Sunday

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

~Psalm 55:22 (NIV)~

 

Koltyn Gafford

Last Saturday morning

Just wanted to update all our Prayer Warriors. Koltyn is stable now. He has a slight temp. O2 has been dropped from 100% to 70% so he is breathing a lil on his own. A second chest x-ray was taken abt 3:30 this morning and they said it looks as though there is a very slight positive change but not much. We’ll take any kind of positive change!! He is resting much easier now. Thank you all for prayers. We are extremely blessed to have such an awesome community & social media family to think of us during such a difficult time. I’m just so ready to hear that sweet lil voice call out to me.

Late last night

Koltyn is continues to slowly improve. They are slowly weaning his ventilator. His blood pressure and pulse remain stable and has not required any increase in medications. He continues to run a low grade temp which is expected under these circumstances. His pupils react to light which is wonderful. He does have some spontaneous movements. We will update you all again in the morning after his doctor makes rounds. Again we appreciate your love, calls, and prayers. Your prayers are working! …the Gaffords, Russell’s and Newman family.

Kai Harris Relan was born Christmas Eve and has needed some special attention.  His parents are Jordan and Mechelle Relan.

The baby spent Christmas in NICU at North Oaks.  He has an infection and will spend about ten days in the hospital getting antibiotics.  He has had a spinal tap to check on the infection possibly moving to the brain, but that was clear.  Now, he has been moved to intermediate care.  The parents thank those who have been praying.  It looks like Kai doesn’t have any big problems.

“RETIRED FORMER JUDGE WILL BE LAID TO REST MONDAY IN FRANKLINTON” (Judge James)

http://www.actionnews17.com/Home/retired-former-judge-will-be-laid-to-rest-monday-in-franklinton-218392

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – “Grateful for Collective Giving” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatworkview.asp?PageNavID=111&StoryID=13341&LanguageID=1709#.VJ_vtcAAs

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “A Piece of the Puzzle” – http://odb.org/2013/11/13/a-piece-of-the-puzzle/
  • God has set the members,                                                                                        each one of them,                                                                                                          in the body just as He pleased.                                                                                               ~1 Corinthians 12:18~
  • “Count Your Blessings” –  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/c/o/u/countyou.htm 

Today, as I count my blessings for another year, I am blessed in many ways.  One is extra special today!  I’m so excited.  The Hatchel family arrived mid afternoon yesterday and Boyd and Jennie will be speaking at FBC, K at 10:30 this morning.  That makes me especially blessed today!

Anna Lee

Saturday

                                On coming to the house,                                                  they saw the child with his mother Mary,                           and they bowed down and worshiped him.                                    Then they opened their treasures                                                       and presented him with gifts                                                  of gold and of incense and of myrrh.                                         And having been warned in a dream                                                       not to go back to Herod,                                          they returned to their country by another route.

~Matthew 2:11-12~

 

The big request all over the Amite area is for Koltyn Gafford, son of Brad and Kristin R. Gafford.  Kristin is the daughter of Kelly Wayne and Teri Chandler Russell, also of Amite.  I’m not sure who Brad’s parents are.  Koltyn. who is two, had an accident in the family swimming pool yesterday.  He’s in Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.  Prayers are needed and will be appreciated.

Teddi Titus’ surgery went well yesterday.  She’s back at home.  Thank you for your prayers yesterday and in the coming days.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Out of Egypt” – http://odb.org/2014/12/27/out-of-egypt/
  • Take the young Child and His mother,                                                                 flee to Egypt.                                                                                                                                                             ~Matthew 2:13~
  • “Because He Lives”

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Operation Christmas Child – Pray today for children around the world who are receiving “shoeboxes”.  Pray that in addition to gifts, they find Jesus.

I trust you put priority on others, family and non-family members, this Christmas season.  That works well all year long.  

Anna Lee

 

Friday

                  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.                                                        ~John 1:14~  

 

Teddi Titus, young daughter of Tedd and Kayla, is back in the hospital and facing surgery this morning.  Please pray for this young family, the surgeon, and those caring for her.

Devotional, Scriptures, and a Song

  • “In the Neighborhood” – http://odb.org/2014/12/26/in-the-neighborhood/
  • The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.                                                                                                                   ~John 1:14~                                                                        
  • “She brought forth her firstborn son,                                                                                                   and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,                                                                                               and laid Him in a manger;                                                                                                                             because there was no room for them in the inn.”                                                                                                                                                                    ~Luke 2:7~
  • “What Child is This?” – http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/whatcist.htm

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – “Artistic Connection in Sweden”

 http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatworkview.asp?PageNavID=111&StoryID=13361&LanguageID=1709#.VJ1RBsAAs

Have a great news of Jesus’ birth and the reason He came.

Anna Lee

Obituary for Mr. Joe

Joseph J. Williams, Jr.
Born: October 18, 1919
Died: December 25, 2014

Joseph J. Williams, Jr., a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus, passed away on December 25, 2014. He was born October 18, 1919 to Joe Williams, Sr. and Frankie Fortenberry Williams in Kentwood, La. He was a WWII Veteran having served from June 10, 1942 to November 3, 1945. Before entering the service, he went to Southeastern Louisiana University for 2 years and later married Othell Stewart on December 21, 1941 and this week celebrated their 73rd anniversary. After the war, he worked at Baugh Chemical in Baltimore, MD before coming to Baton Rouge where he worked for Lily Creamery. He and his wife opened Williams Florist and worked it for about 5 years. He then went to work for Kleinpeter’s Farm Dairy as an accountant and retired in January 1980 and returned to Kentwood. He started teaching young boys in Sunday School at Fairfields Baptist Church in 1954. He later taught men’s classes at Oakcrest Baptist and when he returned to Kentwood, he started teaching the men’s class at First Baptist Church of Kentwood, holding classes in the later years in the old courthouse across the street from the church until about 2003. In addition to his wife, Othell, he is survived by 3 sons, Johnny Williams, Loren Williams and Darryl Williams and wife, Barbara; sister, Helen Sumrall; 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Stanley Williams and sister, Eleanor Ledoux. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2014. Services conducted by Rev. Joey Miller and Bro. Charles Thompson. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/2881047

Christmas Death

Mr. Joe Williams, 95, went to Heaven.  I’ll post his obituary after arrangements are made this afternoon.  God blessed all those who knew him!  Mr. Joe  and “Miss” Othelle were married 73 years!  They have three sons who have been faithful to be with their parents these last few years.

Christmas Addition

But the angel said to them, “

Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you:

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths

and lying in a manger.”

~Luke 2:10-12~

 

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner/journal/view/id/549bab6bac7ee95e56089003

From Macy’s grandmother, Martha (who sat by me at Pine Ridge last night and who has been a friend since we were school girls)

Merry Christmas!!! Let us not forget that Christmas is not about the worldly gifts we receive, but about the greatest gift ever given…..Jesus Christ…. King of Kings!!!! It is not a gift you need to unwrap, it is a gift you must accept by faith. If you have never accepted this gift, I encourage you to do so!!!! It will be the greatest gift you have ever received and will last an eternity!!!!

May you center some thoughts today on the reason for this wonderful holiday!  It’s not what comes to you in fancy paper under a decorated tree, but a life that began many years ago for the purpose of providing us an opportunity to have salvation and an eternity in Heaven with the greatest family that ever existed for eternity.

Anna Lee

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2014

  “Training Takes Travel and Time” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatworkview.asp?PageNavID=111&StoryID=13342&LanguageID=1709#.VJuh-MAAs

Boyd and Jennie Hatchel, missionaries supported through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, will share during the 10:30 service Sunday morning at FBC, Kentwood.  You are invited to join us in worship.

SBC Disaster Relief – If you are on Facebook, you may want to “friend” this group to receive updates on work in Mississippi following the tornado this week and other projects they are working on.

Recovery from the Amite Tornado – A number of groups and many individuals are helping friends, relatives, and complete strangers put their lives back together in Amite.  What a Christmas blessing they are to those who had  so much damage.

Samaritan’s Purse – I watched Rev. Franklin Graham on the Fox News Christmas Special last night.  This link takes you to that and to other stories you may be interested in.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Last night, Christmas Eve, David and I were privileged to attend a Christmas Eve service at Pine Ridge United Methodist Church.  Bro. Kevin Smith read Scriptures from Luke 2.  The familiar carols were beautiful.  Communion was special.  We held candles as we sang “Silent Night”.  What a wonderful service with a packed sanctuary.

Bro. Kevin’s message, “An Announcement from a Stable”, contained these three main thoughts.

  1. God humbled himself to be like us.
  2. Christmas is a time for family.
  3. Christmas is for everyone.

Carry those thoughts with you throughout this day!

Anna Lee

Christmas Eve Addition

Please pray for Mr. Joe Williams and his family.  “Miss” Othell and all three sons are sticking close and taking care of his every need.

Pray for those facing a first Christmas after losing a loved one.  Be an encourager for them.

Pray for those away from home, family, and all the traditions they have celebrated each season as well as those at home alone at this special time of the year..

 

Christmas Eve

While they were there,  

the time came for the baby to be born,

and she gave birth to her firstborn,

a son.

She wrapped him in cloths

and placed him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

~Luke 2:6-7~

 

Tornado Damage

I’m thanking God for the lives spared when the tornado hit the area of highway 16 and Chicken Farm Road just east of Amite.  These families will have much to thank God for this year.  At the same time, I pray for the families of those lost in Columbia, MS.

Aubrey Stokes’ Obituary

December 14, 1925 – December 20, 2014

http://www.crainfh.com/mobile/obituaries-details.cfm?o_id=2879304&fh_id=13316&forcelayout=mobile#obituaries

Christmas Eve Services

  • Pine Ridge United Methodist Church – 5:00 P.M.
  • Hillsdale Baptist Church – 6:30 P.M.
  • Osyka Baptist Church – 6:00 P.M.

Christmas Service

Spring Creek Baptist Church

  • 6:00 Thursday in new church facilities
  • Silent Lord’s Supper

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Great articles for the Christmas season!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Give so this family and other families like them can stay on the field another year to share the gospel message.

http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/videos/view/missionaries-celebrate-christmas-in-west-africa

Devotionals, Scriptures, and a Song

  • http://odb.org/2014/12/23/what-really-matters-4                                                                  ~2 Corinthians 9:15~
  • Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!                                                                                                                                              ~2 Corinthians 9:15~

 

  • http://odb.org/2014/12/24/lasting-peace/
  • He Himself is our peace,                                                                                                                                       who has made both one,                                                                                                                                 and has broken down the middle wall of separation.                                                                                                                                                      ~Ephesians 2:14~

Be sure to invite Jesus into your family time this special day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son,

born of a woman,

born under law,

to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

~Galatians 4: 4-5, NIV~

 

“For God loved the world in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16, HCSB~

 

Christmas Eve Services

  • Pine Ridge United Methodist Church – 5:00 Wednesday afternoon
  • Hillsdale Baptist Church – 6:30 P.M.

Christmas Service

Spring Creek Baptist Church – 6:00 Thursday in new church facilities

What a blessing!

An electrical fire at Tangipahoa United Methodist Church did no structural damage. The Tangipahoa Church will meet with the Pine Ridge Church Sunday.

What an opportunity!

Many area church collected shoeboxes of gifts for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) and are now collecting funds, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO), to support missionaries and their work.  Missionaries Boyd and Jennie Hatchel will be sharing at FBC, Kentwood at 10:30 on Sunday, December 28th.  They and their ministry, including giving out the OCC shoeboxes, are supported through the LMCO.  You are invited to join us for the service.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 

“Because You Gave” – a photo essay –http://www.commissionstories.com/asia/interactives/view/because-you-give-chalkboard-gives-insight-to-imbs-work

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son,

born of a woman,

born under law,

to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

~Galatians 4: 4-5, NIV~

“For God loved the world in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16, HCSB~

Anna Lee