Saturday

“May [God] keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path that he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors.”

~1 Kings 8:58 The Message~

Daily Bible Readings for Saturday, January 4

Genesis 5:1 – 10: 32
Matthew 4: 12-25
Psalm 4: 1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23

A large number of people at FBC, Kentwood picked up a daily Bible reading guide. There were only a couple left yesterday, so more were printed and are now available. I’m thankful that many are interested in reading together this year. Let’s keep it up for the entire year. If you miss a day, just read extra the next day. If you didn’t start yet, it’s not too late, You can get a copy of the plan Sunday and make Sunday day one or read a little extra each day for about a week and be caught up by this time next week. It doesn’t even matter if you choose to read at a slower pace as long as you choose to read your Bible. Remember, extra copies are available at church for those who didn’t get one yet.

My sister, Julie, and I worked on cutting and sewing the cutest wash cloths I have ever seen yesterday. We made 182 before running out of fabric. I’ll be purchasing more soon. Who would want a plain wash cloth when they can have a colorful one with dogs, balls, etc.? We also made them in varying sizes for the three different age groups. I think they will be a big hit! We will be working again in two weeks to make more so we will have enough for all the “shoeboxes” we pack.

I also was able to make a number of matching games yesterday. I didn’t get a count yet. I love the idea of working together to make items that will lead to boys and girls learn about Jesus. Isn’t it wonderful how God can use simple things like washcloths, games, tooth brushes, school supplies, and even soap to help introduce children around the world to Jesus? Remember, each “shoebox” impacts and average of seven lives for Jesus!

You can be a part of this ministry too. Let me know how you want to contribute – items, shopping time, labor, funds. I will also be happy to show any of you our project/storage room. It will bring a smile to your face. I know it did for my sister yesterday. It is very rewarding to us to realize the eternal value of this mission project.

Please be in prayer for this ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. It has grown so much and now reaches out to more and more people each year. It’s easy and very rewarding to be a tiny part of sharing Jesus with others. If you know of anyone who needs help getting started packing “shoeboxes”, I will be glad to help them get started.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Bro. Joe Baugh has a saying he uses to encourage people to get involved. It goes something like this: “If you are not excited about ________. your firewood must be wet!”

I love telling others about Jesus. Our mission is to go and tell. I think “shoeboxes” do an excellent joy of giving us an unlimited opportunity to go and to tell.

Anna Lee

Friday

It’s smart to be patient.”

~Proverbs 14:29 CEV~

Donald “Red” Alford is home again after spending several more days in St. Tammany. His oncology visit has been postponed for a couple weeks. Please pray for Donald and his family as they make adjustments at home for him.

God Is Using a Small Texas Church to Bless Many Thousands of Children

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/god-is-using-a-small-texas-church-to-bless-many-thousands-of-children/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-20SM&utm_content=010220_link_ARTICLE_brumbelows&fbclid=IwAR2NtVE4ERoPjsbkQFxFTEu2qQpqBI-b70DE7kRfmuSrpAi1aBkdteqOA50

The Greatest Journey

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/tgj-game-app/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-20SM&utm_content=10220_link_APP_greatest-journey-announcement&fbclid=IwAR28h1EI0sPRVXx8CbxnjjZCEvzVHWQnmYHJ4GFQqPW6zg4e54MnuVfP69A

Read the Bible in 2020 – Day 3

Genesis 5:1 – 7: 24
Matthew 3: 7 – 4: 11
Psalm 3: 1-8
Proverbs 1: 10-19

I pulled out an old Bible to use for my readings this year and purchased some fine-point colored pins to underline, circle, star, etc. That method keeps me fully involved in reading and learning.

David and I shopped briefly yesterday and found some 2019 calendars. I will cut the pictures and place them inside the cover of the shoeboxes. If you are capable of cutting and gluing paper, let me know when you are available to help. Today, my sister and I are planning to make washcloths for all the shoeboxes. I’m looking forward to our work today.

It’s smart to be patient.”

~Proverbs 14:29 CEV~

How are you wisely and patiently using your time for others?

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.”

~Proverbs 3:27 NLT~

K.K.’s update on Josiah Huckaby

Happy baby
Weaning off some of his medications
Soon to be three
Starting school when he turns three
Happy and smiling

Little Adrian Strickland will soon be home. Doctors at CHNO took care of his dental issues.

Jules Tanksley is home from CHNO. She received beads representing all she has been through at the hospital.

Donald Alford does not fit the same age category as they three I already listed. Donald was called back to the hospital Tuesday and has been undergoing texts and observations there. He should be able to return home today. Please continue to pray for Donald and his family.

Read the Bible in 2020

January 2

Genesis 3: 1-4, 26
Matthew 2: 13 – 3:6
Psalm 2: 1-12
Proverbs 1: 7-9

I’m stopping now because of the weather. Hopefully, this will post.

Anna Lee

1-1-20

“When you make a promise to God,

keep it as quickly as possible.”

~Ecclesiastes 5:4 GNT~

Mrs. Barbara Gill is doing well. She’s still in Our Lady of the Lake and looking ahead to some time in rehab. Keep remembering her in your prayers, please.

Pray for Sharon Phillips. She is in St. Tammany and expecting to have pacemaker surgery tomorrow.

Your prayers for “Little Adrian” Strickland will be appreciated. He has been moved from McComb to Children’s Hospital of New Orleans. Join the family in praying for this little guy.

Elizabeth Carol New

December 21, 1945 – December 28, 2019

Elizabeth Carol New passed away on Saturday December 28, 2019 at the age of 74. She was born and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana and was a graduate of Kentwood High School class of 1963.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Lucille “Bootsie” New, and her sister and brother-in-law, Flora Lee and Jules Hatcher.

She is survived by her niece, Julee Hatcher, and her daughter and granddaughter, Madison McDonald and Lucille VanMieghem, all of Lafayette, La, as well as her nephew, Jeff Hatcher, his wife, Julia Hatcher and their children, J.C. Hatcher and Eliza Hatcher, all of Badger, Iowa.

Also left to cherish her memory is her friend, Michelle Forrest, and her children and grandchildren, without whom “Libba Carol” would have been lost. Michelle provided so much beyond just friendship and love and our family is forever grateful.

As it was her wish to be cremated, no funeral services will be planned at this time. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at a later date.

New Orleans’ Baptist Friendship House Marks 75 Years

http://www.bpnews.net/54110/new-orleans-baptist-friendship-house-marks-75-years?fbclid=IwAR2zIIRxT7vfSH4FOcCf2SehQzQN_QdK_QYCZNu_KfToH3ILJEMkclFsELg

“If you have all that you need and see someone else in need and do not reach out to them, how can the love of God be in you? Let us not love merely through words and tongue but in action and in truth,” I John 3:17-18

Today, we begin a new round of “Read Your Bible Through this Year”. It doesn’t matter whether or not you were successful in the past. I have completed a full year and failed to complete a full year. Do your best to read each day! Remember, you can get a copy of this plan when the FBC, Kentwood office opens in the morning or Sunday at regular services.

January 1

Genesis 1:1 – 2:25
Matthew 1:1 – 2: 12
Psalm 1: 1 – 6
Proverbs 1: 1-6

We don’t know what 2020 holds for us, but we do know who holds our hand as we travel through this new year. He will be 100% faithful to us! Let’s do our best to remain faithful to Him.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“There is a right time and a right way to do everything, but we know so little.”

~Ecclesiastes 8:6 GNT~

Please add our long-time friend, Bruce Fussell, to your prayer list. Bruce grew up in Roseland and graduated from AHS. He has lived in Livingston for many years. We happened to see his wife, Dorothy, my classmate, in Walker yesterday. Bruce is dealing with several health issues now.

Little Jules Tanksley is out of Children’s Hospital and back in the Sixth Ward. Doctors identified her problem as minor and something she will outgrow. Thank-you for praying for Jules and her family.

Scripture Writing for December 31st – Choose your own verse to close out this year.

Thanks for the prayers for others today. I think that is a great way to end 2019 and begin 2020.

Pick out the version of the Bible and the specific Bible you will read as we read the whole Bible in 2020. I will be using a children’s version in NIV that I bought a few years ago.

David and I shopped for Operation Christmas Child yesterday and loved every minute. I hope you learn to enjoy it as much as we do.

Anna Lee

Monday

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

~Psalm 119:165~

Scripture Writing for December 30th – Titus 3: 3-7

Read the Bible in 2020 – You can pick up your copy of the Scripture references for January through April at FBC, Kentwood. Ask for the yellow copies in the church sanctuary. Get your paper now so you will be ready to read on the 1st. I will be posting each day for those who choose not to get a paper of their own. How many of us will complete the readings this year? I know I have finished some years and other years dropped off during the year. Even then, I was glad I had read the portion of the Bible I read. There is never a failure when you read God’s Word!

Please continue to pray for Donald “Red” Alford. His next scheduled appointment is January 7th.

Pray for Dennis “Big D” Price. He is fighting some blood clots and a-fib. Your prayers will be appreciated.

Thank-you for reading and praying.

Anna Lee

Sunday

As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

~Ezekiel 34:12~

Scripture Writing for December 29 – James 1: 16-18

Starting on January 1st, I will begin a new year of reading the Bible all the way through. I hope you will join me. Copies will be available at FBC this morning. They will be printed on colored card stock so they will hold up well and be easy to locate in your Bible. If you cannot read all the Scriptures for a day, choose to write part of it each day. I will be sharing passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs each day. You may want to use the plan and just read through one of these this year, one next year, etc. If you have never read the Bible through, 2020 will be a great year to do so.

David and I are so excited about Operation Christmas Child for 2020. If you want to help us open, sort, organize, craft, etc., let me know when you are available to help. There is always something to do from now until the boxes leave Kentwood just before Thanksgiving. If you have a serger sewing machine and would like to help with a project let me know. You can bring it to church and work with us Friday, choose another day to work, or work from home on your own schedule. Let me know….

The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.

This is one of my favorite sayings. I find it truthful and lasting! May 2020 be the year we focus on others in many ways and not ourselves!

Anna Lee

Saturday

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:11-12

Scripture Writing for December 28 – Philippians 2: 9-11

LSU long snapper ‘doing sports God’s way’ – http://bpnews.net/54103/lsu-long-snapper-doing-sports-gods-way

Operation Christmas Child

Yesterday was a good afternoon for OCC work with two young friends. They made matching games for almost thirty boys and girls, opened packs of pencils, counted items already collected, etc. I love to train them to do OCC work. They plan to take my place in a few years!
Another joy is watching someone catch the vision and finding what they can do for OCC. David’s nurse has been purchasing items for shoeboxes in discount stores. She is helping fill my bins with pencils for next fall. Last year, she purchased spiral notebooks, pencils, and crayons which have already been sent to children.
One of the joys of doing OCC work at church is working with others on projects. Next week, my sister will be helping make washcloths. When do you want to set up a date for an OCC project? What do you enjoy doing?
David has always been a big supporter of OCC. Last year, he was not able to help, but this year he has already given many hours letting me shop for OCC on the way home from the doctor, putting together shelving for the storeroom, and his favorite – opening numerous packages of items I buy in quantity. Even with his health issues, he has found what he can do and gladly does it because he has seen boys and girls receive the shoeboxes and will never forget their joy. Knowing they get introduced to Jesus is priceless!
I would love to share this joy with any of you who want to get involved in this mission project at your church or at FBC, Kentwood. What a blessing it has been to me personally!

Have a wonderful Saturday! Keep your eyes open to the opportunities God has for you!

Anna Lee

Friday

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

~Luke 1:45 NIV~

Judith Webb Peterson

March 22, 1939 – December 25, 2019

A resident of Hammond, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. She was born March 22, 1939 in New Orleans, LA and was 80 years of age.
She is survived by

her husband, Johnny M. Peterson her loving husband.

She is preceded in death by

her parents, James Samuel Webb and Alice Johnston Webb; and her sisters, Constance Webb and Barbara Webb Mondello.

She is lovingly remembered by her brother James S Webb lll, his wife Trisha; her daughters Terrey B Scheuermann, husband Robert; and Sherry P Denig, husband Jeff; her sons Porter L Bentley lll, fiancé Alison Thompson,James W Bentley; John Peterson, wife Dawn; Grandchildren Anthony Miaoulis wife Tania; Crystal Bentley, Porter L Bentley lll, Jordan R Lavigne, Kelsey S May, Zachary Bentley, Seth Bentley, John Ryan Denig, Garrett Peterson and Sydney S Byrd, husband Ryan Byrd and numerous great grandchildren.

She went on to own her own business SEI in the Bahamas and was a member of Zonta International a professional organization empowering women.

Judy enjoyed her life, her family and her many friends here and in the Bahamas.

Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Amite, from 9:00AM until Memorial Services at 11:00AM on Saturday, December 28, 2019. Services conducted by Rev. Josh Milliron. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, a charity of your choice in memory of Judy W L Peterson.

Operation Christmas Child – Today, I have some of my young helpers working with me on some projects that will wind up in shoeboxes. I’m looking forward to this special time. If you or someone in your family is willing to work some, please let me know. I’ll get back with you on a date and time. I just need willing helpers.

Scripture Writing for December 27 – Phillipians 2: 5-8

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee

Thursday

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

~Luke 2:13-14~

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for 2020 are being worked on. No, I’m not packing them, but I am making items for the shoeboxes. If you are crafty and would like to help, please let me know. Currently, I am working on bead dolls, marble bags, matching games. etc. I would love to have you working alongside me periodically during the year. Also, we will begin a church-wide program Sunday to help collect items for the shoeboxes. I want to suggest to you that you take this opportunity to “get on board”. You’ll be blessed.

Scripture writing for December 26 – Galatians 4: 4-7

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Don’t forget to give so missionaries can serve around the world telling others about Jesus.

Most career missionaries do short time missionary trips before deciding to become missionaries. Check out this site. You may be interested in doing one of these trips.

https://www.imb.org/trips/

I’m so thankful you read and pray.

Anna Lee