“Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives,

and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts,

for it has the power to save your souls.”

~James 1:21 (NLT)~

I can remember a few times when our area seemed to have had numerous deaths. The recent months seem to be one such time. On top of that we have losses of homes and other damage from Ida and Nicholass. Pray for all the hurting families. Find ways of helping others that suit you.

Express your appreciation to utility workers who are still working to restore power to all homes, schools, and businesses.

Express your appreciation to volunteers who have come to provide many services. One example is the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief. The group working at FBC, Kentwood is from Georgia. They rotate volunteers for weekly shifts. They come because they have talents and love to share with us.

Michael Loyd “Mike” Simmons

Oct 24, 1947 – Sep 17, 2021 (Age 73)

Michael Loyd “Mike” Simmons, a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Walker, LA passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021 at the age of 73. Mike served in the National Guard in his younger years. Before becoming disabled, he made a living as an insurance appraiser and worked for the sheriff’s office with the blood hounds. One of the past times that he enjoyed the most was wood working in his shop. He loved to build things from scratch. His greatest role of all was being a grandpaw and a great-grandpaw. His beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Edna Pittman Simmons; children, Craig Simmons, Chad Simmons and wife Susan, Regina Simmons Robertson and husband Hilton, and Rachelle Lynn Simmons; grandchildren, Dustin Robertson and wife Amanda, Brittany Cockerham and husband Ben, Austin Robertson, Taylor Simmons and wife Whitney, Kristin Sicard and husband Jody, Brennan Simmons, Payton Simmons, Kate Simmons, and Anthony Jacobs; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mavis Lucille Schilling Simmons; father, Alvie Loyd Simmons; and brother, Alvie Simmons. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 10:00AM until religious services at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Services conducted by Rev. Larry Blades and Rev. Donnie Easley. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021

September 20th Readings
NEHEMIAH 8:13-10:39

Mission Offerings

Pray the items our churches have sent to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will be plentiful so the “families” will have adequate food in the coming year. Donations are always accepted to help purchase things like fruit, vegetables, milk, bread, and meats. You can turn in these donations through the regular offering or the church office. Thank-you for supporting the Children’s Home.

Georgia Barnette Offering for missions in Louisiana

Operation Christmas Child – Shoebox postage of $9.00/box

Story of a Shoebox Recipient, David

https://video.samaritanspurse.org/la-historia-de-david-una-gran-aventura/

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today’s Prayer Focus. – Today, let’s pray for Sunday School classes in all our churches as the Bible is taught weekly.

Also pray for schools as they work to teach lessons that have been missed since Ida came through our area.

Anna Lee

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

~Ephesians 2:8~

Please be in prayer for Jewel Kay Yarborough Cutrer who is at MD Anderson receiving treatment for her recently diagnose cancer. She and her family greatly appreciate your prayers.

Also, please pray for Kelsey, daughter to Tate and Miranda Erwin of Texas, who is having a flare up with asthma. To make matters more difficult, her parents have been in LA helping with Ida recovery. Your prayers are beneficial to all the family.

Pray for Joe Bennett of Roseland who is hospitalized with pneumonia. He is down to 10% oxygen dependence. His family will appreciate your prayers.

Jacob Turner Wilson

November 20, 1995 – September 06, 2021Share this obituary

Jacob “Jake” Turner Wilson, 25, passed into the eternal love of God on September 6, 2021, in Wailua, Hawaii. Born in Brookhaven, MS, he was the son of the late William Clark Wilson and Paula Denise Bond Wilson.

Jacob was a volunteer firefighter, an EMT, a musician, and a skilled construction worker. He is remembered by all who knew him as a selfless person who found his greatest joy in helping others. He spent countless hours volunteering in disaster relief efforts, prison ministry, and in music ministry with his family. He loved his family, especially his infant son, Turner; his guitar; travel; and anything to do with the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Clark Wilson; a brother, John Wilson; and a sister, Joy Wilson.

He is survived by his son, John William Turner Wilson; his mother, Denise Wilson; a sister, Allison Miller and husband John; a sister, Lana Weeks and husband Shelby; a brother, Luke Wilson and wife Sarah; a brother, Levi Wilson and wife Anna, a brother, Jonah Wilson and fiancé Grace Hackel; a sister, Rachel Weeks and husband Daniel; a brother, Seth Wilson; a brother, Daniel Wilson; and eight nieces and nephews: Wilson, Summer, William, Clark, Ella Kate, Paula, Tucker, and Archer.
Additional survivors include his grandparents, John Milton and Inez Wilson Bond. Jacob was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, William Esco “Bill” and Virginia Rimes Wilson.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 19th,  at Terry’s Creek Baptist Church in Magnolia, MS from 2:00 PM until funeral service at 3:00 PM with interment at the Bond Family Cemetery in Gillsburg, MS. Hartman Jones Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse
PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607

James Lloyd Howell

Sep 13, 2021

James Lloyd Howell, age 65, entered into eternal rest on Monday, September 13, 2021. James was born September 1, 1956 to the late, John Paul Howell and Mary Willene Husser Howell.
James was the loving husband of Gwen Foy Howell. Proud father of Mary Howell Briatico (Michael), Diane Howell Vaughan (Warner), Jessica Speer (MIchael), Chad Cooper (Corinne Stewart) and Brad Cooper (Nikki Winn). James was also survived by six brothers, six sisters, nine grandchildren and many, many nieces and nephews.

Visitation

SEP 21. 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM (CST)

Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home

12012 Hwy. 190 West

Hammond, LA

Funeral

SEP 21. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CST)

Burial

Old Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery

Highway 442 West

Tickfaw, LA

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – September 19

NEHEMIAH 7:4-8:12

Fall Food Roundup for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home

Today is the day for get your donations turned in before pickup early in the morning. It’s helpful to box or double bag your items for their long ride.

Georgia Barnette Offering for missions in Louisiana – Day 8

“Reaching Neighbors in New Orleans”

Week of Prayer – English

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief is still working out of FBC, Kentwood. See them for needs such as water, tarps, and tree removal. The teams serving there have been provided by Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief. Thank them for their volunteer efforts and hard work.

Church Services at FBC, Kentwood will be provided in person at the church or online today at 10:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Sunday School begins at 9:15.

OCC Postage Donations can be given through the regular offering of FBC, Kentwood. Be sure to label it for OCC Postage. Thanks for helping get the packed shoeboxes to their destinations.

Anna Lee

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”   Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Brett Joseph Morris

April 2, 1980 ~ September 10, 2021 (age 41)

Brett Joseph Morris passed away Friday, September 10, 2021, at the age of 41.

He was born April 2, 1980, in Metairie, LA and resided in Kenner, LA for 19 years where he attended John Curtis Christian school in River Ridge.  Brett moved to Savannah GA (HAAF) in 1999 after entering the United States Army and has resided the last 17 years in Rincon, GA.

Brett dedicated more than 20 years of his life serving the nation in the United States Army. Of those 20 years, eight were spent in 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Airborne. There he served as an MH-47 crew member, completing eight combat rotations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Brett worked for Kimball Midwest and has been a member of Compassion Christian Church for the last 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James P. and Irene Morris;  maternal grandparents, Willie Joseph Newsom, Jr. and Dorothy Helen Brumfield Newsom.

Brett is survived by his wife, Mary Windsor Morris of nearly 21 years; daughters, Hannah Kate Morris (18) and Mackenzie Jo Morris (16); mother, Dorothy Newsom Morris of Pineville, LA; father, Dan Scanlon Morris Sr. and stepmother, Paulette Carroll Morris of Gurnee, IL; brother, Dan Scanlon Morris Jr.(Julie) of Pineville, LA; sisters, Caitlin Reid Morris (Sam Graczyk) of Golden, CO, and Alyssa Carroll Morris (Nathan Loy) of Mahomet, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends from 6:30pm – 9:00pm on Friday, September 17th at Carlson & Riggs Funeral Home, Guyton.

A funeral service will be held at 6:30pm on Saturday, September 18th, at Compassion Christian Church (Effingham Campus).

Interment will be a private ceremony for family at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, GA

Elaine Baham Stewart

May 17, 1940 – September 15, 2021

Elaine Baham Stewart, loving wife and mother went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 15, 2021. She was born on May 17, 1940, to Eula Reid Baham Botto and Ancil Baham in New Orleans, LA. She was raised in Amite, LA and graduated from Amite High School in 1958. She married Thomas Stewart and was married until his death on June 28, 2021. They had two children, Alice and Mark.

Elaine worked for the Louisiana Department of Transportation in Hammond and then at the Tangipahoa Voluntary Council on Aging in Amite.

She began playing piano in church at the age of 10 and spent decades bringing worship and joy to many congregations. She played at too many revivals, weddings and funerals to count. Her true calling in life was to play the piano and sing to glorify God.

She was a wife, mother and friend and will be missed by all who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Stewart.

Those left to cherish her memory are: daughter Alice Stewart Patten and husband Greg, Coushatta, LA; son Mark Stewart and wife Wendy, Lubbock, TX; 3 grandchildren, Kylie Patten, Coushatta, LA; Kacie Patten Thornton and husband John, Aubrey, TX; Hunter Patten and wife Mara, Benton, LA; 4 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; brother Gerald Baham and wife Etta and family, Hammond, LA; brothers-in-law Dickie Stewart and wife Touleke and family, Tickfaw, LA; Terry Stewart and wife Donna and family, Maurpas, LA; Johnnie Stewart Jr. and wife Charlotte and family, Crystal Springs, MS; cousin Rachel Cox and husband Artie and family, Amite, LA; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on: October 16, 2021 at 10:00AM at McKneely Funeral Home 110 E. Factory St Amite, LA 70422.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – Sept. 18

NEHEMIAH 3:1-5:13
NEHEMIAH 6:1-7:3

Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana – Day 7

“Listening in Lake Charles”

Week of Prayer – English

Today is a good day to shop for some groceries for the children at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. We are only asked to do this once a year. If you have not already done so or if you feel led to do so again, today is a good day to do that shopping. Leave your purchases just inside the west door of the fellowship hall. It is a good idea to pack your groceries in a box, especially is you purchase items by the case, or to double bag them.

Today’s prayer focus – Let’s pray for the safety and good health of all those who are working to repair or clean up after Hurricane Ida.

Today is a good day to invite someone to church with you in person or online.

Anna Lee

“I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold.

They will call on my name, and I will answer them.”

~Zechariah 13:9 (NLT)~

Betty Taylor’s eye is better following treatment yesterday, but now she will need to have the other eye done in four weeks. Pray for Betty.

Jennifer Allen

October 26, 1944 – September 16, 2021

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. She was born October 26, 1944 in Kentwood, LA and was 76 years of age. She is survived by her brother, Joe William Allen and wife Virginia; nieces, Margaret Kindleman and husband Mark, Laura Poulus and Kelly Goodlett. Preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Hettie Allen. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church from 11:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Yesterday’s mail brought a check for shoebox postage. We are blessed to have people who will help pay the $9.00/box shipping and Bible lessons fees. Thank-you, Carolyn.

Pray for people in low-lying areas that are experiencing flooding due to Hurricane Nicholas. The disaster relief organizations that have been working to feed people, cut trees, cover leaking roofs, etc. will now have new issues to address with the flooding. Feel free to help others at this time. Here is a link to La. Baptist Disaster Relief that would be able to put your donations to good use.

https://louisianabaptists.org/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/

100% of the money you donate will be used to overcome natural disasters.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – September 17th

EZRA 9:1-10:44
NEHEMIAH 1:1-2:20

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

La. Baptist Messsage

https://baptistmessage.com/

Georgia Barnette Offering for LA missions work

Day 6 – New Hispanic Work in Natchitoches

Week of Prayer – English

Today’s Prayer Focus – Victims of Hurricane Ida and Nicholas.

Your prayers are beneficial to many people. Thank-you for praying.

Anna Lee

Declare His glory among the nations!
~Psalm 96:3~

Pray for the people of our state as the recovery from Hurricane Ida continues and the flooding of Hurricane Nicholas moves into the lover areas. We have done a good job of hosting and showing appreciation to thousands of workers and volunteers who have been here for the last three weeks. There is still work for them to do. Let’s continue to be supportive, appreciative, and encouraging.

Pray for Betty Taylor who is having double vision in one eye. She will see a retina specialist this morning.

Firma Kay Schneeweiss had outpatient surgery and is recovering at home. Please keep her in your prayers.

Update on Linda Burk and her son Steven Burk from Lois Pittman.

Pray for Linda Burt she is at Our Lady of The Lake,she is off the vent,voice is faint,got to rehab when she gets out of hosp. to get her strength back.Steven Burt her son got infusion for covid to keep you out of hosp.,he over the covid,he got injection in his right knee cause his leg was swelled from his booty to his toes,it has really helped his leg,thanks to ya’ll an the prayers they getting better everyday

Read the Bible chronologically in 2021 – September 16

EZRA 4:7-23
EZRA 7:1-8:36

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Georgia Barnette Week of Prayer – Day 5

“Sending a New Generation of Christ Followerss”

Week of Prayer – English

Fall Food Roundup for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home

Please get your donations of most needed items in the box in the fellowship hall at FBC, Kentwood by Sunday. The truck will be here early Monday morning.

*Aluminum foil

*Salad dressings – Ranch, Italian, and Thousand Islands

*Pam cooking spray

*Gravy mixes

*Ketchup

*Mayonnaise

Thanks for praying today and for “putting feet to your prayers”.

Anna Lee

“[God] is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

~Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)~

Carlos Schiro

CJ, age 48, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 10, 2021. He was a resident of Independence, LA. He was an extremely hard worker who took great pride in providing for his family. CJ had a smile that could light up a room and an unforgettable laugh. He loved to joke around and was always happy. CJ enjoyed going fishing or taking a ride on his tractor. He was an incredible cook and loved to have people over and cook massive feasts for his guests. CJ was an extremely kind man who lived by the virtue “love thy neighbor” and would do anything he could for others. He left a huge impact on everyone he met and will be forever missed.
CJ is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Heather Schiro; daughters, Joleigha Lawrence, Michaela Lawrence and fiancé Anthony Wisner; son, Michael Lawrence and wife Brittany; grandchildren, Asher Wisner, Lennon Krzanich; 2 grandchildren on the way; devoted parents, Shirley and Carlos Schiro Sr.; sister, Clarissa Sampey and husband Frank; niece and godchild, Alleyna Sampey; in-laws, Nora Reid, Leigh and Sherry Gamble; fur-baby, Peanut; and numerous godchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that became family.

He is preceded in death by his infant brother, Gerard J. Schiro; grandparents, Tony and Josie Schiro, Bill and Audrey Drendel; and uncle, Paul Drendel

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation from the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, 12012 Hwy 190 W. Hammond, LA 70401, on Sunday, September 19, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 20, 2021 at St. Helena Catholic Church, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Colonial Cemetery.

I can attest to everything that was said about CJ except eating his food. He did like to talk about cooking, even in high school. He was a great person with a fantastic personality.

Covid has lots of lingering problems: hair loss, fatigue, coughing, loss of taste, headaches, etc. Pray for those who have recovered, but who are still fighting some to these issues.

Georgia Barnette Week of Prayer – Day 4

“Freedom Offered Next Door”

https://georgiabarnette.org/week-of-prayer-english/#day4

Hurricane Ida Disaster Relief Workers

From chainsaw teams to power company people, we have lots of outsiders here to help us. Be friendly, helpful, encouraging, appreciative, and thankful for each one. Be sure to tell them and/or show them by you actions how thankful we are they are here to help us.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – September 15

ESTHER 5:1-10:3

Hurricane Ida brought lots of wind! Nicholas, two weeks later, is bringing lots of rain. If you live in a flood zone, be prepared.

Our country needs lots of prayer. Today, let’s make the United States of America our prayer focus.

Anna Lee

Chronological Bible Readings for today

EZRA 6:14-22
EZRA 4:6
ESTHER 1:1-4:17

“‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you.

Please take this cup of suffering away from me.

Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’”

~Mark 14:36 (NLT)~

Clayton L. “Booger” Sibley

October 15, 1955 – September 05, 2021

Clayton L. “Booger” Sibley, a resident of Pine Grove, LA, passed away on September 5, 2021 in Westcliffe, CO. He was born October 15, 1955 in Denham Springs, LA and was 65 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lynda Davis Sibley; 2 sons, Daniel Sibley and wife Amanda and Darren Sibley and wife Brooke; grandchildren, Clay, Cade, KenLee, Aria, Italia and Bransen; 2 brothers, Charlie C. Sibley and wife Libby and Raymond Sibley and wife Sandra; sister, Stephanie Sibley Strickland; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his son, David Sibley; parents, Jimmie and Lorena Sibley; brother, James C. “Jimbo” Sibley and wife Frances. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until Religious Services at 1:00PM on Thursday, September 16, 2021. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Woodard. Interment Pine Grove Cemetery, Pine Grove, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

“Booger’s” wife, Lynda, work with David for many years.

Here we go with another storm. Ida brought wind. The next one is predicted to bring rain and flooding in some areas. Be prepared. Help someone else to be prepared.

Thinking about storms, I thought you might enjoy and learn from the following article: https://baptistmessage.com/experienced-fbnos-gilbert-being-used-by-god-devastated-community/?fbclid=IwAR0HZ2MNEyDyx1qrV_JjFVi6iGTRvpEjGnPMbCpRsgrUkEzaRXeEhFOCsU0

A Mountain Challenge for a Miraculous Church

Shoeboxes need $9.00 postage per shoebox. Please help ship our shoeboxes. You can turn a check into the church office or put it in the offering on Sunday mornings. Be sure to mark it “Shoebox Postage”. Thanks. You’ll be helping to get the message of Jesus to a boy or girl somewhere far from Kentwood. What an opportunity to be a missionary!

Week of Prayer for the Georgia Barnette Offering for Louisiana, Day 3

Week of Prayer – English

A Mountainous Challenge for a Miraculous Church

Missions is a small word with a big meaning and influence on others. I hope you participate in the ways God leads you.

Anna Lee

The last day to donate to the Fall Food Roundup is this coming Sunday because the truck will be here Monday. I got the dates wrong early this morning.

Money is also acceptable. That way they can purchase the food/items they don’t receive enough of.

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

~Psalm 128:2~

There are many around us still fighting the Covid virus. Please be careful, no matter your age.

The pickup day for the Fall Food Roundup is September 21st, a Monday. They will be here early, so it is best if you get your donations to the church by Sunday, the 20th. Items on their list of needs this year include aluminum foil, gravy mixes, ketchup, Pam cooking spray, and salad dressings (Ranch, Italian, and Thousand Islands). Let’s help to provide so the cottages will have a bountiful supply.

Georgia Barnette Offering for needs in Louisiana Week of Prayer, day two

Week of Prayer – English

Making it Hard to Go to Hell From Lake Charles

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – September 13

September 13th Readings
ZECHARIAH 9:1-14:21

September 14th Readings
EZRA 6:14-22
EZRA 4:6
ESTHER 1:1-4:17

September 15th Readings
ESTHER 5:1-10:3

September 16th Readings
EZRA 4:7-23
EZRA 7:1-8:36

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today’s Prayer Focus

Let’s focus on the positives!

We are alive!

Our family members are safe.

Power has been restored or will be as soon as the linemen can repair your service.

We still have a home, even if it now have a blue roof.

Someone has checked on you.

You visited a neighbor you haven’t seen lately.

Meals, water, and tools have been shared.

Someone prayed for you.

You prayed for others.

Out of state relatives checked on you.

You had the opportunity to thank/show appreciation to others.

Schools have already started again or will soon.

Most area churches were able to have services of some sort yesterday.

Baptist Disaster Relief workers and others came to help and are still here.

The list goes on and on. Focus on the positives today. God still loves you and wants the best for you.

Anna Lee