Category: FBC

Thursday

”Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

goodwill toward men.”

~Luke 2:14, NKJV~

 

Theresa Flores’ daughter, Chaire, received a kidney form a cousin yesterday.  The latest report I received was that both were doing well.

Mrs. Fay Shoemaker had shoulder replacement surgery yesterday.  Pray for a good recovery/rehabilitation time for her.

Mrs. Mildred Birth saw Dr. Liner yesterday.  He will not be doing surgery right away.  More tests are scheduled, but hopefully the most she will need a to “blast” some kidney stones.  Please keep praying.

Mr. Bud Callihan is now at the Old Dixon Hospital.  Please pray for him and his family.

Andy Taylor’s sister, Cindy Juban, received a good report.  Please continue to pray for her.

Mrs. Hellen Morris is in Southwest at McComb.  Her great-granddaughter, Riley Titus, is in Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.  Please pray for both of these people and for the family as they care for two hospitalized relatives.

Mr. Bobby Lawson is doing a little better.  Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Remember Wayne Criswell and Ray Blackwell who are both receiving hospice services.

Karen Miller’s mom. Nyra Rigby, passed away yesterday afternoon about 4:15. Arrangements will be made today.  Please pray for Karen and her family.

Marty Simpson‘s arrangements have not been made yet.  I’ll post them when they are available.

The choir of FBC, K will be presenting “Joy, Joy, Joy” at 6 P.M. of Sunday December 14th.  They will be accompanied by an orchestra.  You are invited to attend.

Pancakes & Sausage with Santa!

  • Saturday, December 6th
  • 8:00 am – 10:00 am
  • First Baptist Church, Amite
  • **Bring your camera**

Lottie Moon Week of Prayer, Day 5: “A New Wave of Church Planters” –

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=13045&LanguageID=1709

Baptist Press –  bpnews.net

“Record-Setting Football Coach Credits Faith”

http://www.bpnews.net/43842/recordsetting-football-coach-credits-faith

“‘Hard to Argue with’ CP Success”

http://www.bpnews.net/43850/hard-to-argue-with-cp-success-pastor-says

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Called by Name” – http://odb.org/
  • [Jesus] looked up and saw him, and said to him,                                     “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down,                                                          for today I must stay at your house.”                                                                                                                                          ~Luke 19:5~
  • “His Eye is on the Sparrow” –

http://johntroutman.com/lyrics/hiseyeisonthesparrow.html

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsTVF-uc1u4 (Ethel Waters)

Even with a high temperature of 77 degrees on December 4th, Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

 “If a brother or sister is naked

and destitute of daily food,

and one of you says to them,

‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’

but you do not give them the things

which are needed for the body,

what does it profit?” 

~James 2:15-16~

 

Please pray for Sherman and Jewel Cutrer.  He’s back in a Baton Rouge hospital for more surgery.

Pray for the family of Marty Simpson who passed away suddenly last night at the age of 44. He’ll be missed, but I KNOW he’s in heaven.

Chaplain’s Flight to Ferguson Fueled by Divine Appointment

http://billygraham.org/story/chaplains-flight-to-ferguson-fueled-by-divine-appointment/?utm_source=RRT+Newsletter+email&utm_medium=bgemail&utm_campaign=bgemailnewsletter&utm_content=Ferguson

Baptist Press –  bpnews.net

Ferguson Tensions Prompt First Baptist to Action

http://www.bpnews.net/43834/ferguson-tensions-prompt-first-baptist-to-action

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Whose Side are You On?” – http://odb.org/2014/12/03/whose-side-are-you-on/
  • It is good for me to draw near to God.                                                                                                                ~Psalm 73:28~
         He gathers the lambs in His arms                                                                                    and carries them close to His heart.                                                                                                                             ~Isaiah 40:11~

The Senior Adult Christmas Luncheon at First Baptist Church, Kentwood will be at 11:00 this morning.

Lottie Moon Week of Prayer

Day Four – “A Risk Worth Taking” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=13044&LanguageID=1709

Despite the loss of Marty, I want to remind you that Jesus is still the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Now he who plants and he who waters are one,  

 and each one will receive his own reward        

 according to his own labor.          

For we are God’s fellow workers.”                      

~1 Corinthians 3:8-9a, NKJV~

 

Today, I’m asking for prayer for Theresa Flores’ daughter, Claire.  She is hospitalized and will have her third surgery Wednesday.  This one will remove both her kidneys in preparation for a transplant.  Your prayers are so important.

Mr. David Vining is home.  Please continue to pray for this fine man.

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Day 3

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11771&LanguageID=1709

The stamped Christmas cards for inmates in the parish jail were delivered yesterday.  A total of 405 were delivered with 180 from FBC, Kentwood.  Thanks to all who supported this.

Sunday, December 7th is our day to contribute frozen food for two families.  That gives you a few days to cook/freeze food for this worthy project.  One family needs food for a midday meal and the other fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables or home cooked foods.  It’s an  easy project for us, but so helpful to those who receive it.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

“Ten Common Worship Distractions”  by Thomas Rainer

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

If you have a facebook page and would like to be included in a group, Ladies of Two Rivers Baptist Association, please let me know.  It has proven to be a good means of communication in our church communities.  (Go to the word “Contact” above the day of the week at the beginning of any post.  Your message will come directly to me.)

Some people use this month to intensionally do special kindnesses for others.  They select a recepiant, prepare a gift (often a treat from the kitchen),  write a sweet note, and make the delivery wearing a big smile.  If you choose to do this this month or any day of the year, I’m sure you will be the one with the greater blessing  each day.

Jesus is the one and only reason for this season of the year!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us,

that God sent his only Son into the world,

so that we might live through him.”

~1 John 4:9, ESV~

 

Day 2 of the Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – “Churches Share the Task” –  http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=13042&LanguageID=1709

David and I had  an opportunity to speak with Joe Easley last night.  He expressed his thanks to those who prayed for him even when the doctor told him he “should had died”. He was so thankful to be back in church for two weeks.

Please pray for Bobby Simpson who will again be having some tissue removed from his shoulder.  Pray that this will be the time they remove enough to get a clear pathology report showing the margins are clear.  Thank God that Betty Simpson‘s back is better and she is able to be of more assistance to her husband when she is needed.

Pat (Mrs. James) Frazier is dealing with knee surgery.  Pray all goes well and she can return to her active life.

Jane (Mrs. Donald) Duncan will be having elbow surgery today.  Pray the surgery and recovery process work out well for her.

Mrs. Hazel Smith was able to be back in Sunday School yesterday.  Tomorrow, she will see a cardiologist in Covington.  Join others in praying.

Frances Imogene Clemons
  • December 15, 1912 – November 28, 2014
  • Hammond, Louisiana

http://hosting-24628.tributes.com/obituary/show/Frances-Imogene-Clemons-101921867

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

A short, inspiring story (with pictures)

I’m getting in the spirit of Christmas.

  • The Lottie Moon Tea was the biggest and best one yet.
    • Absolutely beautiful!  (Thanks Fay, Ruth, and others)
    • 87 (That’s not a typo!) signed in
    • Music that put us in a happy, Christmas spirit (Well done Diane Simmons and friends of Osyka and children of East Fork !)
    • Skits that put us in the giving spirit (Well done, children and youth of East Fork and New Zion!)
    • Monologue that reminded us of Lottie’s heart desire to tell others about Jesus.  (Well done Irene Lascaro of Amite!)
    • Excited and careful tea girls (Children and youth from Bethel, Amite, Kentwood, Spring Creek, East Fork, and Osyka)
    • Christmas cards stamped and ready for prisoners (Spring Creek provided the most cards.)
    • Food prepared by ladies of several different churches.
    • Kentwood ladies who “manned” the kitchen before, during, and after the tea.
    • Adults, youth, and children from Bethel, East Fork, New Zion, Kedron, Amite, Spring Creek, and Kentwood attended.
    • My favorite, most touching moment was seeing everyone turn to a neighbor, join hands, and pray for specific missionaries celebrating birthdays yesterday!
    • What a blessing to have been involved in this special event!

Christmas music made its appearance in our churches yesterday.  It was a blessing to attend a Fifth Sunday Singing last night and hear people of all ages gladly get up and sing a Christmas carol or hymn.

David and I welcomed the real meaning of Christmas into our lives for 2014.  It wasn’t in a mall or sitting in front of a computer making purchases, but in God’s Houses.  I hope you have Jesus as the center of your Christmas plans!

Anna Lee

 

Sunday

“In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness,
because we do not know what to pray for as we should,
but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.”
~Romans 8:26, HCSB~

 

As many of us are enjoying the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are many in areas of unrest and war.  Pray for the military, missionaries, humanitarian workers, and locals who do not have the same opportunities this year.  Pray for them to know Jesus and remain faithful to Him and their assignment despite the war.  Also, please pray for families who have someone in the area, but who are trying to maintain a “normal” life and holiday season.

Thank God for those who gave some or all of their holiday time this week to serve as a missionary some or all of this week.  Two examples are:

  • FBC, Amite who served Thanksgiving dinner in New Orleans Thursday.
  • Montpelier Baptist Church who sent 17 for a week of service in Nicaragua.  They returned home yesterday.

Please pray for the Hitching Post family.  David Conatser was killed in an automobile accident. I’ll post an obituary when one is available.

Thankfulness – Day 30:  Today, I’m thankful for prayer warriors.   They pray for me, my family, you, your family, and many other people.  Their prayers are important to all of us.  If you are one of those prayer warriors, I thank you for your faith and  time devoted to prayer.  On behalf of all those for whom you pray, “Thank-you”.

Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

  • The  week of prayer for eight specific missionary families begins today.  These are not the only ones you should pray for in the coming year, but they represent lots of others who are not/can not be listed.
  • In these Week of Prayer stories, you will learn how your support enables your missionaries to:
    • help churches like yours partner on the field
    • share Jesus through human needs ministries
    • disciple church planters to take the Gospel to their own people
    • reach people creatively through songwriting and broadcasts
    • take the Scripture to a remote people in their heart language
    • minister even in war grounds
  • The Scripture we focus of this year is Matthew 28: 19-20.
  • The theme is “One Sacred Effort” meaning we can all work together to support this one goal.
  • Today’s special guide: http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=13041&LanguageID=1709

Be sure to check the links at the bottom of the page to see the pictures and learn how contributions can be used in Ecuadore.

In connection with the beginning of the Week of Prayer, we will have a Lottie Moon Christmas Tea this afternoon at 2:00 at FBC, Kentwood for ladies of all area church.  Ladies between the ages of 2 and 102 are invited to attend and enjoy the music, skits, etc.

You will also have the opportunity to supply money to purchase stamps for Christmas cards that have been provided.  It takes $5.00 to buy the stamps for a set of Christmas cards for an inmate at the parish prison.  Today is the last day to do this.

Devotional, Scriptures, and a Song

  • “For Sale – As Is” –  odb.org
  • For You were slain,                                                                                                   and have redeemed us to God by Your blood.                                                                                                         ~Revelation 5:9~
  • “Though your sins are like scarlet,                                                                  they shall be white as snow.”                                                                                                                          ~Isaiah 1:18~
  • “Jesus Paid it All” –  http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/p/jpaidall.htm

May we all honor God in all we do today!

Anna Lee

 

Saturday

“You will be made rich in every way

so that you can be generous on every occasion …

your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”  

~2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)~

 

It’s not in what you have acquired,

but what you are able to share that counts.

Be thankful for what you can share.

Riches are not counted in dollars!

 It’s hugs, smiles, words, and other actions!

It’s Jesus living in you!

I hope you gave and received this week.

I’m rich in blessings and so thankful!

Kathy Wales shared an update on Wayne Criswell.

I received a call from Mary Criswell this afternoon to let us know that Wayne had a doctor’s appointment today. Hospice has been called in for him. I know that Wayne knows where he’s going and is ready but his family and friends really need our prayers.
Thank you,
Kathy

Mallory is recovering from her burns well enough to get out among people again.  She is looking forward to going to church tomorrow and school Monday.  Thank you to each one of you who had a part in her healing by praying for her.

Nellie Jean Miller Davis Cook

Born: January 04, 1936
Died: November 27, 2014

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm?action=public:obituaries.view&o_id=2831359&fh_id=10545

Johnny Jones

Born: September 12, 1942
Died: November 27, 2014

         http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/2830859

Devotional, Scripture, Quote, and a Song

  • “Happy Ending” –  http://odb.org/
  • I saw a new heaven and a new earth.                                                                                                        ~Revelation 21:1~
  • The gains of heaven will more than compensate us for the losses of earth.                                                                                                             ~ODB~
  • “10 Awesome Songs about Heaven” – http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-awesome-songs-about-heaven/

Reminder – Lottie Moon Tea

  • Tomorrow
  • 2 P.M.
  • FBC, K (an event of Two Rivers Association, not just for Kentwood ladies)
  • All ladies, ages 2-102
  • Bring your daughter, granddaughter, sister, mother, niece, neighbor, friend, etc.

Thankfulness – Day 29: Home

It’s always good to get away for special reasons, but eventually we all learn there’s no place like home!  I’m sure many of you are winding down from the holiday and looking forward to or beginning to enjoy being at home again.  Enjoy that too!  Thank God for homes!

Be generous and be blessed this very day.  Share from your heart.

Anna Lee

 

 

Friday

Thankfulness – Day 28:  Today, I’m thankful  for family traditions, so old and some new.  They identify us as a part of our unique family by honoring our ancestors by keeping some of the traditions that were passed down to us and respecting new members of the family by adding some traditions the new members bring with them into our family.  I think that makes each of us unique.  Holidays are extra special days to identify our family’s uniqueness and special place in our hearts.  Today, I want to think about my childhood traditions, new traditions as a wife and later a mother, new traditions with a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and then more with grandchildren.  I’ve been so blessed and know you have too.  We are all unique, just the way God intended us to be.

 

“We always thank God for all of you                                            and continually mention you in our prayers.                                    We remember before our God and Father                                        your work produced by faith,                                                    your labor prompted by love,                                                            and your endurance                                                                      inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.                                     ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3~

 

Continue to pray for Alan Ray Blackwell, Nyra Perry Rigby, Wayne Criswell and their families.

Hope Center in Roseland is having a 50% off sale today only!  They will be open from 9:00 – 5:00 and would love to see you today.  Tomorrow, they will be closed, but will be open again Tuesday at 9:00 A.M.  The Hope Center is now providing food to nearly 300 families!  That is such a blessing to those who work there and to those who take boxes of food home.  Hope Center now has freezers which allows them to offer a better variety of food.  If you have not started to volunteer on a regular basis, you are missing such a blessing.  Let me know you are available so I can place you on the schedule.

Ladies of Two Rivers Association, you are invited to attend the Lottie Moon Tea Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in the fellowship hall of FBC, Kentwood.  Ladies includes girls, youth, and adult ladies of all ages.  Help us celebrate missionaries who serve around the world and the great ministry they do in God’s service. You’ll be blessed by skits, music, information about Lottie, and information about the annual Week of Pray for International Missionaries which begins Sunday.  You can also bring postage stamps in multiples of ten so we can provide Christmas cards for inmates of our jails in St. Helena and Tangipahoa parishes.

Since this is a holiday season, pray for all those traveling on the next few days.  Pray for good weather and good judgment for each traveler.

Baptist Press – bpnews. net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • Our Daily Bread: Amani – odb.org
  • God has not given us a spirit of fear,                                                                      but of power and of love and of a sound mind.                                                                                                                  ~Timothy 1:7~
  • When Peace Like a River: http://www.hymnary.org/text/when_peace_like_a_river_attendeth_my_way

If you know that sweet peace, you are blessed and have much to be thankful for, but if you don’t have that peace, I wish you might find that peace.  It gives added meaning to the Thanksgiving season.

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”

~Matthew 28:19-20a, NASB~

 

Susan Rimes continues to improve.  Let’s hope and pray with her that this surgery will enable her to live a healthier life.

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

David and James took the 222 shoeboxes packed by our church to FBC, Franklinton Friday morning.  They saw, at the one collection site,  over 1,800 boxes that had already been collected and witnessed a very organized collection process.  Thank-you to each one who helped in any way.  Think of all the little children who will have an opportunity to “meet” Jesus because of the shoeboxes.  God bess you for your efforts!

Christmas cards with stamps on the envelopes will be given to the prisoners in the parish jails through the associational Women’s Ministry.

Cards have been donated, but need stamps.  Please place stamps, in multiples of ten in the jar on the table under the stairs to the balcony of FBC, Kentwood.  The deadline for the stamps is November 30th.  Thank-you for helping provide an opportunity for families to be reconnected at Christmas.  Thank-you to those who have already donated stamps.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scriptures, and a Song

  • “The Warmth of the Sun” –  odb.org
  • “I am weary with my groaning;                                                                               all night I make my bed swim;                                                                               I drench my couch with my tears.                                                                           My eye wastes away because of grief.”                                                                                                                  ~Psalm 6:6-7~                                                                   
    “The Lord has heard my supplication;                                                               the Lord will receive my prayer.”                                                                                                                            ~Psalm 6:9~   
  • “At Calvary”
     https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/342    
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vvMPD0iwGk

Thankfulness: Day 22 – Retirement

Today, as I reflect back over the last few years, I can truly say I am thankful to be retired.  It’s not that I sit and rock all day though.  It’s that I have the opportunity to do so many things I could not do while I was working.  I think God that I had a job that allowed me to earn my retirement, health to be able to enjoy retirement, and all the opportunities these years have provided.  God has richly blessed me.

Have a great weekend!  Be a blessing to someone!  

Anna Lee

Friday

“God has listened;

He has paid attention to the sound of my prayer.”

~Psalm 66:19, HCSB~

 

Thankfulness: Day 21 – Third Thursday Gatherings 

David and I love to have others come to our Third Thursday gatherings.  As many as we have had, we almost always have some new people (two last night).  We consider ourselves so blessed to have these meetings and know we are blessed more than anyone else.  As I have said before, the meeting is the highlight of each month for us.  That’s saying a lot!  If you were present you know about “JOY”.  I think it leaves with our guests and lingers in our hearts after our gathering.  We are so blessed!  We are very thankful God has blessed us this way!

Macy Gueldner –   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner/journal/view/id/546eb38d4db921a50f7d231d

Karen Miller’s mom, Mrs. Rigby, was readmitted to the hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama yesterday.  Please continue to pray for Mrs. Rigby, her family, and friends.

Friday Morning Bible Study

  • Today – Hannah
  • Next week – no study

Tuesday – Birthday Party at The Cafe  

  • 11:00 A.M.
  • Honors “young” ladies from FBC, Kentwood

Hope Center

  • Three more freezers arrived yesterday.
  • An addition seems to be in our future.
  • Call me to volunteer for the next couple of weeks.

Baptist Press –  bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Have a fantastic Friday!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Tell to the generation to come

the praises of the LORD,

and His strength

and His wondrous works that He has done.”

~Psalm 78:4b, NKJV~

 

Thankfulness: Day 20 – Today, I want to share how happy I am that God sees and plans the “big picture” of our lives. My newest example is that Boyd and Jennie, who were living in Prague, were offered a job for one year in the States.  God had it all arranged, even though those who do this special assignment are usually older and more experienced.  Since that time, Boyd’s dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away.  Being stateside made it much easier for the family to have some quality time with his family.  Now, Mallory has been burned and is being treated in one of the best burn centers.  It doesn’t just happen by accident that they are living only 20 miles from one of the best burn units in the country!  God is so good.  He sees the “big picture” and plans our lives in accordance to what is best for us!

Those who need our continue special prayers:

  • Mr. Bud Callihan – North Oaks
  • Mr. Bobby Lawson – home
  • Sherman Cutrer – doing well and soon to come home
  • Theresa Rhodus and her family – Lafayette
  • Mallory Hatchel – Richmond
  • Jimmy Schwartz – completing radiation this week
  • Martha P. Drago – getting ports today for treatment to begin soon
  • Macy Gueldner – home, but continuing treatments
  • Mrs. Nyra Rigby – home in Alabama
  • Ray Blackwell – home
  • John Alan Blackwell – home
  • Susan Rimes –  home
  • Don Dickinson – home
  • Anne Hurst – home

Pray for the youth of many churches as they attend the Youth Evangelism Conference which begins this weekend.

Community Thanksgiving Services 

  • Sunday, November 23rd at 6 P.M.
  • Kentwood Methodist Church
  • Fellowship to follow

Lottie Moon Tea

  • 2 P.M. Sunday, November 30th
  • Fellowship Hall of FBC,K
  • Ladies of all ages from all churches are invited.
  • Music, Skits, Missions, Lottie’s special cookies, etc.
  • Program involves people from a number of churches

Mission Project – Bring postage stamps in multiples of ten and place in the jar on the table under the stairs to the balcony of FBC, K or turn in to Anna Lee or the church office.  The stamps will be placed on Christmas cards for prisoners to send to their families.

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Third Thursday Meeting – 6:30 tonight at the cabin

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

  • 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at The Cafe
  • Honoring Fran Walker, Kim Schwartz, Velma Anthony, Billie Jo Hutchinson, Fay Gehringer, Rita Tate, Ruby Schwartz, Bessie Hayden, Theople Hurst, Kay Forman, and Hazel Smith

Friday Morning Bible Study

  • Meets tomorrow, but not the day after Thanksgiving
  • 10:00 A.M. at Fellowship Hall of FBC,K
  • Studying women of the Bible

Team Kid

  • No meeting on the 23rd due to the community Thanksgiving service
  • Meets of Nov. 30th and Dec. 7th before a Christmas break

Devotional. Scriptures, Quote, and a Song

  • “Can You Help?” – http://odb.org/
  • Faith by itself,                                                                                                               if it does not have works,                                                                                           is dead.                                                                                                                                                      ~James 2:17~                                                                                          

             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8zbLfPjkos

Thanks for praying each day.  After praying, decide how you can best be a doer, not just a hearer, today.
Anna Lee