But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born October 4, 1943 in Kentwood, LA and was 79 years of age. She is survived by her 2 sons, Jason Gill and wife Gwynnette and Gentry Gill and wife Carla; 5 grandchildren, Hillery Gill, Tabbitha Gill, Reanna Gill, Wyatt Gill and wife, Maggie, and Ashlyn Gill; great-grandson, Jack Gill; 2 sisters, Fay Gehringer and Judy Gaulden and husband, Corbett. Preceded in death by husband, Fred Gill; son, Jewel Deware Gill; brother-in-law, Frankie Gehringer. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Monday, February 27, 2023. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
SPECIAL REQUEST
Please pray for my extended family this week.
READ the BIBLE TODAY
WEEK 9: GOD: HIS LOVE
February 26, 2023
Psalm 136
God showed His love to Israel by . . . .
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s thank God for the beauty of the Earth he provided for us. Let’s thank Him too, for the beauty in nature as the seasons change. Specifically, pray, thanking God, for the specific plants in your yard and/or your neighborhood.
Let’s also thank Him for ourfreedom to worship. May we never give up this basic freedom which has been a part of our country since the beginning. We keep it by using it!
REMINDER
Spaghetti lunch available after morning worship! This is a fundraiser to help our youth attend camp this summer!
Mr. Frank Erwin has been hospitalized. Please pray for him, his family, and his medical staff.
PRAYER FOCUS TODAY
Today, let’s focus our prayers on every word that is spoken at our churches tomorrow and on every person who will be in attendance in the services. May the words connect with people is a way that will make positive changes, eternal changes, in the lives of the people. Pray today. Expect tomorrow.
SUNDAYS’ SERMON TOPICS AND SCRIPTURE REFERENCES (FBC,Kentwood)
Sherrie Ann Snow Magruder, age 61, a resident of Covington, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 following a courageous battle with cancer. She was a member of the Bogue Falaya Baptist Church. Sherrie loved gardening, transplanting and sharing plants, hosting friends and family at the camp, and being “Honey” to her three grandsons. She had an easy laugh and a beautiful smile. She will be fondly remembered by the many students that she mentored over the years at Lee Road School and Bowling Green School. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Virgil Ray Magruder, her children, Jennifer Magruder Wozniak and husband, AJ and Virgil Ray Magruder, Jr. as well as her three grandsons, Parker James Wozniak, Patton Robert Wozniak, and Penn Snow Wozniak. She also survived by her mother, Loretta Scimeca Snow and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert “Bobby” Lee Snow, two brothers, David Scott Snow, MD and Shawn Snow and her grandparents. Visitation at Bogue Falaya Baptist Church, 78689 Hwy 25, Folsom, LA from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Services conducted by Bro. David Watson. Interment Bogue Falaya Baptist Church Cemetery, Folsom, LA. Pallbearers are Virgil Ray Magruder, Jr., Paul Garrett, MD, Dannie Garrett, Ken Weber, Luke Snow, and Thad Snow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bogue Falaya Baptist Church. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
I don’t know that Sherri ever lived in this area, but her in-laws did. Her father-in-law worked with my daddy at the telephone company. I remember them and was disappointed when the family moved from Amite many years ago because our family lost a great family of friends.
TODAY’S PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s thank God for all the people in our community and in every community, who help families when we build a home or need repairs. This includes construction workers, electricians, plumbers, appliancee repairmen, and many others who come to our rescue when we need them.
God allows our young people to choose their own careers, but each locality has people who focus on helping people in these ways. Many men can do lots of handiwork, but there seems to always be something they may need help with. Today, let’s thank God for all the people in our community that keep our homes functioning correctly so we can focus on what we know and love to do.
I remember as a child reading the Baptist Message. It was my weekly newspaper, as much as the Tangi Talk. Today, it is not published as frequently, but it certainly has a number of good and varied articles. If you don’t have the opportunity to read it at home, read it online. Thd latest paper includes these and other articles:
I know there are enough varied articles for all of us to find some to read and enjoy.
ILLNESSES
Andy Taylor needs our prayers as he recovers from his procedure.
I have almost recovered from my oral surgery, but will go back and have another step in the process in two weeks. I have completed some of my medicine for now. That’s good. Keeping up with several medicine schedules can be a challenge. All of you probably know what I mean by that.
PUTTING PRAYERS INTO ACTION.
Please pray for all the homebound and do something to connect to one or more of them today. You can prepare a food and deliver it, call and check on someone, send a card, etc. Another greatly needed task is driving people to the doctor or even the store.. Some elderly people do not have enough money to pay for this help.
OCC – SPECIAL PROJECT
A number of years ago I learned to improve our “Shoeboxes” by including tote bags and encouraged a group of ladies to take on the challenge of making them. They have done so ever since. As a matter of fact, they even work extra hard to prepare them a year in advance. Today, I’m going to count the ones I’ve had stored up since last year.
These ladies have enjoyed their personal mission all these years, but are getting to the age and physical condition where some of the work is difficult. Back-up workers are needed to assist with one tack in particular. I’m sure God will provide them so our shoeboxes can continue to have a tote, the first item we add to every “Shoebox”.
I know God provides a variety of skills and talents so someone can accosmplish each task of His work. Think about the skills and talents you have and how you use/could use them. The hymn, “OUR BEST“, comes to me as I write this.
Have a wonderful day as you do your best for Him today in one or more ways.
We usually hear this verse at a funeral, but I suggest it has many applications. It could be appropriate for a person at retirement or completing a particular phase of a job. It might seem appropriate when a child gets married. It might be appropriate when . . . .
BLOOD DRIVE FOR DONALD DUNCAN
March 2
2 P.M. – 7 P.M.
New Zion Baptist Church
SENIOR ADULT LUNCH
March 15th
Joe’s Italian food
Hammond, LA
Bus leaves at 10:15
READ THE BIBLE TODAY
Exodus 3: 1-10
Exodus 15: 11-13
“God rescued the Israelites by . . . . “
SUNDAY’S SERMON TOPICS AND BIBLE PASSAGES
February 26th
A.M. – “The Preparation (Education)” – Ezekiel 3
P.M. – “Doing the Right Thing” – 2 Samuel 9
PRAYER FOCUS
Please pray for those who have a heart of bitterness and who commit crimes in our communities. Often, the crimes are unexplainable. We can pray for them and those around them. God can heal them if the choose to be healed.
ILLNESSES
There are a number of people on Bro. Darryl’s prayer list that he shares on Wednesday nights. Check out his prayer list on replay of prayer meeting that you can watch at your convenience.
Read about how Baptist are helping with the disaster in Ohio as a result of a train derailment.
WILLING HANDS
It’s just over a week until our OCC Work Day on March 4th. I hope you have checked your calendar to see if you are available to give a few hours to missions. Also, if you have some time in the next week to work an hour or two at the church, please let me know.
Thanks to those who are giving so that the shoeboxes can be packed in a few months. We are finding it hard to locate the last 25 calculators we need. If you locate the solar calcculators, please purchase them for us or tell us were you saw them. Also, we have been packaging soap lately. Any brand of soap is acceptable.
With permission and guidance, you can put your “willing hands” to work doing many different tasks. Does your Sunday School room need a refreshing? How about the bulletin board? Are there shelves or drawers that need to be organized? What about a table or area that holds literature? That’s one area to put your “willing hands” to work. Take a look around, find a partner, and get permission. We can all use our “willing hands”.
Yesterday’s Post – A NIGHT OF JOYThis will be on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29!
Sunday evening, beginning at 6 P.M., we will have a special service with several guests from outside the church. I understand this will be one of those services you will hate to miss, but cannot have a rerun the next week. Of course, you can always watch the service online. I always prefer the live church services, but watching online is sometimes a necessity.
Thanks, Wendell, for finding and pointing out my mistake.
READ THE BIBLE TODAY
February 21
Psalm 99
“God’s fairness causes Him to . . . .”
February 22
Deuteronomy 32: 1-6
I Sanuel 2: 2-8
“God is my Rock because He . . . . “
ILLNESSES
Andy Taylor got to go home following yesterday’s procedure. Pray for him, and Betty, as he continues his recovery.
Coach Shaw needs our prayers.
George Eddie and Alice Faye Lee need our prayers too. He is at home.
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s focus our prayers on pastors. We all know a number of them. They have a multitude of responsibilities and no regular hours to perform those tasks. They often put these responsibilities before their family. They meet/talk with numerous people and help solve many issues. They are there for your happy times and sad times. They are there at 2 P.M. and 2 A.M. The list goes on and on. Pray for the pastors you know.
FBC, KENTWOOD WEDNESDAY NIGHT MESSAGE
February 22
“The Wrong Path”
Romans 7: 13-25
Even if you plan to watch online tonight, it would be helpful to at least read these verses.
OCC PURCHASES
These are some of the items that top our list this week.
SOAP
CALCULATORS
BANDANAS
8″ SCISSORS
6″ FLASHLIGHTS AND EXTRA AAA BATTERIES (Walmart sporting goods)
Andy Taylor needs to be at Southwest’s Outpatient Surgery by 8:45 this morning. He’s optimistic this procedure will be very helpful to him. Please pray for Andy and Betty today.
OBITUARY
Cindy Sue Herzog
December 10, 1958 – February 19, 2023
Cindy Herzog passed away Sunday February 19,2023. Cindy was a life long resident of Amite and loved by all who knew her. She always had a smile on her face and was a giving, loving soul. She was a big sister, aunt and loving partner to Mary.
Cindy was very creative and a skilled carpenter. She was always building or fixing something that was broken. She loved to be outdoors soaking in the sun or even just a lazy day fishing. She chose to laugh instead of cry and no matter what life gave her she always stayed positive.
Christ was her Lord and savior and she knew peace because of her faith. She has now gone home to heaven to be with her father, Fred Herzog and mother, Katherine Giles Herzog. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
READ THE BIBLE TODAY
February 21
Psalm 98
“God’s fairness causes Him to . . . . “
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s pray for children, as many of them are out of school for a holiday. Pray for the young ones, the middle grade ones, and the high school ones. There is potential for any of them to get into mischief, be injured, or get into danger in many ways.
SPAGHETTI LUNCH
Sunday, after morning worship, you will have the opportunity to do two things at one time. You can have a delicious spaghetti lunch and give a donation to the youth camp fund through their delicious fundraiser. There will be a limited number of lunches, as always. Enjoy your spaghetti lunch.
A NIGHT OF JOY
Sunday evening, beginning at 6 P.M., we will have a special service with several guests from outside the church. I understand this will be one of those services you will hate to miss, but cannot have a rerun the next week. Of course, you can always watch the service online. I always prefer the live church services, but watching online is sometimes a necessity.
COMING SOON!
Our OCC WORKDAY will be March 4th. There will be much to to in preparation for packing shoeboxes in a few months. This requires many “WILLING HANDS FOR MISSIONS”! The finished boxes will eventually get to the homes of children in a poor countries around thw world. Each child will receive four kinds of items – school supplies, a hygiene kit, some clothing, and toys. The best thing in the box in invisible! It our love we send to them! We will also be sharing the knowledge of God who loves them most of all.
VISITORS and NEW MEMBERS!
All the visitors and new members are very welcome to our church. We are thankful God has sent you our way! May you be blessed and also be a blessing to us. God’s love is great for each of us.
THE PRAYER LINK
I am thankful for all of you who read and pray each day. You frequently pass on the link to others. I am so blessed, but humbled, when I meet people who quickly tell me they read TPL each day. I am thankful for each one of you. Please, continue to introduce yourself to me.
Thank-you for you donations to OCC yesterday. We will be working this week and next week to prepare for out monthly workshop. If you would like to help during this two weeks of preparation, please let me know. Be sure to put March 4th on your calendar if you plan to help on our workday. This ministry is always exciting and rewarding.
PRAYER FOCUS
Let’s pray for all the people who will be in New Orleans today and tomorrow. I heard about a shooting, including a fatality, there last night. Is it too much to expect crowds of people to all show kindness toward each other? (The television is broadcasting live from New Orleans now.) Let’s send lots of prayers from Kentwood for all the people who are in New Orleans today and tomorrow. Let’s also offer up our prayers for police and first responders who are called upon to work during this time. I know several of them. You probably do too. Knowing them, I know they would appreciate our prayers.
COMING SOON
I don’t know details, but there will be “A Night of Joy”, a special service, on March 26th at FBC, Kentwood. You may want to check into this with a member of the staff. You may want to invite relatives and friends from other churches to be with us that Sunday evening. Our night services usually begin at 6:00 P.M.
ILLNESSES
From what I learned about our church family yesterday, most people are “slowing improving” or “about the same”. The weather is keeping some people in their homes who might otherwise be out. We’ll see them at church another weekend.
PRAYERS
Say special prayers for those in our community who are ill. You may also have friends, co-workers, and relations on your prayer list. Pray for them too today.
My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.
Today, let’s pray for people who normally do not attend church each week. Pray they might have a desire, even an urge, to attend and then do just that. Pray they might find something, someone, who has not been a part of their lives and choose to change their live, even lifestyle, as a result of being there.
On the other hand, as you attend your church today, be aware of those who are in attendance. Speak to people. Get to know someone you didn’t already know. Make them feel comfortable in the new setting. Invite them to come back and/or to come to a different service.
Let God use you! Be willing! Step our of your comfort zone and your pew!
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON TODAY
Today’s lesson is “Does it Honor God?”. The Scripture is John 17: 1-9.
SPAGHETTI LUNCH
Next Sunday, Feb. 26
Fellowship Hall area
After morning worship
Benefits youth camp trip
Donations accepted
Cooked by some of our many great cookes!
“Try it, you’ll like it!”
Have a great Lord’s Day! Don’t leave Him out of your day!
“The realization that God doesn’t change assures me . . . . “
OBITUARY
Benjamin E. Carrier
July 28, 1973 – February 16, 2023
Benjamin Eugene Carrier, age 49, of Wilmer, La passed away February 16, 2023 due to complications of ALS. He was a devoted husband and father to his wife, Jennifer Andersen Carrier and children, Benjamin Colt Carrier, Andersen Stonewall Carrier (wife Anna and daughter Reeciday), Savannah Bleu Carrier and Morgan Wilder Carrier. Ben loved God; he loved family; he loved the great outdoors. His greatest gift and pleasure was working with horses. Ben is also survived by sister, Leslie Ann Blount; brothers, Stevie Carrier, Billy Nick Hayden, Jr., Arthur Hayden, Anthony White, Sr.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded is death by father, Earnest Carrier; mother, Barbara Little; father-in-law, Eyvind Wilhelm “Bill” Andersen; brother, David Hayden; sister, Billy Jean Hayden; brother-in-law, Jacob Blount; and nephew, Joseph Hayden. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM with a religious services at 7:00PM on Monday, February 20, 2023. Services conducted by Bro. Randy Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations to the ALS Foundation for research. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Please pray for the family and friends of this young man.
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, please join me in thanking God for a great buy David made yesterday for Operation Christmas Child. God was there first and prepared a man to give David a fantastic deal on composition books and folders. We have enough to add to our boxes this year and plenty to save for next year. They are still in the car to be unloaded later today. We are amazed and thankful for the bargain God provided!
Many “shoebox” packers get bargain deals. We are thankful for each one because the purchases help people fill boxes that later become an opportunity for a child to learn about Jesus and take Him into their lives. The child will share with his family and many more people will have this most wonderful opportunity. Workers and managers in stores play an important part in the process.
Please join us in thanking God for the fantastic purchase He provided yesterday.
LORD’S DAY
Sunday Messages at FBC, Kentwood
10: 30 A.M. “The Call (Be Obedient)”. Ezekiel 2
6:00 P.M. “A Just Man” 2 Samuel 8
You will be welcomed into the service.
PRAYER JOURNALS
Please pray for those in your personal prayer list today.
SATURDAYS
Saturdays are great days for preparation for Sundays. This includes food and clothing, as well as personal contacts.
The Prayer Link 
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