Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

~Philippians 2:3~

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• March 2, 2023
• Jeremiah 31: 1-9
• Psalm 31: 7-16
• “Because of God’s love, I can rebuild . . . . “

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Today, let’s pray for the men and women of our military. They are there to protect our country and each of us. Thank God for those who have served and those whoo are currently serving. Thanking them personally is a great expression of our appreciation.

ENCOURAGEMENT

We have many people who need encouragement. I’ll name a few. You can use them as examples of some people you can share some encouraging words with this week.

• Young parents who arrive at church on time each week.
• Those who teach Sunday School classes.
• Those who stand at the front door to assist and greet people.
• Coffee drinkers can show appreciation to those who have waashed the coffee pot since it was last used and those who pr

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

~Philippians 2:3~

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• March 2, 2023
• Jeremiah 31: 1-9
• Psalm 31: 7-16
• “Because of God’s love, I can rebuild . . . . “

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Today, let’s pray for the men and women of our military. They are there to protect our country and each of us. Thank God for those who have served and those whoo are currently serving. Thanking them personally is a great expression of our appreciation.

ENCOURAGEMENT

We have many people who need encouragement. I’ll name a few you may not have thought to pray for. You can use them as examples of some people you can share some encouraging words with this week.

• Young parents who arrive at church on time each week.
• Those who teach Sunday School classes.
• Those who stand at the front door to assist and greet people.
• Coffee drinkers can show appreciation to those who have waashed the coffee pot since it was last used and those who prepared fresh coffee.
• The person who cut the grass or watered the flower beds.
• The person who cleaned emptied the trash and cleaned the bathrooms.
• The person who set/checked the thermostats so the buildings would all be comfortable.
• The person who parked their vehicle farther away from the church doors so others coule be closer.
• The person who unlocked the doors and turned on lights making sure everything looked okay.
• The musicians who practiced so they could lead the congregation.
• The pastor who prepared a message to present.
• Older folks who don’t feel well, can’t walk as fast, need assistance getting about, but who are faithfully in attendance.
• Those who worked a night shift, but delayed resting to get ready and attend church.
• Someone who has been unable to attend for a while due to a job or illness, but who made special effort to be in church today.

Have a wonderful Thursday. Focus on other people, not yourself today. Express appreciation to others. Use the texting feature of your phone to express your appreciation leaving a message that can be read more than once.

Anna Lee

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

~Philippians 2:3~

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• March 2, 2023
• Jeremiah 31: 1-9
• Psalm 31: 7-16
• “Because of God’s love, I can rebuild . . . . “

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Today, let’s pray for the men and women of our military. They are there to protect our country and each of us. Thank God for those who have served and those whoo are currently serving. Thanking them personally is a great expression of our appreciation.

ENCOURAGEMENT

We have many people who need encouragement. I’ll name a few you may not have thought to pray for. You can use them as examples of some people you can share some encouraging words with this week.

• Young parents who arrive at church on time each week.
• Those who teach Sunday School classes.
• Those who stand at the front door to assist and greet people.
• Coffee drinkers can show appreciation to those who have waashed the coffee pot since it was last used and those who prepared fresh coffee.
• The person who cut the grass or watered the flower beds.
• The person who cleaned emptied the trash and cleaned the bathrooms.
• The person who set/checked the thermostats so the buildings would all be comfortable.
• The person who parked their vehicle farther away from the church doors so others coule be closer.
• The person who unlocked the doors and turned on lights making sure everything looked okay.
• The musicians who practiced so they could lead the congregation.
• The pastor who prepared a message to present.
• Older folks who don’t feel well, can’t walk as fast, need assistance getting about, but who are faithfully in attendance.
• Those who worked a night shift, but delayed resting to get ready and attend church.
• Someone who has been unable to attend for a while due to a job or illness, but who made special effort to be in church today.

Have a wonderful Thursday. Focus on other people, not yourself today. Express appreciation to others. Use the texting feature of your phone to express your appreciation leaving a message that can be read more than once.

Anna Lee

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

~Titus 2:11~

READ the BIBLE TODAY

• March 1
• Psalm 89: 1-14
• “Because of God’s amazing loyalty, I can . . . . “

BAPTIST PRESS

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Ukrainians, Plan for Evangelism & Ohio Disaster Relief Begins Cleanup

https://wordpress.com/post/theprayerlink.com/36942

ILLNESS

Please continue to pray for Gerald Hyde. Please add his name to your own prayer list so you can remember to pray for him regularly.

Andy Taylor is doing better. Thank God for that good report.`

Robert Ricks of Russelltown (east of Arcola) has a recurrence of cancer and a positive attitude to go with that news. Robert was at M. D. Anderson about a week ago, but is home now.

THANKFULNESS

David and I spent must of yesterday shopping for OCC. We are thankful we were able to locate some items we were lacking and some wonderful red and white striped pajamas for many of the children. All those items are at the church and ready for attention this morning. I’m thankful Jackie has volunteered to help me today. We will be able to accomplish some tasks that were on my shopping and preparation lists for the workday for this Saturday. I’m so thankful for those of you who have made plans to participate Saturday.

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

My prayers this morning focus on OCC. Would you also pray for the many people who are part of the process of getting “Shoeboxes” into the hand of children worldwide. Also, pray for the children and their families. May they recognize Jesus as the main objective of the whole process and take Him into their hearts and choose to live for him daily for the rest of their lives.

APPRECIATION

I appreciate those of you who read and pray daily. I don’t know many of you, so to all you wonderful people, I thank you for becoming a part of The Prayer Link family. Please continue to introduce yourself to David and me when our paths cross. Also, feel free to contact me and request a name(s) be added here. We like to share requests and times of thankfulness.

Anna Lee

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

~1 Peter 1:21~

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• February 18
• Isaiah 43: 1-7
• “A loving God will protect me from . . . . “

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Today, let’s pray about the things that we fear. Would that be sickness, strangers, debts, loneliness, etc. After you think of the things you fear, remember that “A loving Fod will protect me from . . . . ” Say a prayer telling God what you fear and thanking Him for being with you always and protecting you from the things you fear.

OBITUARY

Rose Virginia Currier Pitkethly

May 31, 1940 – October 11, 2022

Early morning on October 11, 2022, Rose Virginia Currier Pitkethly passed away at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida. She is survived by her beloved husband John K. Pitkethly, Sr., her three sons John Jr., Scott and David, her daughter-in-law Olivia and her grandchildren John III and Sabrina.

Rose was a dedicated Christian of the Roman Catholic faith. She was the head sacristan, eucharistic minister, religious educator and thrift shop volunteer for more than 30 years at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Rose prayed daily and was very generous with her time, talent, and treasure toward anyone in need and the Church she so loved.

Rose was an American patriot who supported her country with much love and affection. She helped to preserve the American system through community service and strict attention to her civic responsibilities without fail, educating her children the same.

Rose Virginia Currier was born on May 31, 1940, in Clinton, Louisiana to Emile Currier and Mary Spitale Currier. Rose’s four grandparents were all immigrants to the United States from Sicily at the turn of the twentieth century.

Rose grew up in Amite before attending school at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond where she graduated with a four-year degree in three and a half years. She took great pride in the fact she never missed a single day of school in her entire life. Rose moved to Mims, Florida to begin her career in Elementary Education. During this time Rose met her future husband, John, on a blind date in Cocoa Beach. Once engaged, she received an offer to teach school in Germany while John stayed to work on getting his Bachelors and Masters degrees. Later they married on June 23, 1965. After marriage they moved to New Jersey where she gave birth to their first son, John Jr in 1969. Two months later they moved to Satellite Beach and resided there ever since.

Rose raised her sons and continued as a part-time educator, SAT proctor and church volunteer. She made sure all her boys attended school regularly and graduated with college degrees.

Rose was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She often spoke loudly with kindness and humor and dedicated her life to Christian principles. Her absence is deeply felt by all who knew her, and she is profoundly missed by her family, friends and community.

May Rose spend eternity in joy and happiness, communing with God, family members and dear friends who preceded her; and may we all be with her again when our times on Earth have been fulfilled.

God bless you Rose!

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, at 11:00AM on Thursday, March 16, 2023. A graveside service will follow in Amite Memorial Gardens. 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Not only will OCC have a workday Saturday to prepare items for packing at a later time, but we have been asked to give the newly formed Trail Life boys an opportunity to earn some service time by working on projects that the boys will make and that will be placed in the shoeboxes before they are sent on their journey to boys and girls in November. We are thankful to have this opportunity to work with the boys from our community Marcg 18th.

SERMON TOPICS AND BIBLE PASSAGES

Wednesday, March 1 “The Spirit of God is Life” Romans 8:1-11

Sunday, March 5, A.M. “The Mission” Ezekiel 3: 1-14

Sunday, March 5. P.M. “Gossip” 2 Samuel 10

HAVE A BLESSED DAY AS YOU USE YOUR DAY TO BLESS SOMEONE ELSE.

Anna Lee

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

~Matthew 21:21~

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• Fwbruary 27
• Isaiah 63: 7-14
• “A kindness of God I have seen is . . . . “

ILLNESSES

Amy Tolar (Jeff’s wife in Florida) had surgery recently and needs prayers as she recovers.

Rhonda Miller (Wife of Pete) will be having surgery in a couple of weeks in Covington. Pray for her as she faces this surgery.

Robbie Lynn Callihan has been hospitalized for a couple of weeks, but was released yesterday. Hopefully, she will be able to attend a family wedding in Kentwood Saturday.

Laurie Miller is making plans for her back surgery in April. Teachers always have so much to do to leave lesson plans and materials for those who will take their place. She has a good attitude and is looking forward to not hurting once her recovery time is finished.

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Pray for the family of Sue Gill as they have her wake and funeral service this morning at Sprinc Creek Baptist Church.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (OCC)

Thank-you to the individuals and classes who turned in calculators, soap, washcloths, and scissors yesterday. These items will be so helpful in filling our hygiene bags and sewing bags. They may not be normal Christmas gifts for Kentwood children, but they will be wonderful, needed items in the areas where our “Shoeboxes” are delivered. We are also appreciative of the necklaces promised yesterday.

MARCH WORKDAY for OCC

Saturday, we will meet in the fellowship hall at 9 A.M. to prepare more items for packing at a later date. Everyone, male and female, children, youth, and adults, is invited to come be a part of the process. Bring a snack to share and some items to include in shoebox packing.

Most needed items today are:

• Calculators
• 5″ Flashlights
• AAA Battteries
• Bandanas
• Size 12 Underwear
• Crayons

We will begin a new project this week and need some ladies who can/will sew on two buttons. We will have a “sewing circle” for this project. Join in the excitement of working together on this task. Someone will take over with the next steps. Call me if you have any questions.

Spaghetti Fund Raiser for Youth

The youth ran out of spaghetti yesterday! I’m sure that the cooks will plan for more food next time. Thanks to all who planned, cooked, served, purchased spaghetti, and planned to purchase a lunch. Thanks for helping the youth get to camp next summer. Stay tuned!

Be a blessing to someone today!

Anna Lee

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.

~Galatians 5:22-23~

OBITUARY

Sue Gentry Gill

October 4, 1943 – February 24, 2023

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 our freedom 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!

Anna Lee

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see.

~Hebrews 11:1~

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• I Peter 1: 13-16
• I John 1: 5-7
• As a child of a holy God, I should . . . .

HOSPITAL

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)

A.M. – “The Preparation (Education)” – Ezekiel 3

P. M. – “Doing the Right Thing” – 2 Samuel 9

Please excuse my late start this morning.

My mouse was dead and needed to be charged.

Have a blessed day!

Anna Lee

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

~Jude 1:20~

READ THE BIBLE TODAY

• Psalm 145: 17-21
• Luke 1: 46-55
• A holy God can rescue me from . . . .

OBITUARY

Sherrie Ann Snow Magruder

August 12, 1961 – February 22, 2023

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.

BAPTIST MESSAGE

http://www.baptistmessage.com/

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:

LOUISIANA

LCU to host racial reconciliation speaker at C3 event

Louisiana BCMs, other student organizations to host Collegiate Day of Prayer

Former Angola inmate Hyde begins Mississippi prison ministry

New Orleans Mardi Gras parade shooting leaves one dead, four injured

More LOUISIANA …

U.S. & INTL

Southern Baptists oust Saddleback Church over woman pastor

Asbury moving extended revival meetings off campus

Border Patrol begs for help to stop 800 percent surge of migrants sneaking in from Canada

Report: Chinese Communists ‘hope to erase’ Christianity

More U.S. & INTL …

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.

Anna Lee

I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

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.

BAPTIST PRESS

https://www.baptistpress.com/

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”.

Anna Lee

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those whope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

~Isaiah 40:30-31~

First, a Correction

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)
• UNDERWEAR (Boys and. Girls – Size 12)
• PLAY DOUGH (Small containers)
• ZIP-LOCK FREEZER BAGS (Quart and Gallon size)

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED DAY!

Anna Le