But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.Isaiah 7:14
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.Luke 2:20
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.Luke 2:4-5
For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.Jeremiah 10:3-5
Mariano P. (Sonny) Garofalo
March 23, 1937 – December 16, 2022
Mariano P. (Sonny) Garofalo was born March 23, 1937 and passed away at 10:00 PM Friday, December 16, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was 85 years of age and a U. S. Navy Veteran. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rosalie Lamonica Garofalo; Two Sons, Larry M. Garofalo, Sr. and Ronald L. Garofalo; Grandchildren Larry Michael Garofalo, Jr. and wife Dusty, Todd G. Garofalo and wife Megan, Ryan Garofalo, and Fallyn Garofalo Parrett; Great-Grandchildren Wyatt A. Garofalo, Greyson Rose Garofalo, & Caitlynn Shumate; Brothers Nat Garofalo and wife Jeanette, and Joseph Garofalo; Special brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joe & Rose Lamonica; Nieces Kathy Lamonica and Joyce Lamonica Rollins and husband John; Genessa Garofalo Metcalf, and his sister Sara’s children, the Lloyd family (James Lloyd, Jr., Maria Ann, Marion, & Sarah Leah), and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mariano and Lena Giamalva Garofalo, and his sister Sara Garofalo Lloyd. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home of Amite on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 8 AM – 9 AM for family and 9AM-11:30 AM for friends. Mass will be conducted at 12:00 PM at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Independence beginning at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Colonial Cemetery in Independence. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, son, brother-in-law and uncle will be deeply missed and loved forever. He was one of the kindest, most loving people anyone was ever lucky enough to meet.
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
Dec. 18 – Luke 1: 30-34
READ LUKE IN DECEMBER
Dec. 18 – Luke 18
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s pray for the elderly around us as the temperatures around us drop this week and stay cold for a while. Some homes are not well insulated and interiors stay rather cold. The same problem is also occurring in Europe and other places. Pray for the people to stay warm and healthy. If you have a way to help some local people who live in cold homes, I hope your generous spirit will help you to hind a way to help these people.
Local churches will be sharing the Christmas story in various ways today. Get involved, even it only as a listener or watcher.
May you have and share a generous spirit this Christmas season.
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.Matthew 1:21
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.Luke 2:14
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.Matthew 1:2
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.Luke 2:11
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.Luke 2:14
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”Luke 2:10
Yvelle Parnell Viola
June 25, 1931 – December 14, 2022
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 ather home in Kentwood, LA. She was born June 25, 1931 in Roseland, LA and was 91 years of age. She is survived by her former husband, Joseph James Viola; brother, Frank C. Parnell of Chesbrough, LA. Preceded in death by her husband, Vincent A. Randazzo; mother, Irene B. Parnell; father, Curtis S. Parnell; twin sister, Iris P. Patterson; sisters, Janice P. Ennis, Drewlene Baker of Sheridan, Arkansas and Josie L. Parnell of Roseland, LA; brothers, David and Andy Parnell, Sr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 10:00AM on Monday, December 19, 2022. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Our 2022 “Shoeboxes” are enroute to or possibly delivered to children by now. Our focus has changed. We are shopping for the 2023 “Shoeboxes”. You will soon hear from us about and have an opportunity to participate in our first workshop on January 7th.
PRAYER FOCUS: Today, please pray for us as we shop for shoebox items and plan for 2023 workshops .
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE in 2022.
Dec. 17 – Luke 1: 26-29
READ LUKE IN DECEMBER
Dec. 17 – Chapter 17
TOMORROW MORNING’S MESSAGE FROM BRO. DARRYL (FBC, Kentwood)
December 18 – “The Agony of Dying”, Luke 23: 44-47
I hope you have a personal prayer list. It can be as simple as the back of an old envelope you keep in a special place or the last page of the current Sunday School book. It might be a simple notebook like I designate as my prayer journal. Do what works for you. Having a personal prayer list helps you focus your prayers. It also is private and meaningful to you.
Have a good day as you prepare for the Lord’s Day!
What a blessing! May we recognize God’s blessings for us in our daily lives. Blessings are not meant to be counted/recognized only during the month of November. They are a part of our daily lives and should be recognized daily.
Alanna is so blessed to have Kim for her grandmother. She provides opportunities for her grandchildren to do missions! What an example she has lived before their eyes! Thank God for Kim and all the blessing He has provided through her.
Today’s Prayer Focus – Today, let’s pray for those on our personal prayer lists. We all have people who are dear to us to pray for. Let’s use this day to focus our prayers, and possibly actions, on them today.
Let’s be sure to say our prayers of thankfulness for God’s protection during the dangerous storms that passed through our area Wednesday.
Make plans now to join FBC, Kentwood as they sing Christmas carols all around Kentwood Sunday evening. Show up at 6 P.M. to share God’s love during this season.
You may also want to read Luke 23: 44-47 in preparation for Bro. Darryls message, “The Agony of Dying”, planned for Sunday at 10:30 A.M.. The Christmas season is such a special time to be in God’s House.
I love Scriptures about encouragement. This may not be a “Christmas passage”, but people all around us need “encouragement”, especially at Christmas.
The Senior Adult Luncheon went on as planned despite the weather. The food and service were wonderful. Ladies on the Senior Adult Committee did the wonderful cooking and kitchen work. Teenage girls from the church were our very helpful servers. Aaron DeBlanc beautifully played carols and hymns for us.
Pray for Jane Wickham as she continues to overcome her surgeries at home and for Andy Taylor to overcome his issues so he can be “home for Christmas”. Pray for the “homebound” to receive some Christmas spirit and joy by friends, both neighbors and church people. Pray for all the others in your family, your neighborhood, your S.S. class, etc. who need special Christmas this week.
Today, our thoughts may be focused on weather, but let’s not forget it’s the Christmas season. Plug in the Christmas lights, listen to some Christmas music, wrap some packages, read from Luke and/or any chosen passages.
(We just had a “God wink” at our house. As I finished typing the last sentence, David walked over and let me listen to his phone and “O Holy Night” by a military band.)
Thankfully, the bad weather didn’t come during the night. The reports now show it arriving midday. If we have to experience bad weather, it always seems better if it come during daylight hours.
Stay tuned and aware. Some closures have already been announced. We probably will hear about closures in our area about daylight. Stay safe!
PRAYER FOCUS: Today, let’s pray for people in our area and other areas as the storm comes through. Be extra careful if you have to be out. Remember, God is in control of everything, even the storms.
Read about protection for same sex marriages, recovery for tornado damage (another “God Wink”, college students being baptized, etc.
TheSENIOR ADULT CHRISTMAS MEAL is scheduled for 11:00 this morning. If this is changed and my satellite is working, I’ll post the change. If it remains the same, I’ll also post that.
PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for people in areas the storm has already touched and for areas where the the weather is yet to be dangerous. Pray, pray, and pray some more.
OPPORTUNITY: We are presently in “the calm before the storm”. This weather situation will give you opportunities to call and check. on others, opportunity to share your home, hot meals, showers, etc. Be available and willing to help if help is needed by others today. Of course, stay safe yourself. Let trained personnel deal with emergencies.
It has happened again. I was blessed, yesterday, to talk with another person who reads TPL. You have no idea how encouraging that is! Encouragement is such a blessing for all of us and comes at the time God knows is best for us.
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
Dec. 13 – Matthew 1 : 18-20
READ ONE CHAPTER OF LUKE EACH DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Dec. 13 – Luke 13
Andy Taylor is improving. Let’s pray for continued. mobility improvement.
Lindsay Yent Pike
May 07, 1982 – December 08, 2022
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at her home. She was born May 7, 1982 in Hammond, LA and was 40 years of age. She is survived by her husband, John Pike; father, Lindon “Matthew” Yent; brother, John Roy “JR” Yent; mother-in-law, Deanie Brumfield; 2 sisters-in-law, Kristi Brumfield Hyde and Ali Brumfield; brother-in-law, Dakota Collette; best friend, Darla Dees; her babies, Izzy, Delilah and Bruce; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and family members. She is preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Kinchen Yent. Visitation at Hillsdale Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Rev. Don Bassett and Rev. Darryl Miller. Interment Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at her home in Kentwood, LA. She was born November 19, 1957 in Los Angelos, CA and was 65 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Bill Chesnut; 1 son, Daniel R. Chesnut and Alicia Hardgrave; grandchildren, Payton Hunt and Rhett Chesnutt; 6 sisters, Kay Folse and husband, Randy, Joyce Scanlon and Brett, Karen Hemphill, Debbie Chesnutt and Chris, Susan Chesnutt and husband, Joe, Cindy Husser and Bruce; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Jackson and Shirley Nelson; son, Harry William Chesnutt, Jr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Jack Chesnutt. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Linda Nelson Chesnutt
November 19, 1957 – December 11, 2022
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at her home in Kentwood, LA. She was born November 19, 1957 in Los Angelos, CA and was 65 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Bill Chesnut; 1 son, Daniel R. Chesnut and Alicia Hardgrave; grandchildren, Payton Hunt and Rhett Chesnutt; 6 sisters, Kay Folse and husband, Randy, Joyce Scanlon and Brett, Karen Hemphill, Debbie Chesnutt and Chris, Susan Chesnutt and husband, Joe, Cindy Husser and Bruce; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Jackson and Shirley Nelson; son, Harry William Chesnutt, Jr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Jack Chesnutt. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Michael “Slim” Dickson
May 13, 1999 – December 11, 2022
A resident of Folsom, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 in Baton Rouge, LA. He was born May 13, 1999 in Hammond, LA and was 23 years of age. He was a graduate of Ponchatoula High School and a member of the Army National Guard. He is survived by his mother, Emily DeKeyzer Loup and husband Wade; father, Mike Dickson and wife Ashleigh; sisters and brothers, Blair Dickson, Gatlin and Gunar Loup, and Hunter and Amelie Stagg; grandparents, Patti Carlin, Dan and Connie DeKeyzer, and Debbie Dickson; aunts, Amanda Miller and husband Jerry and Missy Miller and husband Todd; and numerous cousins. Preceded in death by grandparents, Michael L. Dickson and Carolyn Badon Price; and an uncle, Spencer DeKeyzer. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Gene Hoyt. Interment Rosaryville Cemetery, Ponchatoula, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
The Christmas Season is certainly upon us – programs, parties, presents, etc. Enjoy the holiday, but please, remember the reason we have this special season. Reread the verse at the top of this post.
The Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:00. I don’t know how the bad weather will affect this, but will let you know if I hear of any change.
Be alert to the weather reports for tonight and tomorrow. Respond as needed. Check on friends and neighbors. Do your errands today, because tomorrow may not be a good day for them.
TODAY’s PRAYER FOCUS – Pray for friends, family, and total strangers to have the right focus concerning the holidays.
Impress commandments on the hearts of children? That’s one of the things our church does well. Yesterday, our church saw that clearly. From children’s church every Sunday morning, to a profession of faith yesterday morning, to a sweet program last night. If you missed yesterday’s services, go to the FBC, Kentwood website or on Facebook and see for yourself. We love our children. We love for them to learn to trust in God.
By the way, mural number four is being painted now. Each one is professional and so interesting you have to look and look to see all the little details painted into the murals. An extra bonus is that a member of our church has the talent to do the paintings. Number four is not the last one, so “stay tuned”.
The senior adult Christmas luncheon will be Wednesday at 11:00. The senior adult committee does this as an annual event. The senior adults on the committee are great cooks!
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
December 12 – Malachi 3: 1-3
READ A CHAPTER OF LUKE EACH DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS
December 12 – Luke 12
Please pray for Larry Spring of the Mt. Nebo community. He had surgery and developed complications. Your prayers will be appreciated.
PRAYER FOCUS – Today, pray for children. Pray for their involvement in churches as well as homes and families that serve God and TAKE their children to church for the many opportunities to learn about God.
One blink of the lights and I thought I had to start over, but thankfully, I was able to retrieve the beginnings of my post and the settings I use daily for The Prayer Link.
Pray for FBC, Kentwood as the SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT is celebrated this morning at 10:30 and as the CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IS AT 6 P.M. tonight.
It was nice to be able to celebrate the LOTTIE MOON TEA again with the ladies of Two Rivers Baptist Association.. Spring Creek hosted the special event yesterday. At least seven from Kentwood were able to attend.
I made the event without David. Last week, I attended Sunday School and morning worship while David was busy having Sunday School in a home setting. People at church recognized David was “missing” and helped me. Yesterday, I thought I was on my own, but GOD PROVIDED by having BECKI WILLIAMS waiting to help me. I know she was my special angel yesterday. GOD PROVIDES!
I know God wanted me to be there though. He even had one friend from another church ready with a a $20.00 bill folded in her pocket to give to me to help make purchases for OCC.
I even got a chance to talk with some special friends from other churches. I was BLESSED! I’ve missed these friends and was so thankful to see them yesterday.
Pray for ANDY and BETTY as they have a “weekend getaway” at his rehabilitation facility. Andy’s therapy will resume Monday morning.
Pray for ONE OF MY CLASSMATES, who no longer lives in this area. She is going through a difficult phase of cancer treatment, but is doing so with a smile and God “holding her hand”.
READ and WRITE SCRIPTURE today.
December 11 – Psalm 95: 1-7
READING LUKE in DECEMBER
December 11 – Read Luke 11
PRAYER FOCUS – Opportunities
Pray for us as God presents opportunities for us to bless others and for others to bless us. May our eyes be open to see GOD’S PLAN.
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