Sunday

But God is wise and good.

Wise people understand

and they show that God is right.’

~Luke 7:35~

Macy Lee, daughter of Tim and Beth G. Lee, will be having her gall bladder removed on December 17th. Please be in prayer for Macy and her family as they look ahead to this procedure.

Smiley Conerly will be having his surgery first thing in the morning. Please cover him with your prayers.

The Lottie Moon Tea program yesterday involved lots of people. The tables were beautiful! My favorite part was the Lottie Moon Story by my friend and co-teacher of many years ago, Mrs. Irene Lascaro. A surprise was a father/son singing group who sang some Christmas songs. Many of us met the Blounts for the first time yesterday. I think we’ll be seeing more of them. Thanks to all you participated in the program and in preparations. Thanks to others who just came. It’s hard to cover every minute of the event, but let me end by saying, all together, it was a beautiful event.

Scripture Writing – December 8 – Psalm 72: 1-7

Tonight at 6 P.M., the children of FBC, Kentwood will present their annual Christmas program. You are invited to come. May lives be touched by this experience, especially young lives of those involved.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 8 – https://montgomeryfbc.org/2019-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-week-of-prayer-day-8/

Today, we will read Luke 8.

Luke 8

The women that helped Jesus

1 After this, Jesus went to visit many towns and villages. He told people the good news about the kingdom of God. The 12 disciples were going round with him. 2 Some women were also travelling with them. These women had been ill, but Jesus had made them well again. One of the women was Mary from Magdala. Jesus had sent seven bad spirits away from her. 3 Another of the women was Joanna, the wife of Chuza. Chuza had authority over all the people that worked in the house of King Herod. Another of the women was Susanna. There were also many others. These women were using their own money to help Jesus and his disciples.

A story about a farmer that planted seeds

4 Lots of people were coming to Jesus from many towns. A large crowd had already come together when Jesus told this story:

5 ‘A farmer went out to plant seeds in his field. While he was throwing the seeds, some of them fell on the path. Then people walked on them. Birds came down and they ate those seeds. 6 Some seeds fell on ground with rocks in it. They started to grow. But the young plants died because the ground was not wet enough in that place. 7 Some seeds fell among thorn bushes. Those bushes grew up with the young plants. They stopped the seeds from growing into strong plants. 8 But some seeds fell on good soil. Strong plants grew from those seeds. Each of these plants made 100 seeds.’

When Jesus finished the story, he said, ‘You have ears, so listen well to what I say!’

Jesus explains why he tells stories

9 Jesus’ disciples asked him about this story. They asked him what it meant. 10 Jesus replied, ‘God has let you know what these stories mean. You understand how God rules in the lives of his people. But other people only listen to my stories. They look, but they do not really see clearly. They hear the words, but they do not really understand.’

Jesus explains the story about the seeds

11 Jesus went on to say, ‘This is what the story means: The seeds are like the message from God. 12 Some seeds fell on the path. That is like some people who hear the message, but they do not think about it. The Devil comes and he takes the message away from their minds. He takes it away so that they cannot believe it. Because they do not believe the message, God does not save them.

13 Some seeds fell on ground with rocks in it. This is like people who hear the message from God and they are very happy for a time. But they are like plants that have not grown down well into the soil. They believe in God for a short time. But when they have any problems, they stop believing.

14 Some seeds fell among thorn bushes. This is like some other people who hear the message from God. But they start to have many troubles in their minds about how they will live. They want to get more money and more things. They think that this will make them happy. So they do not let God’s message change them. They are like plants that do not grow into strong plants.

15 But some seed fell on good soil. This is like other people that hear the message from God. They understand the message and they keep it in their minds. They are good and honest. They continue to believe and do not go back. These people are like a good plant that grows well and makes lots of new seeds.’

16 Jesus went on to say, ‘People do not light a lamp and then cover it. They do not put the lamp under a pot or under a bed. Instead, they put it in a high place. Then other people that come into the room can see the light from the lamp.

17 God hides some things now. But there will be a time when people will see them. God keeps some things secret now. But there will be a time when people will understand those things clearly.

18 So you should think carefully about what you hear. The person who has received some things will receive more. But some other people have nothing. They think that they have a little bit. But they will lose even that.’

The mother and brothers of Jesus come to see him

19 Then Jesus’ mother and his brothers came to see him. But they could not reach him because of the large crowd of people who were there. 20 Someone told Jesus, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to see you.’

21 Jesus replied, ‘I will tell you who my mother and brothers really are. My mother and my brothers are those people who hear God’s message and do what he wants.’

Jesus stops a storm

22 One day, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples. He said to them, ‘We should go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they started to cross the lake. 23 While they sailed in the boat, Jesus began to sleep. Then a strong wind started to blow across the lake. Water began to fill the boat and they were in danger. 24 So the disciples went to Jesus and they woke him. ‘Master, master, we are going to die here in the water!’ they said.

Then Jesus got up and he spoke strongly to the wind and to the water. ‘Stop!’ he said. The wind stopped immediately and the water became flat. 25 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Why do you not believe in me?’

All this frightened the disciples and they were very surprised. They asked each other, ‘Who is this man? He even tells the wind and the water what to do. He speaks and they obey him!’

Jesus makes a man well

26 Jesus and his disciples went to the place where the Gerasene people lived. This place is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus got out of the boat there, a man from the town came towards him. Bad spirits were living inside him. He had not worn any clothes for a long time. He did not live in a house. Instead, he lived in a place where they buried dead people. 28 When he saw Jesus, he screamed. Then he went down on his knees in front of Jesus and said in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, you are the Son of the powerful God above! We have nothing in common! Please do not hurt me.’ 29 He said that because Jesus had already said to the bad spirit, ‘Come out of this man.’

The bad spirit had often taken hold of the man and people watched him carefully. They held his feet with metal chains. But when the bad spirit took hold of him, he often broke the chains. The bad spirit then caused him to go into the wilderness.

30 Jesus asked the man, ‘What is your name?’ The man replied, ‘My name is Army.’ He said this because very many bad spirits had gone into him. 31 These bad spirits asked Jesus not to send them away to the world below.

32 There was a large group of pigs there and they were eating on the hill. The bad spirits asked Jesus, ‘Let us go into the pigs.’ Jesus replied, ‘You can go into them.’ 33 So the bad spirits came out of the man and they went into the pigs. All the pigs rushed together down the hill into the lake. They all died there in the water.

34 The men who were taking care of the pigs saw this happen. They ran away. They told the people in the town and in the villages what had happened. 35 So the people went out from these places to see what had happened. They came to Jesus. The man that the bad spirits had come out of was sitting there, beside Jesus’ feet. Now he was wearing clothes and his mind was well again. When the people saw this, they were afraid. 36 Some people had seen Jesus make the man well. They told the other people how he had done this. 37 Then all the Gerasene people who lived in that place said to Jesus, ‘Please go away and leave us.’ They said this because they were very afraid. So, Jesus got back into the boat so that they could leave that place. 38 Then the man that the bad spirits had gone out from said to Jesus, ‘Please let me come with you.’ But Jesus replied, ‘No. 39 You must return to your home. Tell everyone about all that God has done for you.’

So the man went away. He went everywhere in the town and told all the people, ‘Jesus has done very good things for me.’

Jesus makes a young girl well

40 When Jesus returned to the other side of the lake, the crowd was very happy to see him. They were all waiting for him to come back. 41 Then a man called Jairus came to see him. He was a leader at the Jewish meeting place. He went down on his knees at the feet of Jesus and said, ‘Please come to my house. 42 I have one daughter. She is 12 years old and she is very ill. She will die very soon.’

So Jesus went along. A crowd of people went with him and they were pushing against him. 43 There was a sick woman in the crowd who had lost blood for 12 years. She had paid all her money to doctors and she had no money left. But nobody could help her to become well again. 44 She came in the crowd behind Jesus and she touched the edge of his coat. Immediately she stopped bleeding. 45 Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’

Everyone round him said, ‘It was not me. I did not touch you.’ Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, there is a big crowd round you. Many people are pushing against you.’

46 Jesus said, ‘Someone did touch me. I felt it when something powerful went out from me.’ 47 The woman knew that she could not hide herself. So she was very afraid. She came to Jesus and she went down on the ground in front of him. She spoke so that all the people could hear her. She said, ‘I wanted to be well again, so I touched him. When I did that, I became well immediately.’ 48 Jesus said to her, ‘Young woman, you are well again because you believed in me. Do not have any more troubles in your mind.’

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone arrived from Jairus’ house. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ he told Jairus. ‘Do not ask the teacher to come now.’

50 Jesus heard what the man said. So he said to Jairus, ‘Do not be afraid. Just believe in me. Then she will become well again.’

51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus would not let everyone go in. He took only Peter, John and James. He also let the mother and father of the girl go into the house. 52 All the people there were crying loudly because they were very sad. ‘Do not cry,’ Jesus told them. ‘The child is not dead. She is only asleep.’

53 But the people knew that she had died. So they laughed at him. 54 But Jesus went and held the child’s hand. He said to her, ‘My child, get up.’ 55 Then she became alive again. Immediately she stood up. Jesus said to her parents, ‘Give her something to eat.’ 56 They were very surprised. Jesus said to them very strongly, ‘You must not tell anyone about what has happened.’

Jesus is the reason for this great Christmas season!

Anna Lee

Friday

I am the Living One;

I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!

And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

~Revelation 1:18~

Nettie Young Strickland

October 12, 1938 – December 04, 2019

Nettie Young Strickland, 81, of Kentwood, LA, passed away, Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Our Lady of The Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge.

She was born October 12, 1938 in Kentwood. She was the daughter of Charlie Cornelious and Veda Mae Travis Young.

Mrs. Strickland was retired correctional officer with Dixon Correctional Institute with 28 years of service. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and a former member of the Order of Eastern Star.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Bobby Darren Strickland and Eddie Earl Strickland; grandson, Rodney Darren Strickland; daughters-in-law, Rhonda Davis Strickland and Tessie Brabham Strickland.

She is survived by two sons, Tommy Louis Strickland and Ronnie Eugene Strickland and his wife, Verda of Kentwood; one daughter, Deborah Marie Strickland of Magnolia; former husband and father of her children, Eddie Strickland of Osyka; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Joseph and Paula Strickland, Timothy and Becky Strickland, Charlie and Jessica Strickland, Colton Day and Angela Strickland, all of Kentwood, Trenton Strickland of Hammond, Jennifer and Adam Purser of Summit and Dawn and Sean Marrs of Katy, TX; numerous great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren and special friends, Irene Carter Mitchell and Eldwin “Cooter” Meyn of Kentwood.

Pallbearers are Adam Purser, Joseph Strickland, Timothy Strickland, Charlie Strickland, Trenton Strickland and Colton Strickland.

Visitation is Friday at New Zion Baptist Church, 3841 Hwy. 38 West, Kentwood, LA 70444 from 5PM until 9PM and Saturday from 10AM until services at 11AM with Bro. Larry Blades officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit, MS in charge of arrangements.

Opportunity – Blood Drive to benefit Kristen Alford

East Fork Baptist Church
12/29/19
Noon – 5 P.M.

Opportunity – The children of FBC, Kentwood will present their Christmas musical at 6 P.M. Sunday evening. You are invited to come enjoy the presentation and to encourage the children. It is also a wonderful time to thank those who have worked with the children to make this presentation possible.

Scripture Writing – December 6 – Isaiah 52:7-10

LMCO – Day 6

https://montgomeryfbc.org/2019-lottie-moon-christmas-offering-week-of-prayer-day-6/

Luke 6

Jesus teaches about the Jewish day for rest

1 On a Jewish day for rest, Jesus and his disciples were walking through some fields where wheat was growing. His disciples began to pick some of the wheat. They were rubbing it between their hands and eating the seeds.

2 Some of the Pharisees were walking along with them. They said, ‘You should not be doing that on our day for rest. It is against God’s Law.’

3 Jesus replied, ‘You have certainly read about what David did one day. He and the men who were with him were hungry. 4 He went into God’s Great House. He took the special bread that was there. It is against God’s Law for anyone except the priests to eat that bread. But David ate some of it. He gave some of the bread to his men to eat as well.’

5 Then Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man has authority over the Law about the day for rest.’

Jesus makes a man well on the day for rest

6 On another Jewish day for rest, Jesus went into the Jewish meeting place and he taught the people. A man was there. His right hand had become small and weak and he could not use it. 7 Some teachers of God’s Law and some Pharisees were watching Jesus carefully. They wanted to find a reason to say that he was doing something wrong. So they watched Jesus to see if he would make the man well on the day for rest. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to the man, ‘Get up and stand in front of everyone.’ The man got up and he stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to the people, ‘Let me ask you something. Is it right for us to do good things on our day for rest? Or should we do bad things? Should we save a person’s life? Or should we destroy their life?’ 10 Jesus looked around at everyone. Then he said to the man, ‘Lift up your hand.’ When the man lifted his hand, it became well. He could use it again.

11 Then the Pharisees and the teachers of God’s Law were very angry. They began to talk to each other about what they could do to Jesus.

Jesus chooses 12 men

12 One day Jesus went up a mountain to pray. He remained there all night and he was praying to God. 13 In the morning, he asked all his disciples to come to him. Then he chose 12 of them and he called them his apostles. These are their names:

14 Simon (Jesus gave him the name Peter),

Andrew (he was Simon’s brother),

James,

John,

Philip,

Bartholomew,

15 Matthew,

Thomas,

James, the son of Alphaeus,

Simon the Zealot,

16 Judas, son of James,

Judas Iscariot. He later gave Jesus to the people who were against him.

Jesus teaches people

17 After Jesus had chosen these 12 men, they all came down the hill. He stopped and he stood on a flat place. A large crowd of his disciples stood round him. There were also many people from Jerusalem, and from other towns of Judea, and from places on the coast near Tyre and Sidon. 18 These people had all come to hear Jesus teach. Those people who were ill wanted him to make them well. He also made well those people who had bad spirits. 19 All the people were trying to touch him, because he was using great power to make each person well.

20 Jesus looked at his disciples. He spoke this message to them:

‘Happy are you people that are poor. The kingdom of God belongs to you.

21 Happy are you people that are hungry now. God will feed you until you are full.

Happy are you people that are crying now. Later, you will laugh.

22 People may hate you, because you believe in me, the Son of Man. They may say bad things against you and make you go away from them. They may say that you are very bad. When that happens, be happy. 23 God will prepare many good things for you in heaven. So be very happy when people do these bad things to you! Jump up and down because you are so happy. Their ancestors did the same bad things to God’s prophets long ago.

24 Listen, you that are rich.

You have a comfortable life now, but trouble will come to you.

25 Listen, you that are full with food now.

Trouble will come to you and you will be hungry.

Listen, you that are laughing now.

Trouble will come to you. You will be sad and you will cry.

26 Do people always say good things about you? Know that trouble will come to you. Long ago their ancestors said good things about bad prophets. Those prophets said that they were from God but their words were false.’

Love people that want to hurt you

27 Jesus went on to say, ‘I say this to you who are listening carefully to me: Love the people who want to hurt you. Do good things to people that hate you. 28 Say good things to people that say bad things against you. Pray for people who give you pain.

29 Someone may slap you on one side of your face. Then you should let him slap the other side of your face too. Someone may take away your coat. If he does, do not stop him from taking your shirt too. 30 When anyone asks you for something, give it to him. Someone may take something that belongs to you. If he does, let him keep it. Do not ask to have it back again. 31 Do the good things for other people that you would want them to do for you.

32 Do you only love people who love you? God will not praise you just for doing that. Even bad people love those people who love them. 33 Do you only do good things to people that do good things to you? God will not praise you just for doing that. Even bad people do the same thing. 34 Do you lend things only to people that will give your things back to you? Will God praise you for doing that? Even bad people lend things to other people when they believe that they will get them back again. 35 No! I am telling you to love people that want to hurt you. Do good things to them. Lend things to them and do not want to get them back again. Then God will prepare good things for you. He is kind even to people that do not say “thank you”. He is kind even to very bad people. If you live like this, you will show that you really are children of the powerful God who is over all. 36 You should be kind to other people, as God your Father is kind.

37 Do not say to anyone, “You are a bad person.” Then God will not say to you, “You are bad person.” Do not say to anyone, “God should punish you because you are bad.” Then God will not say that to you. Forgive other people and God will forgive you. 38 Give to other people and God will give to you. He will give to you even more than you gave. He will fill your pocket until no more will go in. It will be so full that it will come out over the top. Think about how you give to other people. God will give in the same way to you.’

39 Jesus also used a story to teach the people. He said, ‘A blind person cannot lead another blind person. If he does, then both of them will fall into a deep hole.

40 A student is not more important than his teacher is. But each student who has learned everything will be like his teacher.

41 Perhaps you want to tell a friend about his little mistake. If you want to do that, first remember your own bigger mistakes. 42 You are like a person who has a big piece of wood in his eye. But then he says to his friend, “My friend, you have a little piece of dirt in your eye. Let me take it out for you.” Do not be like that person. You think you are better than your friend. But you are not. First, you must take the big piece of wood out of your eye. After that, your eyes will be clear and you will see well. Then you can take the small piece of dirt out of your friend’s eye.’

A story about a tree and its fruit

43 Jesus said, ‘Good trees only make good fruit. Bad trees only make bad fruit. 44 In this way you can know if a tree is good or bad. You can know this by the fruit that the tree makes. Figs and grapes do not grow on thorn bushes.

45 People are the same. A good man keeps good things in his mind. In his life, he brings those good things out from there. But a bad man keeps bad things in his mind. He brings those bad thoughts out from there. It is like things that he brings out of a room where he keeps them. When a person speaks, his words show what is really in his mind.’

A story about men that are building a house

46 Jesus said, ‘Do not call me, “Master, Master,” and then not obey me. 47 Some people come to me. They listen to my message and they obey it. Let me tell you what those people are like. They are like a man who built a house. 48 This man dug down in the ground to the rock. He put the first line of stones on the rock. After that, he built the house on top of the rock. Then a storm came and it brought a lot of water. The water hit the house but it could not move it. The water could not move the house because the man had built it very well.

49 Some other people hear my message but they do not obey it. Those people are like another man who built a house. This man did not dig down deep to the rock. Instead, he put the first line of stones on the top of the ground. Then he built his house on them. A storm came and it brought a lot of water. It hit that house and it fell down immediately. The water completely destroyed it.’

There have been a number of deaths in our area lately. As you pray, please include the families in your prayers.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

~Galatians 6:9 NIV~

Carl Wayne Stevens, 76, beloved husband and father, left this world peacefully to be with Jesus surrounded by his beloved wife and children on December 2, 2019. He entered this world on August 3, 1943 in Magnolia, MS, born to Amy Belle and Wayne Stevens.

He is survived by his wife Nora Hodges Stevens; his children, Carl W. “Rusty” Stevens II, M.D. (wife Cherilon) of Laurel, MS, Julee Stevens Pousson (husband Mitch) of Nashville, TN, Micah Stevens (wife Mica) of Laurel, MS, Matthew Stevens, M.D. (wife Lindsey) of Tupelo, MS; his grandchildren, Ben Stevens, M.D. (wife LeighAnn), Sara Beth Stevens, Mitchell Pousson II, Madeline Pousson, Christian Pousson, Preston Stevens, AmyBelle Stevens, Eli Stevens, Parker Stevens, Sawyer Stevens, Addison Kate Stevens; his sister, Denise Stevens of Houston, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents Amy Belle and Wayne Stevens and his brother Preston David Stevens of Kentwood, LA.

Carl owned and operated a dairy farm for 29 years while also working as a rural mail carrier for 22 of those years. After retiring and moving to Laurel, MS he began a new career as owner and operator of Daylight Donuts. Carl was an absolute joy to everyone who knew him. He was known for his wit, kindness, sincere love for and acceptance of all. He put special emphasis on his relationship with his sister, children, and each of his grandchildren. He deeply loved and cherished Nora, his one true love of over 55 years and the life they built together. He loved well and was loved well.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Carl with his family during visitation at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 4593 Indian Springs Rd, Laurel, MS, on Friday, December 6th from 12:00 – 2:30 pm. Services will begin at 2:30 pm with interment to follow at Lake Park Hills Cemetery, Laurel, MS.

Pall Bearers will be; Ben Stevens, M.D., Mitch Pousson, Mitchell Pousson II, Christian Pousson, Preston Stevens, Mike Moise, Terry Bridges, Larry Sanders.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his name to: The American Heart Association and The American Lung Association.

1 Cor 13:13 – And now these three remain – faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love.

Operation Christmas Child – Our shoeboxes were sent to Dallas for processing. Boxes from there appear to be going to Central America, as usual, because that area is closer to Dallas than other processing centers.

Scripture Writing – December 4 – Isaiah 11: 6-10

Bible chapter to read today – Luke 4

Luke 4

The Devil tries to make Jesus do wrong things

1 Then Jesus returned from the river Jordan. He was full of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness. 2 He stayed there for 40 days and he did not eat anything. During this time the Devil tried to cause Jesus to do wrong things. At the end of 40 days, Jesus was very hungry.

3 The Devil said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Son of God, speak to this stone. Tell it to become bread.’

4 ‘No!’ Jesus replied, ‘The Bible says that food alone cannot cause people to live.’

5 After that, the Devil led Jesus up to a high place. In one moment, he showed Jesus all the countries in the whole world. 6 He said to Jesus, ‘I will let you rule the whole world. I will give you power over all these things. That power all belongs to me. So, I can give it to anyone that I choose. 7 Just go down on your knees and worship me. Then I will give you power over the whole world.’

8 ‘No!’ Jesus replied, ‘The Bible says,

“Only worship your Lord God.

He is the only one that you should obey.” ’

9 The Devil now took Jesus to Jerusalem. He took him to stand on the highest part of God’s Great House. Then he said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Son of God, jump down from here to the ground. 10 You know that the Bible says:

“God will tell his angels to keep you safe.”

11 “They will hold you safely in their hands.

They will not let you hurt your foot on a stone.” ’

12 ‘No!’ Jesus replied. ‘The Bible says,

“Do not do a foolish thing to see if your Lord God will save you.” ’

13 The Devil tried to make Jesus do many wrong things like that. When he had finished this, he left Jesus alone for a time.

Jesus goes to Nazareth

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee. The Holy Spirit continued to give him power. Everyone who lived near there heard the news about him. 15 He taught people in the Jewish meeting places. Everyone said good things about him.

16 Jesus went to Nazareth, the town where he had grown up. On the Jewish day for rest, he went to their meeting place. This was what he usually did. He stood up to read aloud from the Bible.

17 They gave him the book of messages that God had given to his prophet Isaiah. Jesus opened the book. He found the place where Isaiah wrote:

18 ‘The Spirit from the Lord God is on me.

He has chosen me to tell good news to poor people.

He has sent me to tell people who are in prison, “You can go free!”

I must say to people that cannot see, “See again!”

I must cause people that are like slaves to become free.

19 I must tell everyone, “This is the year when God will be kind to his people.” ’

20 When Jesus had read this to the people, he closed the book. He gave it back to an officer of the meeting place. Then he sat down to teach the people. Everyone in the meeting place was looking carefully at him.

21 Jesus said to them, ‘Today this message has become true. It has happened while you were listening.’

22 Everyone was talking about Jesus. They were surprised at the good way in which he spoke. They said to each other, ‘He is really only the son of Joseph. Isn’t that true?’

23 Jesus then said to them, ‘Now you will tell me the proverb, “Doctor, make yourself well!” You will also say, “We have heard that you did many surprising things in Capernaum. This is your home town, so do the same things here!” 24 I tell you this, people do not accept a prophet of God who comes from their own town.

25 What I tell you is true. There were many widows in the country of Israel when Elijah was alive. At that time, it did not rain for three and a half years. So people were very hungry in all the country. 26 But God did not send Elijah to help a widow in Israel. Instead, God sent Elijah to the country called Sidon. There he helped a widow in a place called Zarephath.

27 Here is another example: When God’s prophet Elisha was alive, there were many people in Israel with a bad illness of the skin. But God did not make any of them well. Instead, he made a man well who was from the country called Syria. That man was called Naaman.’

28 The people in the meeting place heard what Jesus said. They became very angry. 29 They stood up and they made him leave the town. They took him to the top of the hill where the town was. They wanted to throw him over the edge to the bottom. 30 But Jesus walked through the middle of the crowd and he went away.

Jesus causes a bad spirit to leave a man

31 Jesus went to a town in Galilee called Capernaum. On the Jewish day for rest, he taught the people there. 32 The people were very surprised at the things that Jesus taught them. He spoke with authority. 33 In the meeting place was a sick man. He had a spirit of a bad demon that was living inside him. The spirit caused the man to shout loudly. 34 He said, ‘Jesus from Nazareth, leave us alone! Do not destroy us! I know who you are. You are God’s Holy One!’

35 Jesus said to the spirit, ‘Be quiet! Come out of the man!’ Then the bad spirit caused the man to fall to the ground in front of the people. It came out of the man but it did not hurt him.

36 All the people were very surprised and they said to each other, ‘Listen to what this man says! He has power and authority. He tells bad spirits to come out of people, and they come out.’ 37 So, they began to tell everyone about Jesus. Because of this, people in all the places near Capernaum heard the news about Jesus.

Jesus makes many people well

38 Jesus then left the meeting place and he went to Simon’s home. The mother of Simon’s wife was ill and her body was very hot. So, they asked Jesus to make her well. 39 Jesus came and he stood near her. He told the illness to go away and immediately she was well again. She got up and she prepared food for her visitors.

40 When the sun was going down, people in the town brought to Jesus all those people who were ill. They had many different kinds of illness. Jesus put his hands on each ill person and they became well again.

41 Also, bad spirits came out of many people. They were shouting, ‘You are the Son of God.’ The spirits knew that Jesus was the Messiah. Because of this, Jesus stopped them. He would not let them speak.

42 Early the next morning, Jesus went to a place where he could be alone. The people went to look for him. When they found him they said, ‘Do not leave us! Please stay here with us.’ 43 Jesus replied, ‘I must go to other towns to tell everyone the good news. I will tell them how God rules in the lives of his people. That is what God sent me to do.’

44 Then he travelled to many towns in the country called Judea. He went into the Jewish meeting places and taught people there.

Special Christmas related activities involving FBC, Kentwood this week:

Christmas lunch at the church this morning at 11 for senior adults
Lottie Moon Tea – Saturday at Spring Creek Baptist Church at 2 P.M.

Yesterday was assigned a title. “Giving Tuesday”. Please don’t limit your giving to one day a year! Give of yourself regularly and without needing a special designation.

Anna Lee

Wednesday

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

~Isaiah 12:4~

Jesse Dean requests prayers for his sister, “Miss” Theresa Cutrer, who is hospitalized.

Joy Ann Branton Walker

June 12, 1930 – November 26, 2019

Joy Ann Branton Walker was born on June 12, 1930 in Haynesville, LA and passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 89 years of age. Joy Ann was a devoted wife to the love of her life, Charles. She loved talking to her family and friends and catching up on everyone’s lives. She is famous for her Mam Maw’s Chocolate Cake. Joy Ann was a faithful member of Viking Drive Church of Christ.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Charl Ann McKneely and husband Tommy of Amite, LA, Kathy Sells and husband Harry of Sandy Run, SC, and Judy Moore and husband Howard of Haughton, LA; grandchildren, Jeff McKneely and wife Tammy, Greg McKneely and wife Danielle, Jennifer Pray and husband Gabe, Ray Moore and wife Katie, Haley Moore Patrick, and Kyle Moore; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jordan McKneely Vickers and husband, John, Olivia McKneely Tull and husband, Brandon, Alyse McKneely, AnaClaire McKneely, Gavin McKneely, Dylan Charles McKneely, Gabrielle Pray, Steven Pray, Andrew Walker Pray, Kaitlyn Nunnery, Hallie Rae Moore, Pressley Joy Patrick and Sammy Patrick; three great-great-grandchildren, Maverick and Eleanor Tull and Elizabeth Vickers; brother, Henry Branton; and numerous well- loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward “Charlie” Walker; parents, H.H. “Hamp” Branton and Rosie Ethel Davis Branton; granddaughter, Kimberly McKneely; 3 brothers, Orion, L.F., and Twyman Branton; and a sister, Lester Cleo Branton Matthews Phillips.

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until funeral services at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, December, 1, 2019 at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 US Highway 80 East, Haughton, LA 71037, officiated by Mr. Frank Himmel, preacher at Viking Drive Church of Christ and assisted by her grandson, Pastor Jeff McKneely of House on the Rock in Amite, LA. Interment will follow at Old Town Cemetery, Haynesville, LA. Pallbearers will be are Jeff McKneely, Greg McKneely, Ray Moore, Gabe Pray, David Gray, Bruce Williams, and Ben Dance.

Operation Christmas Child – Thanks to the members of FBC, Kentwood for helping pack and ship 416 “shoeboxes” this year, the most we have ever shipped. Thanks also to the 18 volunteers who put in over a hundred hours during the collection week. As you can see, this collection week required a lot of helpers. I am thankful for each person and each hour of time donated in 2019.

Thankfulness, Day 27 – Today, I am thankful for telephones. My daddy worked for the telephone company for more than 36 years as an installer/repairman. He was proud of his work and the company he worked for, Maw Bell. Today, I am still thankful for telephones, but in a new and more modern way. Yesterday, one of our granddaughters received her first phone, an i-phone. Guess who she called. Her granddaddy! I’m so glad she did! The telephone company has greatly changed, but it still is helpful in connecting families. What a blessing!

Scripture Writing for November 27th – Psalm 119: 15-21

Have a great day if you are preparing for Thanksgiving. Part of our family had an early Thanksgiving yesterday. I’m surely thankful for the time we had together. Please pray for them as they travel home today. Pray for others who will be traveling the rest of the week. They are some of the busiest travel days.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

~Titus 3:4-5 NLT~

Please pray for Josiah Huckaby this morning as he has a heart cath. Pray for his mom and dad who chose this child to be their very own. That reminds me of Jesus who chose us despite of our shortcomings.

Operation Christmas Child: Yesterday, FBC Kentwood completed eight days of serving as a location for shoeboxes from our area to be brought to one location and delivered to Hammond, their next location. The boxes are already on their way to Dallas now. I’m thankful to say about 1.500 of those boxes came through Kentwood area people and churches. In Hammond, they were added to others from SE Louisiana and totaled about 13,000. That’s a lot of children who will be blessed with gifts and an opportunity to meet and choose Jesus. Good job, folks!

Thankfulness, Day 26 – Today, I am thankful for the planes, boats, ships, cars, vans, wagons, donkeys, sleds, etc. that will carry the “shoeboxes” to the children. The vision is to do whatever it takes to get the boxes to the hand of boys and girls. The shoeboxes will probably be the biggest blessing so far in each young life. The many packers will be greatly blessed in knowing many of the children will soon have Jesus in their hearts and they were able to play a small part in that.

Scripture Writing – Psalm 18: 8-14

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, whether you are part of a big celebration or quietly eat alone. We all have so much to be thankful for every year of our lives!

Anna Lee

Monday

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;

I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.

~Psalm 7:17~

Operation Christmas Child collection at more than 5,000 sites ends today. FBC, Kentwood will be open 8:00-10:00 and then transfer the boxes to the area collection site in Hammond. Just to make you smile, I’ll share that we collected 295 shoeboxes yesterday for a running total of 1.489 boxes this year. That is the most we ever collected in Kentwood and we still have one more day!

Peter Michael Chehardy

October 13, 1956 – November 23, 2019

Peter Mike, went to his eternal resting place on November 23, 2019 with his loving family around him. Mike a lifelong resident of Amite, was born on October 13, 1956 to George and Virginia Chehardy( both deceased.) He was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Valerie Baxter Chehardy for 33 years. In addition to his loving wife, Mike is survived by a sister, George Ann Smith, who along with her husband, Ray Smith(deceased), raised him. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by a brother Johnny Chehardy and a sister, Philomene Lacara. After attending Amite Elementary and Oak Forest Academy Jr. High, Mike attended the Vocational Unit of the Hammond State School. After graduating, he lived in Baton Rouge where he worked at the Piccadilly Cafeteria on Government St. After a couple of years, Mike came back to Amite to be close to his family. He worked for the Town of Amite for ten years and for Smitty’s Supply for 20 years. He retired in 2016. Mike had a very high work ethic. He was punctual, dependable, and loved by his coworkers. Mike had many favorite activities. He looked forward to the first week in October every year when he and Val took their annual trip to Cruising the Coast. He loved sports and was an avid fan of LSU ,the Saints, and the Amite Warriors. Unbeknown to many people, Mike was an amateur stargazer. He kept up with special events in the sky and could be seen in his front yard with his telescope. But His favorite pastime was talking to his friends. He kept his OFA annual in his truck always looking for someone to share memories. Elvis was his favorite performer and he and Val enjoyed a trip to Graceland. He and Val also enjoyed trips to Disney World and New York City. The family would like to thank the many friends for their concern and prayers for Mike and for all the ways they made him feel special and loved. Special thanks to Dr. Derris Ray and his staff, St Joseph Hospice, especially Lisa King, and Bud and Ray and the staff of Thrift Town Pharmacy. Also thanks go to McKneely Funeral Home for their excellent care. But most of all we want to thank God for the many graces and blessings Mike has had all of his life. Family and friends are invited to join the visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church Hall on Tuesday, November 26 from 9:00 until 11:30 A.M. The funeral Mass, conducted by Father Mark Beard, will be held at noon at the church. Interment will be at the Amite Memorial Gardens. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

David and I saw Peter Mike and Valerie at Master Chef. They always had many friends stop at their table to speak and were always very helpful to each other. I know Peter Mike will be missed in the Amite area.

Scripture Writing – November 25 – Psalm 118: 1-7

Pray for the youth and adults chaperones from our area churches as they finish up at the Youth Evangelism Conference and travel back to their churches today.

Thankfulness – Day 25: Today, I am thankful for the love in our family that makes us want to spend time together. We don’t usually get to be together as often as we would like, but we can enjoy the time we have together. I hope you will have an opportunity to spend some time with family this week. May your time together build the bond of love stronger.

This is a busy week for traveling. Pray for good times and safe traveling during this holiday season. Start making a list of people and things you are thankful for.

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.”

~Hebrews 11:1 NCV~

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.”

~Proverbs 3:5 HCSB~

Scripture Writing for Nov. 24 – James 1: 17-18

Operation Christmas Child: Monday ends the time to take your boxes to a collection site in 2019. FBC, Kentwood will be receiving “shoeboxes” today from 4-6 P.M. and tomorrow from 8-10 A.M. I can’t explain to you how excited I am that boys and girls get “shoeboxes”, a chance to learn about Jesus, and an opportunity to take Jesus into their heart. I appreciate how much love many of you have put into packing your shoeboxes.

This morning Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will host their monthly breakfast. There is no charge for the breakfast, but donations are taken to help a family with a need. This is a great ministry of the ladies of Pine Ridge. They have been helping families for many years this way.

The Two Rivers Associational Annual Lottie Moon Tea will be Saturday, December 7th at two o’clock at Spring Creek Baptist Church. Ladies and girls, plan to attend. You don’t want to miss this special event.

Thankfulness – Day 24 – Family gatherings! Yesterday, David’s family had a family gathering. It was a time to enjoy watching the children play, introducing some new family members into the family, to show respect to those who have now become the older generation, and to lovingly think back sweet memories of those who are no longer with us. Of course, there were lots of hugs and too much good food, but that’s the way families treat each other. Today, I am especially thankful for the sweet spirit of yesterday’s gathering and all the other ones I can remember.

Smiley Conerly has been searching for answers to his medical questions. He has learned a little more and will be having surgery on December 9th. Please add Smiley and his family to your prayer list if they are not already there.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Remember, it’s not all about food and family! What else do you have to thank God for this year?

Anna Lee

Saturday, Posted Early

“Let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.”

~Hebrews 12:1 TLB~

The youth from our church will attend the yearly YEC, Youth Evangelism Conference, Sunday – Monday. Pray for them as they travel. Also, pray the conference touches many hearts and changes lives.

Smiley Conerly will be having surgery December 9th. Please pray for him and his family.

Operation Christmas Child continues. FBC, Kentwood collected 103 shoeboxes late yesterday. Saturday, the hours are 10-12, Noon. Sunday’s hours are 4-6 P.M. If you have boxes to turn in, please do so Saturday or Sunday, rather than waiting for Monday. Pray for the children who will receive a shoebox. Thank God for the many lives that will be changed. Thank God for each person who was involved in the shoeboxes in any way, the money invested in packing the shoeboxes, and the time that was spent creating or purchasing items for the shoeboxes. Use every opportunity God gives you to share about the shoeboxes. It is one of the ways we are missionaries. Remember, Matthew 28: 19-20 tells us to do to things, GO and TELL.

Scripture Writing – November 11-23 – Lamentations 3: 22-27.

Thankfulness, Day 23 – Today, I’m thankful for time. I get 24 hours each day to spend as I desire. My time also has responsibilities. I’m thankful for the time I have to live and pray I have pleased/continue to please God with the way I spent this precious time He gave/gives me. Some people refer to our lives as the dash between the year of our birth and the year of our death. It’s up to us to make “our dash” count for Him. It’s the most important engraving on our headstones!

Anna Lee

Friday

We have multiple routine appointments today. I’ll post mid-afternoon.

“Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.”

~Hebrews 11:1 NCV~

Scripture Writing – Nov. 22 – Psalm 9: 1-2, 7-12

Thankfulness – Day 22 – Today, I am thankful for children and grandchildren who go out of their way to visit us, even it they come a few days early for brief visits. We won’t see everyone this holiday season, but six of ten is still good. David and I have made a tradition of spending the holidays, when we don’t have family with us, by going to Cracker Barrel in Brookhaven. We go there to enjoy a nice ride and see an area we don’t see too often. The meal is always good too! I hope you have an opportunity to be with your family this Thanksgiving and Christmas. If not, do something special! Make a new tradition! Invite someone who is not family to go with you.

Operation Christmas Child Collection at FBC, Kentwood is from 4-6 today, 10-12 Saturday, and 4-6 Sunday.

Our tests went well this morning.

Anna Lee

Thursday

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

~Psalm 95:2-3~

Scripture Writing for Nov. 21 – Psalm 107: 28-32

Thankfulness #21 – Today, I’m thankful for social media. I know several people who are happy about not being a part of social media, but I think it is all what you make of it. I am thankful for social media and other things like this website that are above my technical skills to create or repair, but fully in my ability to use. I think it is like an automobile, you can drive it carefully or drive like you don’t want to live any longer. Everyone can make their own choice. For those of us who choose to use social media, let’s strive to maintain some values in the world of computers and other modern technology.

Mr. Ed McGehee is very sick at North Oaks. Pray for him and for his family as adjustments are made.

Mrs. Velma Anthony was bitten on both arms by a dog. Pray for her as she recovers.

Baby Hudson‘s surgeon said the baby’s heart is fixed. Now, the doctors will begin to work on his ability to eat and digest food. Please keep praying.

Emilie McKenzie is back in school and practicing for the Christmas program at church despite her broken arm. Thank God for her progress and pray for her as her treatment/healing continues.

Eleanor Morris’ sisters all went to her house Tuesday. While there, Evelyn fell and fractured her hip. Late yesterday afternoon, she had surgery and a rod was used to make her hip work better. Please pray foe Evelyn and those who will care for her while she is healing.

At about 5 P.M. yesterday, Hope Jones of Amite delivered the “shoeboxes” her church kids packed. Today, she will have back surgery in Baton Rouge. Thank God for her determination and priorities. Pray she will be back serving at her church real soon.

Please continue to pray for Rachel Morris and Irene Brumfield. I have been told they are both in Ochsner in New Orleans.

Today, I’m sharing about another former student who passed away.

Roger Navarra

August 11, 1958 – November 20, 2019

Roger Navarra, a resident of Independence, LA for the past forty years passed away peacefully at the age of 61 on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. Roger was born on August 11, 1958, in Amite, LA. Roger was valedictorian of his Oak Forest Academy class, an Honor Graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, and a member of the 13 Club. For 34 years he worked as a State Farm Insurance Agent where he served his community in Independence and Tangipahoa Parish. For the last 13 years, it gave him great joy to serve as Deacon of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Independence, LA. His love for Mater Dolorosa Catholic School and its children were unsurpassed. Roger was a loving father and grandfather, and the highlight of his life were his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his daughter, Charlotte(Navarra) Phillips and spouse, Kevin, New Orleans, LA; his son, Dominick Richard Navarra and his spouse, Christine Lai, Denver Colorado; grandchildren, Miriam, Dominick, Alistair, and Martin Phillips, all of New Orleans; his sister-in-law, Lou Navarra, and niece, Brittany Navarra Lauzervich, husband, Clay and great niece, Sidney, all of Maurepas, LA; and his fiancé’, Traci Montgomery Beatty. He is preceded in death by his parents Dominick and Margarett Navarra, sister, Ramona Navarra, and brother, Dominick “Richard” Navarra. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass at 11:00AM on Friday, November 22, 2019, at Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church in Tickfaw, LA. Interment Colonial Mausoleum, Independence, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Joseph Michael “Mickey Joe” Guzzardo

October 20, 1947 – November 19, 2019
Independence, Louisiana
Joseph Michael “Mickey Joe” Guzzardo, Sr., age 72, of Independence, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was born on Monday, October 20, 1947, in Independence, Louisiana to Sam J. Sr. and Josephine Gulino Guzzardo. Mickey Joe was an Army veteran who served his country in Vietnam with duty, honor and courage. He enjoyed life and loved, fishing, classic cars, playing cards and going to the casinos, but he especially loved spending time with his family.
Mickey Joe is survived by his loving wife, Lena Domiano Guzzardo his daughter, Leanne Nicole Guzzardo, his son, Joseph “Joey” Guzzardo, Jr., his mother, Josephine Gulino Guzzardo, his sister, Sandra Guzzardo Morgan and her husband Wayne, his brother, Sammy Guzzardo, Jr., also many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Mickey Joe was preceded in death by his father, Sam J. Guzzardo, Sr. and his sister, Diane Crowe.

A Visitation for Mickey Joe will be held on Friday, November 22, 2019 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Independence. A Funeral Mass Celebrating Mickey Joe’s Life will immediately follow visitation at 12:00 pm in the church. Interment and Military Honors will follow at Colonial Cemetery in Independence.

Mickey Joe’s guest book can be viewed at www.harrymckneely.com.

Do something today that will outlast your lifetime!

Anna Lee