Baptist Press

FIRST-PERSON: Separating fact from conspiracy in Kirk assassination

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-person-separating-fact-from-conspiracy-in-kirk-assassination/

Your Fantastic Friday awaits you. What will you do with this day God is giving us?

Today’s Scripture Verse

Reading the Bible in 2025

• September 19
• Psalm 36-39

Prayer Focus

Please pray for our nation to stand strong for the values God would have us live for and thank God for our forefathers and their strong belief in God and ideals for our nation.

Sunday School Lesson

• September 21
• “The Land”
• Numbers 13:17-31

Senior Adult Lunch Yesterday

We enjoyed our lunch yesterday at Middendorf’s. There were 32 FBC, Kentwood senior adults present for the meal. What a blessing on a beautiful day!

Two-Rivers Associational Senior Adult Revival

Early October

1st day – Meeting at Spring Creek

Assisted by Kentwood

I’ll share more information next week.

‘Idolatry, Power, Money, and Satan’

 ²³ And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 

²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of ^[a]Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 

²⁵ He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 

²⁶ Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 

²⁷ So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and ^[b]her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

Acts 19:23-27, New King James Bible

Please continue to pray for Ruby Schwartz. She is experiencing a lot of pain following the additional surgery she had.

Anna Lee

Verse of the Day

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for Ruby Schwartz. She probably was already on your prayer list due to recent surgery. She required surgery yesterday to remove some infection. That’s now done. She will be at home again in a few days. Pray for her as she continues to progress.

Reading the Bible in 2025

• September 18
• Psalm 32-38

Obituary

Patricia Ann Thomas

September 15, 1949 – September 16, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. She was born September 15, 1949 in Osyka, MS and was 76 years of age. She is survived by her son, Robert Marc Huber (Melissa Cuti); daughter, Lori Burch (Jamie); grandchildren, Amber Huber, Kelsey Travis (Landon), Kylee Burch, Ethan Burch, Cooper Burch, and Grace Arnone; great-grandchildren, Ember Huber, Bentley Travis, and Ryleigh Travis; brother, Dennis McElveen (Rosalee); niece and nephew, Elizabeth and Mathew McElveen. Preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Elsie McElveen; and uncle, Eddie Varnado. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Donnie Easley. Interment at East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Baptist Press

Today, we have a news article concerning See You at the Pole which will be celebrating it’s 35th anniversary and adding some new components. Read about this wonderful opportunity for our students each year.

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today’s Quote, Author Unknown

“If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”

Personal Prayer List

Today is a good day to update your Prayer List or to create one if you have not already started one.

Devotional Thought from Charles Spurgeon

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

— Galatians 5:25

It is important to have both a life of faith and a walk of faith!

In closing, let your light shine by reaching out to OTHERS in a way that suits you best.

Anna Lee

Today’s Bible Verse

“God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the…”

Jeremiah 10:12-13

Prayer Focus

We had a number of deaths in our area last week. Please pray for the families as they continue to live without their loved ones.

Baptist Press

baptistpress.com

Obituaries

No new obituaries today!

Closing Scripture

Matthew 20:13

In the parable, the landowner pays all workers, regardless of the hours they worked, the same wage, which prompts the resentment of the early-hired workers. The landowner’s response emphasizes his right to be generous and that he has not wronged the first workers, as they received the payment they had agreed upon. 

Thank-you for reading today’s post. Be kind to others today and every day!

Anna Lee

Today, let’s focus on praying for making good decisions as individuals, families, organizations, communities, and nations.

Today’s Bible Verse

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 16
• Psalm 21-25

No New Obituaries Posted This Morning

Same Wonderful Story

Quote by Charles Spurgeon

“Rely implicitly upon the old, old gospel. You need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough to hold the little…”

The message hasn’t changed!

This hymn come to mind – “Tell me the Story of Jesus” by Fanny Crosby

I hope this image, quote, and hymn inspire you today.

Set a Goal/Step into ActionToday

Pray first. Then set a goal for this day that will make today better for someone.

Examples:

• Call a friend who might need a prayer of a simple task done.
• Take a food, store-bought rf fresh from your kitchen, to someone who is homebound.
• Offer a ride and some company to someone going to the doctor.
• Pick up some limbs or trash that has blown into a yard.
• Bake a food and deliver it “straight out of the oven”.
• Take a friend to get a haircut.
• Put some new light bulbs in the house and/or on the porch of an older person’s home.
• Sweep of some porches and leave a cutting growing in a jar of water for the kitchen window.
• Water some plants in a yard or on a porch.

It’s the thought, time, and effort, not the price tag from the store that counts!

Enjoy the smiles you will be rewarded with. Pray first that God will lead you to the people and projects that will be most meaningful.

Anna Lee

Monday Morning

What a great day to begin with praying to God and ministering to others!

Verse of the Day

Live each day of your life doing your best to learn more and do more.

Associational WMU Meeting Saturday

We had a good increase in attendance. The meeting went well. We learned about the “new” Camp Living Waters and it’s availability to us. I must say I think the ladies left the meeting with some new ideas about missions that our churches can work into our focus and our plans.

Sunday School

It’s great to have a good group to teach and ladies who ask questions about what they studied. They have knowledge from many years that they can share. How special it is to teach them! I hope you have a Sunday School class and individuals who are always anxious to review a topic they are familiar with and/or learn about a new topic.

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 15
• Psalms 17-20
• Progress so far: We have read all the New Testament and are working our way through the Old Testament. Currently, we are reading and learning from Psalms.
• I hope you are reading along with us. I know of some people who are. We will accomplish our 2025 goal in a few months!
• Before long, it will be time to select a plan for 2026 and read the Bible again in the coming year.
• I trust that some of you will join us next year and read the Bible again. I’ve started to use a different Bible each time I read by this method. It encourages me to not miss a single chapter.

No New Obituaries Today

It’s never too late to send cards, call, visit, etc. those who have had recent needs.

Georgia Barnette Offering

This offering covers many different ministries throughout Louisiana. This is our time to focus on them. It’s never too late to give!

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Fall Food Round-Up

A truck will be at FBC this morning to collect of gifts to cover their food needs for the next year. If you have not turned in a donation or if you want to give again before next September, you can mail your donation to them in Monroe or you can give to them through your local church. The church will forward your check for you. It’s never too late to give.

Children’s Ministry & Youth Ministry

There is always so much going on with opportunities for children and youth. I trust you are encouraging your children and youth to grow through Sunday School, music, missions, outreach, etc. If you need additional information, you can call the church office.

“Manna”

This is a food ministry to meet community needs, especially to older and homebound individuals. They are seeking additional people to volunteer to cook or to deliver meals. Contact the church office.

Homebound Ministry

We also have a revitalization of the homebound ministry in our church. You can turn in the names of homebound individuals and/or volunteer to be a part of a team to minister to them all throughout the year. Contact the church office to learn more.

Operation Christmas Child

We will soon be moving into the packing phase of this ministry. We are also working toward paying shipping on the many boxes we have packed. OCC works in such a great volume that the additional needs are very economical. Trust me, as a mother who has paid to ship boxes to family serving overseas, the shipping for OCC shoeboxes is very economical!

Pine Ridge Bible Study

Wednesday, we will be studying about Lot’s wife. I hope to see you at noon. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Wales or I will pass on a message for you.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Additional Scripture

A Thought from Charles Spurgeon

They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Psalms 112:7 NIV

In Closing….

I hope you will select some ways to pray and to serve….

Anna Lee

Let’s honor Him today!’

Today’s Bible Verse

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 14
• Psalms 9-16

No New Obituaries

Message from Franklin Graham

Hope for a Broken Nation

Dear‍ Friend,

Our nation is in trouble.

We’re faced with overwhelming violence and hatred—and you don’t have to look farther than the assassination of Charlie Kirk or the brutal murder of a young Ukrainian woman on a train in North Carolina.

“What do you stand on when everything seems so dark, when everything’s falling apart?”
—Franklin Graham

My good friend Greg Laurie and I have put together a special broadcast that will air this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on TBN, Newsmax, and Newsmax2. The 30-minute program, Hope for a Broken Nation, will also feature music by Michael W. Smith and Charity Gayle, and you can also watch it online at BillyGraham.org beginning at 3 p.m.

Greg and I will discuss the recent violence—and the great hope we have in Jesus Christ. America has faced many dark hours before, and we just commemorated one of the darkest: 9/11. We’ll also share the message my father preached from the National Cathedral 24 years ago. It’s just as relevant and powerful now as it was then.

“Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” (Psalm 46:2, NKJV).

I hope you’ll join me and Greg this Sunday. Please pray for our nation, that God will turn many hearts to Himself and heal our land.

May the Lord richly bless you,

Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan’s Purse

Yesterday’s WMU Meeting

Ladies, we increased our attendance at yesterday’s. I’m expecting another increased at our December meeting. You can be a part in that increase when we meet in December at Spring Creek Baptist Church.

We learned so much about the how Camp Living Waters is used and how we can use it. If you missed the opportunity yesterday, I hope you will take another opportunity and learn about these opportunities.

Additional Bible Verses

‘The Sabbath Rest’

Hebrews 3:7-4:11

Hebrews 3 and 4 focus on the superiority of Jesus Christ over Moses and issue a strong warning against unbelief and disobedience that could prevent believers from entering God’s spiritual rest. 

“Dear Father, I long to enter into your rest – into creative work that is effortless, into joyous activity in which there is no fatigue, into glorious…”

Study the Bible and worship the Lord today.

Anna Lee

Today’s Bible Verse

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for those who live alone. Many are lonesome for interactions with others. If you know of someone who fits that description figure out a way to impact that life.

Today, let’s also pray for those who are in rehabilitation facilities. These sites make a big difference in lives of people following surgery, sickness, and or accidents.

Read the Bible Today

• 9-13-25
• Psalm 1-8

Georgia Barnette Focus for 2025

Tomorrow, we will have week three of our focus on missions in Louisiana.

Additional Bible Reading

‘What about Us?’

Read Matthew 19:27-30.

Opportunities

• Associational WMU meeting today
• Sunday School and worship services for all ages tomorrow at many churches
• Participation in mission projects in our area
• Giving a check and/or groceries to the LA Baptist Children’s Home to help feed all the residents in the next year. A truck from the children’s home will pick up items in our area early Monday morning, so leave your donations by tomorrow.
• Learning about Camp Living Waters, summer camp opportunities, and other ways the facilities can be used
• Personal contacts with those hospitalized or receiving rehabilitation services.
• Visiting those who are homebound
• Contacting those who live alone
• Giving to the Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana or donation time to serve in outreach in our state

Have a wonderful day. May we all share Jesus in our own way(s) today.

Anna Lee

To those of you who look forward to Fridays, this is your day. It usually signals the end of a busy week and time for a more relaxing weekend. Sometimes, the weekend is so busy we look forward to Monday. However that works for you, be thankful you have this day, this weekend, this week, this month, and this year.

Today’s Verse

Bible Readings

• September 12
• Jov 40-42

Obituary

Grant Day

August 5, 1941 – September 10, 2025

Grant Day, 84 of Kentwood, LA passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at the St Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. He was born August 5, 1941 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 9:00 am, at Pine Ridge Methodist Church Cemetery in Kentwood, LA.  Rev. Michael Townsend will officiate. Also Bro. Joe Day will deliver remarks.

Grant S. Day, a beloved member of the Bethel Baptist Church, was a man who lived life to the fullest. A true outdoorsman, he found his greatest joy in hunting and fishing. Grant was known for his incredible generosity, always willing to give away all he had, even the very shirt off his back. He had a deep love for his phone and was known to call friends and family at all hours of the night. Grant’s love for bluegrass music was contagious; he would often sing for anyone who would listen. The family extends a special thank you to the dedicated staff of the St. Helena Parish Nursing Home for their compassionate care.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ivy Day; mother, Maggie Cutrer Day; brothers, Ivy Ellis Day, Joseph Elvis Day, Carl Bentley Day, Charlie “Nick” Day and Donald Audis Day.

Survivors include his sister, Lauree Day Phillips (Adrian) of Kentwood, LA, and brother, Lynn Day (Betty) from Kentwood, a host of nieces and nephews and a special friend Pat Erwin.

Pallbearers will be: Colton Strickland, Adrain Strickland, Ronnie Strickland, Dayne Passman, John Travis Day and Travis Day.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Ivy “Shorty” Williams, Wendell Day and Michael Charles Passman II.

An online guestbook may be signed at http://www.sharkeyfuneralhome.com

Getting Closer

We are only one day away from the Two Rivers Associational WMU/Women on Mission Meeting. I hope to see you tomorrow morning at 10:00 at FBC. Kentwood. We will focus on the Georgia Barnette offering and Camp Living Waters.

Fall Food Round-Up

We are almost to Sunday, our deadline to turn in items or checks for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home “Fall Food Round-up”.

Baptist Press

Eyewitness to Kirk assassination recalls chaotic aftermath

Southern Seminary scholars discuss death of Charlie Kirk, national animosity

Clint Pressley issues call to prayer for this Sunday

FIRST-PERSON: Remembering Charlie Kirk

The greatest truths of all time: The greatest need

‘Who Can Be Saved?’ (Mt. 19:25-26)

“Go down in front of the LORD and worship him in the holy clothes that he wants. Be afraid of him, all people on the earth! Say to other countries, ‘The LORD is King!’ The world is fixed and strong. He will be a fair judge for all people”. 

Matthew 19:25-26

Easy English Bible

Prayer Focus

• Grieving families
• Those who are hospitalized
• Homebound
• Those who are having changes or issues in their families
• Combating many opportunities to miss church
• Safety for those involved in football, band, cheerleading, etc.
• Weekend travelers
• Many people involved in church activities this weekend
• Etc.

‘Your Majestic Name’

Your Majestic Name’

“O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth.”

Personal Prayer Lists

Today, let’s update our personal prayer lists and pray for those listed as we do so.

This Helps Me

A few weeks ago I suggested you write the names of some of your favorite hymns/songs on small pieces of paper and post them throughout your home or office. I don’t know how many of you did so, but I did. Today, I want to say that it was a good plan for me. As I go about each day, I run into those hymn titles on doors, door handles, etc. It reminds me of God as I focus on the words and their meaning to me.

Terrific Thursday

As we live our daily lives today, I hope we can deepen and share our faith. Blessing and encouraging others besses us and encourages us first.

Anna Lee

Frances Ann Hickman

October 27, 1948 – September 9, 2025

FRANCES ANN HICKMAN, AGE 76

And a resident of Franklinton passed away early Tuesday morning September 9, 2025 at her home, the property where she has lived her entire life. She was born on October 27, 1948 and following graduation from high school, attended business college in Baton Rouge and worked for a short time, before returning home to raise her family. Frances loved sewing and quilting, often making clothes and other items for her family and others. She loved making crafts, often helping her grandkids make the perfect items to enter into the booths at the Washington Parish Free Fair each year. Most recently, she made cute teddy bears for each of her family members and others she wanted to spread a little joy to. Frances enjoyed taking care of her yard and tending to her beautiful flower beds. She was forever a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by all that knew her.

Survived by:

Husband of 57 years: Tommy L. Hickman

Son and Daughter in law: Tommy Hickman, Jr. and Celeste Hickman

2 Daughters and a Son in law: Michele and Perry Talley,
Rachel Polk

Grandchildren: Kaitlin, Cassidy, Austin, Preston, and Brody Hickman,
Vivian and Samuel Talley,
Weston and Anna Kate Polk

Sister: Jerrie Hickman

Sisters in law and Brothers in law: Iris Hickman,
Michael and Harriet Hickman,
Lloyd Hickman,
Deborah and Tom Eckert,
John and Melanie Hickman

Also numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents Ben Passman and Leona Magee Passman, sister Georgia Quinones, brothers Bennie Gene Passman, James Harold “Joe” Passman, father in law and mother in law Johnny and Audrey Hickman and other family members.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Friday September 12th from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 am Friday with Bro. Mark Jenkins officiating. A private graveside service will follow in the family cemetery on their property.

Pallbearers: Austin Hickman, Preston Hickman, Brody Hickman, Samuel Talley, Weston Polk, Kaydin Passman