FRIDAY

Welcome to another day God has created just for us. He also created us for this day. Let’s give back a portion of this day to/for Him.

Reading the Bible in 2026

  • January 30
  • Luke 17-18

Prayer Focus

Let’s spend time today praying for others

  • Who have experienced death of members of their families this week
  • Who are having troubles as they face today’s prediction for tomorrow
  • Who have sick loved ones
  • Whose home are not adequately heated
  • ETC .

    Obituaries

    Melba Ina Deane Blades Etheridge

    February 26, 1951 – January 28, 2026

    A resident of Pine Grove, LA, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at her home. She was born February 26, 1951 in Kentwood, LA and was 74 years of age. She is survived by her husband, David C. Etheridge, Sr.; 6 sons, David Etheridge, Jr. and wife, Margie, Jeremy Etheridge and wife, Mary, Chris Etheridge, Kevin Etheridge and wife, Pam, Matthew Etheridge and Brent Etheridge; daughter, Aimee Etheridge Wagner; grandchildren, Deanna Short, Kayla Robbins, David Etheridge, III, Sharee Etheridge, Christopher Etheridge, Jr., Abigail Etheridge, Meaghan Etheridge, Brentleigh Etheridge, Halli Rogers, Heidi Bailey, Daniel Etheridge, Chrissy Etheridge, Lisa Etheridge, Khloe Etheridge, Alex Etheridge, Addison Turner, Ashley Langlois, Tyler Etheridge, Calli Ngo, Cameron Etheridge, Alaina-Michael Etheridge, Dakota Etheridge, Lajend Cobb, Tiffanie Mills, James “Rusty” Etheridge, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Sya Robbins, Palmer Etheridge, Claire Etheridge, Jackie Rhodes, Serenity Etheridge, Jessie Etheridge, Dean Etheridge, Weston Etheridge, Tucker Etheridge, Lilly Ngo, Hadlee Ngo, and Liam Langlois. Preceded in death by 2 sons, Michael Philip Etheridge and James “Rusty” Etheridge, Sr.; parents, Dubb and Bertha Blades; 2 brothers, Ronnie Blades and Wayne Blades. A private family gathering will be from 9:00AM until 11:00AM at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday. Visitation will continue at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 4:00PM until Religious Services at 6:30PM on Monday, February 2, 2026. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

    Norman Henry Bennett

    December 3, 1943 – January 27, 2026

    Norman Henry Bennett, 82, of Amite, LA, died January 27, 2026 at home.

    He was born on December 3, 1943 to Norman E. and Claud Clark Bennett in Amite, LA.

    Henry attended Amite High School, Southeastern Louisiana College and Louisiana State University.

    He worked for more than fifty years for the State of Louisiana. He began his career with the Department of Health and Human Resources in 1966 until he retired in 1999. He returned to work in 2002 to the Department of Health and Hospitals where he worked until 2019. He received the Charles E. Dunbar, Jr. Award in the same year. At that time, he and Merrie were the only married couple to have both received that award.

    He was a gifted athlete and played football, baseball and tennis. He had a lifelong love of music and enjoyed singing, playing the guitar and clarinet.

    Henry is survived by his wife of 60 years Merrie Christmas Bennett, daughters Renee Bennett Primes, Lori Bennett Petitto (Michael, Sr.), grandchildren Christine Jones Smith (Cody), Mikki Jones, and great-grandchildren Peyton Smith, Cameron Smith and Vincent Jones, brother Robert (Donna) Bennett, and brother-in-law Charles D. (Kay) Christmas.

    He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Claud Bennett, son-in-law, Christopher K. Primes and brother-in-law, Dayle Christmas.

    A member of First United Methodist Church of Amite, Henry sang in the choir and served on multiple committees. He found great joy in worship and fellowship with his church family.

    Visitation will be Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Amite LA.

    Interment will follow at Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite LA.

    Pallbearers will be Errol Durr, Michael Petitto, Michael Petitto, Jr., Michael Christmas, Michael Christmas, II., and Peyton Smith.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Amite or a charity of your choice. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

    Church Services Sunday

    I suppose most of our churches will be open to those who choose to attend and very understanding of those who choose not to attend if the road conditions are not good. If you choose to stay home, we thankfully have online services to watch and would welcome you to view with us if the services of your church are not available.

    Check the church site for FBC, Kentwood ahead of time for information on how to do so.

    Illnesses

    There are some illnesses in the community that seem to find new homes to visit each week. Be careful not to invite them to visit your home/family. Others have injuries or recovery from hospital procedures. Many homes have elderly residents with long-term illnesses. Help others as you can by cooking, transporting, shopping, or other chores and responsibilities. You can make a difference.

    Thoughts by Rev. Waylon Bailey

    The First Words of the Day

    How did your day start?

    I’ve long encouraged people to rise a little earlier than they really have to in order to start the day with God. That practice may be the most meaningful part of my day.

    Starting the day with God can take several forms. You can pray, read Scripture, meditate and memorize Scripture, or simply sit quietly acknowledging God and His goodness. All of these are helpful. I recommend them all.

    Today my day began with a wonderful surprise. On my phone screen from the YouVersion Bible App were these words:

    “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NASB).

    Those words were given by the prophet to the people of Israel in exile. God had big things for them to do. They were to leave the only land most of the people had ever known to return to Jerusalem and the land of Israel to rebuild and to follow God.

    They had plenty to fear and be anxious about, but they also had the promises of our Righteous God. God was encouraging them to be righteous and obedient.

    You have plenty to make you anxious and obedient.

    What would God say to you today? The Word of God speaks loudly to me today: “Do not be fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.”

    When I begin my day in this way, I always have a good day. I pray the same for you.

    January 2026 is coming to a close.

    What else you plan to do before this month is gone?

    Anna Lee