We have another heat advisory today. Please be careful and don’t get too hot. Staying hydrated is very important! Look out for others too, especially the very young and very old in your family, neighborhood, church, etc.
Verse of the Day
Prayer Focus
Let’s pray for people in our country and world to show more love for others and less anger and resentment.
Daily Bible Reading
July 29
II Kings 23-25
This will complete another book of the Bible, Matthew – Revelation and Genesis – II Kings.
I am so thankful for the dedication of those of you who are faithfully reading through the Bible with me.
It’s is always a good day to begin reading with us. Give it a try if you have not already joined us.
For this is what the high and lofty One says — he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Happy Monday morning! I’m hoping you have a great week ahead. I had a good Sunday and hope you did too!
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s focus on others who might have a difficult time on the hot summer days we have been having. If possible, stay inside most of the day, especially after the temperatures rise.
Let’s pray for families who do not attend church. May they choose God, His Word, and salvation opportunities for themselves and those they love the most.
Verse of the Day
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when
you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When
you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will
not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of
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, July 26, 2025. Services conducted by Rev. Scott Spinks. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.
Dennis L. Price
Visitation at Taylor Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 10:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Tylertown Cemetery, Tylertown, MS.
Pray for the children and chaparones who are at summer camp now. May they have wonderful, life changing experiences. May families and church members in general, not only children, be impacted.
Prayer List
Pray for those who had sickness, appointments, and surgeries this week. Also, prayer for the families impacted by deaths this week.
Services Tomorrow
Pray that those who attend churches tomorrow will be impacted by the messages God sends to us through pastors in our churches.
“Others”
May this be an important word in our vocabulary today and every day. Let’s not be selfish, but sharing, to greater impact others.
Pray for all the area people who will be grieving the loss of a family member and/or friend today and tomorrow. Pray for God’s ministers as they conduct the services.
A life-long resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born to Edmond and Faye Price on March 13, 1954 in Tangipahoa Parish, LA and was 71 years of age. Dennis started working at different jobs in the area including The Kentwood Stockyards at 11 years of age. He occasionally attended Kentwood High School and Valley Forge Academy until the early 70’s. In his adult life he primarily worked in the timber industry. He loved the outdoors and especially loved fishing. Dennis loved getting together with friends and family for a good meal and a great time. Many friends could depend on him in their time of need. He was a big man with an even bigger heart. He is preceded in death by his parents, his inlaws, Billy and Linda Alford of Tylertown, MS. He is reunited by several close friends including Sam Raborn, Ellis McKnight, Nelson Lea, Gerald Jenkins, and Robert “Red” Harrell. He leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Shari Alford Price; 2 daughters, Cassie Simpson and her husband, C.J. of Blessing, TX and Haley McMichael and her husband, Josh, of Kentwood; 6 grandchildren, Gabe, Brennan, Rhett, and Waylon Simpson of Blessing, TX and Laurel and Judd McMichael of Kentwood; 2 sisters, Virginia McKenzie and her husband, Henry, and Sue Connelly and her husband, Phil, all of Kentwood; sister-in-law, Cindy Polk and her husband, Charles Ray; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Also survived by special friends, Hubert Yarborough, Barry Bridges, Quincy Molland, Wendell Anthony, Sid Hughes, and Bill Birch. Visitation at Taylor Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 10:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Tylertown Cemetery, Tylertown, MS. Pallbearers will be Josh McMichael, C.J. Simpson, Taylor Polk, Josh Troxler, Leslie McKenzie, and Craig Berberette. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Obituary Reminders
Melody Gill
A graveside service with a burial to follow will be conducted at Mt. Hermon Cemetery on Friday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. by Reverend Darryl Miller.
Mollie Carter
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, July 26, 2025. Services conducted by Rev. Scott Spinks. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA.
Additional Bible Verses to Read – Praying with Paul
Our beloved Melody Miller Gill, a resident of Mt. Hermon, passed away on July 22, 2025, at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington, Louisiana and entered her Heavenly eternal home with her savior, Jesus Christ. She was born January 27, 1962 and was 63 years of age at the time of her passing. She was a member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church. Melody was a graduate of Mt. Hermon High School and continued her education earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University. Melody was an employee of Weyerhaeuser for 33 years and served the company in many capacities. She was currently an account specialist for the company. Her co-workers described her as an employee that did not like to be in the spotlight; however, if something needed to be done, she did it quickly and efficiently. She held many positions for Weyerhaeuser and flourished in each. Melody was an avid LSU football fan that attended many games along with her husband of 43 years, Kenneth Ray Gill, during their younger years. She was not a boastful woman yet if you asked her about her daughter, she just beamed with pride to share how proud she was of Camry Gill Martin (Assistant Manager of Kentwood Co-Op). She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Ray Gill; daughter, Camry Gill Martin (Deven); parents, Gerald and Beatrice Miller; and sister, Crystal Miller (Paul). She is also survived by brothers-in-law Ricky Simpson and Mike Gill (Bette) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Melody was preceded in death by her in-laws, Billy and Dorothy Gill and sister-in-law, Sherry Gill Simpson. A graveside service with a burial to follow will be conducted at Mt. Hermon Cemetery, on Friday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. by Reverend Darryl Miller. The Pallbearers will be the following: Deven Martin, Brandon Simpson, Britt Simpson, Darin Givens, Rocky Burch, and Erroll Soldani. Honorary pallbearers will be Kory Gill, Kyle Gill, Ethan Miller, Andrew Miller and Alan McCain. In lieu of flowers, the family would like for donations to be given in her memory to Kentwood First Baptist Church Seekers Sunday School Class in Kentwood, Louisiana. A special thanks to the Doctors and ICU nurses at St. Tammany for the wonderful and thoughtful care shown to her and her family. Thank you to all the family and friends for your visits, phone calls, and prayers.
Molly Varnado Carter
August 7, 1931 – July 20, 2025
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at her home. She was born August 7, 1931 in Kentwood, LA and was 93 years of age. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Linda Carroll, Deborah Whittle, and Lawana Carter; 2 sons, Ronald Breeland (Beth) and Keith Carter; sons-in-law, David Fontenot and Skip Dimauro; sister, Emily McMillan; 16 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, Sebie and Mamie Varnado; 2 daughters, Sandra Fontenot and Jean Dimauro; son-in-law, Roy Whittle; grandson, Travis Whittle; 2 sisters, Beatrice Newman Ann Carrier; 2 brothers, Sebie Varnado, Jr. and James Varnado. 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, July 26, 2025. Services conducted by Rev. Scott Spinks. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Jan Janssen Ponder
April 15, 1964 – July 22, 2025
A resident of New Roads, LA, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Lakeview Manor Nursing and Rehab Center in New Roads, LA. He was born April 15, 1964 and was 61 years of age. He is survived by numerous cousins and family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Phyllis Ponder; and sister, Laurel Ponder. Memorial Services will be held at Amite Cemetery at 10:00AM on Friday, July 25, 2025. A special thank you to Tracey Williams and the staff of Lakeview Manor Nursing and Rehab Center. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. To the arrogant I say, `Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, `Do not lift up your horns.
It’s good to write to you again this morning. Thanks for checking in.
Daily Bible Reading
July 22
II Kings 4-5
Verse of the Day
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s focus our prayers and actions on the needs of others: Jesus, friendship, transportation, a church, food, air conditioning, etc. As you see others or hear names mentioned, please consider what you can do to make today a better day than yesterday for someone else.
WMU Associational Meeting
The WMU meeting Saturday helped us learn about more mission opportunities for us as individuals or churches. Printed information sheets were given to each person as they signed in. This can lead to new mission opportunities. Some of the ladies were asked to share information about projects they currently do or would be interested in learning more about. We all learned more. Hopefully, this will lead to more involvement for each lady in their own way.
Special Pray Request
Please pray for Kenny Ray Gill and his family. Melody is at St. Tammany Hospital and needs our prayers. Let’s pray for them perioodically today. Choose a method of reminding you to pray. It can be a paper on the refrigerator, in a particular chair, on an outside door, on the dash of our car, etc. You can write the names of some favorite hymns on paper and place them around your home. Do something new to remind you to pray today. I think I will choose to use index cards with great hymns of faith and love in various rooms of my home today. When I see one, I will stop and pray for this family.
New Baby
Amy and Jesse McDaniel have a new baby girl. That makes a daughter, a son, and another daughter. Pray for Anneliese Jane McDaniel as she gets to know and love her family.
She was born July 20th at 9:35 P.M. and weighed 6 lbs, 10 ounces. She was 18.5 inches long.
Amy shared this Scripture yesterday as part of the birth announcement. Psalm 139:13-14.
Welcome to a new day, a gift of God this morning. Make good use of the day. We only have this day one time.
Prayer Focus:
Lets pray for others today. Please choose your own list of individuals.
Verse of the Day
Obituary
Sawyer James Doucet
July 18, 2025 – July 18, 2025
Sawyer James Doucte passed peacefully from this life on Friday, July 18, 2025 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. He is survived by mother, Donna Milton; father, Johnny Harris Doucet; sisters, Audrey Milton and Ella Doucet; grandparents, Dee Dee Taylor, Doug Milton, Mitzie Doucet, and Harris Joseph Doucet, Jr.; great-grandparents, Audrey Milton and Marian Taylor (better known as Maw May Taylor). Preceded in death by great-grandparents, James Milton, John Taylor, Albert Savoie, Anna Belle Savoie, Harris Joseph Doucet, Sr., and Janet Beard. A private service will be held at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Prayer Request – Melody Gill
Please continue to pray. She was taken to New Orleans for more evaluation. As you pray for her, please also pray for her family and the medical staff caring for her.
Daily Bible Reading
7-21
II Kings 1-3
Pray for the 12 boys and 12 girls who will be attending church camp this week. Pray for the parent chaperones and the children’s minister, Miss Shelly, too.
Special thanks to others who have written a card to some or all of the children going from our church this year. Have a great time! Learn more about God and His Word.
Thank you, Lord for our church and the way You are using it. What a blessing to so many people!
The Prayer Link 
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