Sunday

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

~Romans 12:2 NIV~

Read the Bible

Exodus 31-32
Proverbs 15
Matthew 26

I’m getting excited and working hard on preparing for the Children’s Missions Day. Remember to check for the RED clipboards under the balcony stairwell if you wish to participate in any way. The items we make will be used for Operation Christmas Child.

There of many churches available to you today. If you are needing a church hope, I feel sure you will be welcome in any of them.

Even in the difficulties of life, it is good to be able to see a bright spot.

Happy Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday Afternoon

I want to invite you to a special event.

We will have Children’s Mission’s Day in two weeks, Saturday, the 17th from 9 A.M. – Noon. Sign-up sheets for adults and youth helpers, both male and female, and for children are on RED clipboards under the staircase to the balcony. We will be learning about missions, making things to send to other children for Christmas, and having lunch together. Don’t miss this fun day. There will be something for everyone!

Items that would be helpful:

Front cover of used Christmas cards, birthday cards, and “thinking of you” cards
Project (Exacto) knives
Beads
Narrow, bright colored ribbon
Ziplock bags (snack, quart, and gallon sizes)
Large buttons, jewels, or rocks (about 1 inch)
Glue guns and glue sticks

If you bring items by next week or tell me they are coming, I won’t have to make duplicate purchases. Get involved on any and all levels you can.

I also am looking for a roll or partial roll of brown paper (Think about a light-weight paper bag). If you know where I can purchase some, please let me know.

Children’s Mission Day can get all of us involved in doing mission projects. Let’s support our children and provide gifts for children internationally. You’ll be greatly blessed!

Saturday

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

~Proverbs 3:5-6~

Today, I would like to share that I have been researching, planning, and making some Operation Christmas Child gifts to be shared at the end of 2018. Today, I would like to give you, your church, your organization, your class, etc. some ideas.

If you are collecting some each month, during February it is suggested you purchase hair fixings, sunglasses, necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories.

I have also been learning about packing shoeboxes according to a theme. Some of the suggested themes are:

Dolls
Cartoon characters
Firetruck
Cars
Trucks
Tractors
Trains
Airplanes
Butterflies
Ladybugs
Horses
Cows
Giraffes
Dogs
Cats
Baseball
Soccer
Basketball
Carpentry
Hello Kitty
Teddy bears
Beach
Mountains
Fishing
Flowers
Colors
- Red
- Pink
- Silver
- Blue
- Fuscia
- Purple
- Teal
States
Teams

I also have been working on projects my mission kids at church can do. I love crafts, so this is fun for me. There are also crafts that require special talents such as crochet or sewing.

I have discovered some websites and some Facebook groups that give me ideas. Do a little research, There is something out there for everyone!

I also learned many people have stashes of yarn, fabric, beads, etc. they can work with or share. What is in the closet or drawer you haven’t opened lately? Can you use it? Would now be a good time to make it available for someone else to use?

Read the Bible

Exodus 29-30
Psalm 15
Matthew 25

Go back and read the verse at the top of the post. What changes do you need to make today?

Today is the day to make advance plans for getting to church tomorrow. I remember that Daddy polished shoes on Saturdays and set them out for Sunday mornings. What do you need to do?

Anna Lee

Monday

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

~Proverbs 18:10~

Pray for Adrian Phillips. He is hospitalized in Greensburg.

Please continue to pray for all who have the flu.

Operation Christmas Child!

I received mail at church yesterday. It was a letter and a picture of a girl in Mexico who received one of the shoeboxes. I was thrilled. In all the years I have sent shoeboxes, this is the first time, I heard from a child who was a recipient. Special thanks to the lady from New Jersey who took the picture and sent it to me.

“Young” Ladies’ Birthday Party

We will meet tomorrow at The Cafe at 11 A.M. Come join us for lunch and birthday cake as we honor ladies with January birthdays.

Read the Bible

Today, reflect on God as ALMIGHTY.
Read Scriptures of you choice.
Catch up on something you missed.

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

May God bless you today. May you be a blessing to others.

Anna Lee

Monday

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you;

he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

~Deuteronomy 31:6~

Please pray for Mansell Stinson who is hospitalized at North Oaks with a diabetes problem concerning his feet. This has been a long, hard battle.

Rob Anderson, who was recently hospitalized in Houston in now hospitalized in Boston, where the family now lives. Pray this is only the flu, not something related to the previous problem.

Don Yarborough, son-in-law of Mr.. Philip Harrell, fell while working in the bathroom. His most serious injuries seem to be to his head and his left arm. Pray for him today.

Freddie Rick

June 25, 1939 – January 13, 2018

A life long resident of Kentwood passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2018 in Amite. He was born June 25, 1939 in New Orleans and was 78 years of age. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran and made a living in the welding business. He was a Past Master and 32 degree Mason with the Kentwood Lodge #248 F&M Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his son, Freddie Rick, II; 2 sisters, Jennie Rogers and Leona Spackey; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Frank Rick, Sr. and Martha Louise Hughes Rick; 5 brothers, Joe Rick, Frank “Ed” Rick, Jr., Monroe Rick, Charlie Rick, and Jimmie Rick; 2 sisters, Winnie McBeth and Jessie Loraine Clement. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until Funeral Services at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Because of the extremely cold weather this week, we will NOT have the Third Thursday gathering at the cabin this month. Please put the Third Thursday of next month on you calendar.

If you are packing shoeboxes, Operation Christmas Child suggests you purchase hats, gloves, and scarves this month. You may be able to find them on sale at this time of the year.

Read the Bible

Reflect on God as a provider
Catch up if you are behind in your readings.

Don’t miss today’s WMU meeting at East Fork. We will meet as a leadership team at 9:00. Then, the regular meeting will begin at 10:00. A potluck meal will follow the meeting. Our speaker will be Dr. Ernest Graham, pastor of East Fork. Those of you off from work today are invited to join us for the morning. We gladly invite you to bring your girls with you.

Many of you did not have electricity for much of the day yesterday. I know this was especially hard on some families. I pray this doesn’t happen again during the cold we will have all this week.\

Anna Lee

Saturday

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

~Lamentations 3:22-23~

Ora Lee Wilson continues to have a cough and a collapsed lung. Pray for her as she sees another doctor next week.

Mike Strickland continues to be about the same in Jackson, MS. As you pray for him, pray for Colleen as she stays by his side.

David and I saw and talked with these families Sunday and never expected the troubles on the hearts of these friends today. Please pray for them.

It may be old news to many of you, but I just learned yesterday about a house fire totally destroyed Bruce and Melissa K. Neal‘s home in Fluker. Pray for them as they begin the process of moving on to rebuilding.
This morning Will Ricks shared that Mrs. Patsy Istre of Amite passed away.

There are others who are having medical problems. Pray for those of whom you are aware.

Praying in vital, but I have always been taught to “put feet to my prayers”. Some of the ways you can do this are:

Telephone calls
Short visits
Food
Funds
Transportation
Cards
Household or yard maintainance
Encouragement though practical gifts
Being a friend!!!

Read the Bible

Genesis 19-22
Psalm 3
Matthew 5

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions

Support our missionaries who are there representing us.
Money is still being collected at FBC
100% of money given goes directly to the mission field.
Help more people have Bibles and learn about Jesus

Soft-cover/paper-bound Bibles are continuing to be collected for the prisoners at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. The Bibles can be new or used. A plastic note is located near the front door of the church for easy drop-off. We are the main supply source for this ministry. Let’s not fail to minister to the constantly changing population there.

The next associational WMU meeting will be Monday, January 15 at East Fork Baptist Church. We will honor the memories of ladies from our churches who worked in missions in our individual churches who passed away during 2017. There will be a leadership meeting at 9:00, followed by the meeting at 10:00. We will conclude our morning with a potluck lunch. Please pass the word to other churches, so we can be an encouragement to them.

Operation Christmas Child

I am amazed and thankful for all the participation that enabled us to “FILL” 350 shoeboxes last year. I’m thankful that we were able to share with 350 children who live in some of the poorest areas of our world.
I’m already looking ahead to what we can do in 2018. I’m thinking of continuing to support this great ministry, but making a few changes in how we are going to do it this year. I’ll be letting you in on our plans in the next couple months.
Until then, I have two requests
- Save all your shoeboxes as you get new shoes.
- Begin to save your funds to pack boxes with your family.
- Pray for the children who received “shoeboxes” this year that they will learn about Jesus and accept HIm in their hearts. It is reported that one “shoebox” “opens the door” to seven people. God surely multiplies our efforts with these gifts.
- Save money to make purchases for boys and girls ages five through fourteen.
- Begin to pick up items you find in stores, especially if you find good sale prices.
- Plan to be blessed in proportion to how you bless others!

We serve a mighty God who can and will use us in so many ways if we make ourselves available!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

He who was seated on the throne said,

“I am making everything new!”

Then he said,

“Write this down,

for these words are trustworthy and true.”

~Revelation 21:5~

This Scripture should be the encouragement we need to begin the daily Bible readings for 2018.

Read the Bible – January 2

Genesis 5-9
Proverbs 1
Matthew 2

Today, let’s pray for Mike and Colleen Lambert as he is still hospitalized in Hammond. We know the power of prayer, Let’s use it to give comfort to the Strickland family during difficult days. Let’s pray for strengthening of their faith as each difficulty comes along.

Lawrence Costa Phillips

August 02, 1922 – December 28, 2017

Lawrence Costa Phillips, son of James Blaine Phillips & Annie Jay Lindsey Phillips, was born August 2, 1922, in Pine Ridge, St. Helena Parish, LA, and passed on Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Dennis Mills, LA after 95 memorable years. He married Julia Virgina Calmes of Dennis Mills on March 7, 1948 after completing 4 years of service in the US Navy in WWII. Lawrence had both BS and MS degrees in agriculture from LSU and worked as a vocational agriculture teacher from Pine Grove High School for 30 years. Predeceased by parents, wife, son, Gregory L. Phillips, and siblings, Cordelia, Flynn, James, Clyde, Lois, Dean. Survived by two sons, Chaney Phillips and wife, Marty of Ponchatoula, Matthew Phillips and wife, Christine of Watson, six grandsons, Gregory Phillips and wife, Jennifer of Metairie, Ryan Phillips and wife, Stephanie of Baton Rouge, Jason Phillips and wife, Kristi of Baton Rouge, Dallas Phillips and wife, Tammy of Denham Springs, Jackson Phillips of New Jersey, Ethan Phillips of Watson, one granddaughter, Brandy Roberts and husband, John of Denham Springs, eight great-grandchildren, Chaney, Grayson and Lindsey Phillips of Metairie, Jacob and Jordan Phillips of Baton Rouge, Brenna and Blaine Phillips of Baton Rouge, Brandon Phillips of Denham Springs, numerous nieces and nephews, and hundreds of friends and extended family. A special thanks to beloved neighbor, friend, and devoted caregiver, Elaine Cash. Lawrence was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and provider with an endless passion for education, history and sharing stories.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana FFA or Naval Historical Foundation. Visitation will be at Pine Ridge Methodist Church on Hwy 440 west of Tangipahoa, LA on Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 10am until services at 12pm with Rev. Michael Townsend officiating. Reception to follow services. Private interment at Pine Ridge Cemetery. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Today at 3 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall of FBC is the fellowship to honor Miss Fay Shoemaker. Don’t miss your opportunity to tell her how she has impacted and improved your life. She will soon be moving to the Atlanta area.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is our opportunity to help send someone else to represent us as a Christian witness on foreign soil. I’m so thankful for those who go. My duty is to support them. One hundred per cent of our gifts will go to the field to help meet needs of missionaries and their ministries.

If you and/or your church will be collecting for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, you may be interested in this site. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/year-round-packing-ideas/?utm_source=OCCFacebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_YOCC-18SM&utm_content=Jan-ItemoftheMonth-1-1-18 . The suggested items are gloves, scarves, and hats. Check the dollar stores and sales in other stores this month. Items brought to FBC, Kentwood can be left in the office of in my classroom.

Check on someone who may be having a hard time with the cold weather. If we were having a hard time, think of how blessed we would feel if someone checked on us!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

I delayed posting and got caught by the rain again. That’s the nature of satelites and life in the country. Hopefully, better technology will get out here one day….

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!

For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

~Isaiah 49:13~

Mrs. Juanita Pritchett is improving following her back surgery. Pray for her and her two caregiver sons, Chester and John.

Philip Strickland’s surgery went well at Ochsner (NO) yesterday. Pray for him to have a good recovery period.

David’s brother, Jimmy Alford, had a procedure at Ochsner (BR) that will hopefully lead to the next step in Jimmy’s treatment. There is a more hopeful attitude in his situation now.

Mays I. Morris, Sr.

April 08, 1932 – December 17, 2017

A resident of Independence passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2017. He was born April 8, 1932 in Amite and was 85 years of age. He is survived by his son, Mays I. Morris, Jr.; son, Arthur D. Morris; daughter, Martha Ann Morris; step children, Sherry Allen Rowland, Gwendolyn Allen Watts, Timothy Brian Allen, Matthew Wayne Allen and Brenda Allen Creekmore; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jones Morris; son, Michael Morris; step son, Dennis Gatlin; brother, Andrew J. Morris, Jr., and sister, Imogene Barber Morris. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9AM until religious services at 11 AM, Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Services conducted by Rev. Marshall Wallace. Interment Loranger Cemetery, Loranger. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Reginald E. (Reggie) Goldsby, MD

August 09, 1943 – December 18, 2017

Long time Amite Mayor and beloved family physician, Reginald (Reggie) Goldsby, age 74, passed from this life on Monday, December 18, 2017. He was born August 9, 1943 in Amite to Omar and Mamie Roberts Goldsby who preceded him in death as did his brother, Myles Goldsby. He is survived by his daughter, Laken Goldsby, and many Goldsby and Kennedy cousins whom he loved dearly and who loved him. He was a faithful charter member of the First Southern Methodist Church of Amite. As an honors student of LSU Medical School, he was exempt from a semester’s final exams. Later in his career, he became an LSU Clinical Professor. He was an avid LSU football fan and not only played football for Amite High School but remained a loyal fan. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2017. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to his personal attendants, Mike and Rachel Constant, for their loving care and devotion to Reggie during these difficult times. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

I checked on the location of the shoeboxes sent out through our church as part of Operation Christmas Child. So far, I was able to track boxes to both Mexico and Ecuador. I’m excited the boxes are in their country of destination already. I hope you are still as excited as I am for the boxes and what an impact each box will make on the lives of children and their families.

Some of these shoeboxes will be delivered by our international missionaries. Our gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions help keep them “on the field”. That means our shoebox gifts might be a part of the ministry we provide through the LMCO. We help get the boxes to the children by collecting items, packing boxes, paying postage, and supporting our missionaries. Thank-you for all your help.

Tomorrow night, we will gather at the cabin at 6:30 for our monthly Third Thursday meeting. I can hardly wait to share this sweet time with others.

Read the Bible – Revelations 14-16 & Psalm 45.

There will be NO Bible study this Friday morning, but we will meet the following Friday.

Sunday, FBC, Kentwood will follow their regular schedule for the morning and have a candlelight service at 6 P.M. that night. I hope you will be in church somewhere!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

~ I Chronicles 16:34~

Please pray for the Dillons. “Miss” Ruby has been admitted to North Oaks with some dehydration and an infection. She’s in room 4102. Mr. “Cete” is with her.

I have an update on Kayla J. Evans and her baby girl, Finley. They are both doing well at this point.

Russell Wiley Crawford

December 09, 1939 – November 27, 2017

A resident of Spring Creek passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center in Independence. He was born December 9, 1939 in New Orleans and was 77 years of age. He was a U. S. Army Veteran and a member of Spring Creek Baptist. He is survived by wife, Marilyn Kelting Crawford; daughter, Becky Crawford; son, Randy Crawford; 2 grandchildren, Chase and Kaysie Crawford; sister, Carol Fairburn, all of Spring Creek. Preceded in death by parents, George and Flora Crawford; sister, Margaret Roberts; 2 brothers-in-law, Fred Roberts and Gerald Fairburn; nephew, Scott Fairburn; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eugene and Lucille Kelting. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until religious services at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, November 30, 2017. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spring Creek Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Russell. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible – Philemon, Psalm 24, and video of Philemon at http://bibleproject.com

Work is progressing on the Two Rivers Associational Annual Lottie Moon Tea. Let me invite all ladies (3-103 years old) to come to First Baptist Church, Kentwood at 2 P.M. Sunday. In additional to some tea and other treats, you’ll hear a missionary who has returned to the states and witness the musical talents of the children and youth of our local churches. The ladies will be decorating their tables Saturday morning. I know they will be beautiful! If this is your first holiday event, it will put you in a Christ centered focus for the Christmas season. If you miss it, there will be no second chance. I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday at 2 P.M. We are thankful to have our children and youth help with serving of food, as well as singing.

The children of FBC, Kentwood will have missions tonight and work in a little last-minute practice time for the tea. We begin in the sanctuary at 6 P.M.

The ladies will have their regular Bible study, of Ezekiel, Friday morning at 10 A.M. The prophesy is interesting. We are comparing those days to the present days and praying for our nation and world to turn back to Jesus.

The “shoeboxes” we packed are getting the Christian literature that will introduce them to Jesus added this week and boxes divided up for their final destinations as well as packaging for overseas shipping. The boxes might travel by plane, ship, boat, wagon, bus, car, truck. camel, horse, on even be carried in on the backs of people. All opened boxes will bring joy and an introduction to Jesus!

Sunday, we will begin our Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. We received slightly more than our goal for the Georgia Barnett Offering for North American missions. I look forward to exceeding this goal too! We will again have our Missions March as introduced to us by Dr. Tom Higginbothan, a former IMB missionary who served as interim pastor at FBC, Kentwood a few years ago.

Sunday is the deadline for bringing in STAMPED Christmas cards for the prisoners at the parish jail. David and I will personally deliver the cards to the jail next week. No number of cards is too large or too small! We’ll pray each one impacts a family with the true Christmas message this holiday season.

It’s a great week! Follow Jesus in the Christmas season this year! Merry Christmas!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good.

I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ ”

~Jonah 2:9~

First of all, I want to give you the Operation Christmas Child totals for the FBC, Kentwood Drop-off Location.

1705 shoeboxes
87 cartons of shoeboxes
12 volunteers
92 hours worked during the week

The Hammond site were our shoeboxes went to yesterday collected 14,120 shoeboxes from 8 drop-off locations.

All these boxes are being shipped to Atlanta this year.

Thanks to the many people in each church who participated by making donations, buying the items, packing the shoeboxes, and delivering them to the drop-off locations around the world this past week. Focus on the many, many children who will receive a shoebox, the families who will be touched, and all those who will learn about Jesus and ask Him into their hearts because of a simple shoebox.

I have some new ideas for OCC next year and can hardly wait to begin packing the next boxes this time next year!

Steve Miller of Line Creek had a successful hip surgery yesterday. Pray for him as he heals.

Read the Bible – I Thessalonians 3-4 & Psalm 16

Baptist Press – http://bpnews.net

Hymn of the Day – “What a Day that will Be”

There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

There’ll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Hymns with a Message – http://barryshymns.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-day-that-will-be.html

U-Tube of Hymn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40lCmHvmcCY

I’m thankful you read and pray each day.

Anna Lee