The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
~Lamentations 3:22-23~
This Scripture reminds me of the wonderful hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
READ AND WRITE SCRIPTURE TODAY
Isaiah 55:8
Tonight, many churches will be having PRAYER MEETING. If you are not attending anywhere else, I invite you to attend at FBC, Kentwood at 6:00 P.M. If you are not attending anywhere, I invite you to attend in person or online at FBC, Kentwood where Bro. Darryl is currently teaching from Ezekiel.
We know God loves us all, but He has expectations of us. We can please Him by giving Him some of our time. If you need to begin doing that get involved with a church of your choice.
Today, let’s pray for those who are not attending a church and being regularly exposed to God’s Word and His plan for their lives.
Some of you have asked for an update on my condition. I boldly went to the wake for my former student, Michelle, yesterday. With David’s help, I did rather well. He bragged on how well I did. Then, we decided to try Walmart, where I could get some support from a cart. We stayed a little longer than we should have according to my back. David was still bragging on how long and how well I walked. I plan to attempt more walking since I know I don’t get enough. Pray for me as I plan another Walmart trip where a cart and I can “tour” another part of the store.
Sometimes I need a reminder of this. God send it to me in unexpected ways and right on time!
READ AND WRITE THE BIBLE TODAY.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23rd – Psalm 40:12
ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES
Many churches have online services. If you need a site to watch, try FBC, Kentwood (the one in Louisiana) on Facebook.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
I read lots of people’s comments about shoeboxes. This morning, I read that it doesn’t matter so much about exactly what you send as long as you remember three things – FULL, VARIETY, & QUALITY. I agree and want to pass it on to others.
Please pray for all your neighbors, relatives, and friends to survive the cold temperatures with a minimal of problems. After praying for them, I think we should call or visit them. I especially think we should check on the elderly, sick, and young mothers. Do you have anyone else that needs to top our lists for helping others on days like today.
David and I have only had one brief power outage and that was before it got real cold. Those with power outages should be high on our lists on a day like today.
Michelle LaBarbera Murphy, age 55, born November 23, 1966, peacefully left this earth and went home to be with Jesus on Friday, January 21, 2022 after a five year battle of pancreatic cancer. Michelle was a life-time resident of Amite, Louisiana, a graduate of Oak Forest Academy, and a member of St. Helena Catholic Church.
Michelle is survived by her soul mate, Robin Murphy, Jr., her husband of twenty-nine years; her daughter and pride and joy, Lauren Virginia Murphy; two sisters, Denise Rose and husband Steve and Lisa LaBarbera; her brother, VJ LaBarbera and wife Connie; her parents, Vince and Ann LaBarbera; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Philip and Virginia LaBarbera and Joe and Ida Tryniecki.
Michelle was a loving wife, adoring mother, and a wonderful sister and friend. She was a talented vocalist, who in her younger days enjoyed singing at weddings and other local events. She loved music, horses, and blue butterflies; but spending time with her family was her greatest love of all. She will always be remembered for her outgoing, radiant personality, and her ability to make people laugh with her sass and whit. She will be dearly missed by many as she never met a stranger.
Services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022 at Saint Helena Catholic Church in Amite. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church hall to be followed by a mass at the church. Graveside services immediately following at Amite Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, Michelle’s favorite charity. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Miichelle was one of my former students. There was never a dull moment with her around. The last time I saw her was as she was walking into Walmart and spotted me halfway to the back of the store. She yelled, “Hey, Mrs. Alford!” She was funny, loud, compassionate, friendly, talented, always moving and/or talking, and a well liked student by both other students and teachers.
READ AND WRITE A VERSE TODAY
January 22 – Ephesians 4:23
REMINDER
Two weeks from today, we will have an Operation Christmas Child workday in the fellowship hall of FBC, Kentwood. We will meet at 9 A.M. Please bring a snack and some items for pencil bags (pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, glue sticks, stickers, small figures of animals, etc.). If you cannot come, you can purchase some of these items and leave them in the room next to the choir room in the basement. THANKS!
A resident of Caledonia, MS, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022. Born on November 3, 1960 in Charleston, MS, she was 61 years old. She is survived by her daughter, Jessie Hyde Shepherd, husband Austin, and grandsons Griffin and Thane of Steens, MS; step-son Brian Hyde, wife Laurie, step-granddaughters Lacey and Lexi, and step-grandsons Blake, Brian Allen, and Drew of Chesbrough, LA; sisters Sheila Traywick Bailey, husband Bob of Gore Springs, MS, Cindy Traywick Banton, husband Harrell of Oxford, MS, and Susan Traywick Bell, husband Phillip of Caledonia, MS; and sisters-in-law Melanie Hyde Rick, husband Anthony, and Judy Hyde Walker, husband Barry; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Hyde, Jr. of Chesbrough, LA; her brother David Traywick of Caledonia, MS; and her parents Eleanor Burke Traywick and W.E. Traywick. Visitation for family will be held at McKneely Funeral Home of Amite on Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 1-2pm, with graveside services to follow at Hyde Cemetery in Chesbrough, LA. Pallbearers will be William Bell, Anthony Rick, II, Dustin LaMarca, Jordan Bell, Brian Allen Hyde, and Blake Hyde. Honorary Pallbearers will be Austin Shepherd, Thane Shepherd, Griffin Shepherd, Nicholas Traywick, Carson Traywick, Phillip Bell, Anthony Rick, and Barry Walker. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Vanderbilt Multiple System Atrophy Gift Fund, C/O VUMC Gift and Donor Services, 3322 West End Avenue Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203-1197. (Make checks payable to Vanderbilt University Medical Center). For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Nan Edwards Welch
December 30, 1954 – January 19, 2022
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. She was born December 30, 1954 in Franklinton, LA and was 67 years of age. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Johnny Welch; children, Torrie Keller and husband, Kirk, Stormy McCoy, and Lance Welch and wife, Karen; grandchildren, Shaina and Kaston Keller, Gabi and Grant McCoy, Torben and Shelbi Lane; brother, Joey G. Edwards; numerous nieces and nephews including a special niece, Kayla Stilley. Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Yuvonne Edwards; brothers and sisters, Donald Earl Edwards, Charles L. Edwards, Jr., Larry Gene Edwards, Sr., Russell Edwards, Michael W. Edwards, and Jackie Stilley. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Friday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 22, 2022. Interment Twin Oaks Cemetery, Wilmer, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Some current stories you may be interested in are included today.
WEATHER CONCERNS
The weather will change today. Prepare for COLD temperatures for the next five days. Help you family member, friend, relative, and/or neighbor to get prepared too. Think of pipes, animals, food needs/supple, medicine, fuel supply, etc.
COVIDis still busy in homes in our area. Thankfully, it is not as bad as in previous years. Even so, it is still very bad for some people. Pray they might continue to be safe and healthy.
Please let me know if you have prayer requests or updates to be shared.
I hope you can find a couple articles you will enjoy reading.
READ AND WRITE BIBLE VERSES TODAY
January 19 – Isaiah 43: 18-19
I’m enjoying this process this month. I hope you are too.
TWO RIVERS’ WMU
I understand the meeting Monday went well. The next two meetings will be on Saturday mornings. Those plans will be shared closer to the scheduled times.
OCC WORKDAY IN KENTWOOD
Saturday, February 5
Older children – Senior adults
9 A.M.
Bring some school supplies, pencils, pens, erasers, stickers, or very small plastic figures, to include in the pencil bags.
Bring a snack to share.
Plan to pack pencil bags or to get items prepared for shoeboxes.
MOST OF ALL, PLAN TO ENJOY SOME CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND TO MEET SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW.
THANK-YOU to those who have made donations to our funds or items for the shoeboxes.
JANUARY MISSION PROJECT
We are collecting gift cards from businesses such as Walmart, Dollar General, and Lowe’s to give to Kentucky tornado victims. Please mark the amount of your gift on each card and get your cards in to the church office this month. Thank you for sharing your love and God’s love this way.
Pray for those on your prayer list. If you do not have your own list, please take time to start one today.
Thanks to the “secret shopper” who ordered a box of great items for our shoeboxes. David found the box and quickly opened it. You made some great choices – bandanas, sewing scissors, etc. We think we know who you are based on items we found in the box.
If anyone else is an Amazon shopper and needs ideas, please talk with us if you don’t had any idea what to shop for.
GIFT CARDS FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
You still have a couple of weeks to turn in your gift cards that will be sent to tornado victims in Kentucky. Walmart, Dollar General, and Lowe’s are good ideas for places to purchase them. Turn them in at the church office or in the offering plate on Sunday mornings. Your gifts will be such blessings to those who need them.
LOTTIE MOON OFFERING FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
One hundred percent of the money you give funds missionary needs (housing, insurance, and sometimes one vehicle or even a bicycle depending on the location). This is the time of the year we give focus to this offerint, but it is never too late to give. Mark you envelope “Lottie Moon” when you give.
TODAY, I WILL LEAVE IT UP TO YOU TO CHOOSE THOSE FOR WHOM YOU WILL PRAY.
It could be someone who has some special, little-known needs, an illness, a financial need, a spiritual need, a family issue, etc. You choose today. They might even be lonely or just need someone to talk with. God can use you. Ask God how you can bless them. Then, pray. You can be a special blessing to them today.
According to the weather reports I have been seeing for the next ten days, we might want to review our food supply, water supply, fuel supply, etc. BEFORE the cold weather gets here.
This is a good opportunity to help someone else prepare for the cold temperature and extended time of being at home. David and I will always be appreciative of and never forget someone who checked our pipes and wrapped those that needed more insulation. We also appreciated people checking to see if they could buy any food or bringing a prepared dish as part of the weather preparations. This could be your opportunity to help someone. Make your plans now.
Read, write, and meditate about these Scriptures today:
January 17 – I Corinthians 12: 11-16
This morning, the Two-RIvers’ WMU is meeting at Spring Creek Baptist Church. The leadership team will meet at 9:00 followed by the meeting at 10:00. Ladies, you are urged to bring a friend and a side dish or dessert and enjoy meeting our new associational missions director.
We know of numerous cases of Covid lately. Thankfully, they have been people who were vaccinated. They experienced symptoms of a cold. Be prepared. Also, be careful of not being instrumental in the spread of this health problem.
Edwin Cotton
JUNE 21, 1934 – JANUARY 14, 2022
Jesse Edwin Cotton of Prairieville, LA passed away on January 14, 2022 at the age of 87. After several years of declining health, “Cotton” died peacefully surrounded by his beloved wife, Tay and his children by his side. Edwin was born in Baton Rouge, LA on June 21, 1934 to father, Jesse Cotton and mother Gertrude Cotton and was the younger brother to Mary Ruth Williams. He enjoyed growing up in the country riding horses and helping out on the “Sharp” family farm. He attended Baton Rouge High School. He was a hard worker and began work in the construction business at a young age. He married his sweetheart, Tay in 1973 and they joined together as a blended family raising 4 children. He was a loving father who worked hard for his family and loved taking the family fishing and going out on his boat. He and his family enjoyed time going deep sea fishing at Fourchon, LA and was an expert at hosting fish frys. He loved being in the kitchen and anyone who knows him….knows “Cotton” loved to eat. He taught his children the value of hard work and he worked for Fulough Laughlin Construction and later worked for Sullivan Construction. He later started his own construction company, Harcot Construction Inc., with his cousin, Harry Harelson. Edwin did not meet a stranger and loved visiting friends, was an avid hunter and fisherman. Living in Prairieville, LA, he was a regular at the local hardware store visiting with friends. His family adored his sense of humor and his willingness to help anyone. He loved his hunting exhibitions around the world and shared stories of hunts in Africa, Paraguay, Uraguay and Alaska to name a few. He gave his life to Christ as an adult and was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church. As his health declined, he continued to show great love for his wife and children and always had a “twinkle” in his eye. He was dearly loved! He will be greatly missed by his beloved family and friends. Edwin was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Tay Cotton, Children: Carol Terry (Mark), Edwin Cotton, (Sherri), Shari Cotton, Angie Nielsen (Ronnie) and Eric Edmonson (Jennifer); grandchildren: Jesse Cotton, Emily Cotton, Ryleigh Cotton, Alexis Edmonson, Blane Edmonson, Victoria Nielsen Kelly, Madeline Nielsen and Andrew Nielsen. He is survived by his beloved older sister Mary Ruth Williams and lots of cousins, nieces and nephews. We are especially thankful for our beloved tend and caregiver, Terri Oliphant. A visitation will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm with a funeral service to begin at 12:00 pm at Greenoaks Funeral Home. 9595 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70815 All are invited to attend. The family wants to especially thank Pinnacle Hospice for the loving compassionate care they provided and will be forever grateful. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions to Samaritan’s Purse be made in his memory.
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