. . . as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103: 12
The lights just flickered. I lost everything, but this verse.
Here’s a brief revision.
PRAYER FOCUS – Please pray for Bro. Darryl Miller. He will be seeing his doctor today.
OBITUARY
John Herman DeLacerda
March 17, 1939 – August 5, 2023
A resident of Chipola, LA, passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary, LA. He was born March 17, 1939 in Gorum, LA and was 84 years of age. He was United States Marine Corps. Veteran and a retired carpenter with Carpenters Local Union #1098. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sylvia DeLacerda; 3 sons, Johnie DeLacerda (Margaret), Bennie DeLacerda (Jerri), and Michael DeLacerda (Susan); 2 sisters, Winda Underwood and Doris Prescott; aunt, Lillie Causey; 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Emma DeLacerda; brother, Mitchell DeLacerda; and daughter, Julie Kelley. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. Interment Wales Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. Pallbearers will be Justin DeLacerda, Sean DeLacerda, Conor DeLacerda, Mason DeLacerda, Chris Harvin, and Dustin Colkmire. Honorary pallbearers will be Eldon Davis and Paul Dupre. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
READ the BIBLE TODAY
Ezekiel 16: 1-62
“The last time I carried a friend’s burden . . . .”
MISSIONS
Please pray for for Fall Food Roundup at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. Pray about the options of writing a check or buying items from their most-needed list. Their truck will be here September 18th, so please give before then.
That’s all for today. I feel “wiped-out” too. What a way to start my Monday!
Let’s pray for those who are not serving in a church to get involved. Simply attending is not enough. There’s a place for each person to use their talents. Let’s pray they can do so this month.
READ THE BIBLE TODAY
Week 30 – Friend of the Hurting Heart
August 6, 2023
Luke 10: 25-37
“If I had seen the injured man, I . . . . “
CHURCH SERVICES TODAY AT FBC, KENTWOOD
9:15 – Sunday School
10:30 – Morning Worship
6:00 – Evening Worship
The two worship services are available online on the church’s facebook site and on YOUTUBE. They are not at good as being there in person, but certainly better than no church service at all.
MISSION PROJECT – FALL FOOD ROUNDUP FOR THE LOUISIANA BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME
This is our yearly opportunity to give non-perishable groceries and household needs. We have six weeks until the truck comes to Kentwood for pickup. You can also write a check to help purchase the perishable items. Let’s continue our support of the great work done there.
Tomorrow, we will begin a week of Scripture on “Friend of the Hurting Heart”.
OBITUARIES
Fr. Mark Beard
July 26, 1961 – August 2, 2023
Fr. Mark Bryan Beard, a loving son, brother, uncle, Pastor, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at the age of 62. Father Beard was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He held a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and a Master’s in Divinity (M.Div) from Notre Dame Seminary. He also received a certification in Spirituality (Spiritual Direction), and Divinity. Father Beard worked for a number of years in his family’s business, Beard Engineering and United Industries, a company working in the manufacturing and engineering of wastewater equipment. Here, he received a U.S. Patent for Inventor of Turbulence Control System. After a trip to Medjugorje in 2000, he began to consider priesthood as a possible vocation. After 4 years of discernment, Fr. Beard entered Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana in 2004 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana on May 30, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. He was Associate Pastor at Most Sacred Heart-Gramercy, St. Joseph-Paulina, St. Michael the Archangel-Convent, and Our Lady of Prompt Succor Chapel-Lutcher for two years. He has been a pastor of St. Helena Catholic Church, in Amite, Louisiana, for the last twelve years. During that time he has built a beautiful campus where tours and retreats are offered. For the last two and a half years, he was also the administrator at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Retreat Center in Osyka, Mississippi. Fr. Beard is survived by his loving mother, Florence Mariotti Beard; brother, Gary Beard and his wife, Diane; nieces and nephews, Jason, Jennifer, Nathan, Nicholas, Jacob, and Jon; great niece, Gabriella Beard; and Godmother, Nita Vicari and family. Fr. Beard is preceded in death by his father, Harold James Beard.
A public visitation will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 8:30AM until 11:00AM. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Mercy with the diocesan clergy present. Priests and deacons are encouraged to wear their diocesan vestments.
Visitation for parishioners of St. Helena Church will be held at the St. Helena Parish Hall in Amite on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 8:00AM until 11:00AM with a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Helena Church for family members and St. Helena Parishioners at 11:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to continue supporting Fr. Beard’s vision, please consider donating on the website to ourladyofhopems.com or mail to P.O. Box 130, Osyka, Ms 39657 or to sthelenachurch.net or mail to 122 South First Street Amite, La 70422.
McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Henry Eugene Meyn
February 1, 1946 – August 4, 2023
A resident of Arcola, LA, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023 at his home. He was born February 1, 1946 in Hammond, LA and was 77 years of age. He is survived by his daughter, Stacy Meyn; granddaughters, Taryn Strickland and Abigail Snow; grandson, Levi Strickland; brothers, Donald Meyn, Sylvester “Butch” Meyn and Glenn Meyn; sister, Sylvia Prescott. Preceded in death by his wife, Sherry Meyn; father, Henry A. Meyn; mother, Genevieve Meyn; brothers, Jerry Meyn and Russell Meyn. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 2:00PM until Memorial Services at 4:00PM on Sunday, August 6, 2023. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s pray for our Catholic friends, and many others, who are confronted with the death of Father Mark. It’s not everyday that a congregation faces the tragic death of their minister/priest. Pray that Father Mark’s death will be an opportunity for many to “grow in the Lord” as they deal with his death. May his memory be one of a man who gave his life in service to others.
Sandra Elaine Rushing passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on August 1, 2023 at the Ponchatoula Community Care Center. Known to most as Sandy, she was an active member of the Amite community as a young adult, volunteering with community organizations and faithfully attending First Baptist Church of Amite. She was immensely creative and worked in different mediums throughout her life, including interior design, floristry, mixed media, drawing, and watercolor. Sandy was greatly affected through much of her adult life by mental illness. Her diagnoses made day-to-day living difficult and ultimately damaged her creativity, passions, and relationships. If you are led to honor Sandy in her death, please consider learning more about mental illness through the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (https://apafdn.org/). She is survived by her three children Russell Paul Conger, Jr. (Niki), Andrew Conger (Amelie), and Courtney Rasor (Chad); her grandchildren Lainey, Russell Allen, Chloe, Kaleb, Lucien, Margot, and Claire Conger; her brothers Richard and Bruce Rushing; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Robert and Madeline Rushing; stepfather Kinley Rushing; siblings Mike and Linda Rushing, and Brenda Dunaway. In keeping with Sandy’s wishes, a small gathering with close family will be held in her honor. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Brandy DeSha Potts
June 15, 1984 – August 1, 2023
Brandy DeSha Potts, 39, a resident of Kentwood, La; passed away August 1, 2023, at her home. Brandy was born June 15, 1984, in McComb, Ms. to Kirk and Renea Potts. She was a member of East Fork Baptist Church where she was a very faithful servant to the lord. She served on staff for many years doing the church bulletin. She enjoyed hanging out with family and friends, listening to The Domino Band and The Moe and Joe Band. She loved taking family vacations. No matter where she was or what she was doing, she always had a smile. She was preceded in death by her Grandpa W.A. Potts and Grandpa James Craft. She is survived by her parents, a sister Amy Potts and fiance Cody Brown, nieces Annabelle Caine and Aubrie Brown, nephew Noah Brown. Grandmothers Juan Potts and Glinda Craft. Uncles Ricky Nobles, John Nobles (Cheryl), Todd Potts (Cathy), Aunt Darla Bridges (Khris), and numerous cousins. Special Great Aunt Bobbie Potts and special friend Charlotte Ladner. Pallbearers are Cody Brown, Russton Potts, Jason Hammett, Jerrell Grice, Khris Bridges and Jeff Simmons. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6:00 PM until 9:00PM on Sunday and from 9:00AM until 11:00AM on Monday, August 7, 2023 at East Fork Baptist Church. Religious Services at East Fork Baptist Church at 11:00AM on Monday. Services conducted by Bro. Jay Avance and Bro. Gregory Potts. Interment East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
An obituary for Father Mark is not available at this time.
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s focus our prayers on administrators and teachers as they begin the 2023-2024 school year. Let’s pray for them regularly during this year.
PREPARATION for SUNDAY
There are many things you can do to help Sunday be a great day. The first one is to pray. You also can prepare your lesson. Inviting others is always appropriate. Is there someone who needs your physical help to be there or a ride? What about preparation at home to make the day run smoothly? A good Saturday always in important in having a good Sunday. The more you do to prepare for Sunday, the better it will be.
READ the BIBLE
Proverbs 23: 13
Proverbs 133: 22-25
II Timothy 1: 3-7
“The family member whom I have influenced spiritually the most is . . . . “
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Please pray for the families of Brandy Potts and Father Mark Beard. These were very different people, but people who loved to serve the Lord. I don’t have their obituaries yet. Thank God for the lives they lived.
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s pray for all those who are touched by these deaths. Pray you are living a life that touches others and glorifies God.
PRAYER REQUEST
David and I went to Hammond yesterday for a doctor’s appointment. We did a little grocery shopping, but soon noticed how weak we were, not fully recovered from the dehydration we are fighting. We also realized we were too weak to go to prayer meeting. Please for strength as we work to recover from the virus that has controlled us for the last couple of weeks.
READ the BIBLE
August 3, 2023
Pssalm 127
Psalm 128
“The Bible honors the kind of family that . . . .”
AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS
FBC, Kentwood formed a Trail Life organization for boys. Now, American. Heritage Girls is being formed. If you have a boy or girl interested in joining, please contact the church office for more information and to get a name(s) added to the list. If you do not have a boy or girl of the age for these groups. please pray for them anyway.
Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Today, let’s pray for those who are driving on our highways. May they be competent and alert so they can drive safely.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Just because we are not having our large group Saturday work days each month doesn’t mean work is not happening. We are currently working on photographs with messages for each child. Each message involves PRINTING a note, drawing hearts, balloons, flowers, etc., and coloring in the designs. The picturess are our children helping on one of our Saturday workdays. They are turning out well, thanks to all the ladies and children who have helped.
Soon, we should be ready to move on to our next step.
PRAYER LISTS
I hope you have your personal prayer list in some form. Add and subtract from it as needed. Praying for the needs you are aware of and concerned about is the best way to pray.
Have a great day! Be aware of prayer needs of others as you go through your day.
I am better today, but we are waiting until Wednesday to get out. We don’t want to share this virus with anyone.
I have been writing TPL for 30 years. This is the longest I have missed writing it daily in all that time! It’s the sickest we have been in all that time! Thankfully, David has been able to help me get through this virus.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for all the students who are starting in new schools, especially those at higher levels. For example, our granddaughter, Mallory, begins medical school this morning and her husband begins his third year of medical school.
Illnesses
I understand Trey Buckleyhad gallbladder surgery last Wednesday and stayed in the hospital overnight. He quickly resumed his normal schedule after that. I saw him on the church broadcast yesterday morning.
I understand Bobbie Magee has been hospitaled, but is now home.
I don’t know of others, but if you do, please let me know.
Please continue to pray for Brian Tate, Gerald Hyde, and others on our prayer list too.
Missions
The next seven weeks, we will focus on the Louisiana Baptist Children’s home and their most needed items list. Please choose one or two items and make purchases in quantity. Their most needed items include: Cereal, Cleaners, Condensed and Evaporated Milk, Crackers, Freezer Bags (1 and 2 Gallon Size), Grits, Hand Soap & Sanitizer, Mayonnaise, Paper Towels & Napkins, and Pickles & Relish.
These items can be left in the church office or under the stairwell at the north west entrance to the fellowship hall. On the behalf of the residents, I thank you!
I plan to shop early. Then, I will probably shop again!
David suggested I write to tell you we have been sick with a norovirus. It is very contagious, so we will continue to stay home. We hope to begin a regular routine in a few days. I have not looked at my phone or a computer in days. Please pray for us.
The following verse was provided today by God. I should not have been surprised!
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Today, let’s focus our attention on families who plan a trip, a few hours or a few days, before school begins again. Pray for a good time, as well as a safe, healthy trip. Pray for them as the children as they settle back into their school routine again.
Obituary
Jewel Clyde Booty, Jr.
July 13, 1949 – July 23, 2023
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at his home. He was born July 13, 1949 in Tylertown, MS and was 74 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane Booty; son, Jewel Clyde Booty, III (Barbara); 3 grandchildren, Jay Booty, Carson Booty (Stephanie), and Chloe Guidry (Randy); 2 great-grandchildren, Cam and Cason Guidry; 3 sisters, Anita Esch (Danny), Melissa Gillespie, and Jewelyn Henry; brother, Chris Booty (Jodie). Preceded in death by father, Jewel Booty; mother, Idell Edwards; sister, Betty Doty; and grandson, Ryan Foy. Visitation at New Jerusalem United Pentecostal Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 2:00PM on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Services conducted by Rev. Matt Booty, Rev. Donnie Booty, and Rev. Jay Mennoa. Interment New Jerusalem Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Robbie Hunter, Jr., Steven Esch, Randy Guidry, Drew Tate, Terry Nicholson, and H. M. Travis. Honorary pallbearers Chris Higgins and Ronald Booty. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Missions – Fall Food Roundup for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries
We will again be collecting items on the MOST NEEDED list.
Cereal
Cleaners (Bathroom & Kitchen)
Condensed & Evaporated Milk
Crackers (Ritz & Saltines)
Freezer Bags (Gallon & 2 Gallon)
Grits (Regular & Instant)
Hand Soap/Sanitizers
Mayonnaise
Paper Towels & Napkins
Pickles & Relishes (Dill & Sweet)
Choose the item/items you would like to donate and make your purchases. You may leave your items under the stairwell at the NW entrance to the fellowship hall or in the church office. An alternative is to write a check to our church designating the funds of the LBCH. Then, the church can write one check for all of us OR you can write you check to the LA. Baptist Children’s Home and turn it in during our regular offering time. Then, the children’s home can make their purchases in quantity as needed.
Our collection date is early Monday, September 18, so make sure to get your items in no later than Sunday, the 17th.
Thank-you for helping again this year.
Update on “Shoeboxes”
Our most recent activity was writing a message and having children color hand-drawn pictures on the back of photographs showing our children working on shoebox items. They have turned out well.
If you have something you wish to include in The Prayer Link….
Write it on paper and hand it to me at church.
Write it on paper and mail it to me at home.
Call me at home.
I often meet people in the community who tell me they read TPL. Sometimes, I don’t know them, but they have put me together with reading TPL. Thank you for sharing the information. Sometimes people call or come by to ask about how to find TPL. All these ways work. Thank you for sharing. Many times I write to our church members, but most of the time what I write if helpful to others too.
The Prayer Link 
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