Good morning. Take care of your pipes this morning. It’s easier to take care of them than it is to repair them and the damage they have caused if you don’t take care of them. Look forward to some warmer temperatures in a few hours.

Yesterday was a very special Lord’s day: Sunday School and church at FBC, Kentwood, Living Christmas Tree at FBC, Amite which was extra special becaus of the Walker family, and the children’s Christmas program back in Kentwood. It was a hard day, but certainly worth all the special effort!

We are excited about another week in the Christmas season. Our focus will be others this week and trying not to have any days as full and busy as yesterday was. We want to be able to focus on the origin of this special holiday.

A Verse for Today

Reading the Bible in 2025

• December 15
• Daniel 1-3

Obituary

Penney Doss

March 22, 1943
December 12, 2025

Penney Doss, 82, of Beaumont, died Friday, December 12, 2025. She was born on March 22, 1943, in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Rosa Alma Miller and Ernest Nelson Davis.

Penney loved traveling, Hawaii was a particular favorite. She also loved decorating and crafts and was always able to take a plain interior and make it sparkle. She loved her family deeply and always made a point of saying she loved you every time you called or were with her. She worked with children for many years, and they were her favorite. Her warmth and ability to connect always proved to be a hit with kids. She was a much-loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Survivors include her children, David Doss and his wife, Anne Mary; Scott Doss and his wife, Tiffany; and Trisha Doss; grandchildren, Julie, Jennifer, Bailey, and Trevor; and siblings, Charles Davis and Anne Crain; wonderful in-laws; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Penney is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles “Ed” Doss; and siblings, Paul Davis, James Davis, and Ryvers Davis.

Memorial contributions may be made to Julie Rogers Gift of Life, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706.

A gathering of Mrs. Doss’ family and friends will begin 9:30 a.m. with her funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

(Penney was a wonderful Christian lady and the mother to three of my former students.)

Prayer Requests

Please pray for these people and others today.

• Mrs. Ferrie Gene Blackmon – at home following a stay in St. Tammany Hospital & looking ahead to treatment
• Sandy Lang – Friend undergoing treatment, but able to be at the Living Christmas Tree
• Trey Harrison – Treatment in early stages
• Homebound Friends
• People who made decisions at churches yesterday.
• Families – as plans are made to gather for special Christmas celebrations
• Those who are unable to attend special events to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
• Those in the hospital at this holiday time
• Friends who go out-of-their way to help others enjoy the holiday
• Special names on your personal prayer list

Pray for Others

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

~James 5:16~

‘God’s Strong Name!’ (Ps. 124:8)

‘God’s Strong Name!’

“GOD’S strong name is our help, the same GOD who made heaven and earth.”

Ps. 124:8

I hope you found something encouraging and useful here today. If so, please pass it on.

Anna Lee

Good morning, friends. I’m thankful you are visiting and praying with me this morning. It’s the Lord’s Day!

Today’s Verse

I think I will give you a photo and let you apply your own Scripture this morning. All I am going to say is that it looks like a great and glorious day!

Read the Bible Today

• December 14th
• Ezekiel 46-48

OBITUARIES

Bryan Thomas Reames

May 16, 1952 – December 12, 2025

Bryan Reames, age 73 of Kentwood, Louisiana died peacefully at North Oaks Medical Center on December 12, 2025 surrounded by family after recent declining health issues. He is a survived by his wife, Nelda Simmons Reames, daughters, Angela Ellis (Jeff) of Tennessee, Michelle Case (Jimmy) of Georgia, Kaila Magee (Kyle) of Louisiana, and Kacy Reames of Tennessee. Grandchildren include Jordan Howell, Dylan Ellis, Matthew Bell, Allison Bell, Marissa Reames, Zoe Simeon, and Braxton Simeon. Multiple great-grandchildren including the latest he was looking forward to meeting in January. Brothers, Richard Reames and Robert Reames. Sisters, Pamela Galtier, Judy Achord, and Mary Rushing. Preceded in death by his mother, Julia Dean Jones and father, Walter Alton Reames. Brothers, Patrick Reames and Kirk Reames, sister, Rebecca Reames Travis. Our family would like to acknowledge his special friends and staff at Landmark Nursing Home, whom he entertained daily with his stories and shenanigans and the exceptional care they provided to him for the past two years. There will be a memorial service held a later date for our one-of-a-kind daddy. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Christmas Programs Today

Most churches will have a Christmas program today. I hope you will be able to attend at least one.

Weather Advisory

Current Temperature – 53 degrees

Feels Like – 46 degrees

High – 62 degrees

Low – 26 degrees

That’s COLD! Be careful and protect your water pipes!

It’s the Christmas Season.

Do something special to share some Christmas joy today.

Anna Lee

Today’s Scripture

Prayer Focus

Once again, we are headed to some freezing temperatures. Let’s be prepared and help others too.

Read the Bible

We read the New Testament first and are now approaching the end of the Old Testament. Let’s keep going. We’ll complete the reading this month.

• December 13th
• Ezekiel 43-45

I haven’t chosen a plan for reading the Bible in 2026, but am considering using the same plan again next year. One of the best features of this plan is that you read complete chapters almost every day and only from one book of the Bible. What do you think? I’m open to suggestions….

Death

Mrs. Penny Doss passed away late yesterday afternoon. The family has not had time to make arrangements yet. I’ll post them when they become available.

Lottie Moon Offering for the World

It is the Lottie Moon offering that supports thousands of Southern Baptist missionaries so they can focus on their calling and not on paying bills. We can help many missionaries around the world when we give to this offering each year. The more you know about the offering, the more you will want to give so many can continue to serve where God has called them. Be sure to designate your gift “Lottie Moon”.

Have you studied your Sunday School lesson for tomorrow? I have heard comments about people enjoying the study of Matthew again.

Focus on Good Things and Find the God of Peace’

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me — everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

— Philippians 4:8-9 NLT

Thanks for checking this site today and for praying!

Anna Lee

Oh, what a wonderful day God has planned for us today!

• Let’s not interfere with God’s great plans for today.

Obituary

Duane David “Bull” Lanier

May 1, 1962 – November 28, 2025

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born May 1, 1962, in Baton Rouge, LA, to the late David Lanier and Audrey Carrier Lanier; he was 63 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Shirley Haralson Lanier; children, Hannah Lanier Fowler (Todd), Christy Davis McCullough (Herb), Bradley Davis (Amber), and Carley Price Gunnell (Will); grandchildren, Leslie Norris (Michael Chase), Chelie Moak, Brooklyn McCullough, Rayleigh McCullough, Ryker Davis, Havyn Davis, Alley Ray Gunnell; great-grandchild, Drew Parker Norris; mother, Audrey C. Lanier; brothers and sisters, Dona Grace Matherne (Steve), Mona Louise Lanier, Elizabeth Ann Rick (Danny), Andrew Dean Lanier (Cecilia), Jody Maris Lanier, and Eric Randal Lanier (Toni); and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his father, David Dean Lanier; sister-in-law, Marcine Lanier; nephew, Benjamin Robert Simpson.

Bull possessed an unwavering spirit and remarkable generosity, always placing the well-being of those around him above his own challenges. His selflessness was evident in every interaction, creating lasting impressions on everyone he met. His unique storytelling ability of true-life childhood stories captured the listeners’ attention and always provided lots of laughter.

Duane was a simple man who valued faith, family, and country life. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman with a passion for deer hunting and kayaking. He enjoyed sitting around a fire pit, barbequing, and visiting with the people he loved. He was widely respected for his strong work ethic and expertise in aggregate mining, as well as his ability to share that knowledge with anyone eager and willing to learn. During his time off, he frequently volunteered to help neighbors with chores on the farm, especially those involving the use of farm equipment.

Bull was a vigilant and dependable individual, attentive to the needs of others. Even while undergoing cancer treatment himself, he consistently assisted other cancer patients with their mobility or comfort needs while often neglecting his own. His magnetic personality and mischievous smile enabled him to connect easily with others, blessing them with kindness and good humor.

He met the love of his life on July 3, 2019, and they were married exactly three years later on July 3, 2022, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He lovingly called her “Miss Shirley” and would introduce her as “The woman I love”. He adored all of his children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and cherished being referred to as Pawpaw Bull. At the time of his passing, he was excitedly awaiting the arrival of one more grandchild and one more great-grandchild.

Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1:00 PM until Memorial Services at 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Scott Russell. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Berean Children’s Home, 1180 Berea Trail, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629. Click here for Berean Children’s Home Website.

Prayer List

Use your updated prayer list to guide your prayers. Be sure to update it daily.

Read the Bible Today

“Unstoppable”

‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ 

1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 

2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 

3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.

Acts 27:1-3 NKJV

Read the Bible in 2025

• December 11 – Ezekiel 37-39
• December 12 – Ezekiel 40-42

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Baptist Message

https://www.baptistmessage.com/

Lottie Moon Offering

What do you think the life of a missionary is like? A lot depends on the area of the world where they are working and the purpose the IMB has assigned to you. Spend some time today watching come IMB videos of ways the money given through Lottie Moon is put to use.

Pray asking God to reveal new information to you so you will be both informed and encouraged to provide funds for 2026.

Sunday School Lesson

If you have not already started working on the lesson for this week, today is a good day to do so.

Be an encourager today. May your greeting be an encouragement to others you see today.

Anna Lee

Today’s Verse

Happy Thursday Morning. I hope you have a good day scheduled for today. I want to start the day with a list of people who need our prayers today. Our task is to pray for:

Mike Moss

Creig Conrad

Dona Williams

J.C. Miller

Andy and Betty Taylor

Tom and Gail Brister

Clint Smith – Lea Smith’s son in Ochsner

Trey Harrison – learning about treatment plan

Keith Allen – St. Helena Hospital

Ferrie Gene Blackmon

and others on your personal prayer list.

Lottie Moon Offering

The national goal for this year is $210 million dollars. What will you. your family, and your church contribute? Remember, unsaved people around the world are counting on us to give, tell, and go this year.

Tonight – Military Christmas Program at 7 P.M. at the Amite High School Auditorium. There is no charge. It’s always fantastic!

LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE

FBC, Amite

2:30 and 6:00 P.M. Sunday

Tickets required, but free. If you don’t have some by now, it is probably too late to get them. Pray for the choir and others working to make the program a success that will touch many lives.

Prayer Focus – Others at Christmas

Include people with material needs, who are alone, and those with health issues. those who don’t know Jesus, etc.

Yesterday’s Senior Adult Christmas Lunch

• Well-attended
• Wonderful food
• Decorated well
• Many Christian friends
• Lots of love

Special Offerings

• Lottie Moon – International Missions
• Operation Christmas Child

No New Obituaries Listed Today

Sunday School – What a great place to be!

Addition Scripture Reading

‘God’s People Have Hope
and a Great Future’

⁸ Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 

⁹ They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

¹⁰ This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹

¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:8-11, NIV

Jesus did so much for us. Most of us are busy at this time of the year. What will we do for others during this holiday season?

Anna Lee

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 10
• Ezekiel 34-36

IMB missionary couple devotes retirement years to kingdom work (IMB)

Walter and Mary Norvell, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August, never imagined retirement would see them embarking on a new adventure in Africa to reach university students with the gospel. In fact, until a few years ago, they had never been on a mission trip outside the United States. 

Even so, the International Mission Board missionary couple brings decades of experience to their new endeavor. Walter, a retired professor from Williams Baptist University in Arkansas, and Mary, a former college advisor at the same school, have spent almost 50 years working with students. 

IMB missionaries Walter and Mary Norvell serve in Lesotho as part of the Masters program, a 2-3 year, fully funded missions opportunity for those who are 55 and older. “We realized maybe God’s not finished with us,” Walter said. IMB Photo

“I always thought of myself as being on mission because I was crossing a generational barrier,” Walter said.  

International missions, though, came later.  

In 2017, Walter invited a former student serving as an IMB missionary in Lesotho to come speak to his students. He had no idea how that invitation would shape the next season of his life.  

When the class ended, the missionary and his wife approached Walter and Mary. 

“As soon as the students left the room, they started putting the screws on us to come,” Walter chuckled. “And so, we decided we would go.” 

Their first mission trip to Lesotho was for two weeks in 2018, and they were hooked. Although Walter’s former student was no longer there, they served alongside missionary partners sent out from a church in Texas and became fast friends.  

Walter recalled a defining moment during that first trip. In one of the villages they visited, no one showed up for Bible study. Instead, they spent time prayer walking. Walter made his way alone up a hill where he stood looking out across a vast lake.  

“There were six or eight villages I could see,” he remembered. “I could turn away in the other direction and look up at the mountains and there were still more villages. And I just began to weep. I was overwhelmed by the amount of lostness there.” 

“I knew then that God was going to keep us connected to Lesotho. I just didn’t know how.” 

COVID postponed plans to return in 2020, but they went for six weeks in 2022 and another two weeks in 2023. In 2024, they celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on their fourth trip to Africa. 

As their involvement deepened, they prayed continuously for the Lord to call someone to go and work full time among the university students in Lesotho. 

Then last year, the Norvells’ missionary friends from Texas asked them an unexpected question. 

“You’ve been praying for years for someone to go, but have you considered you might be the ones that need to go?”  

IMB missionaries Walter and Mary Norvell take part in a commissioning service after completing seven weeks of field personnel orientation. IMB Photo

Within a couple weeks, the Norvells knew. God was leading them to continue their life’s work with college students, this time across the world. They would be the answer to many years of their own prayers. 

But, as they began the process of serving overseas with the IMB, they were met with discouragement. Walter discovered he was in the early stages of cancer. Their journey was delayed by several months while they worked out plans for treatment.  

Around the same time he was diagnosed with cancer, Walter came across a book title that resonated deeply with him. 

“The title was something about a gun lap, or a bell lap,” Walter explained. “On the final lap of a race, they ring the bell so everybody knows when to kick it up and finish as strong as they can. 

“That really began to speak to me,” he continued. “I don’t know if I’m in my bell lap yet or not, but I want to kick it up. What am I saving my energy and my resources for if I can’t use them for the kingdom?” 

In October, the Norvells moved to Lesotho to begin their work reaching university students with the gospel. 

Connect with the IMB to learn more about the Masters program, a two-three year fully funded missions opportunity for those ages 55 and older to leverage their career, gifts and skills on the mission field. 

Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions!

Obituary

Joseph Dominic Lala

May 17, 1961 – December 8, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025 in Kentwood, LA. He was born May 17, 1961 in New Orleans, LA and was 64 years of age. He is survived by his brother, Michael Anthony and wife, Bonita; sisters, Deborah White and Becky McGehee and husband, Gary; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his father, Joseph John Lala; mother, Constance L. Lala; brothers, Daniel Anthony and Ricky Lala; twin sister, Joell Lala Miller; and nephew, Tracey Doucet. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Saturday. Services conducted by Bro. Daryl Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

What is Christmas to you?

Christmas trees?

Gifts?

Family visits?

A few days off?

If any of those are your first answer, you need to find the real answer – Jesus!

‘Don’t Fear: Believe that Jesus is
Preparing a Place for You’

1. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me.
2. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ” John 14:1-2 NIV

Check your calendar closely. It probably is as full as mine. Make sure you have the most important events on your schedule. Enjoy this holidays in all the important ways.

Anna Lee

Today’s Scripture

Read the Bible Today

• December 9
• Ezekiel 31-33

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray that those around us and throughout the world would know and celebrate Jesus this Christmas season. May many lives be focuseed this season on Jesus.

Obituary

Julius “Burlin” Gill

August 1, 1932 – December 6, 2025

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at his home. He was born August 1, 1932 in Amite, LA and was 93 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Gill; son, Bennie Gill; sister, Marie Childress; brother, Jerry Gill; grandchildren, Jennifer Laneri, Lacey Kararick, Kristi Clardy (Travis), Brady Gill (Victoria), Richie Marcum, and Alex Marcum; great-grandchildren, Olivia Kararick, Isabella Kararick, Gabriel Laneri, Cygnus Rutledge, Bryton Clardy, Brantley Clardy, Rowan Gill, and August Gill. Preceded in death by his father, Jack Gill, Sr.; mother, Nora Gill; brother, Jimmie Gill; brother, Jack Gill, Jr.; sister, Evelyn Sue Gill. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Interment Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Holiday Music

The arts council of Amite presents a yearly Christmas program. It will be Thursday night at 7:00 at the Amite High auditorium. Veterans will also be recognized.

David and I have attended for several years and have always enjoyed it. This year the music is by a Marine band. Come see for yourself. There is no entrance fee.

More Christmas Programs

This week several churches will present their Christmas program. Be sure to attend at your church and/or another church, whatever you can work into your schedule. We plan on an afternoon program at another church and an evening program presented by the children of our church.

Christmas Cards for Prisoners

David and I delivered the box of Christmas cards to the Tangipahoa Parish jail yesterday. If all goes well, the cards should be written and mailed to family members soon, surely in time for Christmas. Another lady will deliver to the Sr. Helena jail.

Thank-you to all who paid for cards and stamps and them took time to prepare them for delivery. I think you have made a difference this seasson in some lives.

“Held together in Christ”

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today, I challenge you to read three articles listed here.

I also challenge you to put on and big smile and to have a happy heart as you get “out-and-about” in the next couple weeks. May people be able to look at you and “see” Jesus in your heart. Take the joy of Jesus with you every day!

Anna Lee

Today’s Verse

‘To Whom Are We Listening?’ 

We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not

from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth.

I John 4:6

The Week of Prayer for International Missions ended yesterday, but I thought this story was worthy of sharing, even if late. The offering can be given at any time, even though the focus week has ended.

WEEK OF PRAYER: Brazilian families find Christ-centered care

Their choice is unimaginable. Infanticide or rejection by their tribe.  

Many Indigenous families in Brazil experience rejection by their tribes because the families refuse to practice infanticide. This cruel tradition, which involves the killing of babies born with birth defects, incurable diseases, or in cases of twins and unwanted pregnancies, is still observed by some tribes in Brazil.  

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/week-of-prayer-brazilian-families-find-christ-centered-care/

OBITUARIES

No new posts this morning

Read the Bible Today

• December 8
• Ezekiel 28-30

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

There are some wonderful articles to read this morning. I hope you will take the time to read some that appeal to you.

A House Fire Saturday

The Welch family lost their home. Contact the church office to get information about the needs and how to best help this family at this time.

‘Paul’s Boldness, Agrippa’s Refusal’

But Paul replied [to Festus’ charge that he had lost his mind because he believed in the resurrection of Jesus], “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do — “

Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

Acts 26:25-28 NLT

Thank You …

• To the WMU ladies who attended a Saturday meeting.
• To those who contributed stamped cards for the local jails to give to inmates to send a written Christmas to their families during this holiday.
• To Spring Creek for planning and carrying out the program Saturday. T
• To FBC, Kentwood for the adult Christmas program.
• To those who beautifully decorated FBC, Kentwood
• To those who have worked with the children of my church to present to all of us.
• Thank you to those who decorated for the children’s performance.
• To those who have prepared meals for some of our church members and others in the community.
• To Sunday School teachers who lead many classes each week.
• To men who step up and move the tables and chairs the fellowship hall for another event.
• To men who have been sharing hams as a class project.
• To the workers who work in the nursery any time we have a service.
• To volunteers who help in the nursery each week.
• To the church staff for all they do.
• To you for keeping a pray list and using it daily.
• ETC! (The list varies each week, but is always long. What can you add?

Have a wonderful week serving God, studying His Word, helping those with a need, visiting those who are homebound most or all of the time, etc.

Always take time to be an encourager to others of all ages.

You can impact many people with your positive words and actions! Today, let’s spend some time in saying “Thank-you”!

Anna Lee

Today’s Verse

Week of Pray for Lottie Moon Offering

(This is the brochure you should have received a week ago in a baptist church. If you missed any of the missionary stories, you can read them here. Today is day eight.)

Click to access WOP-25-Prayer-Guide-digital-1.pdf

Prayer Focus

• Families with recent deaths
• Families who will not be together for the Christmas holidays
• Church Christmas programs as they are presented
• Our military
• Those who live alone
• Those experiencing health issues.
• Salvation as the old, old story is told again and again

Today’s Bible Reading

• December 8
• Ezekiel 28-30

Thanks to Spring Creek Baptist Church

They hosted the quarterly WMU/Women on Mission meeting yesterday.

Christmas Cards for Prisoners

The stamped Christmas cards for the prisoners to use to contact family members were collected yesterday and will be give to jail administrators to distribute this week. The only exception to the deadline will be at FBC, Kentwood where the cards will be received through TODAY.

Obituaries

There are no new obituaries listed this morning.

Addition Bible Verses

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

— Ephesians 5:15-16

The holidays can be lonely and/or difficult for some people. Take time to visit, say, and /or do something that will be an encouragement.

This is also the season when Sunday School classes meet and have some “visiting” time, planning time, and remembering time.

Churches will also have Christmas programs. They can be a real blessing and help people get the right focus for the holidays. Try to attend several programs this year.

Christmas is about Jesus and what his birth, life, and death mean to our eternal future!

Anna Lee

Today’s Verses

Read the Bible Today

• Dec. 6 – Ezekiel 23-24
• Dec. 7 – Ezeloe; 25-27

Obituary

Randal Lyn Ward

September 24, 1962 – November 26, 2025

Randal Lyn Ward, age 63, was born on September 24, 1962, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and passed away in Baton Rouge. He spent most of his life in Monticello, Baton Rouge, and Amite where he graduated from Amite High School. Randal was the son of Tommy Kyle Ward and Gladys Joyce Stanley. Randy as everyone called him, faced many challenges throughout his life, and his story was uniquely his own. His family and friends who knew him well will have many stories to remember him by.

He is survived by his children, Westley Aaron Ward and his wife Courtney Taylor Marx of West Palm Beach, Florida, Randi Lynn Nieves and her husband Leonardo Nieves of Sacramento, California, and Jackie Robert Ward of Monticello, Mississippi. His grandchildren include Dominick Brown and Kylee Annette Ward. Randy is also survived by his siblings, Terry Wayne Ward and his wife Sandra Whittington Ward, Tanya Hendry Warren and her husband Kyle Warren, and Lisa Ward Hennesy, wife of the late Jeff Hennesy. Nieces and nephews include Stephanie Flood, Shannon Ward, Aibhlinn Hennesy, and Alec Sparks. Step-mother, Cathy Ward.

Randy was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Joyce Hendry; his father, Tommy Kyle Ward; and his stepfather, Marion H. Hendry Jr. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, John App Ward, Geneva Dixon, Chester Stanley, Mabel Allen Stanley, and and brother-in-law, Jeff Hennesy.

If you would like to make a donation in Randy Ward’s name, please send it to the Baton Rouge Salvation Army or The First United Methodist Church of Amite. Arrangements will be handled privately by the family. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

WMU/Women on Mission

• Meet this morning at Spring Creek Baptist Church
• 9:00 Leadership Meeting
• 10:00 Regular meeting
• Focus – Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
• Bring a friend
• Refreshments provided
• Thanks to Spring Creek for hosting this meeting

Quote by William Temple

(He was an English priest who served in the 1920’s)

“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.”

Holidays

Our days seem to get busier at this time of the year. We have more opportunities to celebrate. Let’s enjoy our faith, our friends, and our family. As you do that, remember, that the priority is to celebrate Jesus!

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Celebrate the Lottie Moon Week of Prayer today.

Today is a day to prepare for the Lord’s Day.

That includes reviewing or studying tomorrow’s lesson.

Matthew 3:13-4:11

Have a wonderful day as you encourage and pray for others.

Anna Lee