Read the Bible Every Day
The current Read the Bible plan will end with the following Scriptures. I will begin listing a reading for the new year tomorrow.
- December 31
- Malachi 1:1-4:6
- Psalm 150:1-6
- Proverbs 31:30-31
- Revelation 22:1-2
The Scriptures I list are suggestions only. The key is to study your Bible every day.
I plan to read the Scriptures I will list here and to read my Sunday School Scriptures connected to them every day each week. Many of you have expressed a desire to read all year long too. Let’s have a wonderful year of learning and drawing closer to God.
Obituaries
Victor Anthony LePore
November 20, 1944 – December 22, 2024
A resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson, LA. He was born November 20, 1944 in Charleston, WV and was 80 years of age. As to his military career, Victor was drafted and sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he was taught aircraft mechanics. In Viet Nam, at first he supervised young people who were digging ditches. Then, at Long Thanh Airbase, he, for example, replaced ailerons on OV-1 Mohawk reconnaissance airplanes. Next, in Germany, he taught American personnel about European road signs. He loved cats, dogs, science fiction, and Star Trek. The cat in the photo is available for adoption. He is survived by his brother, Timothy LePore. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary LePore. Graveside Services will be held at Louisiana National Cemetery, 303 West Mt. Pleasant Rd., Zachary, LA 70791, at 1:00PM on Monday, December 30, 2024. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Patricia E. Moffett Van Hoose
April 25, 1946 – December 27, 2024
Patricia’s Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia E. Moffett Van Hoose, aged 78, who left this world peacefully on December 27, 2024, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Patricia was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, and she touched the lives of many with her kindness, strength, and unwavering spirit.
Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, LCDR Ronald Van Hoose USN retired; parents, Willis “Bill” and Harriet Nee Kearney Moffett; her brother, Russell DeLancy; and her son, Raymond Diepenbrock. She is survived by her four sisters, Kaye Lyons, Donna Pursell, Sami Jacobi, and Mary Shanahan; her brother, Richard Moffett; her three children, Scott Diepenbrock, Tina Taylor, and Lance Diepenbrock; as well as six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her great joy and pride.
Patricia was a woman of remarkable character—strong-willed, hard-working, and fiercely independent. She had a deep love for the outdoors, and it was often said that if she wasn’t reading a book, she could be found with a fishing pole in hand, soaking up the beauty of nature. Her adventurous spirit and zest for life were matched only by her warmth and compassion for others.
An avid reader and gifted writer, Patricia had a passion for crafting both intricate, multi-chapter books and heartfelt short stories. She was a lifelong learner and loved immersing herself in the worlds she created with her pen, often inspiring those around her with her creativity and storytelling.
Above all, Patricia was a devoted and loving member of her family, always putting those she loved first. In her final moments, she was surrounded by the people she cherished most, a testament to the bonds she nurtured throughout her life.
Her absence leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her, but her memory will live on through the many lives she touched with her kindness, her wisdom, and her love for the simple joys in life.
A celebration of Patricia’s life will be held at her family home at a later date, where loved ones can gather to remember and honor the legacy she leaves behind. A burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Rest in peace, Patricia. You will be greatly missed.
Jeannine Hennessey Burgess
July 24, 1938 – December 29, 2024
A resident of Harahan, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born July 24, 1938 in New Orleans, LA and was 86 years of age. She is survived by her 3 children, Steven Joseph Burgess, Sr. (Betty), Suzanne Burgess Lee (Tommy), and Cheryl Burgess Lirette; daughter-in-law, Janet Pritchard Burgess; grandchildren, Lindsay, Lauren, Steven , Jr., Angele, Heather, Jeffrey, Jeannine, Rebecca, Thomas, Jr., Bridget and Clinton; great-grandchildren, Audrey, Lennox, Brayden, Brynn, Zailey, Eli, Elizabeth, Blaine, Justin, Isabel, Dayle, Jr., David, Phoebe, Trae, and Lilee; brother, Richard Henness; sister, Robben Hennessey Karr; son-in-law, Craig Lirette; daughter-in-law, Angie Burgess. Preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Frank “Rock” Burgess, Sr.; son, Raymond Frank Burgess, Jr.; parents, Alcess Patrick Hennessey and Doris Winn Hennessey Babineaux; mother, Ouida Hennessey; son-in-law, Mitchell Fontenot; brothers, James Hernandez and Kenneth Hernandez. Visitation at St. Rita of Cascia Parish, 7100 Jefferson Hwy, Harahan, LA 70123, from 10:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Interment St. Patrick # 1, 5000 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70119. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com
Ben Mixon
Ben’s Funeral will be Saturday. Visitation will be 10:00 A.M.-1::00 P.M. at FBC, Kentwood. The funeral will begin at 1:00 P.M. The obituary will be published later.
The church is still receiving donations to help with the final expenses for Ben. Thanks to all who have allowed God use them to assist the family at this time.
Baptist Press
I love to remember that Jimmy Carter continued to teach a Sunday School class while he served as president! I also greatly respect him and his wife for all they did to help build homes for those in need. Imagine a person being able to say for the rest of their life that the president of the United States helped to meet their need for a home! His wife worked on those projects too! That is quite a legacy!
Cold Weather
I am not a weather forecaster, but those who are say we have some days of very cold weather ahead. I hope you are well prepared at home and with the way you dress so you can be warm. If not, ask someone for help.
When David was so very sick, James Rimes came and cut our grass in the summer and wrapped out pipes for the winter. What a blessing he was! He saw our need and took care of it.
I have encouraged you to be prepared and to think of others. Imagine my surprise when a young man from church recently asked me about being prepared and able to live through cold temperatures. We are!
I love that the younger generation at my church wants to know what people need and are willing to do what is necessary to help others. That’s a key word for all of us – “OTHERS”!
Have a memorable day to close out 2024!
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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