‘Called to Make Disciples, Everywhere!’ (Mt. 28:18-20)

“Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples . . . . “

Missions! – This is our calling to go and tell others about Jesus! That’s why we collect the Lottie Moon offering for international missions this time every year. That’s why we send missionaries to places around the world equipped to tell others how to be saved!

The Lottie Moon Offering equips us to pray, to give, and to go so they others will hear about Jesus and have the opportunity to have Him in their hearts.

Prayer Focus for Today

Today there are many hurting families because of an accident that occurred on a local highway the day after Christmas. Let’s spend some time praying for the family members of all those involved.

Read the Bible Today

• December 28
• Zacharia 2:1-6:15
• Psalm 148:1-6
• Proverbs 31:23-25
• Revelations 19:1-21

Prayer List

Add the families of those involved in the accident on Highway 1061 this week.

Please continue to pray for David Sellers and Jesse Dean. They are both better, but still have medical issues to be resolved.

Pray for families in our community, or possibly even your family with babies on the way or new babies.

Sunday School Lesson Tomorrow – Exodus 14:19-31.

Obituary

Malcolm “Coon” Willson

July 6, 1942 – December 26, 2024

A resident of Liberty, MS, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg, MS. He was born July 6, 1942 in Gillsburg, MS and was 82 years of age. He was a dairy farmer until retiring in 2007. He sold the dairy cows and then enjoyed raising beef cows for many years afterwards. He was a lifetime member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church where he served as a deacon since 1983. He is survived by his daughter, Sherry Willson Dixon and husband, Justin; granddaughter, Leanne Fuqua Turnage and husband, Eli; great-granddaughter, Amelia Rose Turnage; sister, Tommie Stewart Richardson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, John Q. and Alma Lee Willson; wife, Kathy Penny Willson; son, Todd Willson; infant daughter, Dana Willson; sister, Velma Lee Willson Boyd; 4 brothers, John “Pete” Willson, James Howard Willson, Donald Ray Willson, and Frank “Joe” Willson. Visitation at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 4923 Mt. Vernon Rd., Liberty, MS 39645, from 10:00AM until religious services at 12:00 Noon on Monday, December 30, 2024. Interment Stewart Wall Cemetery, Liberty, MS. Pallbearers will be Willson Stewart, Jarett Wilson, Mantle Austin, Joe Venable, Mackie McMillan, and John Dixon. Honorary Pallbearer will be Hugh Ray Hughes. In lieu of flowers, donate to Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Do what is needed to prepare for the Lord’s Day. Spend some time praying today.

Anna Lee

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 27
• Haggai 1:1-Zechariah 1:20
• Psalm 147:15-20
• Proverbs 31: 20-22
• Revelation 18:9-24
• This has been a good Bible reading plan. I plan to use it another year.

Coming Soon – A Bible Reading Plan for 2025

• Starts with New Testament on January 1st
• Only one book to read from each day
• Read the entire Bible in 2025

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s continue to pray for David Sellers and Jesse Dean who are both hospitalized.

Obituary

Charles Bradley “Brad” Jones

April 29, 1976 – November 4, 2024

Charles Bradley “Brad” Jones, 48, of Bogalusa, Louisiana went to be home with the Lord on Monday, November 4, 2024 at his residence.

Brad was born April 29, 1976 in Jackson, Mississippi and was a carpenter by trade.

Family members include his daughter Raynee Grace Jones; one brother, Timothy Wayne Jones, Jr.; his fiance, Aleisha Diaz; and a host of extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Timothy Wayne Jones, Sr. and Frieda Melton Jones.

A memorial service will be held at White Sand Baptist Church (2037 Highway 26 West, Poplarville, MS, 39470) on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 1:00 pm. 

Poole Ritchie Funeral Home, (985) 732-4721.
www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com

Thanks for reading TPL today.

Anna Lee

John 12:26

Prayer Focus for Today

Today, let’s pray for opportunities to be a servant as God leads us and in a way that honors Him.

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 26
• Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
• Psalm 147:7-14
• Proverbs 31:18-19
• Revelation 17:9-18:8

Updates

Bill Sellers reported yesterday that his dad, David, was improving and would possibly be moved from ICU.

Majel Dean reported that even though Jesses was able to leave ICU, he still had more improvements and procedures to accomplish in the days ahead.

Pray for these two men and the many others whose names are listed on your prayer list.

Prayer List

My list continues as we move into a new calendar. Some people will begin a new list when the new year arrives. Either way is fine. The key is to have a prayer list and to pray for those listed there.

Obituary

Theresa “Tisa” Scheurer Cooper

March 24, 1949 – December 22, 2024

Theresa “Tisa” Scheurer Cooper, 75, of Amite entered eternal rest lovingly surrounded by her family on December 22, 2024. Tisa was born in New Orleans and was a resident of Metairie until her family moved to Amite in 1983 where Cooper’s Bakery found its new home. Here, she worked side by side every day with the love of her life, Johnny, for 41 years. Her fondest memories were found in a deer stand in the woods or on her boat, Tisa’s Toy, off the coast of Grand Isle hunting or fishing with those she loved most.

She is preceded in death by her parents William “Billy” and Lucille Scheurer and her brother Lenny Scheurer.

Tisa is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, John “Johnny” Cooper; four children, Yvette (Dean) Barr, Troy (Becky) Cooper, Kevin (Shannon) Cooper, and Stacie (Tommy) Ball; Denise Peltier, her beloved sister-in-law; thirteen grandchildren, Austin Barr, Corinne Barr, Brittni Cooper, Carson Cooper, Braden Cooper, Kayla Cooper Foy, Brandi Cooper Hartley, Emily Cooper, Gabby Abril, Dre Abril, Sophie Abril, Sydney Ball, and Dylan Ball; and numerous great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please hold your loved ones close this holiday season and donate a prayer to our family and those in need.

(I taught some the these family members during my career.)

Ending 2024

As this year ends, are there things you had planned to accomplish this year? If they can be accomplished in a few days, you might want to work to accomplishe them in the coming week.

Anna Lee

 
 

‘Glory to God’ (Lk. 2:13-14)

“Suddenly a great company
of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel, praising God and
saying, “Glory to God in the
highest heaven, and on earth…”

Happy Birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas!

The candlelight service was well attended and special, as it always is. I hope you were able to attend.

Scripture for Today

I hope you as a family will read Luke 2 today.

Read Luke in December

If you have been reading with us, today we are on Luke 23.

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 25
• Habkkuk 1:1-3:19
• Psalm 147:1-6
• Proverbs 31:15-17
• Revelation 16:12-17:8

A Good Report

Jesse Dean is better and out of ICU.

Bible Reading Plan for 2025

https://www.christianity.com/bible/year/niv1984/njan01.htm

This is the Bible Reading plan I have chosen for 2025. I hope it appeals to you and you will be reading with me in 2025. If you have never read the Bible according to a one-year plan, I hope you will choose to do so this year. This plan will begin for us on January 1st.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at FBC, Kentwood

The service was good and well-attended. If you missed it last night, mark your calendar for next year.

Have a joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus today.

Anna Lee

Prayer Focus for the Day

Today let’s remind ourselves and others this day is a celebration of Jesus!

Celebration of Jesus

Tonight at 6:00, we will have a special service at FBC, Kentwood. It is a candlelight beautiful service! It is from 6:00-6:30. We would love to have you and your family. The service is for anyone who wishes to attend. If your church is not gathering tonight, fell free to join us. See you tonight!

Read the Bible Every Day

• Christmas Eve
• Nahum 1:1-3:19
• Psalm 146:1-10
• Proverbs 31:13-14
• Revelations 15:1-16:11

Read Luke the Month

Today, we will read Luke 22.

Obituary

Mattie Purser Bishop

September 6, 1927 – December 20, 2024

A resident of Collinsville, AL and a former resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2024 in Collinsville, AL. She was born September 6, 1927 in Hazlehurst, MS and was 97 years of age. She retired from South Central Bell with 35 years and 4 months of service and a member of First United Methodist Church in Amite, LA. She is survived by daughter, Sally Bishop Sterling and husband Ken; 2 grandchildren, William Stanley Hand and John David Hand; 3 great-grandchildren, Mary Grace Hand, Anna Leigh Hand, and Elizabeth Claire Hand. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Bishop; parents, Will and Sally Purser; sister, Mary Purser Ragland; and brother, Woodrow Purser. Visitation at First United Methodist Church of Amite from 10:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, December 27, 2024. Services conducted by Rev. Tim Barnes. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

(This is the mother of my school years friend, Sally. Sally, her parents, and grandmother were always so sweet to me.!)

Baptist Press

https://wordpress.com/post/theprayerlink.com/44086

Have a wonderful day. Find a way to show your love for someone who is not a member of your family.

Anna Lee

Good morning, friends. This picture reminds me of the Causeway. The verse is certainly appropriate for all of us.

Prayer List

Please add Jesse Dean to your prayer list. He is currently hospitalized.

Don’t forget to read and pray from your own prayer list too.

Prayer Focus

Today as we have Christmas in mind, let’s work to do something for others.

Also, I’m thankful to report that Jacob Tolleson, my young Texas cousin, who had his second heart surgery is now at home. Thank you for your prayers for him.

Reading Luke

Today, please read Luke 21.

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 23
• Micah 5:1-7:20
• Psalm 145:14-21
• Proverbs 31: 10-12
• Revelations 14:1-20

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

I encourage you to attend the Christmas Eve Service at FBC, Kentwood if your Church is not having one at the same time. Our service is at 6:00 is will be finished at 6:30.

Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season we are celebrating.

Christmas Season.

No matter how large your crowd or if you are the only one there, please take time to read the Christmas story at a time that is appropriate for your family. If you have children or teens in your home, please consider allowing them to read the Christmas story from the Bible (Matthew 1 or Luke 1) or from a children’s Christmas book. Take a few minutes to talk about the why, what, and the who of this wonderful holiday.

A Wonderful Christmas Gift for Yourself

With the year 2025 just around the corner, this is a wonderful time to buy yourself or others a special notebook(s) dedicated to the Scripture list each day and/or to your daily prayer list. A simple &1.00 notebook from the dollar store is sufficient.

Anna Lee

A cold, but happy, greeting I send to you today. Have a great day in the Lord’s house today!

Prayer Focus

Today, I pray you will be in a church somewhere. After all, we celebrate this season of the year, Christmas, because of Christ. I know you will be blessed by being in God’s House today.

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 22
  • Micah 1:1-4:13
  • Pssalm 145:8-13
  • Proverbs 31:8-9
  • Revelation 13: 1-18

Prayer Focus for Today

Today, let’s pray for others to learn about Jesus this Christmas season and to decide to live for Him all the remaining days of their lives.

Read a Chapter of Luke

Today, we should read Luke 20.

Obituary

John Alan Schumacher

February 1, 1960 – December 19, 2024

It’s not the two dates that John would want us to focus on, but the time in between. John was never one to live inside the boundaries. He lives still because his faith in Our Savior means that John is merely gone from our sight and his flesh. He is rejoicing with his family that went before him and he is in The Presence of Our Lord. John, aka Top Dollar or Shu Shu, was a very unique guy. He lived large. Laughing, joking and telling stories was what he did best. He loved his family and he loved his friends and he loved life. John is survived by his sister Joan Schumacher Settoon (Dudley) and numerous family members and friends that he loved as family. John was preceded in death by his mother and father, Algie and Frank Schumacher, his brothers, Tommy and Larry Schumacher, his sister, Cindy Schumacher Varnado and his nephew, Tommy Hood. His welcoming party was beautiful indeed. He will be dearly missed by his sister, Joan, and all who knew and loved him.

John will be celebrated by immediate family and there will be no open services. In lieu of flowers, just donate a prayer to our family or any person in need of one this holiday season. We will all benefit from that.

Reason for the Season – Jesus

Please don’t leave Jesus out of you celebrations this season of the year.

Anna Lee

Our Christmas season is a celebration of the giving of His son as a baby in Bethlehem longago!

Prayer Focus for Today

Today, let’s pray for those who do not feel they have any family or friends around this Christmas season.

A DAY OF PREPARATION

If you are not already prepared for church tomorrow, today is the day to get ready by studying your lesson, preparing food, cleaning up, washing clothes, etc. Do the things that are most important to you so you don’t have to worry about then on Sunday. In case you do not have the quarterly we are using, the Sunday School lesson is from Luke 1:26-38.

Christmas Eve Service

• FBC, Kentwood
• Tuesday at 6:00
• 30 minutes
• Dress as you desire
• Everyone welcome
• Candles
• Nursery provided

Reading Luke this Month

Read Luke 19

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 21
• Jonah 1:1-4:11
• Psalm 145:1-7
• Proverbs 31:4-7
• Revelation 12:1-18

Please add our friend to your prayer list.

Joan(ie) Scarle of Montpelier, formerly of Fluker

Please also pray for all those listed on your prayer list.

Weekly Service Times at FBC, Kentwood

Morning – Sunday School at 9:15 and Wroship at 10:30

Evening – 6 P.M.

Wednesday – 6 P.M.

The church always provides numerous Sunday School classes before our worship time. Sunday and Wednesday evenings, we provide classes for babies, children, and youth while the adults meet in the sanctuary. Everyone is welcome. I don’t think I have ever mentioned them, but we have some awesome musicians at church!

Obituary

Rebecca “Becky” Bates Wood

May 25, 1949 – December 19, 2024

A resident of Roseland, LA, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. She was born May 25, 1949 in Alanta, TX and was 75 years of age. She is survived by her 1 daughter, Robin H. Wood (Chris); 2 sons, Robert Wayne Wood, Jr. (Tammie) and Ed Wood (Kim); 1 sister, Joan Church (Roy); 2 brothers, David Bates (Genny) and Maxwell Warden; 4 grandchildren, Robert Wayne Wood, III (Elizabeth), Cheyanne Braswell (Patrick), Haylie E. Wood (Jake), and Jase E. Wood; 4 great-grandchildren, Lila Wood, Oliver Braswell, Kellin Braswell, and Wilder Wood. Preceded in death by her mother, Tommy Warden; father, Owen Warden; husband of 31 years, Robert W. Wood, Sr.; brother, Maxwell Warden; brother-in-law, Freddie J. Wood, Sr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Monday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Services conducted by Bro. Brandon Phillips. A private family burial to follow services. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

This lady was the mother of Robert, one of my former students.

No service on the 25th

We will not have a service on the 25th due to the service on the 24th.

Christmas is a season to celebrate Jesus! LET’S THANK GOD FOR SENDING HIS SON TO DIE FOR OUR SINS!

It is also the season to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering which supports international missionaries. We will still accept Lottie Moon gifts after Christmas.

Have a great day of worship. If there are people you do not know in your church today, introduce yourself and get to know one new family today.

Thank-you for reading TPL today. Please let me know if I missed something/someone I needed to include.

Anna Lee

Good Morning. I hope you have a great, chilly day!

Enjoy some sunshine!

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 20
• Amos 9:1-Obadiah 21
• Psalm 144:9-15
• Proverbs 31:1-3
• Revelation 11:1-19

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

OBITUARY

Wendy Sue Phillips Johnson

June 27, 1960 – December 19, 2024

A resident of Lenoir City, TN, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at her daughter’s home in Amite, LA. She was born June 27, 1960 in El Paso, TX and was 64 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Glenn Johnson, Jr.; 3 daughters, Crystal Atkinson and husband, Gene, Tracy Summers, and Brandy Butrick and husband, Matthew; son, Landell Norris, Jr. and wife, Toni; step-son, Chris Johnson and wife, Heather; grandchildren, Samantha Summers, Brittany Atkinson, Katie Summers, Allison Atkinson, Tyler Butrick, and Landell Norris, III; step-grandchildren, Aniston Johnson, Dalton Johnson, and Maddie Johnson; 2 brothers, Edward Earl Phillips and wife, Anita, and Patrick Eugene Phillips; and a host of nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Earl Thomas Phillips and Ola Mae Smith Phillips; and her sister, Bonnie Marie Phillips. A very special thank you to Anita Phillips, the greatest sister-in-law ever.  Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 11:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Services conducted by Bro. Carl Adamson. Interment East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Christmas Activities

There are lots of Christmas activities for young and old during this time of year. Today, the New Hope Sunday School Class will celebrate at Judy Liberto’s class at 10:00 A.M.

Next week, FBC, Kentwood will celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve from 6:00-6:30. Everyone is invited to attend.

Sunday School

Sunday’s lesson will be from the first chapter of Luke.

Reading Luke

If you are reading Luke this December, you will need to read chapter 18.

Stamped Christmas Cards

I like to think the cards we bought and prepared for the inmates have been written and are in the mail to loved ones by now. Thank-you for participating in this mission project of Women on Mission.

Have a wonderful day. Be sure to do something for others today.

“See” you tomorrow.

Anna Lee

Christmas Eve Service

FBC, Kentwood will have a candlelight service from 6:00-6:30 Tuesday. It’s a great way to celebrate the season and reminds us of family and friends. If you do not have plans to attend a service somewhere else at that time, feel free to join us.

Read the Bible Every Day

• December 19
• Amos 6:1-8:14
• Psalm 144:1-8
• Proverbs 30:29-33
• Revelation9:13-10:11

Prayer List

Please add my daughter-in-law’s mother, Donna Robertson of Gonzales, to your prayer list.

Operation Christmas Child

I thank you so much for helping us collect, remove cardboard, organize, and pack the shoeboxes for 2025. You were so helpful in 2024! We will begin collecting items for our 2025 shoeboxes in January.

Remember the most important thing the children receive in the shoeboxes is not a notebook, a hygiene item, a school supply, or even a toy. It’s the opportunity to learn about Jesus!

Women and Girls on Mission will not meet this month, but will be back in January. Our December mission project was to take stamped Christmas cards to the prisoners in the parish jail.

Churches in Tangipahoa parish had their cards delivered to the jail in Amite. St. Helena churches had their cards delivered to the parish jail in Greensburg.

Thank-you for helping by providing cards and stamps. Now, lets pray as prisoners get to write cards and family members will receive them.

Stay tuned to learn about the January mission projeck.

Baptist Press

This is a unique idea:

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/stroke-of-genius-kentucky-church-shares-christmas-story-through-mini-golf/

Today’s news:

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read Luke in December

Today, you should be on Luke 17. Even if you didn’t start with on on Luke 1 or have missed some days, read with us now.

Sunday School Lesson

We will leave Exodus on one Sunday and study the Christmas story from Luke 1:26-38 this week.

Christmas Projects for Older People to Give and to Receive

• Leaves and small limbs picked up in yard
• Simple, new decoration for a table or door delivered and put in place
• Christmas food delivered (pie, dressing, fruit salad, candy, ham, etc.)
  • A time of caroling
• Reading and discussion of the Christmas story
• Children visiting with adults who don’t see children ofter
• Listening ears to introduce the subject of past celebrations and then listen
• You can add to this list….

Have a wonderful day. Be sure to share with others as God would have you to do. One of the very best things to share is your time!

Until tomorrow,

Anna Lee

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