“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

~Luke 1:68~

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!

Read the Christmas story – Day 22

Luke 22

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 22

Zechariah 2:1-3:10
Revelation 13:1-18
Psalm 141:1-10
Proverbs 30:18-20

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

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!

Anna Lee

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.

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~

I know of new cases of Covid-19. You probably do too! Let’s continue to pray and be ready for the vaccination when it is available to us. I’m so thankful the vaccinations are ready and so effective.

Bill Morris is improving at home. Continue to pray for him and his “Sweet” Velta.

Ora Lee Wilson’s brother-in-law continues to need our prayers for peace and comfort. Pray for his family too.

The Christmas Story

Today, we read Luke 21.

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 21

Zechariah 1:1-21
Revelation 12:1-17
Psalm 140:1-13
Proverbs 30:17

FBC, Kentwood will have a Christmas Eve service at 6 P.M. Thursday. You may participate in person or online.

FBC, Kentwood will include the Lord’s Supper/Communion in the Sunday morning service. If you are participating online, please plan to provide crackers and juice for those in your home.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Enjoy this Christmas season by remembering that God sent his son, Jesus, to earth to be an example of how to live and as a sacrifice for the sins of all of us. His sacrifice on the cross gives us an opportunity to choose to spend eternity in Heaven! If you haven’t made that choice, I pray you do so this week.

Anna Lee

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

~Luke 1:30-31~

Today’s Christmas Reading – Luke 20

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 20

Haggai 1:1-2:23
Revelation 11:1-19
Psalm 139:1-24
Proverbs 30:15-16

Amber Elizabeth Singleton

April 01, 1992 – December 18, 2020

Amber Elizabeth Singleton, 28 of Roseland, La., was granted her angel wings December 18, 2020. Her final days was spent surrounded by her family and friends that she touched throughout her beautiful life. Amber was born April 1, 1992 in Hammond, La. She is survived by her parents, Jimmie and Johnnie Singleton and Laurie Cox; siblings, Justin Anthony and fiance, Colbi, Brittany Husband and brother-in-law, Milton Husband, Danielle Templet, Desiree Kress, and Halli Doty; grandparents, Jimmie Singleton, Sr. and Nancy Cox; great-great-great aunt, Delos Robertson Bergeron; her best friend, Mallori Stillwell; nephews, Cass, Konnor, and Kole Anthony and Dylan and Coby Husband; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins that she loved dearly. Preceded in death by grandparents, Diane Hobbs, Walter Cox, and Lillie May Pierre; great-grandparents, Henson and Elizabeth Singleton. Visitation at First Baptist Church of Arcola from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 8:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Services conducted by Rev. Bob Simpson. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

100% of your gift goes directly into work/ministry on the mission field. What a difference you gift can make to others for eternity!

The Christmas season is a wonderful time to attend church. I hope you are blessed to be able to attend in person or online. The online opportunities will allow you to visit with multiple churches, hear multiple messages, and lots of beautiful music. Enjoy your family time this week. I understand we will have winter weather to go with the holidays. Pray for those who are in the military, working in hospitals, policing our communities, etc. Remember, the whole holiday season is a celebration of the greatest gift ever given, Jesus! Be sure He is make a special part of your celebration!

Anna Lee

“Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time—God’s time.”

~Luke 1:20 (The Message)~

OBITUARY

Sandra Lee (Rose) Hughes

OCTOBER 26, 1939 – DECEMBER 15, 2020

Obituary of Sandra Lee (Rose) HughesSandra Lee Rose Hughes, age 81, of Claremont, NC, passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at her residence. She was born October 26, 1939 in Clintwood, VA, the daughter of the late Fred Clarence Rose and Jewell Josephine Trivette Rose.In addition to her parents, Sandra was preceded in death by her sister, Billie Fern Rose ArtripThose left to cherish her memory are her husband, Wilton E. Hughes of the home; son, Ronald W. Small, Jr.; two daughters, Cheryl H. Green and husband, Noble, and Belinda Lea Hughes; two grandsons, John C. Easley and wife, Latanya and Andrew Benfield; three great-granchildren, Isabella Woodard, Alexander C. Easley and Hinara N. Easley; sister, Frances R. Sweeney; and many nieces and nephews.A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2020, at Oxford Baptist Church Cemetery in Conover with Rev. Eric Hollar officiating.Condolences may be sent to the Hughes family at www.drumfh-conover.comThe Hughes family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 19

Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
Revelation 10:1-11
Psalm 138:1-8
Proverbs 30:11-14

Prayer Focus for Today

Today, let’s focus our prayer on the International Mission Board (IMB) and all they work they do around the world to tell about Jesus so others may accept Him in their hearts., live for Him on earth, and spend eternity with Him in heaven. All (100%) the funds contributed through the Lottie Moon Offering help with the actual mission work done internationally.

Saturday is a day of preparation so nothing can interfere with our Sunday worship!

Anna Lee

This is a link to the January 1 reading. You have an option to read directly from the computer or other device you use rather than a Bible. There are also some books you may want to consider purchasing before the new year begins. They also make good gifts. Check out the plan and see if it is a good fit your you.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+1%3A1-3%3A24&version=NIV

“There is only one God, and Christ Jesus is the only one who can bring us to God. Jesus was truly human, and he gave himself to rescue all of us.

~1 Timothy 2:5 (CEV)~

Just a reminder if you are reading Luke this month, we will be reading Luke 18 today. If you missed some days, you have time to “catch up”.

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 18

Habakkuk 1:1-3:19
Revelation 9:1-21
Psalm 137:1-9
Proverbs 30:10

Don’t forget the chronological Bible reading for 2021. Yesterday, I shared with Yvonne Birch that I use a different Bible for each time I read all the way through the Bible. I think I will purchase an inexpensive one with large print this for 2021.

Covid-19 is continuing to spread in our country and in our community. Pathology labs, clinics, ERs, etc. are testing people at a fast rate and finding many to test positive. Each time there is a positive, there are also people who have been exposed who have to be quarantined. Pray for all Covid-19 has touched lately. Pray for those who do not have the disease, but who have been exposed and waiting to see it they develop the virus.

Our family doctor received the vaccination Wednesday. He posted a video to encourage other people to be vaccinated.

Mr. “Cete” Dillon shared with David yesterday that he and “Miss” Ruby have been exposed to Covid-19. Join others who are praying they do not develop the virus.

Remember the family of Mrs. Doris Young. Her memorial service will be today at FBC, Kentwood.

Today’s Prayer Focus – Let’s pray for older folks and those whose health is compromised. These people are more likely to catch the virus and have a more serious case. As you pray about the physical condition, please also pray for the same people who often stay home unless they have medical reasons to be out and about.

Let’s take some action today to check on our friends who are homebound and away from their family and friends. Your phone call or card may give encouragement they need. It is also possible to share some of your cooking/baking with others by leaving items on a porch and calling the person to let them know to check what you have left for them.

Other good things to share are magazines or newspapers you are finished with. We had a friend, James Rimes, who brought a magazine with an Operation Christmas Child story for us. James called ahead and asked someone to meet him in the driveway.

Baptist Press – You may be interested in the Podcast. Look on the right of the screen near the top to find a link.

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Baptist Message

https://baptistmessage.com/

I believe in prayers. I trust you do too!

Jesus is the reason the Christmas Season is so special.

Anna Lee

It’s Ora Lee Wilson’s brother-in-law who is very sick, not Yvonne’s brother-in-law. I wrote it incorrectly.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

~Micah 5:2~

Yvonne Birch’s brother-in-law is hospitalized with a very serious gastro problem. Please be in prayer for him.

Ritchie Yarbarough has Covid. He is quarantined at home until Christmas Eve. His mother, Jan, is not sick, but is quarantined with him.

Letitia “Beth” Easley Wilson

July 07, 1928 – December 16, 2020

Letitia “Beth” Easley Wilson , a resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born July 7, 1928 in Meridian, MS and was 92 years of age. She was the most loving mother , mother-in-law, grand and great-grandmother, and friend to all. Our precious “Mamaw” loved us so well. Mamaw and her delicious pound cake will be forever missed. She is survived by her daughter, Linda West and husband, Bernard; grandchildren, Vicki Boudreaux and husband, Bryan, John Pirie and wife, Tammie and James Pirie; great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Alec, Casen, Luke, Landon, Lexie and Cassie. Preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Vivia Chisolm; husband, Marvin Easley; husband, Billie Wilson; brother, Paul Chisolm. Graveside Services will be held at Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA at 10:00AM Saturday, December 19, 2020. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Delta Deaton Lewis

June 11, 1927 – December 10, 2020

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at her home. She was born June 11, 1927 in Morganza, LA and was 93 years of age. She is survived by 2 sons, Gene Lewis and Gary Lewis; 5 grandchildren, Amanda Lewis, Blayne Lewis, Brady Lewis, Ruston Slaven, and Brandon Slaven; 2 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and 1 sister, Lucy Deaton Walker. Preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Eugene Lewis, Sr.; parents, Hereford and Cloteal LeBlanc Deaton; granddaughter, Amy Lobre; 2 sisters, Gladys Dickinson and Dorothy Jarreau. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until 11:00PM on Saturday and at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church, Smithdale, MS from 12:00 Noon until religious services at 1:00PM on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Services conducted by Elder Luke Addison. Interment Mt. Gilead Cemetery, Smithdale, MS. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 17th

Nahum 1:1-3:19
Revelation 8:1-13
Psalm 136:1-26
Proverbs 30:7-9

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Donations can be made at your local Baptist Church Sunday or during the week at the church office.

Prayer Focus for Today

Today, let’s pray for the elderly of our community who have a hard time dealing with the cold temperatures.

Thank-you for “tuning-in” and praying.

Anna Lee

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~Isaiah 9:6~

Sandra (Mrs. Wilton) Hughes passed away yesterday. Please be in prayer for her family.

Eva Mae Frey Morris

December 17, 1929 – December 11, 2020

A resident of Hillsdale, Eva Mae died the evening of Friday, December 11th at Richard Murphy Hospice House in Hammond. She was born December 17, 1929 in Amite, Louisiana and would have turned 91 on her birthday. She was a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University with a major in library science. Eva Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, of 55 years and leaves behind their four children: Sherry Dale Morris Bingham and her husband, Charles Michael Bingham, Milton Douglas Morris, Julie Claire Morris, and Melanie Anne Morris Dribben. She is also survived by four grand children: John Philip Bingham and his wife Alexandria Jillian Bingham, Lydia Katherine Dribben, Eli Samuel Dribben, and Lei Anne Dribben; and three great grandchildren: Hunter Wyatt Bingham, Skylar Jane Bingham, and Marshall Charles Rider Bingham; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Douglas Frey and Lou Eva Doughty Frey; her grandson, Ethan Taylor Dribben; her sister, Ruby Kathryn Frey Thompson and her husband, Robert Young Thompson, Junior; her brother Samuel Douglas Frey, Junior; her brother Robert Lee Frey and his wife, Margaret Sue Kemp Frey. As a young girl, Eva Mae was never seen without a cat in her arms. She loved living in the country and spending time in nature — walking, birdwatching, and using her metal detector to discover hidden treasures. Throughout her life she was an avid reader and a lover of the written word. She was keenly interested in genealogy and family history, tracing her roots back to the Mayflower. Eva Mae loved “pretty things,” especially the beauty and magic of Christmas, and instilled that love in each of her children. She ensured that her children experienced a creative, imaginative, and broadened childhood. Early on she established a spiritual foundation by ensuring that her children were thoroughly instructed in biblical matters through regular church attendance, Bible School, and Christian education. “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies… Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:10 and 28. She will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends she leaves behind. Visitation will be held at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite from 10:00 am until noon on Friday, December 18th. Funeral service will be a private family affair. The family thanks you for respecting their wishes at this difficult time. Interment will be in Roberts Cemetery, Hillsdale. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible in 2020 – December 16

Micah 5:1-7:20
Revelation 7:1-17
Psalm 135:1-21
Proverbs 30:5-6

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

100% of the money given goes to support international missionaries!

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season!

Anna Lee