I think it proper that we focus our prayers on the countries of the eastern Mediterranean area as war abounds today.
Read the Bible
II Samuel 1:17-27
John 11: 17-44
The last time I cried for someone I love ….”
Fall Fest
Sunday evening, 5:00 – 7:00 (No evening worship service.)
Everyone is invited.
No charge, but please sign in.
Food
Lots of fun activities
Call the youth minister if you have questions. 229-8111
OCC
We are so very thankful to have lots of filled shoeboxes to send this year and to have paid the postage on the boxes before we packed them. What a blessing the process was to us! What a blessing the shoeboxes will be to the children and their families!
Thank-you if you had a part in the process. You may think it is early, but we are already thinking ahead to the next shoebox season.
FBC, Kentwood serves as the drop-off location for our area. We will be ready to receive shoeboxes from churches and individuals. Then, we will place them in cartons and deliver them to a Hammond-area church which will then move the boxes to large trucks for shipment to Dallas.
Thank-you if you have had any part in the process!
Have a great week. Do something to help, encourage, or bring joy to someone this week.
Tommy Day, a resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. He was born July 12, 1956 in Kentwood, LA and was 67 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sherry Day; son, Jeff Day and wife, Beth; grandchildren, Preston Day and fiancé, Callie Brauman and Hadlee Monroe Day; sister, Jill Le Blanc and husband, Kyle. Preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Marilyn Day; brother, Shelton Day. Visitation at Pine Ridge Methodist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Monday, October 23, 2023. Services conducted by Dr. Michael Townsend. Interment Pine Ridge Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Tommy lived in our neighborhood.
Lori Kristine Sibley
1984 – 2023
Lori Kristine Sibley, 39, of Greensburg, LA, passed into eternal glory Wednesday, September 13 of 2023. Lori was born in Baton Rouge to Terry and Kolleen Martin on January 24, 1984. She was a graduate of Bethany Christian High School and Southeastern Louisiana University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education degree. She was a member of Kedron Baptist Church in Amite, La. She is the wife and best friend of Jesse and the adoring mother and teacher of her five children. Lori adored all children and was a teacher to many, both as a vocation and a ministry. Over the years, she taught in public school, Sunday School, Children’s Church, VBS, and “Team Kid”. The hallmark of Lori’s personality was the genuineness of her smile to anyone she encountered. Lori’s passion was pleasing her Savior. Her life and gentleness reflected authentic Christianity. We are confident her faithful works will be rewarded. During the early days of her diagnosis, she tearfully reflected on the words of a song, “Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes”. How her personal God granted the desire of her heart! She kept singing through the darkest hours. The family is grateful for the beautiful tributes that have been posted and texted. Lori was preceded in death by her father, Terry Martin; father-in-law, Jerry Sibley Jr.; and aunt, Dana Sanders. She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Jesse; four sons, Levi, Ezekiel, Jesse “Booth”, and Silas; daughter, Molly-Jo; mother, Kolleen Martin; brother, Jake Martin (Emily); sister, Tiffany Glynn (Jamie); mother-in-law, Donna Sibley; brother-in-law, Melvin Sibley; sister-in-law, Bette Jo Sibley; nephew, Daniel Loper (Madison); nieces, Samantha Sibley and Emily Loper; and great niece, Sophia. Lori’s family would like to thank all of those who have selflessly given of their prayers, resources, and time in her season of illness. Also, we would like to thank the staff at Ochsner, notably her infusion team. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made in her honor, to your church, a missionary, or Lori’s church, Kedron Baptist of Amite. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation at Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home at 7738 Florida Blvd., Denham Springs, LA 70726, on Monday, September 18, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Condolences and other information may be found at www.thompsoncares.com.
Barbara Lyn Kirby
As many of you are aware, our Mom, Barbara Lyn Kirby, passed away unexpectedly early Friday morning. Leslie and I have made funeral arrangements at Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home located at 7738 Florida Boulevard, Denham Springs, LA 70726. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 9 am until services at 11 am. Please keep our family in your prayers
All the FBC, Kentwood shoeboxes are packed and postage paid! Thanks so much to those who helped Saturday and any other day this past year! This coming Saturday, I have a “paperwork training” for Drop-off week and pick up of the cartons that will hold all the shoeboxes from our church and other local churches when they are shipped from our area. The Drop-Off Week is November 13-20. I’ll post the times when it gets closer to that week. If you want to know now, you can find this information of the Samaritan Purse web page.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s focus on Sunday School and worship services at our local churches. I hope are enjoying the Sunday School lessons from Mark this quarter. I am. They seem to review many of the lessons I learned as a child.
Sunday School Class Gathering
The New Hope class will have its monthly gathering Wednesday at Judy Liberto’s family gathering spot. We will begin at 10:00. If you are interested in attending, please contact me for directions.
Coming Week
Choose some things to do this coming week that you have learned are important in Sunday School classes over the years.
The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him.
FBC, Kentwood has had many baptisms lately. Sunday, we will have three more. Pray for all the new Christians in our church. May they be trained to be strong Christians.
Obituary
Gwenda Lemay
Gwenda Lemay, age 86, passed away on October 19, 2023. Gwenda is survived by her daughter, Carla Havard; son-in-law, Ricky Davis; grandchildren, Nikki Davis McMorris (Val), Crystal Davis Martin (Matthew), Courtney Havard, Brandi Havard; great-grandchildren, Korie, Londyn, Rylee, Kaden, Isaac, Landon; sisters, Ora Lee Wilson. Gwenda is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ernest Lemay; daughter, Lisa Lemay Davis; parents, J.E. Wheat, Iola Wheat; sisters, Juanita Booty, Barbara Jo Clark; brother, John Q. Wheat. A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 22 from 4 pm-7 pm. Visitation will resume Monday, October 23 from 9 am – 10 am with a funeral service to begin at 10 am at Greenoaks Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815.
Published by The Advocate from Oct. 20 to Oct. 21, 2023.
Please pray for Mrs. Fay Raborn. She has been admitted to the hospice program. She’s a very sweet lady. I love talking with and visiting her.
Please pray for Bro. Darryl Miller as he waits for information about probable surgery. Hopefully, the next appointment will be very informative.
Please continue to pray about the situation in Israel. Pray for many people to be able to survive and wise military decisions for rescues and battles.
Ora Lee Wilson’s sister, Gwen (I think!), passed away. Please be in prayer for that family.
Prayer Focus
Pray for the “Shoeboxes” that have been packed or will be packed soon so that children around the world will receive school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, and the opportunity to learn about Jesus. What a great way to be a missionary to children who might not know about Jesus or to receive Him into their hearts. Studies show that a “Shoebox” impacts parents, sibling, and extended family members, eight other family members. What an opportunity!
FBC, Kentwood has packed all the boxes for girls and will pack boxes for boys Saturday. Come pack some with us or simply watch for a few minutes. I think you will be amazed. Helping with this opportunity is a real blessing! Don’t forget. Nine o’clock Saturday in the fellowship hall!
I surely hope you will read this article and pray for these Christians. They need a miracle!
Read the Bible
I John 4: 8-19
I Corinthians 13: 1-13
“My friends know I genuinely love them by . . . .”
Prayer Time
Do we have a specific time and place to pray?
Do we pray regularly?
Do we have a prayer journal?
Do we “put feet to our prayers”?
That means don’t just pray for someone to get your neighbor’s medicine, but do it for her. Don’t just pray for someone to bring an extra box of food for your neighbors, but do it yourself. Don’t just pray for someone to visit a homebound friend, but do it yourself. Get the idea? Guess what! It doesn’t hurt or cost a lot of money or time. Get invested in others!
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Several people in our church are facing surgery in the coming weeks. Begin praying for all those facing surgeries.
Read the Bible
Week 40 – Love: Hugs from Heaven
Deuteronomy 10: 12 – 11:25
“My love for God will be shown by ….”.
Announcement
There will be a pastor appreciation breakfast Sunday morning at 8:15 in the fellowship hall. Please come to honor our pastor. Sunday School and morning worship will follow at their usual times.
Prayer Focus
There seems to be trouble and discontent in many areas of our world. Pray for peace.
Have a great day. Do something to make today better for someone else.
Let’s again focus our prayers on the Israeli war, those trying to find a new home and no place to go, and to the many killed and injured at the Baptist hospital.
That reminds me, the movie The Blind is coming to our church.
In 1960s Louisiana, future “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson falls in love and starts a family, but his demons soon threaten to tear everyone apart. As he seeks to conquer the shame of his past, he ultimately finds redemption in an unlikely place.
Aubrey Smith, affectionately known as “Scooter,” was born on May 7, 1970, and left this world on October 15, 2023. He was a beloved individual whose presence touched the lives of many.
Scooter has been reunited in the afterlife with his paternal and maternal grandparents, two brothers, two uncles, and his birth father. While he may have left this world, the memories of his time with us will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched.
He is survived by his loving children, Michael Smith (Vic Caracci) and Meghan Smith (Frank Caracci), his parents, John and Sue Narretto, and sister Amy. His cherished grandchildren, Ella and Blair Glass, Michael and Francesca Caracci, as well as his nephew Clayton Hyde will forever carry his memory with them.
In addition to his immediate family, Scooter is survived by a network of aunts, uncles, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins. His impact on the lives of his extended family was immeasurable, and his memory will be a source of comfort and inspiration.
Furthermore, Scooter’s life was enriched by the presence of three extraordinary individuals– his nieces, Sydni and Madison, and Harley. Their unwavering support and love were a true blessing to him and to all who knew him. A heartfelt thank you goes out to these three exceptional individuals for their dedication and care over the past year.
Scooter will be remembered for his warmth, kindness, and the love he shared with his family and friends. His legacy will live on through the stories, memories, and the deep connections he forged with those fortunate enough to have known him.
Scooter will also be fondly remembered for his infectious humor, which never failed to bring a smile to the faces of those around him. His quick wit and playful jokes added a touch of laughter to every gathering, making his presence truly unforgettable. His ability to find humor in even the most challenging situations was a testament to his resilient spirit and will be cherished by all who had the pleasure of sharing a laugh with him.
Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Services conducted by Bro. Steve Miller. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
OCC Packing Party
We will be packing the shoeboxes for boys this Saturday at 9:00. You are invited to come and join in the fun. Christmas shirts or red and green shirts are encouraged. It’s also okay to bring a Christmas snack to share, not certainly not required. We hope to have you present to see what we are putting in the boxes and to help fill them to the max.
Fall Fest
If you are interested in bringing your children, grandchildren, etc. to the Fall Fest at FBC, Kentwood, the date is October 29th at 5:00. There is no charge for entering, eating, etc. It’s all fun and not scary.
Bible Study Today at 1:00
Judges of the Old Testiment
Minor Prophets
Have a great day by helping someone, making a visit, sharing something you cooked/baked, helping pick up limbs that fell in our recent winds, sharing some flowers, etc. You choose the person and make your visit both helpful and special.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation at New Hope Baptist Church, 34921 Hwy 43, Independence, LA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. until the start of the Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Woodhaven Baptist Church Cemetery in Albany.
“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.
Please pray for Jane Duncan. She will have hip replacement surgery at 10:30 this morning and would greatly appreciate your prayers.
Prayers Needed
Please pray for Ora Lee Wilson and her family. Ora Lee’s sister is very ill.
Obituary
Norman “Craig” Forrest
April 3, 1956 – October 14, 2023
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Richard Murphy Hospice House in Hammond, LA. He was born April 3, 1956 in Magnolia, MS and was 67 years of age. He was known by many as a talented musician who enjoyed singing and playing the guitar in Show Boat Band with his sister Kathy Dale and fellow musician friends for many years. In his teenage years, he enjoyed competing as a rider in Motor Cross and horse shows. Craig was a co-owner with his sister Kathy Dale and wife Pam of Forrest Hill Dairy for 34 years from 1984 until 2018. Like his sister, he was no stranger to hard work and was always willing to help a friend or neighbor. He has been in almost every field in the community either bailing hay or planting corn. While living the life of a dairy farmer, he also held a 32-year career as an insurance agent with Farm Bureau. Other passions he adored were hosting family & friends at his camp, Cheyenne Shack, where they ran trout lines and crab traps and sang karaoke. Once retired from the dairy and insurance agency, he enjoyed working on and with his John Deere tractors, spending his time as a beef farmer since 2018. Craig loved his family dearly and enjoyed following his son and daughter throughout their athletic careers. He adored his four grandchildren as much as they loved him. Craig was a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Pam Cook Forrest; son, Trent Forrest and wife, Macy; daughter, Traci Forrest Jennings and husband, Ryan; grandchildren, Connor and Kale Forrest and Parker and Peyton Jennings. Preceded in death by parents, Robert “Dale” Forrest and Catherine “Joyce” Blades Forrest; and a sister, Kathy Dale Forrest. There will be a celebration of life for family and friends on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 8:00AM until religious services at 12:00PM. Services will be conducted by Dr. Danny Smith and interment will follow at Spring Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers are John Dyer, JoJo Norris, Tyler Trout, Brad Blades, Roy Blades, and Gerald Grice. Honorary pallbearers will be Forrest Blades, Denny Roy Strickland, Jimmy Ray Strickland, and Ken Rowley. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Oncology Department at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, the Richard Murphy Hospice House in Hammond, and McKneely Funeral Home of Amite and Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Spring Creek Baptist Church or the Richard Murphy Hospice House. Condolences may be left in Craig’s online memorial at http://www.mckneelys.com.
James Roger Barrilleaux
April 11, 1948 — October 14, 2023
Hammond, Louisiana
James Roger Barrilleaux, known affectionately as “Pops”, “Bear”, and “Jimmy” by his family and friends, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve, Louisiana. He was born on April 11, 1948 in Maplewood, Louisiana.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 48 years, Bonnie Sue Hood Barrilleaux; his brothers, Clay Barrilleaux and Robert Barrilleaux; his children, Melinda Giardina (Gerald), Rusty Barrilleaux (Lundon), Blair Edwards (Daniel), and Dudley Downing (Vonda). He was the cherished grandfather of Andrew Giardina, Marlie Giardina, Jude Giardina, Cohen Barrilleaux, Baylor Barrilleaux, Brinley Barrilleaux, Brandi Mitchell (Dane), Joshua Byars, Allie Edwards, Danny Edwards, Zachary Edwards, Ryan Downing (Jacy), and Brooke Sharp (Mason); great-grandchildren, Kylie Blair Mitchell, Kambry Sue Mitchell, Tristan Edwards, Gabrielle Edwards, Rylee Downing, Kinsley Downing and Ava Downing; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Ford Barrilleaux Dalton and his father, Willie Brad Barrilleaux.
Jimmy was a member of the LSU football team from 1966-1970, and played in the very first Peach Bowl in 1968. After graduating from LSU, he enlisted in the United States Army, and was a 1st Lieutenant. He was a coach and mentor for many young people in Tangipahoa Parish, from little league to college, however, his love for his wife and family superseded all of his other accomplishments. His life was a life well lived and he treated everyone with genuine kindness.
The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Brandi Leach (Home Instead), Delores Stevenson (caregiver), and all of the staff on the memory unit at S.E. Louisiana Veterans Home, and the E.R. and Observation unit staff at North Oaks Hospital.
Pallbearers are Robert Clay Barrilleaux, Ryan Downing, Andrew Giardina, Jude Giardina, Cohen Barrilleaux, Dane Mitchell and Joshua Byars (Honorary).
Family and friends will be received at First United Methodist Church of Hammond, 2200 Rue Denise, Hammond, Louisiana 70403 on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. A Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm.
Interment will follow at Rose Memorial Park Cemetery in Hammond, Louisiana.
Arrangements entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
A resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 13, 2023 at her home. She was born January 15, 1947 in Magnolia, MS and was 76 years of age. She loved sewing, gardening, and her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Nolan Earl Higgins; a daughter, Jennifer Higgins; sons, Travis Higgins and wife, Kim and Timothy Higgins and wife Melissa; sisters, Gale Walker, Rita Tate and husband, Brian, and Faye Webb; sister-in-laws, Susanne Chaney, Gloria Jarrell and husband, Robert, and Donna Lynn Higgins; grandchildren, Kayla Rampolla and husband, Mark, Taylor Higgins, Asher Higgins, and Micah Higgins. Preceded in death by her mother, Mary Mercedes Webb; father, Louis Monroe Webb; mother-in-law, Doris Varnado; father-in-law, George Higgins, Sr.; brother-in-laws, George Higgins, Jr. and Robert Huey Higgins. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Thursday, October 19, 2023 and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, October 20, 2023. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Gloria Easley Stevens
May 10, 1934 – October 12, 2023
Gloria Stevens lived a wonderful life, and will always be remembered for how kindly and lovingly she treated her family and friends.
Raised in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, Gloria graduated salutatorian from Greensburg High School, and attended Southeastern Louisiana University. Ultimately obtaining a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, Gloria’s career in the school system was primarily focused on helping children with learning disabilities and challenges. Gloria made a notable impact on many students throughout her years as an educator, and helped to pioneer the Louisiana State “Chapter One” program.
After retiring, she spent her years being the best grandmother that anyone could ask for. She and Gene, her husband of nearly seventy years, enjoyed countless hours of hosting family events, traveling, and visiting their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Gloria was always positive. Whether it was shelling peas on her front porch or cooking for forty people, she always seemed to be happy. Gloria was a Christian, and she is in heaven now.
Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Irene Easley, and her sister, Eris Easley Seale.
She is survived by her husband, Eugene J. Stevens, her sister, Dolores Easley Browning, her Daughter, Lisa Sledge (Mark), her son, Brent Stevens (Ann), and her son, John Stevens (Lisa).
Gloria is also survived by her six grandchildren, Taylor Sledge (Catherine), Travis Sledge (Caroline), Riley Chandler (Adam), Will Stevens (Rachel), Emily Stevens, and Hunter Stevens, as well as eleven great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at New Zion Baptist Church in Kentwood, LA on Monday, October 16th. Visitation will be from 9:00am-11:00am, with the funeral being held immediately after the visitation.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the New Zion Cemetery Fund, 3841 Highway 38, Kentwood, LA 70444. (985) 229-7696.
Read the Bible
Matthew 27: 11-14
John 19: 1-11
Hebrews 12: 1-4
“Jesus example of patience teaches me ….”
Bible Study
Tomorrow’s Scriptures for Sunday School
Mark 8: 17-29
It’s election day, so try to vote today if you did not vote early.
OCC
We will be packing shoeboxes one week from today at 9:00. I hope you will attend and help us pack another 200 boxes.
The Prayer Link 
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