Salvador “Sal”, “Sam”, John Agnello

https://www.mckneelys.com/obituary/salvador-agnello

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

~Habakkuk 3:17-18~

ILLNESSES

Please continue to pray for those who are homebound or hospitalized. Pray for their families and families and friends of those who have passed away.

READ the BIBLE

• August 12
• Isaiah 3:1 – Isaiah 4:11
• “It is hard for me to accept someone . . . .”

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Today, let’s pray for those who have been encouraged to attend church tomorrow. May they do so with a sense of anticipation. May the congregation and staff be welcoming to them.

FALL FOOD ROUND-UP for the LOUISIANA BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME

I’ve been telling you about the need for a couple of weeks. I hope if you are out today, you will take time to make some purchases of items they need the most. Your items can be left in the church office or under the stairs at the northwest entrance to the fellowship hall. An option, and a good one, is to write a check for them to purchase items there. They can buy fresh bread, meats, fruits, and vegetables at good prices as they are needed. Take your choice of how to help, but please help them as they help those who need a home, food, clothing, encouragement, an education, and guidance.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The topic of tomorrow’s lesson is “Trustworthy” and focuses on the passage Jeremiah 42: 7-22. It won’t hurt to read and pray about understanding of this passage whether you attend or not.

Thank you for action on what you have read here today.

Anna Lee

My soul is weary with sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

~Psalm 119:28~

New Baby

Nathan and Deanna “Bug” Daniels are very happy to announce the arrival of Wrenlee Creat Daniels on July 24 at 3: 57 P.M. She weighed 6 lb. 12 oz. The family lives in Spring Creek. I’m sorry I failed to share this earlier.

Funeral Service

The funeral service for Father Mark Beard will be available online this morning. I’m not familiar with the link to St. Helena Catholic Church, but start looking a little early for the 11:00 A.M. service.

“Visitation for parishioners of St. Helena Church will be held at the St. Helena Parish Hall in Amite on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM with a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Helena Church for family members and St. Helena Parishioners at 11:00 AM.“(McKneely’s web page.)

READ the BIBLE

• Friday, August 11
• John 4: 1-38
• “I would treat this woman . . . .”

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

There is an awful fire burning in Hawaii this morning. Hearing about the fire reminds me there are many, many people worldwide facing disasters each day. We usually focus our prayers on those we know, but today let’s pray for people in Hawaii and hundreds of other places that are dealing with life-changing circumstances out of their control.

PERSONAL MISSION PROJECTS

We often think of group mission projects, but personal missional projects are also very important. Choose one you can focus on this weekend. There are many, but a few you might consider are:

• Visiting a family member you don’t often see.
• Visiting a neighbor whom you haven’t seen lately.
• Visiting a church member who had been “out of pocket” for a couple weeks.
• Cooking something for an elderly person who lives alone.
• Cooking something for a busy family.
• Cooking something for a family with someone in the hospital or with numerous medical appointments.
• Inviting three families to church.
• Offering a ride to someone with car problems.
• Etc.

Have a great day. Thank-you for taking time to read TPL and to pray.

Anna Lee

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

Lamentations 3:31-32

Today is a new day for everyone. Enjoy God’s unfailing love.

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• Thursday’s reading
• John 8: 1-11
• “The person I need to bring to Jesus is . . . .”

PRAYER FOCUS FOR TODAY

Think about love…unfailing love…God’s unfailing love. Isn’t it wonderful? Can you think of anything any greater than God’s unfailing love? I don’t think so! Even if we did/thought/said some think we should should not have, God’s love for us is just as great as it has always been! As you pray, thank God for His wonderful love that we don’t deserve, but is there for us anyway.

PERSONAL UPDATE

Due to illness (Norovirus) and a wedding in Dallas, I have missed church for weeks. Thankfully, my strength is much improved and I was able to attend prayer meeting in person, not just a live or recorded message on my phone. I was so thankful to get back to where I needed to be last night! The service did not need me, but I needed it.

Thanks for all the hugs and warm greetings. By attending in person, I received God’s message and the love of many of God’s people. I’m glad to be back. I’m looking forward to sitting in my Sunday School class, being in future services, and working to actually pack the “Shoeboxes” in the next month.

Anna Lee

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

(It is important to us to “Shake it off”, Forget it”, “Move on”, and “Focus on something else”. The Bible tells us so in Proverbs 19:11.)

HEALTH CONCERNS

Bro. Darryl Miller got a good report Monday. He’s back at work at the office and in the community. Thank God for Bro. Darryl’s good report. Keep praying for him as he is out and about in these HOT temperature days. He puts a lot of miles on his body each week.

Mrs. Velma Anthony is very sick and in the hospital at Covington. She needs our prayers. Please add her to your personal prayer list.

OBITUARY

Shelton Denral Stilley

November 22, 1953 – August 7, 2023

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He was born November 22, 1953 in Hammond, LA and was 69 years of age. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator and loved to hunt and fish. He is survived by his 3 children, James Earl Stilley (Ashley), Shad Denral Stilley (Jennifer) and Kayla Stilley (Jonathan); special nephew, Joey Edwards (Hallie); 3 grandchildren, Tabitha, Cherish, and Rhett Alan; 2 brothers, Jack Carrol Stilley and Lloyd Stilley. Preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Stilley; father, Denral Stilley; mother, Jeanette Stilley. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Friday and from 11:00 AM until religious services at 2:00PM on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Interment Twin Oaks Cemetery, Wilmer, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

READ the BIBLE TODAY

• August 9, 2023
• Luke 19: 1-10
• Mark 5: 1-17
• Mark 14:3
• “The outcasts I could minister to are . . . . “

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Today, let’s think of the “outcasts” in our class, neighborhood, club, church, and community. Pray God leads us/you/me to include them in various ways.

MISSION OFFERINGS/PROJECTS

Thank God for individuals and classes who support our various mission projects during the year. As the church focus on missions changes each month, these individuals and classes support all the various projects. Your support is greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU to Jason who helped me again yesterday to get TPL out. I certainly could not do this without all his time, knowledge, and skills. If you know him, please send him a word of appreciation.

Anna Lee

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

Church is Hard

(Found on Facebook this morning.

Posted by Jennifer Chapman

CHURCH IS HARD

Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.

Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.

Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.

Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.

Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.

Church is hard for me.

It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.

However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.

But, here is the beauty of church—

Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.

Church is a body.

Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.

Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.

Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.

Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.

Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.

Church is a lesson in faith and trust.

Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.

Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.

Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.

So even on the hard days at church—

The days when I am at odds with a friend, when I’ve fought with my kids because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a partner to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away.

I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.

Prayer Focus

Prayer for those who find church hard to attend, but attend anyway and have their needs met.

READ the BIBLE TODAY

Isaiah 6: 1-12

“To accomplish God’s mission for me, I . . . . “

MISSIONS

If the large family next door was working hard and struggling to raise children the way God would want them to be raised with a limited budget, what would we do . . . .?

That’s the way we should feel about the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home!

This is our one opportunity to help them with food in 2023! You can either bring some of the most needed items or give a check to help meet their needs. The deadline is September 17th.

Give as you would to the family next door! What does your heart say to you?

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

What does our heart tell us about our mission opportunities at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and other mission opportunities we have?

Anna Lee

. . . as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103: 12

The lights just flickered. I lost everything, but this verse.

Here’s a brief revision.

PRAYER FOCUS – Please pray for Bro. Darryl Miller. He will be seeing his doctor today.

OBITUARY

John Herman DeLacerda

March 17, 1939 – August 5, 2023

A resident of Chipola, LA, passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary, LA. He was born March 17, 1939 in Gorum, LA and was 84 years of age. He was United States Marine Corps. Veteran and a retired carpenter with Carpenters Local Union #1098. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sylvia DeLacerda; 3 sons, Johnie DeLacerda (Margaret), Bennie DeLacerda (Jerri), and Michael DeLacerda (Susan); 2 sisters, Winda Underwood and Doris Prescott; aunt, Lillie Causey; 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Emma DeLacerda; brother, Mitchell DeLacerda; and daughter, Julie Kelley. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. Interment Wales Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. Pallbearers will be Justin DeLacerda, Sean DeLacerda, Conor DeLacerda, Mason DeLacerda, Chris Harvin, and Dustin Colkmire. Honorary pallbearers will be Eldon Davis and Paul Dupre. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

READ the BIBLE TODAY

Ezekiel 16: 1-62

“The last time I carried a friend’s burden . . . .”

MISSIONS

Please pray for for Fall Food Roundup at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. Pray about the options of writing a check or buying items from their most-needed list. Their truck will be here September 18th, so please give before then.

That’s all for today. I feel “wiped-out” too. What a way to start my Monday!

Anna Lee

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

Mark 11:25

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Let’s pray for those who are not serving in a church to get involved. Simply attending is not enough. There’s a place for each person to use their talents. Let’s pray they can do so this month.

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• Week 30 – Friend of the Hurting Heart
• August 6, 2023
• Luke 10: 25-37
• “If I had seen the injured man, I . . . . “

CHURCH SERVICES TODAY AT FBC, KENTWOOD

9:15 – Sunday School

10:30 – Morning Worship

6:00 – Evening Worship

The two worship services are available online on the church’s facebook site and on YOUTUBE. They are not at good as being there in person, but certainly better than no church service at all.

MISSION PROJECT – FALL FOOD ROUNDUP FOR THE LOUISIANA BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME

This is our yearly opportunity to give non-perishable groceries and household needs. We have six weeks until the truck comes to Kentwood for pickup. You can also write a check to help purchase the perishable items. Let’s continue our support of the great work done there.

Anna Lee

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

~Ephesians 1:7~

READ the Bible

• August 5, 2023
• Ephesians 5:21 – 6:4
• “In a family setting, submission means . . . .”
• Tomorrow, we will begin a week of Scripture on “Friend of the Hurting Heart”.

OBITUARIES

Fr. Mark Beard

July 26, 1961 – August 2, 2023

Fr. Mark Bryan Beard, a loving son, brother, uncle, Pastor, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at the age of 62. Father Beard was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He held a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and a Master’s in Divinity (M.Div) from Notre Dame Seminary. He also received a certification in Spirituality (Spiritual Direction), and Divinity. Father Beard worked for a number of years in his family’s business, Beard Engineering and United Industries, a company working in the manufacturing and engineering of wastewater equipment. Here, he received a U.S. Patent for Inventor of Turbulence Control System. After a trip to Medjugorje in 2000, he began to consider priesthood as a possible vocation. After 4 years of discernment, Fr. Beard entered Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana in 2004 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana on May 30, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. He was Associate Pastor at Most Sacred Heart-Gramercy, St. Joseph-Paulina, St. Michael the Archangel-Convent, and Our Lady of Prompt Succor Chapel-Lutcher for two years. He has been a pastor of St. Helena Catholic Church, in Amite, Louisiana, for the last twelve years. During that time he has built a beautiful campus where tours and retreats are offered. For the last two and a half years, he was also the administrator at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Retreat Center in Osyka, Mississippi. Fr. Beard is survived by his loving mother, Florence Mariotti Beard; brother, Gary Beard and his wife, Diane; nieces and nephews, Jason, Jennifer, Nathan, Nicholas, Jacob, and Jon; great niece, Gabriella Beard; and Godmother, Nita Vicari and family. Fr. Beard is preceded in death by his father, Harold James Beard.   

A public visitation will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 8:30AM until 11:00AM. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Mercy with the diocesan clergy present. Priests and deacons are encouraged to wear their diocesan vestments. 

Visitation for parishioners of St. Helena Church will be held at the St. Helena Parish Hall in Amite on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 8:00AM until 11:00AM with a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Helena Church for family members and St. Helena Parishioners at 11:00AM. 

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to continue supporting Fr. Beard’s vision, please consider donating on the website to ourladyofhopems.com or mail to P.O. Box 130, Osyka, Ms 39657 or to sthelenachurch.net or mail to 122 South First Street Amite, La 70422. 

McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Henry Eugene Meyn

February 1, 1946 – August 4, 2023

A resident of Arcola, LA, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023 at his home. He was born February 1, 1946 in Hammond, LA and was 77 years of age. He is survived by his daughter, Stacy Meyn; granddaughters, Taryn Strickland and Abigail Snow; grandson, Levi Strickland; brothers, Donald Meyn, Sylvester “Butch” Meyn and Glenn Meyn; sister, Sylvia Prescott. Preceded in death by his wife, Sherry Meyn; father, Henry A. Meyn; mother, Genevieve Meyn; brothers, Jerry Meyn and Russell Meyn. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite,  from 2:00PM until Memorial Services at 4:00PM on Sunday, August 6, 2023. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

PRAYER FOCUS

Today, let’s pray for our Catholic friends, and many others, who are confronted with the death of Father Mark. It’s not everyday that a congregation faces the tragic death of their minister/priest. Pray that Father Mark’s death will be an opportunity for many to “grow in the Lord” as they deal with his death. May his memory be one of a man who gave his life in service to others.

Anna Lee

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

~Romans 5:8~

OBITUARIES

Sandra Elaine Rushing

August 30, 1950 – August 1, 2023

Sandra Elaine Rushing passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on August 1, 2023 at the Ponchatoula Community Care Center. Known to most as Sandy, she was an active member of the Amite community as a young adult, volunteering with community organizations and faithfully attending First Baptist Church of Amite. She was immensely creative and worked in different mediums throughout her life, including interior design, floristry, mixed media, drawing, and watercolor. Sandy was greatly affected through much of her adult life by mental illness. Her diagnoses made day-to-day living difficult and ultimately damaged her creativity, passions, and relationships. If you are led to honor Sandy in her death, please consider learning more about mental illness through the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (https://apafdn.org/). She is survived by her three children Russell Paul Conger, Jr. (Niki), Andrew Conger (Amelie), and Courtney Rasor (Chad); her grandchildren Lainey, Russell Allen, Chloe, Kaleb, Lucien, Margot, and Claire Conger; her brothers Richard and Bruce Rushing; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Robert and Madeline Rushing; stepfather Kinley Rushing; siblings Mike and Linda Rushing, and Brenda Dunaway. In keeping with Sandy’s wishes, a small gathering with close family will be held in her honor. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Brandy DeSha Potts

June 15, 1984 – August 1, 2023

Brandy DeSha Potts, 39, a resident of Kentwood, La; passed away August 1, 2023, at her home. Brandy was born June 15, 1984, in McComb, Ms. to Kirk and Renea Potts. She was a member of East Fork Baptist Church where she was a very faithful servant to the lord. She served on staff for many years doing the church bulletin. She enjoyed hanging out with family and friends, listening to The Domino Band and The Moe and Joe Band. She loved taking family vacations. No matter where she was or what she was doing, she always had a smile. She was preceded in death by her Grandpa W.A. Potts and Grandpa James Craft. She is survived by her parents, a sister Amy Potts and fiance Cody Brown, nieces Annabelle Caine and Aubrie Brown, nephew Noah Brown. Grandmothers Juan Potts and Glinda Craft. Uncles Ricky Nobles, John Nobles (Cheryl), Todd Potts (Cathy), Aunt Darla Bridges (Khris), and numerous cousins. Special Great Aunt Bobbie Potts and special friend Charlotte Ladner. Pallbearers are Cody Brown, Russton Potts, Jason Hammett, Jerrell Grice, Khris Bridges and Jeff Simmons. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6:00 PM until 9:00PM on Sunday and from 9:00AM until 11:00AM on Monday, August 7, 2023 at East Fork Baptist Church.  Religious Services at East Fork Baptist Church at 11:00AM on Monday. Services conducted by Bro. Jay Avance and Bro. Gregory Potts. Interment East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

An obituary for Father Mark is not available at this time.

PRAYER FOCUS

Today, let’s focus our prayers on administrators and teachers as they begin the 2023-2024 school year. Let’s pray for them regularly during this year.

PREPARATION for SUNDAY

There are many things you can do to help Sunday be a great day. The first one is to pray. You also can prepare your lesson. Inviting others is always appropriate. Is there someone who needs your physical help to be there or a ride? What about preparation at home to make the day run smoothly? A good Saturday always in important in having a good Sunday. The more you do to prepare for Sunday, the better it will be.

READ the BIBLE

• Proverbs 23: 13
• Proverbs 133: 22-25
• II Timothy 1: 3-7
• “The family member whom I have influenced spiritually the most is . . . . “

I’m so thankful we get to connect each day.

Anna Lee