W.B. (Bobby) Raborn, 89 years old, was taken to the ER at North Oaks last night. He has an infection and has been admitted to the hospital. Please pray for him and his family.
He talked with Yvonne Birch, his sister, at 3:30 yesterday afternoon and expressed his concern that he didn’t feel well and was concerned he would miss his Sunday School class, City Hall class, today.
I trust you will find your way to church today to celebrate the birth of Jesus!
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
Ezekiel 39:1-40:27
James 2:18-3:18
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 28:2
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Lottie Moon’s legacy is a call for sacrificial giving to international missions so others can be sent and given the opportunity to see lives changed as people learn about Jesus and accept Him as their Savior. People only have one lifetime to live for Jesus. Let’s help give them that opportunity!
100% of your gifts through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering go to support missionaries to accomplish this goal. Your gifts to the LMCO can be given today or at any time during the year.
Operation Christmas Child
We packed shoeboxes during the first ten months of 2021.
We collected shoeboxes locally in November, the week before Thanksgiving.
Shoeboxes were then transported to almost ten processing centers where they were prepared to be sent internationally. Last week, the week before Christmas, the final boxes were sent out on the first leg of their long journey to children around the world.
The process is well planned. Please do your part now and pray for the shoeboxes and the children who will receive them. May others learn about Jesus and take Him into their hearts so they can live for Him here and live with Him forever in heaven!
Anna Lee
“For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going, anyone groping in the dark, here’s what: Trust in GOD. Lean on your God!”
~Isaiah 50:10 (The Message)~
Thank-you for praying for my sister, Julie. Her eye is better and she is able to do things she enjoys. Thanks to Dr. Ted who monitored her daily.
November 8, 1954 – December 13, 2021 (67 years old)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Latimer Brock Jr. of Tickfaw, Louisiana, born in Magnolia, Mississippi, who passed away on December 13, 2021, at the age of 67, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
He was predeceased by : his parents, Latimer Brock Sr. and Lyna Brock; and his brother Ray Brock. He is survived by : his wife Cecelia Strate Brock; his children, Dennis Brock (Gretchen), Cristalle Brock and Latimer Brock III; his grandchildren, Lexa, Joee, Jonathan, Devin, Reagan, Ryan, Adelyn and Reanna; and his siblings, Robbie, Carolyn and Betty.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 19th 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Monday, December 20th 2021 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 20th 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home – Hammond (12012 US-190, Hammond, LA 70401).
(“Bubba” grew up on Pecan Street in Amite.)
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 18th Readings
HEBREWS 4:14-7:28
A Christian mission is an organized effort to spread Christianity to new converts.
Alice Mary and friends gave out the CHRISTMAS gift bags for children yesterday. I’m looking forward to hearing a report of “the big day”.
Mission Opportunity Coming Soon! During the month of January, FBC, Kentwood will be accepting gift certificates for Walmart, Dollar General, Lowes, and other businesses for the victims of the tornadoes that hit our country last week. We will ask Dr. Stan Statham, the head of Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, to get them into the hands of families who need them. After you purchase the gift certificates, you can put them in the offering plate in your envelope labeled tornado relief or simple hand them to the secretary in the church office. You choose how many to purchase, store to purchase from, and the amount of the gift certificates. (I thought Ida was bad here, but it doesn’t compare to the recent tornado damage!)
Hands-On Mission Opportunity! There will be Operation Christmas Child workshops the first Saturday of the first nine months of 2022. We plan to work in the basement area at 9:00 each week. Bring a morning snack. Everything will be provided for your crafting/work.
Anna Lee
As we approach Christmas, this verse is appropriate, but it is appropriate 365 days a year. This verse is posted in the OCC room at FBC, Kentwood.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
~Proverbs 3:27~
During the month of December, some of the shoeboxes we packed have been shipped to:
Phillippines
Uganda
Balswana
Tanzania
I doubt any of us will be going to these countries this year, but it certainly gives me a special feeling to know our shoeboxes will touch the lives of many people, especially children, in these countries.
Other local churches who took their shoeboxes to FBC, Kentwood, but who are not tracking their shoeboxes, there is a big probability your boxes could have gone to one or more of these countries.
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 17th Readings
2 TIMOTHY 4:19-22
HEBREWS 1:1-4:13
Baptist Press
Louisiana Baptist Message
https://www.baptistmessage.com/
Have a great day as we move into the week of Christmas.
Anna Lee
J.D. Smith requests prayers. He has been hospitalized in two different hospitals, but is now at home. He and his family will will greatly appreciate your prayers.
A resident of Hammond, LA, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born December 4, 1961 in Independence, LA and was 60 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Linda Brooke; sister, Becky Granger; brothers, Gary McCarroll, Jack “Catfish” Granger, Jr. and wife Tammy, Jules Granger and wife Vonda, Bill Granger and wife Charla, Doug Granger and wife Kim; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Jack Granger, Sr. and Marjorie Thomas Granger; sister, Barbara Morgan; brothers, Earl McCarroll, Edward Granger, and J. L. Granger. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until religious services at 7:00PM on Friday, December 17, 2021. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
A resident of St. Helena parish, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at her home. She was born January 13, 1928 in Georgeville, LA and was 93 years of age. She is survived by her children Danny, Kay, and Gail Singleton and grandson Sage Parsons. She cherished her family. Preceded in death by husband Emmett Singleton, grandson Elliot Parsons, brother Buddy George & their parents, Herbert and Maude. Graveside Services at 11:00AM on Monday, December 20, 2021 at Killian Chapel Cemetery at Hwy 16 & 441. Gather with us. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Montpelier United Methodist Church.McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 16th Readings
2 TIMOTHY 2:1-4:18
Read Luke in December
Luke 16
Baptist Press
Have a great day!
Anna Lee
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,
he will be a vessel for honorable use,
set apart as holy,
useful to the master of the house,
ready for every good work.”
~2 Timothy 2:21 (ESV)~
Glen Magee is better and was able to come home from the hospital. Glen’s recovery will be slow, but he is headed in the right direction.
Torr Harvey Harlin also improved enough to go home yesterday. I know she was glad to see her two girls, but was also not able to take care of them at this point. Pray for a complete recovery for her.
David has two relatives having surgery today – Ricky Russell from Chesbrough and Frank Fury from Covington. Please pray for them today and in the days of recovery.
Marshall Wallace, who lives east of Amite, has been hospitalized in Covington for over a month. His doctors have not been able to determine a final diagnosis so proper treatment can be designed for him. Please pray.
Bryan Tate was in Texas this week for a routine check-up. Doctors at MDA did testing which came back with with good results. Thank God for Bryan’s good report.
Please pray for those easily affected by the repeating temperature changes.
Please continue to pray for those in Kentucky and other states who lost possessions, homes, and loved ones. I cannot imagine what they are going through. Our loss of pine trees and power for a while seems so insignificant compared to what these people are going through. Thankfully, groups like Baptist Disaster Relief and Samaritan’s Purse are there and working daily to do what they can to assist these people physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 15th Readings
1 TIMOTHY 6:11-21
TITUS 1:1-3:15
2 TIMOTHY 1:1-18
Read the book of Luke in December
Today, our focus is on reading Luke 15.
Baptist Press
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering –
WHY DID LOTTIE GO TO CHINA?
Lottie soon became frustrated, convinced that her talent was being wasted and could be better put to use in evangelism and church planting. She had come to China to “go out among the millions” as an evangelist, only to find herself relegated to teaching a school of forty “unstudious” children.
Reminder – Christmas Lunch at FBC today for senior adults
The Christmas gift bags for Children will soon be delivered. Thanks to all who planned this ministry and all who shopped for the children. May you be richly blessed for your part in the lives of these children.
The Operation Christmas Child ministry at FBC, Kentwood will soon be planning what our efforts will look like next year. If you have any thoughts that would be helpful or would like to be a part of this ministry, please let me know.
Christmas is our holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Let’s be sure He is the center of our thoughts and activities this month.
Anna Lee
“Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
~2 Peter 3:18 (TLB)~
I do not have updates on Glen and Tori, who had surgery yesterday, but hope to have them tomorrow.
Dorothy Theresa Marcus
January 28, 1931 – December 12, 2021
Mrs. Dorothy T. Braase Marcus, 90, of Independence, LA, passed from this life on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at her residence.
Mrs. Dorothy was born in Independence, LA on January 28, 1931 and was the daughter of Clarence Braase and Josephine Phares Braase. She was a member at First Baptist Church of Arcola where she was faithful and loved serving the Lord. She barely missed a service. She loved the outdoors, working in her garden and picking blue berries at her daughters. She also enjoyed embroidering things and giving them to others. She was a people person and never met a stranger. She loved her family and cherished her time spent with them. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband , Leon C.”Late Model” Marcus, Sr.; one son, Leon Marcus, Jr.; one daughter, Josephine Graves; two sisters, Frances Granger and Katie Westbrook; two brothers, Charles Arnold and J.T. Braase and one great child, Ethan Allen.
She is survived by two daughters, Ida Kyzar (Abe) of Independence, LA and Patsy Dickerson (Ricky) of Amite, LA; one son, David Marcus (Faye) of Kentwood, LA; one daughter-n-law, Mary Jo Marcus of Independence, LA; one sister, Katherine Rice (BJ) of Lealand, MS; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren , great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandsons.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 9AM until time of service at 12PM at First Baptist Church of Arcola, LA., with Bro. Bob Simpson officiating and Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. A burial will follow in the church cemetery.
I did not personally know Mrs. Marcus but I know some family members, taught a family member, and have (this morning) figured out how she fits into the Braase family of Arcola. I know her family was very involved at the First Baptist Church of Arcola. David’s brother, Donald, and his family were/are friends of this family.
Maddie McDonner is the daughter of a former student, Leslie Womack, who is now the mother of four. I will give you more information later, but today I ask for you prayers for Maddie, a beautiful high school student who has been approved to be an LSU student next year. Maddie is beginning a battle with cancer.
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 14th Readings
1 TIMOTHY 3:1-6:10
Read Luke in December
Luke 14
Who was Lottie Moon of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?
You will enjoy the pictures of Lottie as she worked for Jesus.
https://www.imb.org/who-was-lottie-moon/
What story does my life/you life tell?
Anna Lee
“… through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,
because you have obeyed me.”
Please pray for my sister, Julie, who has an eye infection that hasn’t cleared up even after going to an urgent care site over the weekend. Julie will be seeing her regular family practitioner this morning because of an appointment that was filled and then opened up at a perfect time for her. Thank God for the appointment and ask Him to work through the doctor to heal her eye.
Pray for Glen Magee as he has surgery today to correct a problem caused by a work injury. Following surgery, Glen will need some time to heal. Pray all goes well for him.
Tori Harvey Havlin had a surgery Friday and will need another one today. Pray for the surgery to go well and for healing to not take too long. Tori and Gary served at New Zion Baptist Church, but are in southwest Mississippi now. They have two little girls who need their mom home and healthy for Christmas.
Please continue to pray for all the thousands of people who had problems following the tornadoes Friday night. Support those who are going there to help in the long recovery process.
Thank God for the children and their leaders who captured the attention and admiration as they presented a program entitled “CAKE – Christmas Acts of Kindness Experiment” at FBC, Kentwood. If you missed it earlier, hopefully, it will soon be available on the church’s Facebook site. Several people have post portions of the video.
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 13th Readings
JAMES 4:1-5:20
1 TIMOTHY 1:1-2:15
Read the Christmas Story from Luke
December 13 – Luke 13
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
What is Lottie Moon best known for?
Moon, who began her mission work in China in 1885, helped inspire the creation of the Woman’s Missionary Union – an auxiliary of the Southern Baptist Convention- which grew to have over one million members and become one of the most influential religious organizations in the United States.
Baptist Press
Count your blessings. Do something special for someone else today.
Anna Lee
Therefore the Lord hImself will give you a sign:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and will call him Immanuel.
~Isaiah 14:7, NIV~
Mr. Gene Sharkey, 69, of Pricedale MS,
passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021 at his residence.
He was born on January 21, 1952 in Hammond, LA. He was the son of Wallace Sharkey and Para Belle Dykes Sharkey Munsell.
Gene was a member of South McComb Baptist Church. He was a licensed Funeral Director and manager of Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit and Catchings Funeral Home in McComb. He served one term of the McComb Board of Selectman and served in the United States Army Reserves. Gene loved spending as much time as possible with his family, especially his grandchildren. His favorite pastime was cooking, riding his tractor and attending LSU Baseball games with friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Charles Munsell; one brother, Henry “H.L.” Cox and a nephew, Daniel Venable.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Glenda Young Sharkey; his children, Casey Bowlin and wife Christina, Becky Bowlin Williams and husband, Russ and Katie Bowlin Fry and husband, Allen; his brother, Tim Sharkey and wife, Elsie; seven grandchildren, Grant Williams, Aubrey Williams, Skyler Fry, Meredith Bowlin, Colton Bowlin, Robert Floyd, and John Floyd, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.
Visitation is Monday, December 13, 2021 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will continue on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 11:00 AM until time of service at 1:00 PM at South McComb Baptist Church , 340 24th Street, McComb, MS 39648 with Dr. David Millican, Bro. Mike Morris, Dr. Dave Hartson, Bro. Rick Kennedy, and Bro. Laverne Summerlin officiating. A private family burial will follow in Walker/Alexander cemetery in Pricedale, MS under the direction of Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit.
Pallbearers are Danny Sharkey, Mark Shepherd, Gerry Crawford, Stan Webster, D.C. Greer, Wallace Pope, Taylor Lea, and Chris Lea. Honorary Pallbearers are James Brumfield, Dale Woods, Shelton Whittington, Mark Mize, Benny May, Jim Causey, Arthur “Mr. D. “ Davis and Jerry Vaughn.
In lieu of flowers it was Gene’s request that memorial donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St, Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Fact of the Day
A gift of $100.00 provides supplies for a missionary to work in a refuge camp for a week.
Southern Baptist aid to tornado damaged areas Friday night
This site will not allow me to share, but you can look up Southern Baptist Relief to victims of December 10th tornadoes and find the link to giving.
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 12th Readings
JAMES 1:1-3:18
December Reading of Luke
Read chapter 12 today.
As you go about your life for the for the next couple of weeks, be sure to wear an extra big smile and take every opportunity to share Jesus because we know He, not Santa, is the reason we have this holiday.
Enjoy a Christmas program this morning and/or tonight at one of our local churches. Take a few minutes to thank and compliment some of those involved in the production – Sound & lights, musicians, singers, speakers, etc.
Anna Lee
I watched last night as report of tornadoes were broadcast and as some damages and deaths were reported. This morning the news is bad. More deaths and more tornadoes! Be alert and prepared! Be alert to more tornadoes today. Help in ways you can.
Help is on the way just as soon as the tornadoes pass through an area. I’m so glad to know about organizations so willing to heed to needs.
All of us can pray and support organization such as Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief. I can picture some of the folks who recently served through First Baptist Church, Kentwood as they prepare to serve in areas with tornado damage now.
If you cannot serve, you can support LBDR, now headed up by Bro. Stan Statham, who was our District Missionary. You can also add your prayers today and in the weeks to come.
Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021
December 10th Readings
PHILEMON 1:1-25
PHILIPPIANS 1:1-2:11
December 11th Readings
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-4:23
December 12th Readings
JAMES 1:1-3:18
December 13th Readings
JAMES 4:1-5:20
1 TIMOTHY 1:1-2:15
December 14th Readings
1 TIMOTHY 3:1-6:10
Read the Christmas Story from Luke this month
Today’s reading – Luke 11
Many churches are having adult and/or children’s Christmas programs this weekend. First Baptist Church, Kentwood, had a wonderful adult program last Sunday night which is now available to view online. Tomorrow night, FBC, Kentwood will have their annual Children’s program at 6 P.M. You will want to come early if you have a young family member singing tonight. Many choose to sit further back so you can watch your children.
Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas this holiday weekend.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions
This is how your offering from last year was spent.
422 new missionaries
86,587 people baptized
769,494 heard the Gospel
18,380 new churches
144,322 new believers
Don’t you want to help with the 2022 international missions? Give to this special offering at any Southern Baptist Church. 100% of the money you give will be given directly to work going on around the world. Our missionaries can increase their outreach because of your gifts.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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