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

Today is a great day for reading the Bible and for studying.

Tomorrow is a good day for attending church and for watching a Christmas program. The opportunity was suggested by Mary Alice Fox, formerly of Kentwood. The program will be presented by her church in North Carolina. If you have time in the afternoon or early evening, you may want to watch the program. More information tomorrow.

Today’s Verse

There was a purpose for the birth of Jesus. The picture above shows the plan. I hope you can link the plan of the birth and death of Jesus.

Reading the Bible in 2025

• December 20
• Hosea 8-14

Sunday School Lessson for Tomorrow

• “Worship the King”
• Matthew 2:1-12

Additional Bible Reading

Psalm 146:5–6

5  ^uBlessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose ^vhope is in the Lord his God,

6  ^wwho made heaven and earth,

the sea, and all that is in them,

who keeps faith forever;

Baptist Press

You will want to ready and be amazed with the story of two young men and what they did following college graduation.

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Obituary

Myra Dedon Roberts

November 9, 1960 – December 18, 2025

Myra Dedon Roberts of Kentwood, LA passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at the age of 65. She was born Wednesday, November 9th 1960 in Franklinton, LA to her mother Rachel Lanford and late father Ralph “Red” Dedon. Along with her father, she is preceded in death by her sister Debra “Debbie” Kay Terry and daughter Nikki Lynn Kennedy, whom she has dearly missed and looked forward to the day when they would be reunited.

Survivors include her husband of 31 years, James “Jamie” Roy Roberts. Parents, Rachel and Charles Lanford. Daughter, Kaci Allena Kennedy (Cody). Grandchildren, Kyra Lynn (Ethan), Sabastian, Dominic, and Londyn. Great Granddaughters, Lottie Kay and Louella. Son, Justin Brock Roberts (Megan). Granddaughters, Ivy, Isla, Violet, and Autumn. Daughter, Jamie Roberts Simpson. and Granddaughters, Celise and Simone. Daughter, Stacey Roberts Stafford (Jason). Grandchildren, Jordan, Charlee, Emery, and Lillian. Brothers, Randall “Randy” Dedon (Holly), Joseph “Joe” Dedon, Charles Ray “Charlie” Lanford. Sisters, Lorraine Strahan (Jeffery) and Jennifer Bankston. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loving family. 

Mrs. Myra was a God fearing devoted wife, daughter, mother, and Nonni. She loved the outdoors, fishing with her husband, and spending time with all of her babies, whom she loved dearly. She was always a joy to be around and her absence will be greatly felt for the rest of our days. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at McKneely Funeral Home, 501 Ave. G, Kentwood La from 12:00 pm until the memorial service at 2:00 pm.

Update:

We saw Andy and Betty Taylor yesterday. They looked good. It was a good visit. It’s always fun to share a few of our many memories.

“‘Tis the Season” to . . . .

(How will you complete that statement?)

Anna Lee

Baptist Press

Look up Baptist Press for today.

Additional Bible Readings for Today

‘God Makes Things Right’

⁵ The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.

⁶ The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

⁷ Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

Ps. 116:5-7 NIV

‘Jesus’ Presence in You Storms’

(Acts 27:33-38)

And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.

(Acts 27:33-38, NKJV)

Update your personal pray list as you pray today.

Anna Lee

Ian’t it great to wake up to a new morning even if there are some problems in the world, our country, and even our life? We are so blessed! Thank you, God for blessing each of us with this day.

Today’s Scripture Verse

Some of the people who would benefit from our prayers today:

Andy and Betty Taylor Trey and Christy Harrison Dorothy Wall

Ferrie Gene Blackmon Bro. Joe and Barbara Baugh Keith Allen

Robert and Ora Lee Wilson Kenneth and Yvonne Birch. Eddie K. Schwartz

Tom and Gail Brister Mike and Michelle Moss Barbara Erwin

Charlie and Kim Schwartz George and Debbie Bales. Laurie Miller

Glen and Bobbie Magee Luther and Rene Terrell Others . . . .

Read the Bible in 2025

• 12-19-25
• Hosea 1-7

Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions

Lottie Moon walks and talks in AI-generated video available for download

True Christmas spirit on display at Oklahoma church

You can give through any Baptist church by putting your offering in a designated offering envelope or using a regular envelope and labeling it Lottie Moon.

Busy ? (Most of us easily fill our schedules.)

Sometime it becomes necessary to determine what our time can best be spent on. Spend a little time thinking about your total time each week, how you spend it, how you think you should spend it, how God would have you spend it, and what changes need to be made in allocating the twenty-four hours God is giving you today, this week, this month, etc.

No New Obituaries Listed This Morning

Christmas Season

We have attended three Christmas programs, discussed the original Christmas, read from Luke, shared some gifts, made some visits, completed our OCC work for the year, etc. How can we (and you) best spend the next week?

Operation Christmas Child

We packed out shoeboxes almost two months ago. Funds were given to pay the postage. We served as the drop-off location for our area, etc. Now, here are discussing beneficial hanges we want to make for the 2026 year. It’s time to plan how we will carry out this big responsibility in the next year. I would be happy to talk with anyone who has plans, wants t0 donate time or funds, explain, help guide your group, etc.

Christmas is not the time to be self-centered. Spend some time considering different ways to share some Christmas spirit and bless someone else this year. If you need some ideas you can talk with Bro. Darryl or others for ideas. Pray about the options as you make your choice(s).

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/hegseth-voices-support-for-military-chaplaincy-aims-to-bolster-religious-freedom/

‘When Everyone Rejects You’

Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Matthew 27:41-44 NKJV

Spend some time quietly thinking about how God would have us celebrate Christmas this year. Plan any changes you need to make.

Anna Lee

Prayer Focus

Today, as we move a day closer to Christmas, let’s pray that people know or learn the meaning of this special holiday. There is a fantasy about a man in a red suit, reindeer, lots of trees with colorful lights, and gifts that magically appear overnight, but the real meaning is a young couple receive a special child, a son. who is given the name Jesus, and a wonderful story of how important His life here on earth was and is today more than 2,000 years later and even all around the world. I trust you know, love, and share the story that can be found in Luke 5. That is the important and real story for us to teach others all around the world!

Read the Bible in 2025

• December 18
• Daniel 10-12

Today’s Bible Verse

Lottie Moon Offering (Baptist Press)

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-person-sent-faithfully-bearing-fruit-globally/

Military Chaplains

Today’s Bible Verse

Read the Bible in 2025

• December 17
• Daniel 7-9

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Lottie Moon Offering

This is the brave, dedicated missionary our annual offering for international needs is named for. She made a big impact on world missions because of her dedication and determination. When the answer to her question about serving as a single missionary was “No”, she kept on. . . .

‘Praying for Daylight ‘

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

Acts 27:27-29 KJV

Daily Bible Reading for 2026

Please pray for me as I choose a plan for reading the Bible again in 2026.

There are no new obituaries for our area today.

Questions for today?

• What can you do this week for a neighbor?
• What can you do this week for a homebound person?
• What can you do this week for a hospital patient?
• What can you do for a family in need this week?
• What can you do for someone who needs a friend?
• What can you do for a family with small children?
• What can you do for someone who is graduation this month?
• What will you do?

It is not so much about “What can you do?” as it is about “What will you do!”

Anna Lee

Good morning, friends. I’m glad you are checking in to pray and be encouraged this morning.

Today’s Bible Verse

Obituary

Bobby Don Prine

August 1, 1942 – December 13, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 1, 1942 in Kentwood, LA and was 83 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Edith Kathleen Womack Prine; 2 daughters, Dondrea “Dondi” Prine Thompson and Bobbie Karol Prine McKean; 2 sons, Donald Kerry Prine (Mikki) and Daniel Keith Prine; 2 brothers,  Robert Edward “Rob” Prine (Marsha) and Richard Keith “Rick” Prine (Kathy); brother-in-law, Orea Cooper; 5 grandchildren, Kelsie Morgan Graham (Caleb), Stephanie Prine Boyd (Zack), Kaleigh McKean Liotta (Brandon), Jacob McKean (Morgan), and Joey Prine; 5 great-grandchildren, Beau, Lawson, and Rhett Boyd, Chase and Caroline Graham. Preceded in death by his son-in-law, Jason McKean; parents, Jessie and Elizabeth Prine; brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Tinka Prine; sister and brother-in-law, Woody and Betty Booty; sister, Libby Cooper; niece, Karen Booty; and niece, Daphene Cooper. Special thanks to Modern Home Health and especially Jarod Webb and Modern Hospice especially Kylin Hutchinson, Lisa King, Lyndy Varnado, Ashley Tucker, Christy Beard and Zella Nicholes. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Services conducted by Chaplain Chandler Veasey and Vince Estes. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Jacob McKean, Joey Prine, Caleb Graham, Zack Boyd, Brandon Liotta, and Scott Prine. Honorary Pallbearers will be Nate Disher, David Bill, Mitchell Prine, Dustin Kerbow, Pat Cooper, and Mitchell Otillio. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Lottie Moon Offering for Intrnational Missions

Participate

Pray

Pray for IMB missionaries and your church’s offering during your worship services.

Collect

Collect your gifts. Send them to your state convention office or give directly to IMB.

Rejoice

Celebrate all God is doing around the world.

Read the Bible in 2025

• December 16th
• Daniel 4-6

Today’s Quote by J.R. Miller

“God does not give His grace as He gives His sunshine – pouring it out on all alike. He discriminates in spiritual blessings. He gives strength according to our need. His eye is ever on us in tender, watchful love, and what we need He supplies.”

— J. R. Miller

How do people show appreciation?

One way is through love. Many people have a sweet gift of passing on appreciation. That makes them a special blessing to others! They focus on the other person, not themself!

I have a special friend that is a special friend to many. She gives of herself every day in many ways. She checks on people, shares her cooking, visits, provides opportunities and even transportation. She has a big smile and eyes that shine for Jesus every day.

Has she had only blessings and no tragedies? No, but God uses her to help others in ways that mean so much. She’s not from Kentwood, but can be seen here regularly. That’s because she makes herself available to be used.

She is certainly a good role model to others who want to give of themselves as God calls them daily. If you know her, you surely love her too!

Anna Lee