Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Please continue to pray for the many around us who have Covid-19, especially those who are hospitalized. Pray for family member who are separated because of this disease, but for their own protection.

Pray for all those involved with the school systems in our area. Not only for the academics, but for the health of everyone involved.

Continue to watch the online version of prayer meeting of FBC, Kentwood or others you choose. FBC, Kentwood will air at 6:00 tonight on Facebook and You=Tube.

Dr. John T. Anzalone

May 11, 1929 – August 11, 2020

A resident of Independence, LA, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born May 11, 1929 in Independence, LA and was 91 years of age. He graduated from Loyola School of Dentistry in 1961 and practiced in Amite, LA for 40 years. He was a member of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, and LSU Alumni Association. He enjoyed high school football and tailgating with his sons at LSU football games. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Tillie Calcagno Anzalone; 3 sons, Johnny Anzalone, Thomas Anzalone and wife, Lisa, and Paul Anzalone and wife, Donna; 2 daughters, Mary Gerwitz and husband, Ray, and Theresa Anzalone; grandchildren, Christopher, Nick, and Jack Anzalone, Hannah Anzalone McDaniel and husband, Kevin, Jenna Anzalone, Joshua Anzalone, and John Gerwitz. Preceded in death by parents, Tony and Lena Anzalone; grandchildren, Hailey Elizabeth Anzalone and Eric Joseph Anzalone; 2 brothers, Sam F. Anzalone and Frank T. “Gene” Anzalone; and 1 sister, Rose Lapuma. Services will be held privately. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 12

Nehemiah 3:15-5:13
1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Psalm 32:1-11
Proverbs 21:5-7

Today’s Baptist Press – https://www.baptistpress.com/

May God richly bless you this day. Be sure to thank Him!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“When my life was slipping away,

I remembered you—

and in your holy temple you heard my prayer.”

~Jonah 2:7 (CEV)~

Jonah had a powerful testimony that he shared. I know several people today who have powerful testimonies about God hearing their prayers.

The Carona virus has attacked our area. Many families are in need of our prayers.

The service for Martha Griffith that was scheduled for Saturday has been postponed because our church is closed for two weeks due to the virus. I’ll give you a new date at some future time.

Patrick “Boc” Sims

December 04, 2000 – August 10, 2020

A resident of Roseland, LA, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2020 at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, LA. He was born December 4, 2000 in Hammond, LA and was 19 years of age. He is survived by 3 sisters, Jasie Sims, Logan Moneyhun, and Lana Sims; grandfather that raised him, Pat Hendry; grandparents, Debbie and Bob Harvin, and Kent Sims; niece, Karter Abernathy; aunt, Julie Hutchinson and husband, Robert; uncle, Travis Hendry and wife, Hannah, and Earl Ray Clark, Jr.; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Preceded in death by father, Jason Sims; mother, Barbara Hendry; grandmother, Margaret Hendry; cousins, Mary-Margaret Hendry, Leslie Marie Hendry, and Lige Leslie Hendry. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. Interment Hyde Cemetery, Chesbrough, LA. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to Brain Injury Association of Louisiana at biala.org. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Alvin Denman Strickland

September 06, 1951 – August 09, 2020

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2020 at his home. He was born September 6, 1951 in Independence, LA and was 68 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Darlene Strickland; daughter, Tina Chambliss and husband, Heath; son, J. D. Strickland and wife, Meagan; sister, Virgie Aull and husband, Russell; grandchildren, Destinee Chambliss McElveen and husband, Brodie, Larissa Denise Strickland, Brenna Cheyenne “BB” Strickland, Aaron Chambliss and girlfriend, Jennifer, and Austin Chambliss and girlfriend, Roxanne; great-grandchildren, Laythen Chambliss, Zayn Chambliss, Kanon Chambliss, Caysen McElveen, Aubrey McElveen, and Ryland Strickland (arriving any day). Preceded in death by parents, Jessie and Juanita Strickland; sister, Bonnie Coon; and nephew, Rusty Aull. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until religious services at 2:00PM on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. Services conducted by Bro. Mike Stafford and Bro. E. J. Didone. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Aaron Chambliss, Austin Chambliss, Brodie McElveen, Doug Coon, Jo-Jo Norris, and Paul Bridges. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph “Butch” Estes, Charles Roy Womack, Robert McGuire, and Robert Prine. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 11

Exodus 32:1-33:23
Matthew 26:69-27:14
Psalm 33:1-11
Proverbs 8:33-36

Baptist Press – https://www.baptistpress.com/

Continue to pray for revival. It is scheduled for the 27th-30th.

Thanks for reading and praying.

Anna Lee

Monday

“And, apart from other things,

there is the daily pressure upon me

of my anxiety for all the churches.“

~2 Corinthians 11:28~

I read this article from Dr. Waylon Bailey and used his Scripture reference for our verse today. My church was one of many that had to close again because of members testing positive for the virus.

“I am concerned and I am encouraged.” – http://waylonbailey.com/2020/08/06/i-am-concerned-and-i-am-encouraged/

Revival is still scheduled for later this month at FBC, Kentwood. The date presently selected to return to live services is August 23. This is open to change dependent on the number of members of our church who are sick. In the meantime, online services are available on Facebook and Youtube. Sunday services are at 10:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Wednesday services are at 6 P.M.

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 10

Ezra 10:1-44
1 Corinthians 6:1-20
Psalm 31:9-18
Proverbs 21:3

Baptist Press – https://www.baptistpress.com/

Pray for our church as you think of revival. The last two Sunday night services are good guides for praying for our church. Next Sunday’s night service will be about praying for those who do not have Jesus in their hearts. Join us for that service too.

How can you influence someone to become a Christian?

Anna Lee

Lord’s Day

A person’s wisdom yields patience;

it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

~Proverbs 19:11~

“f you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive

the wrongs you have done.”

~Matthew 6:15 (GNT)~

Scott Womack is doing well following surgery and will have a check-up later this month.

Pray for those with the Covid-19 virus. those who have been exposed, and those trying their best to stay healthy. Pray for schools, churches, businesses, etc. as each one does their part. Keep praying for those who are sick or quarantined. You do not have to know all the names to pray for all of them.

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 9

Ezra 8:21-9:15
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 21:1-2

FBC, Kentwood will have online church services for the next two weeks. You can follow them on Facebook or You-tube.

Watch this video of some marines at a worship service.

Prayer is the key that opens many doors!
Anna Lee

Saturday

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

~Romans 10:9-10~

I have an important announcement that some of you have not read. Rev. Darryl Miller of FBC, Kentwood shared this yesterday.

Good morning. The Deacon Council of FBC Kentwood, after prayerful consideration, has by majority vote made the decision to go back to online services only for the next 2 weeks. This decision was reached in light of the fact that we have had multiple positive Covid tests this week from people that have been attending our services. None of these people appear at this time to have life threatening symptoms and our prayer is that they all make a speedy recovery. We value the health of our congregation and pray that no one else gets infected with this illness. Our plan at this time is to reevaluate and hopefully be back at church on August 23rd.

I realize many of you are already aware of this announcement, but not everyone.

What does this announcement bring to our hearts for prayer?

People will not get busy and forget to “tune-in”
Technology is available for everyone
Technical skills needed to locate the message
Distractions are at a minimal at home
People don’t take “mini-vacations” during church time
Visitors come to watch with you, not take you away for the service
Families that have members with Covid-19
Families that have not worked hard to prevent the spread of Covid-19
Families who have members with compromised health issues
?????

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 8

Ezra 7:1-8:20
1 Corinthians 4:1-21
Psalm 30:1-12
Proverbs 20:28-30

Fall Food Round-Up for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home – September 21

Bring items most needed.
- Look back on The Prayer Link
- Contact the church office.

Find a quiet spot and spend some extra time in prayer today.

Anna Lee

Friday

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

~Psalm 103:12~

Two praise reports this morning:

Margaret Wilson is progressing nicely in recovering from a MS flare-up. The good news is that she did not have something new like a hear attack or stroke. Home will look good to her today.
My former student’s son, Alex, is home after hearing he was “just in time” with seeing the doctor.

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 7

Ezra 7:1-8:20
1 Corinthians 4:1-21
Psalm 30:1-12
Proverbs 20:28-30

Louisiana Baptist Message – https://baptistmessage.com/

Baptist Press – https://www.baptistpress.com/

I learned something new this morning. Baptist Press was founded in 1946. It’s older than I am! Think of all the updated Christian news it has provided. Of course, it was not easily available online for all those years!

Be a positive influence on someone in someway today.

Anna Lee

Thursday

And when you stand praying,

if you hold anything against anyone,

forgive them,

so that your Father in heaven

may forgive you your sins.”

~Mark 11:25~

Please pray for Margaret (Leroy) Wilson, formerly of Amite. She now lives in West Monroe and has MS. A few nights ago, she passed out for a while. After several days of testing, the doctors have eliminated the possibility of a heart attack and are conducting additional testing. She seems better now, but the family needs some answers. Please join them in praying for her. Thank-you.

A former student, Debbie Luce Clark, has a young adult son who got terribly dehydrated and wound up in ICU yesterday. He’s better, but Debbie and her family would appreciation your prayers for Alex.

It seems like the Covid – 19 virus is really spreading in our area. Be aware. Be careful.

Please continue to pray for all the schools as they adapt to the virus in our midst. Pray both for the students and the adults. Pray for those making the plans for what is taught and how it is taught.

Pray for businesses as they try to operate on limited staff with limited customers and try to to provide a “clean” environment to do so. Pray for those who have lost a job or had hours cut due to the virus. With so many people staying at home, customers are often limited.

Pray for those who are at home during this time. Some people thrive with being involved with other people. Pray for them to find ways to get through these weeks without depression taking over.

Karen Reich Jones

June 05, 1953 – July 28, 2020

Mrs. Karen Reich Jones, 67, of Kentwood LA., passed from this life on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

Karen was born in New Orleans, LA. on June 5, 1953 and was the daughter of William Reich, Jr and Audrey Head Reich. Karen was a graduate of Grace King high school in Metairie, LA. She lived in St. Rose, La. for many years where she worked as a custom seamstress. She retired from Amtrak in 2015 where she managed the dining cart. For the past twenty years she was a resident of Kentwood, La. Karen and Johnny Jones owned the Paris Flea Market in Kentwood, LA. She loved the outdoors and gardening and took great pride in her plants and flowers. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents; William Reich Jr and Audrey Head Reich.

She is survived by her loving husband of 13 wonderful years, Mr. Johnny Jones of Kentwood, La.; one daughter, Sarah Gauthreaux of New Orleans, LA; one son, Joseph Gauthreaux; three brothers; William Reich lll (Christine) of Metairie, La. David Reich (Anne) of Cartersville, Georgia and Richard Reich (Ann) of Metairie, La.; two sisters, Joelle Nicol of Kenner, La. and Lynne Songy of Gretna,La.; three step-daughters, Stephanie Ott (Jeff) of Arlington, TX, Stacey Jones of Kentwood, LA and Suzanne Hancock (David) of Aledo, TX and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Share condolences at sharkeyfuneralhome.com

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 6

Ezra 3:1-4:23
1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 20:24-25

Baptist Press – http://www.bpnews.net/

Operation Christmas Child

The man who asked about what he could do for OCC yesterday has already made the purchases and a package will soon arrive. What a blessing! May God bless you and all the others who are helping to provide items for the “shoeboxes” this year.

I’m not sure if we can/will have our regular packing party, will have to have several smaller packing parties, or what. I’ll inform you when we get closer to that time.

Today is a day of opportunity to share God’s love, to encourage someone, to invite others to participate in our online services. and/or to tell them about Jesus.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, LORD Most High!

It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are.”

Psalm 92:1-2 (CEV)

Our God gives second chances!

Please begin praying for Caleb Estay. He will be having a lump on this neck checked Tuesday. Pray all goes well.

Please pray for the family of Coach Dickie Meeks. I taught with him at OFA. His students thought the moon of him. He became well know for winning teams and influencing lives in the right direction. He passed away due to cancer. His services will be Saturday in Longview, TX.

Read the. Bible in 2020 – August 5

Ezra 1:1-2:70 1
Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Psalm 27:7-14
Proverbs 20:22-23

This morning I was blessed with a message from someone who is quarantined, but still wanting to help with Operation Christmas Child. He asked for a suggestion about something he can order online. This virus cannot stop the generosity of God’s people!

The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will be in Kentwood on September 21st to pick up our donations for their pantry. They only ask for this help once a year. Below is a list of the items they need the most this year:

Bottled Juices
Cleansing Supplies (Disinfectants)
Cooking Oil
Dishwasher Detergent
Freezer Bags
Fruit (Canned)
Kool-Aid
Laundry Detergent
Paper Towels
Salad Dressings

Your items can be left at the church any time in the next few weeks.

Baptist Press – http://www.bpnews.net/

Find ways to be helpful/encouraging despite the virus!

Anna Lee

Monday Update

Scott Womack had an artery repaired and three new stents. He will stay overnight and be home tomorrow. Scott personally call David this afternoon. They have a special connection – David taught him when he was in the College and Career Sunday School class. Scott is all lined up now to catch David some fish. Good friends are so special. Many prayers were spoken for Scott and his surgeon.

Mary Ann Clemons is HOME! She will be working to regain her strength. This is an answer to many prayers.

Tuesday

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.

~Romans 5:8~

Remember to pray for Scott Womack as he has that postponed procedure this morning in Covington.

Margaret Estes was allowed to return home yesterday, but must be quarantined for 20 days. Thank God that she is better and at home. Pray for the her during this time she must be quarantined.

Pray for Ron and Alana Ichter Greenwich as they begin seven weeks of orientation in Richmond, VA to prepare them to go to Brazil for another three years. This term will be to train and monitor new missionaries as they do through language study and other training before moving to their assignments. I’m thankful Jennie will get to spend some time with them again. It will bring back lots of memories from the 90’s when Jennie was a Journeyman missionary and taught the Greenwich children.

Read the Bible in 2020 – August 4

2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23
1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Psalm 27:1-6
Proverbs 20:20-21

Baptist Press – http://www.bpnews.net/

Thank-you for praying for others today.

Anna Lee