Wednesday

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving . . .

For the Lord is the great God,

And the great King above all gods.”

~Psalm 95:1-3, NKJV~

 

Baby John Varnado

Little John update: They took the breathing tube out today and the
nurse said that he is breathing good on his own and that his vital
signs are looking good right now! This news made my day! Praise The
Lord! I give him all of the honor and the glory! Still praying for
little John’s full healing and recovery! Thank you all so much for
keeping him and the family in your prayers!

Clint Smith

Clint, Lea’s son, is home and doing well.  The family is most appreciative of all your prayers.

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner

Naomi Orr

Naomi, my aunt in Texas, is not doing well.  She is being placed on hospice care.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “Eureka Stone”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “Military – A Beautiful True Love Story”

http://academictips.org/blogs/military-a-beautiful-true-love-story/

Hymn of the Day – “By and By”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/trusting.htm

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 4 – “A Matter of a Tithe”

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11772&LanguageID=1709

Dana Hendry gave me permission to share a Facebook post she shared Tuesday.

Borrowed this quote from Sharon Brown
Do you want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done to you~~Dr. Steve Maraboli~

It really got me to thinking!!!
Everyone speaks of the way things have gone and how far away from the real meaning we have gotten. You want it to change?? It starts with you! Lets all work and do our best to put Christ back in everything!

How about helping restore Christ to Christmas?

Jesus IS the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Obituary

Albert S. Bishop
(April 21, 1925 – December 1, 2013)

A resident of Amite, died at 11:22 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite. He was born April 21, 1925 in Hazlehurst, MS and was 88 years of age. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II where he served as a Paratrooper. He was a store manager with W. Walker Store which brought him to Amite and later was a salesman for Johnson-Cefalu Buick. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Amite where he served as a trustee and an usher. Survived by wife of 66 years, Mattie P. Bishop, Amite; daughter, Sally Bishop Sterling and husband, Ken, Fort Payne, AL; 2 grandsons, William Stanley Hand and wife, Angie and John David Hand; 3 great granddaughters, Mary Grace Hand, Anna Leigh Hand and Elizabeth Claire Hand; and several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Albert G. and Susie Noland Bishop; 3 brothers, William, Denon and Noland Bishop; 3 sisters, Beatrice Singletary, Joyce Ashley and Betty Lloyd; and son in law, Michael H. Hand. Visitation at First United Methodist Church. Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013. Services conducted by Rev. David Melville. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

I spent many a day and/or night in this home when I attended school in Amite.  Sally was a good friend of mine.  Mr. Al was a great man!

Tuesday

“All humanity will come to You,

the One who hears prayer.”

~Psalm 65:2~

“Behold what manner of love

the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God!”

~1 John 3:1~

Susan Rimes

Continue to pray for Susan as she battles kidney stones.

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner

FBC Senior Adults

The annual Christmas lunch will be Wednesday at 11:00 in the fellowship hall.  Wear something a big smile and something red or green.  This is optional, but it will help you be in the holiday spirit.

Baptist Press

BPNews.net

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “One Stretch”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “The Story of a Woodpecker”

http://academictips.org/blogs/the-story-of-a-woodcutter/

Be sure to read the “reflection” at the end and apply it to your life if necessary.

Hymn of the Day – “It Came upon a Midnight Clear”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/itcameup.htm

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

Day Three – Karachi, Pakistan

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100149689548107

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Monday’s Obituary

Norma Newson Harrell
(January 18, 1931 – December 1, 2013)

Norma Newsom Harrell, a native of Hammond, LA passed away suddenly and unexpected at her home in Kentwood, LA on Sunday, December 1, 2013. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She is survived by her sons, Benjamin C. Harrell, III and wife, Marlise, Bruce C. Harrell and wife, Kathy, Ronald Harrell and partner, Christian Mounger. Grandmother of Renee Harrell, Treva Harrell Cutrer, Amy Harrell, Laura Harrell Giancola and Lillie Harrell Brooks. Great-Grandmother of Caroline Cutrer, Candace Cutrer, Madeline Cutrer, Cameron Cutrer, Jackson Brooks, James Brooks and Davis Brooks; brothers J. C. Newsom and Edward Newsom, Jr. Norma is preceded in death by her husband, Claiborne Harrell, Jr., parents Edward Newsom, Sr. and Frances Loflin Jordan, sisters, Evelyn Blomquist, Edwina Thomas and Jerrie Edwards. You are invited to attend a visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, LA from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until services on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be Sherman Cutrer, Eddie Newsom, II, Josh Brooks, Mikal Giancola, Larry Blomquist and Jamie Newsom. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff and Elizabeth Newsom. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children,Office of Development, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216

Monday

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

goodwill toward men.”

~Luke 2:14, NKJV~

 

Jesse Dean is continuing to heal.  He, like several other friends, is going through therapy.

Larry Hendry is home and enjoying seeing the ourside world after a week in the hospital.

Yvonne Birch was back at Sunday School.  Please pray for her continued recovery from back surgery.

Mrs. Norma Harrell passed away yesterday.  Please be in prayer for the Harrell family.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – Day 2

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11770&LanguageID=1709

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread –    “Integrity League”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – Motivational Stories – “A Short Story on Self-Confidence”

http://academictips.org/blogs/a-short-story-on-self-confidence/

Hymn of the Day – “Tread Softly”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/treadsof.htm

Senior Adults will be honored with a Christmas lunch Wednesday at 11:00 at FBC, Kentwood.

I appreciate and totally enjoyed my opportunity to tell the story of Lottie Moon to the children at TeamKid at FBC, Kentwood.  How they blessed my heart!

Anna Lee

Sunday

“Some people naturally obey the Law’s commands,

even though they don’t have the Law.

This proves that the conscience

is like a law written in the human heart.

And it will show

whether we are forgiven or condemned.”

~Romans 2:14-15 CEV~

 

Larry Hendry

Larry Hendry did not come home today, but expects to come home tomorrow.  Pray for him to continue to improve at home.

Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions

December 1-8, 2013

This year’s Week of Prayer for International Missions includes stories of missionaries, their partners and U.S. churches who are committed to being totally His.

Committed to God, first to love Him and then to love others, as Christ commands in Matthew 22:36–39. Doing whatever it takes and giving no less than their all.

Are we – all of us – up to the challenge to do what is required of us as believers in Christ?

This isn’t your average give-a-few-bucks-on-Sunday morning, pray-every-now-and-then kind of challenge. This is giving your everything so people can know the love of Jesus.

It may seem like a lot of absolutes — “all,” “everything,” “whatever it takes.” But that’s what being totally His requires: constantly going deeper and pouring ourselves out to be His heart, hands and voice — individually, as a church, as Southern Baptists working cooperatively to reach all the nations.

Day 1 – Divine Appointment

http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/weekofprayerview.asp?PageNavID=112&StoryID=11769&LanguageID=1709

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “God Waiting”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “Chopsticks”

http://academictips.org/blogs/chopsticks/

Hymn of the Day – “Joy to the World”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/o/joyworld.htm

For those of you at FBC, Kentwood this morning, you will find this song is going to be special to us this Christmas season.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Anna Lee

Saturday Obituaries

Dr. Stephen Odis Bryan
December 20, 1942 – November 28, 2013
Austin, Texas

Dr. Stephen Odis Bryan, 70 years old, of Austin, Texas, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2013, at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He was born on Sunday, December 20, 1942, in Madisonville, Louisiana. He was an electrical engineer who helped design radar systems for fighter jets before becoming a dentist. Dr. Bryan practiced dentistry in Kentwood, Louisiana for 20 years. He loved LSU football and was also an avid ham radio operator. Dr. Bryan was a devoted Christian and loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Surviving are his wife, Kathy McCormick Bryan; 2 daughters, Mary Turner and Anna Bryan-Borja; son, David Bryan; 2 sisters, Becky Joiner and Cathy Kahl; 2 grandchildren from Anna Bryan-Borja; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Odis and Catherine Davies Bryan.
Friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond, Sunday, December 1, 2013 from 1:00 pm until
3:00 pm. A Memorial Service will begin in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 pm.
A guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.

 

Lt. Commander Ronald Van Hoose, U.S. Navy (Retired) 

(December 12, 1935 – November 29, 2013)

He passed from this life at 3:10 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2013 at Post Acute Specialty Hospital in Hammond, LA. He was born December 12, 1935 in Hamilton, OH and was 77 years of age. He was a former resident of Virginia Beach, VA and Donna, TX and a current resident of Amite, LA. He was a Retired Lt. Commander of the Armed Forces School of Music where he served as the Band Master. Survived by his wife, Patricia E. Van Hoose; 4 children, Sandy, Mark, David and Georgina Van Hoose; step-children, Raymond Diepenbrock, Scott Diepenbrock, Tina Taylor and Lance Diepenbrock; numerous grandchildren and 1 great-grandson; sister, Rose Krouse. Preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Van Hoose; parents, Chester and Hazel Van Hoose. Inurnment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Saturday

Oh give thanks unto The Lord;

for He is good:

because His mercy endureth forever.

Psalms 118:1

 

Beverly “Doodle” Williams Watson

“Doodle” learned she is cancer free.  When one medicine quit working, her doctor always tried another one.  Now he says to her to come back for scans periodically for the rest of her life.  What a blessing!

Larry Hendry

If all goes well, Larry man get to go home today.  I’ll let you know later.

Macy Gueldner

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/macygueldner

Floyd Lewis’ Funeral

LEWIS Floyd Wallace Lewis Sr., 88, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 in Maryville, TN joining his oldest son Floyd who preceded him. Born Sept. 23, 1925 in Union County, MS to T.C. and Lizzie Lofton Lewis, Floyd served in the US Navy at the end of WWII then received his law degree from Tulane. He worked for Middle South Utilities (now Entergy) in various capacities, from corporate lawyer to CEO, for more than 36 years. His numerous accomplishments and awards can be found in Who’s Who in America. Living in New Orleans for the majority of his life, Hurricane Katrina prompted their move to Maryville, TN where he enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and seasons, and his friends at Shannondale and Good News Sunday school class for the past 8 years. Floyd is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jimmie, and his children Gail and George Ratzlaff of FL, Julie and Mark McElroy of Birmingham, Ann and Kent Satterlee of LA, Carol Lewis and Tim Moses of FL, Mike and Cindy Lewis of Knoxville, 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be Wed., Nov. 27 at 2:30 pm at First Baptist Church of Maryville. Receiving friends prior. Funeral will be Sat, Nov. 30 at 3 pm at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, LA, receiving friends prior. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, http://www.SmithMaryville.com. – See more at: http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?pid=168188766#sthash.CSaNFw5k.dpuf

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “Attending To Our Words”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “Let Go of Your Stresses”

http://academictips.org/blogs/let-go-of-your-stresses/

Hymn of the Day – “Near  to the Heart of God”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/e/neartoth.htm

I think this hymn should calm our stresses!  Can you imagine any other place that would be more calming?

Thankfulness – Day 30 – Thankful People

Today, I’m thankful for those of you who “Count (ed)Your Blessings” this month.  I’m glad you realized all the blessings God has sent your way and took the time to let Him know you appreciated them.  May we have a thankful spirit all year long, whether we write out our thankfulness or not.  I’m sure God appreciates our thankfulness today and every day of the year.

Do some things today to make tomorrow flow smoothly.  I think Sunday is not to be a day of confusion.

Anna Lee

Friday

Let the little children come to Me,

and don’t stop them,

because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,

Luke 18:16b

From Bill Frazier  (last night)

Please add Jerry Byrd to the prayer list, he needs a liver transplant
very soon.

Steve Bryan (from Smiley Conerly last night))

We just received a call from Kathy Bryan and she told us Dr Steve just
had a heart attack and died . Don’t know any arrangements yet

Larry Hendry

Larry Hendry continues to improve.  He was moved to a regular room at North Oaks yesterday.  The family has so much for which to be thankful.

Austin Rose (Grandson of Vince and Ann LaBarbera of Amite)

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24125283/article-Harrison-student-fighting-cancer-makes-trip-to-Ind–leads-band-in-competition?instance=home_top_bullets

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell has spent five weeks in the hospital in Greensburg, but will be going home today.  Pray for her and her family as she makes this adjustment.

Thankfulness – Day 29 – Sharing People

People share lots of things with others.  Giving of themselves is one of their greatest gifts to others.  If you are not actively sharing with others, let me give you a few examples of ways some people we know share with others:

    • Daily phone calls
    • Fresh flowers from the yard
    • Produce from gardens or orchards
    • Smiles
    • Visits
    • Babysitting
    • Scripture verses
    • Time
    • Transportation
    • Changing light bulbs
    • Firewood
    • Cutting grass
    • Painting
    • Changing a flat tire
    • Pot of soup, cake, etc.
    • Writing and sending cards

I hope you can get some ideas from this list.  These are only a few.  You share by doing what is needed at the moment.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “First Impressions”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “My Mom Only Had One Eye” – This story will really make you think!

http://academictips.org/blogs/my-mom-only-had-one-eye/

Hymn of the Day – “Open My Eyes, That I Might See”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/p/openeyes.htm

Coming soon – Lottie Moon Week of Prayer for International Missions

Anna Lee

Thanksgiving

“. . . the gospel is God’s power

for salvation to everyone who believes . . .”

~Romans 1:16~

 

Thanksfulness – Day 28 – Salvation

Today, I want to thank God for providing us an opportunity to have salvation just by believing.  I’m thankful I have each day to love and serve Him.  I’m also thankful He provides us with prayer so we can communicate with Him at any time.  I know He loves me and only wants to best for me.

I’m also blessed by neighbors/friends who realized when we were at their place last Thanksgiving Eve, Daddy was with all of us.  They shared happy thoughts of him as soon as we got there.  Today, other friends have included us in their Thanksgiving.  I’m so thankful for kindnesses shown to us.

Late last night, we had a small packaged delivered.  It was copies of For My Good written by Boyd Hatchel.  David and I both read the entire book before we went to bed and were so blessed by this powerful little book.

Today, I want to mention some of our older friends who are in their 90’s.  Mrs. Grace Chadwick of Roseland  has know us all of our lives.  She is faithful to God, her church, and her family, and friends.  Mrs. Irene Morris became our neighbor when we move to Kentwood almost thirty years ago.  She is special to us, just as she is to so many of you who will be reading this.  Another lady most of you seldom see is Mrs. Allie Dillon.  She has taught us to press on and to appreciate the little things that come to us.  These three represent many of our older friends.  We love each one and learn from the example each one has set for us.  We would not be the same without them because they have all contributed so much to who we are today.

Daily Devotional – Our Daily Bread – “How to Enjoy Things”

http://odb.org/

Moral Stories – “What Goes Around Comes Around”

http://academictips.org/blogs/what-goes-around-comes-around/ 

Hymn of the Day  – “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/i/tissweet.htm

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!  Be a blessing to someone today!

Anna Lee