Welcome to a rainy weekend. We need rain, so be thankful, even if plans need to be adjusted because of the rain.
Today’s Verse
Read the Bible in 2025
October 25
Ecclesiastes 9-12
Obituary
Jennifer Hodges Biggs
September 4, 1950 – October 23, 2025
A resident of Montpelier, LA, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born September 4, 1950 in Clinton, LA and was 75 years of age. Jennifer was a nurse for over 40 years and was a kind and generous soul who brought warmth to everyone she met. While she had no children of her own, she loved her nieces, nephews and step-children as if they were her own. She loved her family and always tried to take care of them. Her nurturing spirit touched all who knew her and her memory will live on in the hearts of those she loved so deeply. She is survived by brother, Jody Hodges, Pine Grove; sister, Patty Burrows, Denham Springs; brother-in-law, Dennis Knight, Albany; her step-daughter, Lewynell Provost (Brandon); step-sons, Mike Biggs (Michelle) and Chris Biggs (Casey); step-grandchildren, Olivia, Macie, Mabry, Peyton, Paxton, and Presley; nephew, Dave Knight (Deidra); nieces, Cindy Edwards (Ricky) and Kelli Garrett (Brian); great-nieces, Haleigh, Victoria, Heidi, Madison, Jordan, and Ali; great-great niece, Mary- Catherine; great-great nephews, Mark. Justin, Ryan, and Kyren. Preceded in death by her parents, Dewitt and Janet Hodges; sister, Sue Knight; brother, Deloy Hodges; brother-in-law, John Burrows; step- great nephew and niece, Shawn and Cassie. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
22 The people listened carefully to Paul until he spoke about the Gentiles. Then they began to shout loudly, ‘Take him away! Kill him! It is not right that he should live any longer!’
23 While they were shouting this, they were taking off their coats. They also threw dirt from the ground up into the air.
Acts 22:22-23 (Easy English Version)
Have a great day of preparation for the Lord’s Day.
Regular church services in all our area churches this weekend
The “Manna” ministry
Those on hospice
Others who are homebound
Taking time to minister to others
Churches other than your own
Visitors in our churches
Support for new Christians
Completion of Operation Christmas Child by in the Next Month
Packing of shoeboxes by churches
Transporting boxes to Drop-Off locations the week before Thanksgiving
Boxes being placed in OCC cartons
Cartons being transportation to collection site in Hammond
One thing I need to mention to our area churches – If you have any extra items left over after you pack, place them in a regular, non-OCC, box, label them “Filler”, and turn them in when you drop your shoeboxes off for the next step. Your “filler” will be sent to Dallas and used as needed there. This is helpful to OCC and eliminates clutter as you prepare for OCC 2026. I find it gives me more space and provides storage area as I collect for the next year.
Have a wonderful day. Do something you have had on your TO DO List.
Welcome to a beautiful day. Have a terrific Tuesday!
Prayer Focus
Let’s all pray for are families. I cannot tell you what your concerns and needs for your family are, so each person is on their own. Pray for health, school, jobs, travel, finances, etc., whatever the needs are.
Read the Bible in 2025
October 21
Proverbs 27-29
Scripture Verse
Obituary
William D. “David” Sellers
September 10, 1950 – October 19, 2025
William D. “David” Sellers, 75, passed peacefully from this world into the next on October 19, 2025. He was born September 10, 1950 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to Hascal Oreetha Sellers and Mary Oree Bucklew Sellers. After growing up in Seminary, Mississippi, he moved to Kentwood, Louisiana in 1967 and made his life there, raising a family and serving the community for many years as Director of Public Works. He is survived by his son, William D. “Bill” Sellers, Jr. (Michell), his daughter, Kara S. Corkern (Wesley), granddaughters, Molly Sellers and Camellia Corkern, and sister, Pam Sellers, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. David was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pamela Bunch Sellers, parents, Hascal Oreetha and Mary Oree Sellers, and siblings, Elizabeth Sellers Howell, Jerry Wayne Sellers, Rayford Harold Sellers, and Kathy Sellers Adams. The family would like to thank the staff at The Lodge at Tangi Pines and North Oaks Medical Center for their tremendous care. In accordance with David’s wishes, he will be cremated. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 9:00AM until 11:00AM with religious services conducted by Brother Ryan Thurman at 11:00 AM. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, Louisiana.
Take time to read one or more of these stories. Be encouraged.
Additional Scripture to Read
(Sunday School Scripture for Sunday – Deuteronomy 4:1-9 and 15-20, EEV)
God’s covenant with his people
1 Israel’s people, listen to the rules and laws that I will now teach you. If you obey them, you will live. You will go into the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving to you. The land will belong to you, for you to live in.
2 Do not add anything to these rules. Do not remove anything from them. You must obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving to you.
3 You saw for yourselves what the Lord your God did at Baal-Peor. He killed every person among you who worshipped Baal there.
4 But each of you who continued to trust the Lord your God is still alive today.
5 Look! I have taught you rules and laws, as the Lord my God told me to do. Now you must obey them when you go into the land where you will live.
……………………………………………………………..
15 Remember when the Lord spoke to you at Mount Horeb from the middle of the fire. You did not see him in any shape. So be very careful about everything that you do.
16 Do not make any image to be your god. That would be a sin. Do not make an image in any shape as your idol. Do not copy the shape of a man or a woman,
17 or the shape of any animal or bird.
18 Do not copy the shape of anything that moves along the ground, or any fish that swims in the deep water.
19 When you look up at the sky, you see the sun, the moon and the stars. They all shine up in the sky. But do not bend down low to them or worship them. They are there because the Lord your God has made them. He has given them to people everywhere in the world.
20 But you belong to the Lord. He brought you out of Egypt, which was like a hot oven where you had much pain. He rescued you, to be his own special people, as you are today.
Change of Schedule
F.B.C. will have a change in our regular schedule Sunday. Instead of the regular Sunday afternoon schedule, we will have the annual Fall Fest, beginning at 4 P.M.
What are you plans to make the day special for someone? Enjoy your day as you help someone else. I predict it will be a special day for you.
Many of us do not realize that Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham has many arms to reach out to the world.
Taking tents, medical care, food, etc. to Gaza
Shoeboxes that open many homes to Jesus (Collection Week November 17-24 this year.)
Working for peace as violent conflicts are occuring in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East rage on.
Sharing Jesus in many ways and many places 24 hours a day. Pray for wisdom as Samaritan’s Purse responds in Jesus’ Name.
Bottom Line – Not tents! Not food! Not shoeboxes! Not schools! Not medical care! It’s all about sharing Jesus! Those other things are secondary benefits!
Prayer List
If you have not already done so, please add Rhonda Miller to your prayer list. Rhonda was involved in an accident Wednesday. She is at home resting and recovering. Pray for her family and friends as they encourage her.
Also, please pray for Joan Scarle who had emergency surgery and is recovering now.
Pray for the family of David Sellers. He completed his life here on earth about noon yesterday.
Pray for Samaritan’s Purse and all it does to minister to people on earth to help them add a home in heaven with Jesus to their future!
Read the Bible in 2025
October 20
Proverbs 24-26
Additional Bible Reading
‘God Enriches Life and BrightensYour Future’
5 You, Lord, are all that I need.
What you give to me is enough,
for me and for my descendants.
6 Yes, you have given to me a good way of life.
Your gifts are better than good fields
or valuable land.
7 I will praise the Lord,
who is my guide through life.
In the dark nights,
you help me to learn what is right.
8 I will always trust the Lord to be with me.
He is very near to me,
so I will not be upset.
Plan a Wonderful Week
I hope you have a great week ahead and are planning to include Jesus into each day.
Make today a great Lord’s Day by giving Him time and honor today.
Today’s Focus Verse
There so much information in the Bible. I hope you spend some time as an individual and as a member of a group studying today.
Sunday School Lesson Today
Instructions Given
Numbers 33:50-56 and 34:13-15
Today’s Bible Reading
October 19
Proverbs 22-23
Prayer Focus
Please continue to pray for families of those who are sick or recovering from injuries at hospitals or at home. Also, prayer for older individuals and those limited to their homes. Most importantly pray for those who need to give their lives to the Lord this very day.
Additional Bible Reading
10 But the day when the Lord comes again will surprise everyone like the coming of a thief. The sky will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in the sky will be destroyed with fire. And the earth and everything in it will be burned up.[a]
11 Everything will be destroyed in this way. So what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and devoted to God.
12 You should be looking forward to the day of God, wanting more than anything else for it to come soon. When it comes, the sky will be destroyed with fire, and everything in the sky will melt with heat.
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. He was born October 9, 1965 in Independence, LA and was 60 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Cara McDaniel Alford; daughter, Caitlyn Michelle Alford; 2 sons, Ryan Pierson and Brian Pierson; 2 grandchildren, Brianna Pierson and Brynnly Pierson; niece, Samantha Alford Thaggard (Andy); great-nephew, Cory Patterson; 2 great-nieces, Lacy Patterson and Karly Brandon; his dogs, Holly and Sally; and his granddogs, Dixie and Rambo. Preceded in death by his parents, Karl L. Alford, Sr. and Mattie Irene McDaniel Alford; brother, Karl L. Alford, Jr. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Ben Wayne Blackwell. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Updates
Margie Williams has been moved to Greensburg and is in room 102. She will receive rehab there.
Blake Bennett was again able to follow the football game from the sidelines. His family said he will slowly begin to attend school next week. Lord, we thank you for healing this young man.
Continue to pray for the families involved in the accident on the river bridge Wednesday.
Pray for wonderful church services tomorrow in all the area churches. May people choose to have Jesus as their Savior and constant friend. Pray for churches to continue to reach out to those in our community.
Pray for families and friends of those involved in accidents this week.
Pray for those at home or in a hospital who have health issues.
Pray we can and will be an ambassador of Christ in all we do and wherever we go.
Thank-you for reading and praying.
In closing, here is one more verse to meditate on and thank God for today.
Good morning, friends. Let’s thank God for this day He has given to us. Let’s ask God to walk with us today and to take care of us as He sees fit.
Today’s Verse
Isn’t that a wonderful assurance? Today, there are several in need of our prayers. Sickness, accidents, and procedures always provide a list of people to pray for. We might not have a turbulent ocean as a setting for our prayers, but God provides ponds, rivers, woods, lawns, and hills as some good locations.
Read the Bible in 2025
October 17
Proverbs 16-18
(I’m enjoying reading Proverbs again.)
Obituaries
Sandy “Granny” Nicholas
September 11, 1944 – October 15, 2025
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2025 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born September 11, 1944 in Long Beach, California and was 81 years of age. Granny was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was an avid bowler, wonderful seamstress, and loved attending LSU baseball games with her husband and grandchildren. Granny is survived by her son, Mike J. Nicholas; daughter, Melissa D. Lawton; 3 granddaughters, Brynne Nicholas Huye, Allie Hall (Caleb), and Mandy Amond; sister, Terry Parish (John); six nieces and nephews; and five great-nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Billie Scardina; husband, Joe Nicholas, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Heather Nicholas; grandson-in-law, Scott Huye; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe Nicholas, Sr. and Cecil Mae Ortis Nicholas. The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love, support, and prayers during this difficult journey. Special thanks to the staff at the The Lodge at Tangi Pines for their supportive and compassionate care given to our beloved Granny and family. A Memorial Service will be scheduled at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Harold William Harter
September 22, 1934 – October 3, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Harold William Harter, of Kentwood, Louisiana, on October 3, 2025. He was 91 years old.
Harold was born on September 22, 1934, in Winfield, Iowa. He was the son of the late Harold Franklin Harter and Helen Appel Bevil. Both his parents were born in Iowa.
A proud veteran, Harold served in the U.S. Air Force. He later dedicated 25 years of his life to a career with the U.S. Government Immigration as a Border Patrol Agent. He received a Commission of Immigration Certificate of Appreciation, and he served in the NLL Sector of Immigration U.S. Border Patrol and was a member of the Texas Rangers Association. He also had a passion for farming and raising cattle. He was a devoted man of the Christian faith and a longtime member of Church of the Nazarene in Baton Rouge, LA.
Harold is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Stella Viola Harter; son, Frank Harter; daughters, Pam Harter, Connie Sampognaro; grandchildren, Hayden Hatchell, Drew Hatchell, Nicholas Sampognaro, Emily DeLee, Carliss Sampognaro, Frankie Sampognaro; and a host of family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Greg Sampognaro, Hayden Hatchell, Edward DeLee, Nick Sampognaro, Drew Hatchell, and Mark Simon.
Honorary Pallbearers include Ricky Brumfield, Brad Blades, John Harter, Tommy Delatte, Buddy Rutland, Paul Knight, and Dave Smith.
Services will be at 12:00 PM on Friday, October 10, at Sharkey Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of service at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Kentwood, LA. Rev. Chandler Veasey will be officiating with Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana
It is never too late to contribute to this offering. There are always projects, new churches, camps, etc. in our state that can benefit. There are always friends, family members, homeless, etc. who need to hear about Jesus. Let’s make sure they have the opportunity.
Samaritan’s Purse Provides Opportunities to Pack Shoeboxes and for Children in needy countries to hear about Jesus.
Shoeboxes are unique. They provide love and prayers from packers, toys, school supplies, Bibles, Sunday School lessons, and much love to children with the hope of introducing each child to Jesus.
4 I caused great trouble to the disciples of Jesus. I even wanted to kill them. I took hold of them and I put them in prison. I did that to both men and women.
5 The most important priest and all the group of Jewish leaders can tell you that this is true. They gave me letters for the Jewish leaders in Damascus. So I travelled to Damascus to take hold of the believers in that city. I wanted to tie them up and bring them back to Jerusalem. Then the leaders here could punish them.’ Acts 22:4-5
Our Blessings
Did you receive some blessing this week? Often our interactions with people impact our lives as much as they impact the lives of others. These interactions can be planned or spontaneous. What you say or do to bless someone else often blesses you too!
All around us today will be people who are facing their problems and crying out to God. Hopefully, they know God can and will help them get through any situations they find themselves in. He’s real! He’s there for us! He wants to help us! We need to reach out to Him!
The Prayer Link 
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