Category: FBC

Wednesday

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
~Ecclesiastes 3:14~

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Mr. Elwood Courtney, 99, of Holden.

 

 

 

Josiah Huckaby

Update: Josiah has continued to become more stable over the last 3 weeks and Urology has decided they want to move forward with his kidney surgery. It is scheduled for Monday, April 30th. We don’t have a specific time yet. This will be the last know surgery and it will be the longest one so far…taking about 3 hours. This is a huge praise because when we talked about this in December, the doctor was very hesitant about doing the surgery and she felt it was best to wait until we just couldn’t wait any longer. Now they are eager to get it done so that he won’t have to come back for surgery once he comes home. The nurse practioner seemed pleasantly surprised on Saturday when she was talking to us about his current vent settings. He is currently on an older model home vent which is bulky and makes mobility for him a little more difficult so our goal is to try to swap him to the newer home vent after surgery. They were hesitant about the idea a few weeks ago but now they are confindent with the future change. Josiah has been to playgroup twice now and hopefully we will get to go outside tomorrow for the first time ever (weather permitting). He loves his custom stroller and enjoys just sitting in it. He continues to make more talking noises over his trach. He has 6 teeth that I can see…his tongue stays in the way so he could have more.  He has finally started trying to roll to the left…he has always favored rolling to the right. And of course he’s always silly, smiling, and laughing! To God be the glory!!!

 

 

Pray for Joanne Seymour, formerly of Amite and one of my former students, as she undergoes surgery in New York today.

 

 

Eyvonne Ricks
August 20, 1935 – April 23, 2018

Eyvonne Ricks, a resident of Denham Springs, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2018 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. She was born August 20, 1935 in Kentwood and was 82 years of age. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Kentwood and IRA #84 Order of Eastern Star. She loved spending time with family and friends, scrap booking and putting puzzles together. She is survived by her 2 sons, Layton Ricks, Jr. and wife, Susan, Denham Springs, Ronnie Ricks and wife, Susan, Canton, MS; daughter, Judy Ricks Garcia and husband, Larry, Denham Springs; 11 grandchildren, Angela, April, Layci, Nancy and Brett, Rondi, Rob, Joel and Kristin, Heather, and Lucretia; and 14 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by the love of her live of 59 ½ years , Luther L. Ricks, Sr.; parents, George and Ada Lou Tidwell; sisters, Lillie Mae Easley and Norma D. Christopher; granddaughter, Jessica N. Garcia and grandson, Larry Garcia, II. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 PM until 8 PM, Wednesday and from 8 AM until religious services at 11 AM Thursday, April 26, 2018. Services conducted by Rev. Leo Miller. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. Pallbearers will be Brett Miller, Brien LeBlanc, RP Scritchfield, Gary White, Michael Temple, and Mason White. Honorary Pallbearer will be Rob Ricks. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the American Heart Association, 10 Glenlake Parkway  NE South Tower, Ste 400, Atlanta, GA 30328. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

Camp Living Waters article – http://baptistmessage.com/fire-destroys-camp-living-waters-maintenance-building/

 

 

 

Read the Bible

I Sam. 7-9
Eccl. 9:11-18
Acts 4

Copies of the Bible reading plan for May-December are available at FBC, Kentwood.

 

 

 

This afternoon and evening, please be praying as a film team videos at FBC, Kentwood today for a future promotional video about missions.  The plans are to make this one segment of the Georgia Barnett Week of Prayer for Louisiana missions.

Anna Lee

 

Monday

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”

And let the one who hears say, “Come!”

Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

~Revelation 22:17~

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Reflect on God as Capable
  • Catch up on any reading you missed during the past week.

 

 

Opportunities this Week

  • Tuesday – “Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party
  • Wednesday – Filming for the Georgia Barnett Week of Prayer (Limited opportunity)
  • Friday – Romans 5 Bible Study
  • Saturday – Simulcast and Housewarming for Children’s Home
  • Sunday – 125th Anniversary of FBC, Kentwood

 

 

Please pray for our friend, Bobby Forbes of Arcola, as he has emergency surgery to remove a cancerous place from his arm.

 

 

Alice Faye Lee is home and doing better.  Thank-you for praying for her.

 

 

Heart problems seem to be numerous.  We have friends who have had heart procedures and other facing surgeries soon.  I know each of them would appreciate your prayers.

 

 

Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child are available to those wishing to pack some.  The ones in the area under the balcony contain instructions/guidelines.  You can participate in one or both option.  I’ll keep that area stocked with shoeboxes, so if someone gets the last ones, I’ll add more.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.

 

 

There of many spiritual, physical, and emotional needs in our community today.  Say some special prayers, please.

Opportunities are plentiful!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Sunday

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!”

Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

~Revelation 22:17~

 

 

Pray for the family of Mr. John Alan Blackwell as they have his services this afternoon at FBC, Kentwood.

  • Wake – 2:00 P.M.
  • Celebration of Life – 3:00 P.M.

 

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

Tuesday at The Cafe at 11:00

Honoring Ladies with April Birthdays

                  Othell Williams

                 Catherine Yarborough

                 Gail Brister

                 Annie Bell Harrell

                 Virginia McKenzie

 

M-JAM (Grades 1-5) – May 4-5

Permission slip and $20.00 fee is due TODAY!

See Anna Lee if you have any questions.

 

Children in Action

A video team will be here Wednesday night to film a portion of a segment for a future Georgia Barnette video.

 

Operation Christmas Child

Shoeboxes and information sheets available after church today!  Questions? Ask Anna Lee .  

 

 

Read the Bible

  • I Sam. 1-3
  • Eccl. 9:1-10
  • Acts 4

 

 

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

 

Friday

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

~James 5:16~

 

 

Sharon Phillips is home and improving following heart surgery.  Pray for continued improvement.

 

 

Alice Faye Lee is still hospitalized at Greensburg.  She’s improving.  Keep her and her family in your prayers.

 

 

Amber Prine Ragan is a young mother and teacher from Ponchatoula who has new hope for a brain tumor.  You may want to follow her page on Facebook.  You probably know some of her Prine relatives.  Amber Prine Ragan “We’re In This Together”

 

 

 

Mr. John Alan’s obituary – http://riverwoodfamily.com/index.php/item/553-john-allen-blackwell

John Alan “Johnny” Blackwell, 87, a lifelong resident of Kentwood, Louisiana passed away April 16, 2018 at North Oaks Hospital in Hammond, Louisiana.

He was born September 12, 1930 in Kentwood to J. D. Blackwell and Martha Lambert Blackwell.

He was a member of First Baptist Church Kentwood. He had many different occupations during his lifetime.

He worked as a pipe-fitter, welder, mechanic, and auto body repairman.

His favorite job was working as a truck driver for Hatcher Dairy Farm.

His retirement years were filled with many adventures. Most of these consisted of traveling the country with his loving wife, Mary Alice Simpson Blackwell in their camper.

Together, they visited every state in the continental US.  He was an avid gardener and enjoyed watching his grandchildren

and great grandchildren grow and he just recently became a great great grandfather. He will be greatly missed.

 

He is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brother, J. D. (Punkin) Blackwell and his only son, Alan Ray Blackwell.

 

He is survived by two daughters and two sons-in-law; Marty Blackwell and husband Chaney Phillips of Ponchatoula,

and Carolyn Boyd  and husband Jan Boyd of Moss Point;  a daughter-in-law, Beverly Blackwell of Kentwood;

numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and the one  great great grandchild; a lifelong friend, Donald Jones; special friends, Betty and Jimmy Hatcher.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, of which John was a longtime supporter.

 

 

Children in Action – Please turn in your permission slips for M-JAM by Sunday night.  They need to order your t-shirts next week.

 

 

M-JAM had a huge impact on our boys and girls last year.  We will attend this year’s M-JAM at Camp Tall Timbers in Alexandria on May 5th.

 

 

Friday Morning Bible Study

  • 10 A.M.
  • Romans 5
  • Bring your Bible and a pen

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Ruth 1-2
  • Eccl. 8:10-17
  • Acts 2

 

 

I believe in prayer.  Do you?

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Thursday

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

~Colossians 2:6-7~

 

 

Pray for Alice Faye Lee who is not feeling her best.

 

 

Mrs. Jeanette McGehee is walking some during her physical therapy time at North Oaks.  That’s good.  Let pray for continued progress.

 

 

The obituary for Mr. John Alan Blackwell has not been posted yet.

 

 

There will be no gathering at the cabin tonight.  Thank-you for your understanding.  David is improving, but still tires easily and is weak.  He has regained a few pounds, but has many more to regain.

 

 
Shoeboxes and a list of suggested items to pack for Operation Christmas Child will be available Sunday morning.  Be thinking of how many you wish to pack this year.

 

 

 

Read the Bible 

  • Judges 19-21
  • Psalm 47
  • Acts 1

 

 

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

  • Tuesday at 11 A.M.
  • The Cafe
  • All ladies are invited.

 

 

If you have a child (children) who are attending M-Jam on May 5th, please sign the list under the stairwell to the balcony.  We need to order shirts soon.

 

 

 

The Children in Action of FBC, Kentwood will be participating in a video which will be used for promotion of the Georgia Barnett Offering for Louisiana.  I thank God for these children and the opportunity to work with them.

 

 

 

Last night, we played a game about choices.  There are many we must make in life.  The most important one is inviting Jesus into our hearts/lives.  The decision is important for children, youth, and adults!  Have you made the correct choice?

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

“Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law.”

 ~Psalm 119:18 GNT~

 

 

Keith and Lori Rhodes live in the neighborhood near Shreveport where a tornado hit Friday night.  Their neighbor’s tree fell in the street, not on the Rhodes home.  It is also the area where a little two year old girl was killed when a tree fell on a RV she was sleeping in.  Please pray for the people in the child’s family.  Thank God there were no other deaths.

 

 

Locally, a tornado hit north of Amite (Arcola area).  Trees were down and lights off, but no lives were lost.  Thank God for his protection for all the people in our area.

 

 

Pray for my former student, Joanne Seymour, who lived in Amte at the time.  Joanne has colon cancer that has spread to her liver.  Pray for her as she begins treatment in NY.  Pray for her as she travels and for her family as they help her during her treatment.

 

 

Pray for Chuck and Jeanne Tate and their new baby, Joanna, who will have surgery Monday to open a valve in her heart.  I know the family will so appreciate your prayers.

 

 

I failed to mention the Syria situation, but know all of you are aware of what has happened there recently.  Please pray for a good ending to the current problems.  Pray for strong and Godly leadership.  Thank God for those in the military who serve all around the world so people can be safe.

 

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Judges 10-12
  • Eccl. 7: 14-29
  • John 19

 

 

Ladies’ Breakfast at FBC, Kentwood – This morning the ladies of FBC will be treated to breakfast and a speaker before Sunday School.  The gathering begins at 7:45 in the fellowship hall.

 

 

Tomorrow’s Quarterly WMU meeting will be at Montpelier Baptist Church.  First, there will be a leadership meeting at 9:00.  The meeting will begin at 10:00 and conclude with a potluck lunch.  Mrs. Lee McLean and her granddaughter, Heather Miller, will share information about their recent Mission Trip.  I hope you will be able to come and to bring a friend.  Join us as we focus outward in our churches.

 

 

 

Thank-you so much for reading my posts and praying each day.  I’m humbled to have this opportunity to share with you.  Your prayers make a difference!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Friday

“Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God.

Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.

The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” 

~Matthew 6:6, The Message~

 

Pray for Gail Brister as she has a knee procedure today in Covington.

 

 

Pray for Mrs. Bessie Hayden.  She continues to have various health issues.

 

 

David has gained another pound and is slowly trying to regain his strength and endurance.  Please keep praying for him.

 

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Judges 4-6
  • Eccl. 7:1-13
  • John 17

 

 

Friday Morning Bible Study 

  • Today at 10:00
  • Fellowship Hall
  • Romans 4

 

 

Reminder:  The will be no Third Thursday at the Cabin until David gets stronger.  Hopefully, it won’t be much longer.

 

 

M- JAM – May 4-5 at Camp Tall Timbers

  • Boys and girls in grades 1-6
  • Permission forms available in the church office and from me

 

 

God has blessed us with a beautiful spring weather.  Take a walk and enjoy God’s beautiful creation.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday

“You will search again for the Lord your God.

And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.”

~Deuteronomy 4:29 NLT~

 

 

Sharon Phillips’ heart valve surgery yesterday lasted 7 1/2 hours, but went well.  She is in ICU in Covington and will have a rather long recovery time.  Please pray for her.

 

 

Mrs. Mildred Birch continues to have back problems.  Please pray for her to get some relief.

 

 

Bobby Simpson is improving and may even be able to be in church Sunday.  Thank God for his improvement.

 

 

Martha Griffith seems to have also had a stroke.  Pray for her as she fights to recover.

 

 

Gail Brister will have a knee procedure Friday in Covington.  Pray she benefits from the surgery and can get around better.

 

 

Thank God for medical personnel and medical knowledge to take care of Gail and all the rest of us.

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Judges 1-3
  • Psalm 44
  • John 14

 

 

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

 

 

Baptist Message – http://baptistmessage.com

 

 

VBS at FBC, Kentwood will be the first full week of June.  Mark your calendar.

 

 

Last night, in Children in Action, we played a learning game.  One part was to stand in a circle facing away from each other.  This represents the focus of our church – others!  Let’s pretend to stand in a circle facing away from each other, but looking outward.  That will surely direct our paths in better directions.

 

 

If you have children who are interested in M-JAM, please sign them up at church.  Also, get an information sheet from me Sunday.  M-JAM is May 5th at Camp Tall Timbers.  We will leave Kentwood at 4 P.M. on the 4th and return Saturday night.  It will be a fun, but very inspiring day.  Boys and girls in grades 1-6 are invited to join with us.

 

 

May our churches continually focus outward!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

“Heaven and earth will pass away,

but my words will never pass away.” 

~Luke 21:33 NIV~

 

 

Pray for Bobby Simpson as he prepares to go to St. Helena Rehab for outpatient rehabilitation.

 

 

Mrs. Mimi Sneed needs prayer for dental work she is undergoing.

 

 

Sharon Philips will be having a heart valve replaced today in Covington.  Pray all goes well today and in the recovery phase.

 

 

Firma Kay Schneeweiss passed the heart tests yesterday, so she was sent home with new medication for GERD.  Thank God she has the less serious problem.

 

 

Jennie made it back to Prague and is with her family.  Thank-you for your prayers.

 

 

Earl Wayne McCarroll, Sr.

March 26, 1956 – April 09, 2018

Earl Wayne McCarroll, Sr., a resident of Roseland, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 at his home. He was born March 26, 1956 in Independence and was 62 years of age. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Barbara Jean Easley and husband, Michael, and Jahala Leal and husband, Jonothan; 3 sons, Earl McCarroll, Jr. and wife, Tiffany,  Shanon McCarroll and wife, Januari, and Wren Mayfield; 15 grandchildren, MaKayla Rodriquez, Jaden Wall, Michael Rodriquez, Kennedy McCarroll, Kyleigh McCarroll, Journie Wall, Melanie Hill, ChloeBeth Rodriquez, Jessa Wall, Sara McCarroll, Catie McCarroll, Mason McCarroll, Ava McCarroll, Wyatt Easley, and Harlie Leal; great-granddaughter, Ryan Kate Swilley; 2 sisters, Barbara Morgan and husband, Leroy, and Becky Granger; 7 brothers, Gary McCarroll, Jack “Catfish” Granger and wife, Tammy, Jules Granger and wife, Vonda, David Granger and wife, Linda, William Granger and wife, Charla, Edward Granger and wife, Melissa, and Doug Granger and wife, Rhonda. Preceded in death by father, Ralph McCarroll; mother, Marjorie Granger; step-father, Jack Granger, Sr.; brother in law, J. L. Granger.  Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

T. Eugene Smith, Sr.

January 29, 1935 – April 09, 2018
January 29, 1935 – April 09, 2018A resident of Amite passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 at home. He was born January 29, 1935 in Franklinton and was 83 years of age. He was a former member and pastor of Crossroad Fellowship Church. He is survived by his wife, Parmys Waller Smith; 2 daughters, Kandi Susan Smith and Karen Smith Lopez and husband, John; 2 sons, Thomas Eugene Smith, Jr. and wife, Stacey, and James Edmore Smith and wife, Estela; step-daughter, Beverly Susan Husser; step-son, Glenn Lee Husser and wife, Karen; brother, Hobart William Smith, Jr. and wife, Mae; 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, Hobart William Smith, Sr. and Lula Belle Bennett Smith; first wife, Wanda Joan Husser Smith; step-son, Richard Keith Husser. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Services conducted by Rev. Jesse White. Interment Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Missionary Spotlight Update: Eric and Julie Maroney

By Adult Resource Team on April 01, 2018
Maroneys

Relationships are everything in Croatia. It takes years of living through the good and bad together to create a certain level of trust. Eric and Julie Maroney are ready to live through some of the good.

Soon after filling out the WMU questionnaire for the story about their family in the April issue of Missions Mosaic, Julie was diagnosed with cancer. It was not a convenient time for the diagnosis—the Maroneys were leaving their eldest child, Nathan, in the United States at college after 19 years of living in Croatia with the International Mission Board (IMB). The diagnosis brought their active lifestyle to a standstill.

After a year of cancer treatments in the States, Julie received the “all-clear” to return home to her neighbors and friends. Eric, Julie, and daughter Kayleigh didn’t just pick up where they left off; they entered Croatia running to keep up.

“It’s been hectic getting back,” Eric conceded. Just a few months ago, Julie was still getting radiation therapy. However, the family dove right into hosting 2 camps, Vacation Bible School, and volunteer missions teams.

The family may have gone through a trauma, but its goal is the same—building relationships in order to share the love of Jesus Christ.

“The greatest need in Croatia is for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” Eric said.

Pray for a spiritual hunger among Croatians. With the family’s brush with cancer, its fire to share Christ burns brighter than ever before.

Eric and Julie Maroney are featured in the April 2018 Missions Mosaic Missionary Spotlight.

Sue Sprenkle spent decades traveling the world for the IMB as a missionary writer/photographer. Now, she leads a quiet life as a digital media professor in Kansas.

 

 

 

Read the Bible

  • Joshua 23-24
  • Eccl. 6:7-12
  • John 12

 

 

Children in Action (Boys & Girls in Grades 1-5)

  • Tonight at 6 P.M.
  • FBC, Kentwood
  • Exciting things are happening.

 

 

Friday Morning Bible Study

  • 10 A.M.
  • FBC, Kentwood Fellowship Hall
  • Studying Romans 4 this week

 

 

WMU Events

  • Quarterly Meeting at Montpelier at 10 A.M. Monday, April 16/Speakers – short-term missionaries from New Zion Baptist Church
  • Special invitation to a Ladies’ Event at FBC, Amite at 6:30 P.M.
  • Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home – Items needed will be turned in to Hillsdale Baptist Church Saturday, April 28th.  That gives two weeks to turn them in at church if you cannot attend the celebration on the 28th.

 

 

Don’t forget the Annie Armstrong Offering for North America or items for Operation Christmas Child.

 

 

If you wish to send a request for something to be placed on TPL, you can send a message through this site.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

“The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit.”

 ~Luke 8:15 GNT~

 

 

Pray for our daughter as she leaves Waco and our granddaughter for home, husband, and three other children.  Thankfully, she was able to visit and make some new memories.

 

 

Yesterday, David made it to church for the first Sunday since he got sick.  He’s better, but still seeking answers.  Pray for us as we see a doctor this morning to continue the search.

 

 

Read the Bible – Reflect on God as Lion and Lamb.  Complete any readings you missed this past week.

 

 

The Children in Action, missions group for children at FBC, Kentwood, will have the opportunity to attend M-JAM again this year,   They will leave after school on May 4th and be at Camp Tall Timbers for the meeting on the 5th.  After the great meeting in New Orleans last year, expectations for this year are high.

 

 

Operation Christmas Child – Donations are being made for filler items for Shoeboxes when they are processed/checked at their next stop after they leave our area.  Items for boys and girls ages 2-14 are being accepted now.  Also, shoeboxes and lists of suggested items will soon be available at church.  Be thinking about how many boxes you and your family will want to pack this year.

 

 

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home items are still being collected.  Bring your donations in soon.  A list of suggested items is on the bulletin board at the entrance to the fellowship hall.

 

 

Friday Morning Bible Study will focus on Romans 4 this week.

 

 

My Sunday School lesson yesterday was on putting our love into action.  Let’s make a special effort to do so this week.

Anna Lee