It’s cold (freezing) out there this morning, but will be colder tomorrow morning. Stay warm (and careful)!

Read the Bible in 2025

Zechariah 8-14

Today’s Scripture

It’s a choice. It’s up to us!

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Obituaries

John Martin Durbin

June 8, 1952 – December 26, 2025

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born June 8, 1952 in Independence, LA and was 73 years of age. He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Durbin Ewing and husband, Dustin; son, Tyler Grantham Durbin and wife, Hannah; 4 sisters, Joan Brecher, Brenda Durbin, Debbie Durbin Hyde, and Shari Durbin; 1 brother, Donald Durbin; 2 grandchildren, Carter Stephens and Karigan Ewing; mother of his children, Ronda Durbin; and friend, Debbie Landry. Preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Nacine Fricano Durbin; and 3 brothers, Russell Durbin, Eddie Durbin, and Joey Durbin. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Funeral Services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Interment Durbin Cemetery, Independence, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Carl Breeland

January 2, 1943 – December 26, 2025

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He was born January 2, 1943 in New Orleans, LA and was 82 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Faye Hughes Breeland; daughter, Kimberly Cutrer; 2 grandchildren, Alexandra Lowrance and husband, Brandon, and Gabrielle Cutrer; 2 great-grandchildren, Myles Blache and Josephine Deagan; brother, Roy Breeland; and 3 sisters, Betty Jean King, Mae Ann Graham, and Linda Wall and husband, Terry. Preceded in death by parents, Leon and Gladys Breeland; and 2 sisters, Geraldine’ Breeland and Ruby Barnes. Visitation at The River Church, Tickfaw, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Josh Payne. Interment The River Church Cemetery, Tickfaw, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Douglas Monroe Prescott

August 16, 1957 – December 27, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born August 16, 1957 in Magnolia, Ms to Fredrick L “Sonny” Prescott Sr, and Mary Kent Owen Prescott, and was 68 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Bethel Prescott; 2 sons, William Prescott and Michael Prescott (Melissa); 3 daughters, Whitney McDaniel (Daniel), Brittney Newman (Colton), and Sarah Prescott; 1 brother, Clinton Prescott; 16 grandchildren, Blake, Peyton, Jayla, Teagan, CJ, Allie, Olivia, Colton, Walker, Krislynn, Juliana, Jocelyn, Collin, Kyla, Kolby, and Jacy Kate due soon!; 1 great-grandchild, Carlisle. Preceded in death by his parents Fredrick L. “Sonny” Prescott Sr, Mary Kent Owen Prescott, brother Fredrick L Prescott Jr, and daughter-in-law, Angie Prescott. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Services conducted by Bro Matthew Gazaway and Bro Eric Latham. Interment Spring Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Kernan Lea, Alan Easley, Peyton Prescott, Daniel McDaniel, Colton Newman, and Jon-Pat Prescott. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jack “Boots” Prescott, Clinton Prescott, Daniel Owen, and Cliff Holland.   For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Additional Scripture

‘God is Pleased with Faithfulness Under Suffering’

19
 This makes God happy. Maybe your master will punish
 you when you have done nothing wrong. If you know that you are serving
 God, continue to be patient and brave. 

20
 But if you do something wrong, then your master ought to punish
 you. That is only fair. Even if you are brave when he is cruel to you, nobody should praise you for that. But your master may punish you even when you have done good things. Then God will be happy if you are patient and brave. 

21
 When God chose you to be his servants, he wanted you to be brave like that. Christ had trouble and pain on your behalf. He has shown you how you should live when trouble comes. 

1 Peter 2:19-21

New Years Service

FBC, Kentwood does not ” see in the new year” at church. If you want to share when such a service will be at your church, please send me the information to share tomorrow morning.

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s focus on those who are cold, families with sickness or death, and those who will do not have Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Anna Lee

What a blessing that we have all had living in 2025. In a few days, we will begin 2026. I’m sure it will go by as quickly as 2025 has.

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for others. Let’s focus on people we see regularly. That could include family members, neighbors, church friends, work associates, etc. Choose the ones you will pray for today and pray for them periodically all day.

Today’s Scripture Verse

Prayer Partner or Bible Reading Partner

If you have had a problem getting into a routine of prayer or Bible reading, a partner can be a great help. It can be as simple as texting your partner to pray or read the Bible. If your partner completes the reading/praying first, they text you. (If you have a hard time getting in the habit, it may be necessary to talk with your partner each day.)

My cousin was my Bible reading partner when we were in high school. She was persistent in calling and reminding me as well as checking up on whether I had read the assigned passage. I quickly learned to read early and regularly. She was a great reminder!

No New Obituaries This Morning

Read the Bible in 2025

• December 29th
• Haggai 3 – Zechariah 7
• I hope you have been reading along with us and not only can see then light ahead, but are anxious to begin all over in a few days.

People in Need of Special Prayers Today

• Mrs. Ferrie Gene Blackmon
• Teachers and students facing the new semester
• Homebound
• People who don’t have good heating systems
• Travelers on highways or in the air
• Those looking for employment for the first time or the first time in many years
• Those retiring
• Growing families
• Families with serious illnesses

Baptist Press

• Progress of North American Mission Growth (Baptist Press)
• https://www.baptistpress.com/

Lottie Moon Mission Offering for International Missions

Equipping missionaries and mission families to tell the world about Jesus!

Have you supported this need?

Additional Bible Reading

“Encouragement and Comfort”

⁷ Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant^[a] in the Lord. 

⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 

⁹ and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 

¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

Colossians 4:7-11, ESV

The temperature is dropping. Stay warm and healthy this week.

Anna Lee

Obituary

Carl Breeland

January 2, 1943 – December 26, 2025

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He was born January 2, 1943 in New Orleans, LA and was 82 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Faye Hughes Breeland; daughter, Kimberly Cutrer; 2 grandchildren, Alexandra Lowrance and husband, Brandon, and Gabrielle Cutrer; 2 great-grandchildren, Myles Blache and Josephine Deagan; brother, Roy Breeland; and 3 sisters, Betty Jean King, Mae Ann Graham, and Linda Wall and husband, Terry. Preceded in death by parents, Leon and Gladys Breeland; and 2 sisters, Geraldine’ Breeland and Ruby Barnes. Visitation at The River Church, Tickfaw, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Josh Payne. Interment The River Church Cemetery, Tickfaw, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Prayer Focus

Today, we want to pray for the church services throughout our city, state, country, and world. May God’s Word be preached and souls be saved.

Read the Bible in 2025

• Sunday, 12-28
• Haggai 3 – Zechariah 2

Get up and get moving. It’s the Lord’s Day and others will be expecting you in Sunday School and church.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Today is a good day to contribute to the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. Help send and support a missionary or missionary family. You can give at any time. Simply mark your check Lottie Moon.

Coming Soon:

Operation Christmas Child 2026

Volunteer today for the 2026 Shoebox season!

If you are unable to attend church in person, watch online or on television. Go to the website for a church to find a link to previous or live services. Two suggestions today: FBC, Kentwood, La (Pastor Darryl Miller) and FBC, Covington, LA (Pastor Waylon Bailey).

Be a blessing to others today.

Anna Lee

God has blessed us with this day. Thank Him!

Today’s Scripture

This verse if from Luke 2, an important chapter to read this time of the year.

Including PRAISE is also important

‘Simeon’s Praise’

²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss^[a] your servant in peace

³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,

³¹     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

Luke 2:28-32 NIV

Simeon was blessed t0 have had this opportunity that filled a special place in his heart.

Read the Bible in 2025

• Saturday, December 27th
• Zephaniah 1 – Haggai 2

Two Amite Obituaries

Norman Harvey Smith, Jr.

July 23, 1938 – December 23, 2025

Farrion Dale Holden

April 22, 1956 – December 24, 2025

Sunday School Lesson for Tomorrow

Portions of Luke 5

Most churches will probably be on a regular schedule tomorrow.

Sunday School will begin at 9:15 tomorrow at FBC, Kentwood.

Prayer Focus

A prayer list that reflects last year, last month, or last week is outdated. Today is a good day to begin updating/reorganizing your personal prayer list.

Be sure your prayer time is not all about yourself. Focus on other people, current events, churches, other countries, etc. Readings should also focus on salvation and living a Christian life, etc., not just personal health needs.

We can always pray better and more often . . . .

Read the Bible in 2026

We have almost completed the reading of the Bible in 2025

• 12-26-25
• Nahum 1-Habakkuk 3

Do you have any suggestions for 2026?

Sunday School Lesson for Sunday

• Matthew 5:13-20
• Matthew 5: 43-38

Today’s Verse

No Obituaries Today

Baptist Press

Top 10 most significant stories of 2025

Let’s follow Jesus all year.

‘The Light Now Shines!’

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

Jeremiah 17:7

May you have a blessed day and be a blessing to others today. Let “your light” shine brightly as we close our 2025 and begin 2026.

May your heart and hands find something today that helps “your light shine for Jesus”. Let it glow brightly all day long. Remember: Jesus is the reason for the season!

:

Let’s start out right this morning.

Verse of the Day

The candlelight service at church was wonderful last night! We also got to view some “Christmas” online and to visit with some friends.

How about calling your family together to read about the birth of Jesus. Start with Luke 2. You may even want to sing some Christmas carols together.

The celebration we have today should center on Jesus! Family should be second.

Read the Bible in 2025

We’ve almost completed reading the Bible this year.

Today, we’re reading Micah 1-7.

Have a wonderful day of celebrating Jesus!

Until tomorrow . . . .

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for people, young and old, to realize the reason for this wonderful holiday is Jesus.

Read the Bible in 2025

• December 24
• Obadiah – Jonah

Watch a
Newsmax Christmas Special
with Samaritan’s Purse!

(Copied from a message sent to me.)

Recently, Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren traveled to disaster-stricken Jamaica to highlight the work of Samaritan’s Purse. We invite you to watch her new Christmas special on Newsmax, which features that work, along with exclusive interviews with Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham and COO Edward Graham.

This special production will give you a glimpse of one of our emergency field hospitals and take you along as we hand out Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to boys and girls affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Tune in Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to see our work up close!

Greta Van Susteren
Christmas Special

---

Newsmax

Christmas Eve—4 p.m. ET

Christmas Day—4 p.m. ET

We know you will be blessed by this wonderful Christmas special!

---

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.”
Isaiah 9:6

Online Christmas Program from N.C.

2 P.M. and 4 P.M. Today and Tomorrow

parkwoodonline

Today is the Lord’s Day. It also begins the calendar week when celebrate the birth of Jesus. We will be studying Matthew 2:1-12 in Sunday School this morning. I hope you can learn something both new and important to you from this Scripture.

Today’s Bible Verse

No New Obituaries this Morning

Prayer Focus: Let’s pray many people will learn about Jesus and take Him into their daily lives this week both here in our community and all around the world. The story of His birth is a wonderful way to introduce Jesus to people who don’t know Him.

Live Christmas Eve Program from the home church of Mary Alice Fox, a former resident of Kentwood.

You will be able to view this Christmas service live at either or both of their presentation opportunities Christmas Eve. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to view for about 45 minutes with your family and/or friends as you gather this Christmas Eve? The times are 2 P.M. and 4 P.M. for those of us in the Central Time Zone. It can be found at parkwoodonline.org.

Remember: Online service

Christmas Eve

2 P.M. and again at 4 P.M. (Central Time)

parkwoodonline.org

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

FBC Kentwood at 6:00 P.M. TODAY. (30 minutes)

Everyone is welcome to come. If that doesn’t work, you can watch the online services live or at a convenient time.

Prayers are always needed, even during the Christmas season. Choose the needs closest you your heart. Add to your personal prayer list if needed.

Baptist Press

We certainly have some interesting articles to read this morning.

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Addition Bible Readings

‘He Has Set His People Free’

• ⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
• ⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
•     because he has come to his people and redeemed the
  • Luke 1:67-68

We celebrate because of Jesus’ birth.

Until tomorrow….

I’ll start with a reminder to view the Christmas Eve service online from North Carolina. Today, I’m going to add the 6 P.M. candlelight service from FBC, Kentwood. It is 30 minutes of Christmas joy. I hope you have plans to attend in person with your family, but another option is to watch it online. It’s a great family experience!

Prayer Focus

Pay attention to some who need Christmas love and cheer due to sickness, loneliness, death, etc. Be an encourager to them today! That is a very important role we can all step into.

Today’s Verse

No New Obituaries This Morning

Baptist Press

Choose your own articles to read today. I’ve been choosing those I want to return to in a few minutes.

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Weather Advisory

We have had dense fog this week that will continue and probably get worse. The holidays are always dangerous travel days. Dense fog could make safe driving more difficult. Be prepared to be extra careful and/or adjust travel time to avoid heavy fog hours.

Holiday Focus

Jesus is the reason for the season. Use opportunities God provides to “Tell Others about Jesus”! Read the Bible, sing some carols, view nativity scenes, attend special services, watch special programs or movies that tell the 2,000+ year old story!

Read the Bible in 2025

• Tuesday, December 23
• Amos 6-9

Additional Bible Passages

‘No Distinctions’

5 Is Apollos important? Is Paul important? No! We are God’s servants. We told you God’s good news and you believed it. Each of us is doing the job which the Lord has given to us. 

6 When I told you God’s good news, I was like someone who planted seeds. Then Apollos was like someone who gave water to the young plants. But it was God who caused everything to grow.

 7 The person who plants the seeds is not important. The person who gives water to the plants is not important. The important person is God, because he causes everything to grow. 

8 The person who plants and the person who gives water both have the same purpose. God will pay each person what is right for their work. 

9 Apollos and I work together as God’s servants. You are like God’s field that we work in.

You are also like a building that belongs to God. 

10 I am like a good builder. God has given that job to me and he has helped me to do it well. I was the person who built the foundation. Now other people are building on that foundation. But each person must be careful how he builds. 

I Corinthens 3:5-10

‘He Has Done Great Things for Me!”

⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 

⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 

⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 

⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,

⁴⁹     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.

⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.

Luke 1: 41-52

Luke 1:48-52 is often called Mary’s Song.

‘Always Be a Blessing’

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 

4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 

5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and ^csuffered no harm. 

6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and ^dsaid that he was a god.

(Paul was NOT a god. He was a servant of God and a blessing to many.)

Acts 28:3-6

Be a blessing to others today!

Anna Lee

Bible Verse for Today

Read the Bible Today

• December 21 – Joel
• December 22 – Amos 1-5

No New Obituaries Listed this Morning

Plan Ahead

Two of many Christmas Eve Opportunities!

• Watch streaming of special service at Mary Alice Fox’s Church at @ 2:00 and/or 4:00 P.M. Christmas Eve.
• Attend a 30 minute candlelight service at FBC, Kentwood at 6 P.M. Christmas Eve.

Additional Bible Passage for Today

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

https://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20221226&ver=niv

Today, despite how happy you may be about the Christmas season, please realize that others may be having a difficult time. Our favorite Christmas may not be home by yourself, in a nursing home, visiting or being a patient in a hospital, or even planning a funeral for a loved one.

I think many of us may have been in one or more of these situations at Christmas. I know I have! This year some people will be in the same type of situations. Pray for them. Do something special for some of these individuals if you can. Plan a brief visit. Share a special service on your phone. Read the Christmas story from Luke. Take someone to lunch. Share some musical talent in person. Take a child to sing a Christmas carol and tell about the “First Christmas”, etc. Do what works best for you, but share Christmas. You can bring some needed joy to others. That patient in the hospital will remember the special Christmas company. That child may always remember singing Christmas carols to their relative. All of you will probable remember setting up a small Christmas scene and leaving a jar of mints with a note that says “Take a few. Jesus loves you! OR simple, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!” Patients will also remember any guests they have at this time of the year. Share some Christmas joy with someone in less than ideal circumstances.

Let’s make some special memories this Christmas!

Anna Lee

Today is the Lord’s Day. It also begins the calendar week when celebrate the birth of Jesus. We will be studying Matthew 2:1-12 in Sunday School this morning. I hope you can learn something both new and important to you from this Scripture.

Today’s Bible Verse

No New Obituaries this Morning

Prayer Focus: Let’s pray many people will learn about Jesus and take Him into their daily lives this week both here in our community and all around the world. The story of His birth is a wonderful way to introduce Jesus to people who don’t know Him.

Live Christmas Eve Program from the home church of Mary Alice Fox, a former resident of Kentwood.

You will be able to view this Christmas service live at either or both of their presentation opportunities Christmas Eve. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to view for about 45 minutes with your family and/or friends as you gather this Christmas Eve? The times are 2 P.M. and 4 P.M. for those of us in the Central Time Zone. It can be found at parkwoodonline.org.

Remember: Online service

Christmas Eve

2 P.M. and again at 4 P.M. (Central Time)

parkwoodonline.org

Schedule a little of your family time to share this. I think it will be a blessing for you and yours.

Prayer Focus

As you pray for others this Christmas week, find ways to communicate your love and His love. I think watching the online service mentioned above will be a good opportunity to share Jesus with your family and friends. Pray others will use this opportunity as we also watch with them or just for ourselves.

Anna Lee