Yesterday, I told you that we would have the next OCC workday in a week, but because of the 5th Sunday and 31 days this month, it will be two more Saturdays away. We will meet on August 6th.
Luther Terrell is fine, but he was a passenger in a vehicle that involved a log truck. Luther is fine, but his friend, the driver, is hospitalized. Please pray for him.
Pray for the children and adults at Tall Timbers this week. They got there yesterday afternoon and had some great activities – swimming pool, bow and arrows, eating ice cream, fun music, etc. right away. Pray the children continue to have fun and the adults can keep up with them. More than that, let’s pray they learn about Jesus and draw closer to him.
Read and Write Scripture Today
July 23 – 2 Timothy 2:15. (NIV below)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Today’s Prayer Focus – Classroom Teachers
Classroom teachers will spend so much time with the children in the coming months. Pray they will daily have knowledge, love, kindness, manners, etc. to share with each and every child. May their example be a positive impact on each child every day!
Somehow, I managed to delete the name from an obituary yesterday.
Jenny Sue Weedman
November 27, 1967 – July 19, 2022
Angelo J. Giardina
January 12, 1927 – July 20, 2022
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at his home. He was born January 12, 1927 in Amite, LA and was 95 years of age. He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II, a dairy farmer, and owner of Amite Liquid Feed. Angelo was an avid golfer and a master storyteller. He was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church. Angelo is survived by his three sons, Angelo Thomas Giardina (Trudy), Kenneth Gerard Giardina (Melba), and Gerald Anthony Giardina (Melinda); grandchildren, Dwayne Giardina (Andilyn), Lauren Cutrer (Drew), Jared Shows (Mahsa), Andrew Giardina, Marlie Giardina, and Jude Giardina; great-grandchildren, Ava Cutrer, Mark, Mason, and Myles Giardina, and Aidan Shows; brother, Salvador Giardina (Dianne); sister-in-law, Gloria Giardina; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Marie Vullo Giardina; parents, Angelo and Frances Schillage Giardina; two brothers, Nick Giardina and Joseph Giardina. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church Hall from 9:00AM until 11:30AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at Noon on Monday, July 25, 2022. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Special thanks to dear friends, Roy and Jean Fiorelli, and neighbors, Chris and Connie Liuzza, for their love and support throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Helena Catholic Church Full of Grace. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Read and Write Scripture Today
July 22 – I Timothy 3:15
if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
If you are interested in working a few hours before next Saturday, please let me know. There is always something that needs to be done.
OCC – Thank you to the donor who again sent money to help with our shoebox needs. You have no idea how quickly I smiled when I saw your envelope yesterday. Your faithfulness is so appreciated! May God bless you for helping get shoeboxes to little children around the world. May the message of JESUS reach and stir each heart.
Pray for our schools today.
I clearly remember the smiles and happy greeting from the cafeteria workers during my elementary years and my high school years. Does that mean they were not tired or carrying personal burdens? No, it meant they smiled and always had a kind and friendly greeting for me (and for all the other students).
Today, let’s pray for the cafeteria workers. They have a special talent to “smile and be kind despite their personal problems“.They may not know what happens with each child in the classroom or at home, but can make a difference in lives as they place food on plates while smiling and giving a happy greeting.
Think about this. One drop of water doesn’t seem like much, but a glass of water contains lots of individual drops. So does a lake or ocean. Each drop counts. Your “drops” might be smiles, kind words, time, money, etc. Make your “drops” count today.
Josephine Arnone “Moma Josie” Ruffino February 09, 1936 – July 18, 2022
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022 at her home in the presence of her daughter Rose and her son Louis. She was born February 9, 1936 in Natalbany, LA and was 86 years of age. She was a wonderful, devoted wife to her husband Nunzio, and excellent mother to her daughter Rose, and son Louis, and a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. She was their Nana. She was a true servant of God, believed in prayer, and prayed to her Lord until the time of her death. She was a devoted member of the St. Helena Catholic Church. She worked very hard all of her life to help provide for her family and was known to have a loving and caring heart. The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and also thanks to the Amite Fire Department for always helping her in her time of need. She is survived by her daughter, Rose Ruffino; son, Louis Ruffino; 4 grandchildren, Courtney Putnam and husband, Alan, Brett Ruffino and wife, Michele, Carrie Smith, and Blake Ruffino and wife, Megan; 8 great-grandchildren, Wyatt Putnam, Brock Putman, Morgan Ruffino, Cooper Ruffino, Andrew Smith, Addison Smith, Avery Smith, and Benjamin Ruffino. Preceded in death by her husband, Nunzio J. Ruffino; parents, Joe and Pauline Sparacello Arnone; 5 brothers, Felix, Salvadore, Angelo, Tony and Vince Arnone; 2 sisters, Catherine “Katie” Arnone and Rosemary Arnone. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church Hall from 9:00AM until 11:00AM with Funeral Mass at St. Helena Catholic Church at 11:30AM on Friday, July 22, 2022. Services conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
A resident of Independence, LA, passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. She was born November 27, 1967 in MS and was 54 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Marion Weedman, Jr.; 5 children, Adam Weedman, Sr. and wife, Misti, Sherie Weedman, Jonathan Weedman, Sr. and wife, Chelsey, James Weedman, and Jason Weedman and wife, Lauren; grandchildren, Joshua, Adam, Jr., Byron, Noah, Isabelle, Shawn, Sara, Sam, Jonathan, Jr., Azalea, Emma, Oaklynn, Kathy, Alaina, Samantha; 11 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Becky Mayeaux, Maryann Winborn, and Angela Lanier; 3 brothers, Allen Winborn, Troy Scott, and Mark Scott; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Shirley Winborn; sister, Kitty Winborn Scott; great-granson, Urijah Weedman. Visitation at Lighthouse Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 2:30PM on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Jason Skipper. Interment Lighthouse Cemetery, Independence, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
READ AND WRITE THE BIBLE TODAY
July 21 – Ephesians 6: 13-15
TODAY’s PRAYER REQUEST FOR SCHOOLS
Today, let’s pray for students with IEP’s as well as teachers and classmates of those stude students.
ONLINE SERVICES FROM FBC, KENTWOOD
Periodically, I have trouble with the online services. They seem to hesitate and then continue. I won’t try to explain the reason for this because I am not an expert on this subject. I will just tell you, I turn the service off and try to watch the next day. This seems to work for me. I was unable to watch Sunday night or Wednesday night. I will try watching again today.
Don’t forget to pray for the children of our church as they leave for camp tomorrow. It may be even more important to pray for the parents who are sending their children off to camp for the first time.
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – The International Mission Board stands in stark contrast to current trends in global missions. A recent Christian Post article cited only 3 percent of mission work goes to reach the unreached, while in 2021, the IMB sought to focus 81.2 percent of missionary team efforts among unreached people groups (UPG). Additionally, 90.8 percent of all IMB teams were focused on at least one UPG, said Wilson Geisler the IMB’s director of global research.
This article is of special interest to me. I hope you are encouraged when you read how the IMB strives to reach the UPG’s (Unreached People Groups). This brings Matthew 28: 19-20 to my mind.
Prayer are the answer to so many of our daily needs. Let’s not forget that!
Lots of surgeries this week and medical evaluations – Seems like all good reports!
Pray for those who have lingering side-effects of Covid. May each problem be identified and addressed in a timely way/
READ AND WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
July 19 – Ephesians 4: 15-16
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Thanks to another person, a young mother, for a generous donation which will be used to help “fill in various needs”, so we will be ready to begin packing 400 shoeboxes soon. Calculating seven people per shoebox, that is almost 3,000 different individuals we will be sending the message of Jesus to this year.
TODAY’S PRAYER FOCUS
Let’s begin to pray for the approximate 3,000 individuals who will be impacted by our 400 shoeboxes.
Let’s pray that when we are ready to send in our 400 boxes this year, the shipping money of $10.00 per box is already in our account at church.
Pray for families who are trying to get a few more vacation days before school starts.
Pray for children of FBC, Kentwood who will be going to camp Friday.
Pray for teachers as they are seriously making plans for a new school year.
Covid seems to continue to spread. Most people are able to be treated at home. Say special prayers for those who have to be hospitalized for treatment.
The cost of living has increased this year. Say special prayers for those who have had to face this increase while continuing to receive the same income as last year. Say special prayers for those with medical and pharmacy bills.
Pass a little sunshine/Son shine on to someone else through a brief visit, a phone call, a gift of special food you have prepared or purchased, a card in the mail, etc. Son shine comes in lots of ways. Let the Son shine through you!
All the shoeboxes have the inside of the lid painted, a picture glued on, and a message about Jesus’ love written to be seen every time the box is open..
Almost 200 boxes are folded into the box shape.
Money donated this week was used to purchase needed items: pencils, glue sticks, and toys.
Currently we have two major needs: about 200 more coloring books and about 200 more simple solar calculators.
Thanks to all who have contributed items, worked on a scheduled workday, or various other days as needed.
Our next workday will be on Saturday, August 6th.
We’re getting close to packing our boxes for this year.
Have a great Lord’s Day. Attend church services in person or online.
Special Service at East Fork Baptist Church – TONIGHT AT 6:00. The New Life Country Gospel Band is the name of the former Opry Band of SE Ms. There is no entry fee, but donations will be received. You are all invited too.
READ AND WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
July 16 – Romans 2:6-8
COMING SOON – 5th Sunday Singing and Ice Cream Fellowship at FBC, Kentwood
Come and bring someone with you. Service begins at 6:00.
Please pray for all those on your prayer list.
Sheila T. Simmons
July 6, 1963 – July 13, 2022
A resident of Osyka, MS, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. She was born July 6, 1963 in Merced, CA and was 59 years of age. She graduated from Greensburg High School in 1981 and Florida Parishes Technical College Nursing class of 1990. She was an LPN for the state of LA for many years. She is survived by her mom, Katherine Tompkins; daughters, Stephanie Floyd (Jon), Angela Simmons (Jeremy), and Elizabeth Simmons (Jessie); sisters, Karen Barkman (Ken) and Amanda Hilton (Chris); grandchildren, Alayna and Caleb Worley, Jana’ Floyd, Isabella and Eric Simmons, Dakota Rosenthal and Hallie Royals; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her father, Ray Tompkins; 2 previous husbands, Larry Simmons and Earl Leonard; maternal and paternal grandparents; numerous aunts and uncles. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Tuesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Scott Spinks. Interment Day’s Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
~Psalm 68: 4-5~
Don’t forget the singing at East Fork Baptist Churchtomorrow evening. The McComb Gospel Opry House Band will be singing and playing gospel music.
Bill and Velta Morris found a different obituary for Henty Sheffield. You may want to check with their facebook page to read this obituary.
READ AND WRITE SCRIPTURE
July 15 – John 18: 37-38
It is never too late to begin this Scripture reading and writing process. If you haven’t been doing this, today is a good day to begin.
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
I would have loved to have been there to hear the songs that Andy chose to whistle.
Yvonne Birch called yesterday to share that her daughter, Rhonda Birch Edwards, had a fall while walking on a trail in Appalachia. She caught herself on a root about 25 feet down and saved the fall to the bottom, another 100 feet. Rhonda has some significant injuries, but all will heal. Thank God for placing her hand on that root and for His strength to hang on.
Mable C. McMaree
March 19, 1947 – July 10, 2022
A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at her home surrounded by her children. She was born March 19, 1947 in Pumpkin Center, LA and was 75 years of age. She is survived by her 3 sons, Tommie Smith and wife Mary, Hubert Brumfield, Jr. and wife, Ashley, and George Brumfield and wife, Denise; 3 daughters, Terry Waterman and husband, Orville, Felicia Brabham and husband, Mike, and Karen Smith Tate and husband, Bennett; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Dewitt Effler and wife, Theresa; 2 sisters, Ella Welch and Dollie Frazier and husband, Albert; special thanks to granddaughter Brittany and husband Michael Landrenaux. Preceded in death by her parents, Wilbern and Mable Effler; former husbands, Chuck McMaree, George Smith and Monroe Brumfield; 2 daughters, Jody Smith and Nolie Cutrer; 2 grandsons, Trey Ainsworth and Garrett Barber; brother, Albert Rodriguez; and sister, Julia Baham. Pallbearers will be Michael Landreneaux, Bobby Waterman, George Brumfield, Bubby Brumfield, Hubert Brumfield, and Vincent Brabham. Honorary pallbearers will be Asher Knight and Braxton Brabham. Visitation at Red Bluff Baptist Church from 11:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Friday, July 15, 2022. Services conducted by Bro. Joe Day. Interment Red Bluff Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
William Frank Bean
A life well-lived by a man well-loved, Billy went to his eternal home on Friday, July 8, 2022. He was 73 years old. Born in Fort Payne, AL, he grew up in Amite, LA, and graduated from Amite High School. He moved to Denham Springs and proudly served for 30 years as scoutmaster for Boy Scouts Troop #11 at Hebron Baptist Church. He was later active in the AWANA children’s program at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church for several years. He was a valued employee and well-known friendly face for 20 years at Walmart in Denham Springs and Central. Billy was a good man who loved his Lord Jesus, cherished all “his girls,” and enjoyed retelling memories made. He leaves behind his wife, Glenda Bean; one brother, Charles Comerford; one honorary brother, Dave Barron and his wife Pat; two daughters, Brandi Cedotal and her husband Mitch; Hildreth House and her husband John; seven grandchildren, Megan, Emalee, Erin, Emily, Dave, Wyatt, and John; two nephews, John and Allen Blount; and other family members. A special memorial service will be held at Hebron Baptist Church on Friday, July 15, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nell Bean, and his sister, Jane Blount. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the , as he was a proud supporter and forever grateful to all who serve to protect the country he was so proud of.
Henry H. Sheffield
Here is Henry H. Sheffield’s obituary. Please accept Echovita’s sincere condolences.
It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Henry H. Sheffield of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who passed away at the age of 79, on July 9, 2022. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Henry H. Sheffield to show support.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 22nd 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Rabenhorst Funeral Home (11000 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815). A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 22nd 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the same location.
Allen Lloyd Graham
McKneely Funeral Home of Amite & Kentwood, Inc.
Jul 8, 2022 Updated Jul 8, 2022
Allen Loyd Graham, 73, died on July 4, 2022 at the Methodist Hospital in Mansfield, Texas.
A visitation will be held at Wade Family Funeral Home in Arlington, Texas on Friday, July 8, 2022 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM. Visitation will resume at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Kentwood, LA on Monday, July 11, 2022 from 10:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials: Memorial contributions may be sent to First Baptist Church, Mansfield Deaf Ministry and First Baptist Church, Arlington Preschool/Children’s Ministry.
Allen was preceded in death by parents, Wilkie and Cecil Graham, and brother, Rodney Graham.
Mr. Graham was born on March 4, 1949 in Amite, LA. He earned college degrees at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. in May 1974 and the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ in December 1981. He had a successful career as a guidance counselor for 27 years at the Mississippi School for the Deaf. He was very involved with the deaf community. He served and loved the deaf community by serving in various roles throughout many deaf organizations. Allen became a Christian at a young age and was a Godly man who enjoyed serving his family, friends and others. He taught Sunday school at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, MS where he was a member for 35 years. Most recently he was a member at First Baptist Church, Mansfield and involved in the deaf ministry.
Allen was preceded in death by parents, Wilkie and Cecil Graham, and brother, Rodney Graham.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Katherine Graham; children, Carey Graham, Remey Terrell (Kollin); and grandsons, Graham, John Allen and James Terrell; siblings, Randall Graham (Tommie Jo) and Cecile Graham, Wilkie Graham (sister-in-law), Molly and Richard Bernard (sister and brother-in-law) and Maggie and Frank Thibeaux (sister and brother-in-law); as well as several nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
READ AND WRITE THE BIBLE
July 14 – John 17: 13-19
Operation Christmas Child
Thanks to Alayna Travis for her great help in painting and decorating shoeboxes. Thank to a donor for money that will be used to purchase pencils, erasers, and calculators we need.
The Prayer Link 
You must be logged in to post a comment.