Today’s Scriptures

1. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
   Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
   
2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
   Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
   
3. 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)
   Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s focus on praying for others in various difficult circumstances of life.

Read the Bible in 2026

• October 17
• Proverbs 16-18

Obituary

Patricia Rae Arnold

March 22, 1939 — October 13, 2026

Lebanon, MO

Patricia Rae Arnold, daughter of Millage D. Spring and Willie Lewis Spring, was born March 22, 1939 in Amite, Louisiana. She passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at her home in Lebanon, Missouri. She was eighty-seven years, six months and twenty-two days of age.

Patricia grew up in the small town of Amite, Louisiana and graduated high school in the class of 1957. Following high school, she was an office manager for a construction company for several years. She then served as an office manager for an architectural firm in New Orleans.

On April 25, 1981, Patricia was united in marriage to Larry Arnold. Together they built a life rooted in devotion, family and shared memories. This past year, they celebrated forty-five years of enduring love and partnership.

Following their marriage, Larry’s work took the couple to Kansas, followed by Missouri in 1983. They have resided in Lebanon since that time.

Patricia loved animals and cared about their well-being so much. She served as president of the Lebanon Humane Society from 1992-2014. She was very instrumental in building the new facility, a place for dogs and cats to go while they awaited adoption.

Larry and Patricia lived in a stately, historic home in Lebanon and Patricia loved to entertain. She held several fundraisers in her home to help sustain the Humane Society and build the Claws and Paws facility.

Patricia is survived by her loving husband, Larry; her son, Timothy M. Ragusa and his wife Tracey of Independence, Louisiana; her sister, Barbara Spring Gatewood of Denham Springs, Louisiana; and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ethyl Wesley; and three brothers, Edmond Spring, Jay Spring and Larry Spring.

Patricia had a delightful personality and loved her family very much. She was proud of her Louisiana heritage and enjoyed sharing her Louisiana customs with her Missouri friends.

We remember and honor the life of a devoted wife and beloved mother, whose kindness touched everyone who knew her. She lived her life with grace and purpose and will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10:00AM until Religious Services at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Interment Spring Cemetery, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Baptist Press – Missions

Romanian university launches Sammy Tippit Center for Christianity Under Persecution

Emanuel University Rector (President) Paul Negrut speaks and Evangelist Sammy Tippit and Emanuel University students listen.By Karen L. Willoughby, posted October 16, 2026 in Persecution, SBC News, The Persecuted Church

I’m going to include this article today, because I remember Sammy Tippit, also a teenager and from Baton Rouge, stepping out and speaking up for Christ. We attended some of his services at that time when he started his ministry here in Louisiana. Here is some information I found on the internet that may help you remember him or learn about him.

Sammy Tippit

Sammy Tippit was born and reared in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has led evangelistic outreaches and conferences in some of the most difficult regions of the world. He was in Romania during the revolution, in Rwanda immediately after the genocide, and in Burundi during the war. His 15 nonfiction books have been translated into more than 20 languages. His book, The Prayer Factor, was the first Christian book published in Mongolia. He and his wife, Debara “Tex” Tippit have two children and five grandchildren and live in San Antonio, Texas. He was the subject of the first book by best-selling author, Jerry B. Jenkins.

Sunday School Lesson

• Lesson for October 18
• “Indwelt”
• Romans 8:14-27

The Senior Adult Revival services are completed for 2026, but will return in October, 2027.

It’s always a special time to visit and worship with people we have know from churches throughout our association for many years. It’s also an opportunity to hear messages from other local pastors.

Reminder

Stand up, speak up, and reach out as you have opportunities today.

Anna Lee