Pray for Jimmy and Linda Williams. He has been in and out of the hospital more than one time lately. Pray the doctors can find the right treatment for Jimmy.
Mr. “Cete” and “Miss” Ruby Dillon are in North Oaks due to Covid-19. They went in yesterday afternoon and hopefully won’t need to be there long. Mr. “Cete’s” covid is complicated with heart issues. Please pray for them and their family.
Continue to pray for all those who are sick. Some have been on this prayer list. Some may have been on your personal prayer list.
Jimmy Van, Jr. of the Magnolia/McComb area passed away yesterday.
Pam B. Sellers of Kentwood also passed away yesterday.
I will post obituaries when they become available.
It may seem early to you to think about packing shoeboxes for the 2021 Christmas season, but I assure you lots of dedicated packers are out looking for deals and beginning to shop according to their packing plans for the coming season. A friend has already started sewing for our shoeboxes. She made masks for all our boxes last year. Yesterday, she sent me sample of her sewing projects for the coming shoebox season. What is your talent? What will you aim to accomplish for OCC in 2021. We all need to start with our talents and make our plans. Be thinking and then, volunteer. Yesterday, I also had a volunteer for online shopping. What a blessing these ladies are to the “shoebox” program.
Have you really prayed about someone or something lately. I believe God wants us to fervently pray.
As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
Despite learning of more covid cases in our area, I also hear of improvements. Today, I can say that Deputy Charles Warren had made several significant improvements in the last few days. Let’s pray for his continued improvement and for the improvement of all the others who are now sick. I read that worldwide, many places are reporting higher number of cases than ever before. Be safe and pray.
Today’s Prayer Focus: Today, I plan to spend some time listing all of my many blessing of 2020 and thanking God for how the blessings greatly outnumber the problems. Today, focus on the positives of 2020 and thank God.
The chronological Bible reading plan for 2021 is available at FBC, Kentwood. Stop by and get one for your/your family’s use. I finished my 2020 plan and started this new one early. I’m enjoying it and not finding it difficult to follow. I hope many of you begin it on the first.
Don’t forget we will be repurposing men’s button front shirts into dresses for Operation Christmas Child. We are depending on you to supply us with shirts. They can be left in the church office or the classroom next to the choir room. Let me know if you would like to learn how to cut and sew the shirts for this awesome transformation.
Today is a good day to pray for and contribute to the Lottie Moon Offering for international missions.
Looking ahead to 2021, what are some areas of your life you may wish to alter. Think of spiritual changes, not just the physical changes we often hear. Do you need to get more involved in your church? Do you need more Bible study? Do you need to get involved in a ministry? Etc.
Many of us have spent most of our days home and away from people because of the pandemic. Today, make an effort to contact at least one person you have not seen lately. Check on their health and their needs. Pray for them. Let them know someone is thinking about them. Be an encourager! They will be blessed! You will also be blessed!
“God . . . does everything just right and on time,
but people can never completely understand what he is doing.”
~Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NCV)~
I know several people who are having elective surgery/procedures this week. You probably know some too. Write their names on your prayer list.
This weather doesn’t help those who have illnesses like sinus issues, cold, and flu. As you remember to wear your mask, also remember jackets, hats, and gloves.
Remember to pick up your copy of the chronological Bible readings for 2021. They are available at FBC, Kentwood during office hours this week. I’ve already started since I finished the 2020 readings a few days early and find them easy to follow.
We have started shopping for our 2021 “shoeboxes”. We are also beginning the process of collecting something different this year. We need good, clean men’s button-front shirts to repurpose into dresses. All sizes are useful. These can be left in the church office or in the classroom next to the choir room. We will also be accepting lace, rick-rack, and fabric scraps suitable to make pockets for the girls’ dresses.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
IMB vision:
“God has given His vision to the church. That vision, expressed so clearly in Revelation 7:9 of a multitude of every language, people and tribe and nation, is His vision.” – Dr. Paul Chitwood
3,532total field personnel (11/30/2020)
*1,209people groups and urban centers engaged by IMB89,
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Be sure you check out the 2021 chronologicle Bible readings available at FBC, Kentwood. January 1st will be here in less than a week! I completed the Bible readings for 2020 and have looked ahead to 2021. I was amazed to see how Genesis and I Chronicles present the same messages in some of the first readings.
Many people are sick with colds, viruses, flu, etc. Wearing your covid mask might prevent other problems too!
Tomorrow’s online church services from FBC, Kentwood will be at 10:30 and 6:00 as usual. The great thing about the online services is that you do not have to watch them as they happen. We have watched a few early the next morning when the computer service was more cooperative. You may even want to rewatch some services.
Don’t forget the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. One hundred percent of the money given goes to the mission field to help people around the world learn about Jesus.
Coming soon: Operation Christmas Child 2021!
Today is a good day to “reach out and touch” someone. Don’t miss the opportunities God provides.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
~Luke 2:10-12~
Merry Christmas! I hope you and your family will make it a priority to talk about the birth of our Savior and why He came to earth to give us an opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.
Today’s Prayer Focus: Pray that Christmas celebrations in Kentwood and all around the world will include the gift God sent long ago in Bethlehem. LUKE 2 would be a wonderful chapter to read together and talk about.
Please say special prayers for those who are ill this holiday season and for those who have illness in their families. Also, pray for those who have lost family members recently.
(I got anxious to finish reading in 2020 and completed reading with the last of Revelation yesterday. I am always thrilled to know I have read the Bible one more time. Did I understand/fully comprehend everything I read? No, but I feel like I refreshed a lot in my memory and understand more than before.)
During 2021, I will read the Bible chronologically. I have already printed and placed copies of the plan in the church sanctuary. If anyone would like them, pick them up there or stop by the office to get a copy. When this portion of the year is completed, I’ll most the next readings. I will also post on The Prayer Link each day. If I should forget, please remind me.
Today, I know of more people with Covid than yesterday. I look forward to days of not hearing of new cases. Hopefully, the vaccination will be helpful as time goes by and more people can get vaccinated.
Of course, Covid is not the only illness. Pray for those with heart issues, respiratory issues, etc. I remember having the flu one Christmas season and sending my family off to enjoy some time with other family members while I stayed home and rested (slept). My only memory of Christmas that year was the preparations.
Please remember those who will not be with their families for the holidays. Think of all those in the military who are away from home for the first Christmas of their lives. We have a grandson who fits that category. Think of medical personnel, police, and even store employees who will miss some sweet family time. Say a special pray for those you personally know. Be thankful they will be there for us if we need them.
Many churches will be having a service this evening to celebrate Jesus. FBC, Kentwood will have a brief, 30 minute, service at 6 P.M. The church plans to post it online. I will share it too. If possible, join them or another church for this sweet celebration.
Have a happy family time, even if it needs to be by phone, photos, facetime, or zoom.
Remember, the holiday is not about gifts, family, food, gatherings, etc. It is about Jesus! Be sure to include the Christmas message from the Bible.
Charles Warren had a few little improvements yesterday. Pray for more today.
We know of several friends who are dealing with Covid-19. Pray for their improvements. I am sad to report that our very special friends, “Cete” and Ruby Dillon, ages 94 and 90, tested positive for the virus yesterday. They are at home. Pray they have a good day today.
Our friend, Gayle Owens, sent this yesterday.
I lost two close and dear relatives yesterday. Please pray for the Millie Hyde family and Dell Dees Frickey family. Aunt Millie was my Mama’s last sister and Dell (Earl Dees’ sister) was the last one in that family. Thank you.
Mildred L. Hyde
November 02, 1927 – December 21, 2020
Mildred L. Hyde, lovingly known as Millie or Nanoo, departed for her heavenly home on Monday, December 21, 2020. She was 93 years of age and is survived by her husband of 75 years, George L. Hyde of Amite. Also surviving her is her little family: her son, George Gerald Hyde and Judy Raborn of Kentwood, her daughter, Beth Robinson of Baton Rouge and Norman Foxworth, and her granddaughters and their families, Amy, Brian, and John Spencer Rivet of Baton Rouge and Katee, Brian, and Evan Joseph Laborde of Monterey, CA. The delight of her life was being with or hearing about the adventures of her two great grandsons, Evan and John John. She also tremendously enjoyed spending Girls Week each year with her daughter and granddaughters traveling to Hilton Head, Fairhope, and other points of interest. Millie was a lifelong member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church where she served her church and her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her loving parents and sisters George and Jesse Miller Lawrence, Lena Mae Dees, Clara Belle Corkern, Lyra Dean Hyde, and George Ruth Travis, and her infant daughter, Bonnie Mildred Hyde. Millie will be laid to rest at Hyde Cemetery at a date to be determined. McKneely Funeral Home of Amite is in charge of arrangements. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the many friends and relatives who expressed their love for her through their thoughts and prayers. May God bless each of you.
Floy Dell Dees Frickey
June 15, 1934 – December 20, 2020
Mrs. Floy Dell Dees Frickey, age 86 of Amite, LA, passed away peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on December 20, 2020.
Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of her life on December 26th at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite, LA, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and a memorial service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Amite Cemetery. The memorial service will be celebrated by Fr. Bernard Francis.
Dell was born in Amite, LA, to Lloyd and Thelma Dees. She attended Amite High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. She married Joseph Edward Frickey, Jr., on November 19, 1955, and they made a home in Des Allemands in St. Charles Parish. She worked as a choir director at Riverdale High School for 9 years and Hahnville High School for 26 years, where she touched the lives of so many of her students.
Dell Frickey is preceded in death by her mother and father, her sister, Jean Dees Watson, and her brothers, Lee and Earl Dees. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, and her children, Douglas Frickey (Mary), Lynn F. Becnel (Stewart), Laurie F. Hendrickson, and Leia Frickey, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dell loved visiting with family and the wonderful friends who blessed her life, including her Amite and Southeastern classmates and Joe’s Hahnville High classmates. She loved reading and telling a good story, and her laughter was contagious. She loved music and shared her talent as a director, pianist, and teacher with us all.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that any memorials be given to Mater Dolorosa Catholic School in Independence, Louisiana.
I hope you will get a list of readings from the sanctuary or from the church office of FBC, Kentwood. I like having a copy for my Bible. I will post them for those of you want to be reminded each day of 2021.
The chronological reading may help us to have a better understanding of the Scriptures. You can also listen to them instead of reading them. A link will be provided.
Prayer Focus: Today, let’s focus on those who might not be having their best Christmas season due to loneliness, inability to be with family, sickness, a death, a job loss, etc. It certainly is not a good day for everyone every year. Pray for the people having a difficult time.
Tonight, FBC, Kentwood will share their prayer meeting online at 6 P.M. Tomorrow night, they will have a brief Christmas Eve service online.
Don’t forget about giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. One hundred percent of the gifts given through this offering go directly to the mission field to help people learn about Jesus, the reason we are celebrating Christmas. During this season, please pray for international missionaries and their extended families. Most will not be able to celebrate Christmas together. You can give at any local Southern Baptist Church.
First, I want to tell you David is doing very well despite his terminal illnesses. He last blood work was amazing!. His blood level was 10.7 which meant he did not need procrit or a trip to Baton Rouge yesterday. The 31st will be four months without a procrit injection, by far the longest time yet. God has gifted us with David’s improved health and more days than the doctors expected. Thank-you, Lord! Thank-you, too, to all of you who continue to pray for him. We don’t know why David was chosen to have this time, but are so very thankful! God is our miracle maker!
I read, this morning, that Covid-19 is less dangerous, but more easily spread now. Stay alert. Let’s continue to be careful today and all during the holidays. I do have a new unspoken prayer request related to the virus. Please honor my request with a moment of prayer. Thank-you!
Charles Warren had a very difficult day yesterday. His family requests extra prayers for him and for them today.
Have you ever had a loved in the hospital at Christmas? I have. It’s hard to visit the hospital when it seems the whole world is happy, but you have a loved one you want to visit. Pray for those who have family members in the hospitals. Ask God for strength to be able to celebrate Jesus wherever you are and no matter the circumstances. God is worthy of our praise and worship even on our difficult days!
First Baptist Church, Kentwood, will have their regular prayer meeting service tomorrow and a special Christmas Eve service Thursday at 6:00 P.M. The Christmas Eve service will be thirty minutes long. I’m sure they plan to offer it online too for those who cannot attend in person. (I know other churches will have special services too. If you send me information about your church, I will share it tomorrow.)
Christmas is a very special time, because it represents when Jesus was born on earth. Include the Christmas story in your celebrations. Be sure to tell of out opportunity to spend eternity in heaven. Christmas without Christ is not Christmas at all!
Yvonne Birch asks you to pray for her aunt, Earline Allen, whose husband, William “Bill”, was a pastor at Greenlaw Baptist Church in the ’50’s. “Aunt” Earline has several health issues and is not doing well. Your prayers for her and the family will be appreciated.
The Prayer Link 
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