Paula Splane called to request prayer for Dr. Oscar Pereda who is hospitalized in ICU at East Jefferson Hospital. As you pray for him, pray for his family, and the medical personnel taking care of him.
Tuesday Afternoon
From Esther Rodriguez
Please add Rufus”Butch”Cutrer and the family on the prayer link as they see the oncologist today. Thank you, Esther
Lanagene Nicolosi
(October 17, 1948 – December 21, 2009)
|
|
Passed away at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009 at her residence in Amite. She was a native of Independence, LA. Age 61 years. She was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church and was a Radiology Tech, CT Tech and Mammographer for Lakeview Regional Medical Center. She is survived by her her husband, Sal A. Nicolosi, Amite; daughter, Charlotte L. Lee and husband, Tony, Amite and son, Charles D. Lebo, Loranger; step-daughter, Lisa Culbreath and husband, Wayne, Hammond; step-son, Peter J. Nicolosi, Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Kody A. Sticker and Rebecca Landry, Devin Lebo, Kristen Lebo, Jordan Lee, Casey Culbreath, Caitlyn Culbreath and Landon Nicolosi; sister, Penny Strong and husband, Mike, Amite; brother, Van Easley and wife, Melissa, Amite; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter J. Nicolosi and Beatrice Monistere Nicolosi. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther Easley and Verlie Mixon Easley Davidson. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Religious Services at St. Helena Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri and Deacon Michael Agnello. Interment Friendship Cemetery, Amite, LA.
Agnes Amanda Anderson McClendon
(October 8, 1923 – December 21, 2009)
|
|
Died at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009 at Hood Memorial Hospital in Amite, LA. She was a native and resident of Amite, LA. Age 86 years. She retired after 45 years with the Tangipahoa Parish School Board as a teacher and supervisor. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Visitation at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite, from from 8 a.m. on Wednesday until religious services at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Fr. Joe Camilleri. Interment Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA. Survived by daughter, Elizabeth McClendon Cain and her husband, Clay, Amite, 2 sons, Robert Spec McClendon, II and his wife, Carmen Maria, Amite, and Eric Reiley McClendon, Amite, 9 grandchildren, Cory Bryan Blunk and his wife, Rachel, Ann Cain, Clay Cain, Jr. and his wife, Allison, Lauren Cain, Robert Cain and his wife, Amber, Camy Marie McClendon, Jessica Katherine McClendon, Eric Reiley McClendon, II, and Olivia Caroline McClendon, 3 great-grandchildren, Kaleigh Brianne Powell, Madison Claire Cain, and Cayden Randal Cain, sister, Pearl Fazekas and her husband, Dan, Baton Rouge. Preceded in death by husband, Robert Spec McClendon, daughter, Ann Carroll McClendon Blunk, granddaughter, Amy Caroline McClendon, parents, Eric and Fannie Anderson, sister, Hildur Hutchinson, and brother, Lenoir Porter. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.
“Miss” Agnes was my teacher, my c0-worker, and later my supervisor. She set high expectations for herself and other.
Tuesday
“For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
~Luke 2:30-32~
Will you please add my brother Keith’s wife Donna on the prayer link. She will have foot surgery in Hammond tomorrow.
Thank you,
Lawana (Carter)
Pray for the shut-ins today. Pray someone, maybe you, will remember them and take some time to visit this week.
Lottie Moon information that will inform you and others:
http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8016&LanguageID=1709
Carole Kemp Stevens
(July 2, 1943 – December 20, 2009)
Carole Kemp Stevens passed away on December 20, 2009 at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Amite Memorial Gardens in Amite. She was born July 2, 1943 in Amite where she grew up. She graduated from Amite High School. She is survived by three sisters, Katherine Cockrell and Deanie Kemp of Baton Rouge and Nell Clement of Denham Springs, two brothers, Bill Kemp of Baton Rouge and Hillery Kemp of Many, eleven nieces and nephews, several great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Thelma Kemp of Hillsdale and Blairstown respectively and a brother, Roland Kemp. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Sheep
NEAR THE VILLAGE of Gevas in eastern Turkey, while shepherds ate their breakfast, one of their sheep jumped off a 45-foot cliff to its death…
Then, as the stunned shepherds looked on, the rest of the flock followed. In all, 1,500 sheep mindlessly stumbled off the cliff. The only good news was that the last 1,000 were cushioned in their fall by the growing woolly pile of those who jumped first. According to The Washington Post, 450 sheep died.
The Bible often refers to human beings as sheep (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 53:6; Matt. 9:36). Easily distracted and susceptible to group influence, we would rather follow the crowd than the wisdom of the Shepherd.
Whom are we following? One another? Or the voice and direction of the Good Shepherd? Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep who blindly followed one another over a cliff. We must make it our daily purpose to ask ourselves: Am I listening for the voice of the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him? (Mart De Haan)
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare. (Thrupp)
“I am the Good Shepherd . . . . My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” ( John 10:14,27).
Posted by Mike Benson
Jesus is the reason for the season! Merry CHRISTmas!
Anna Lee
Monday
Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn,
play music on your instruments to God.
~ Psalm 147:7 (MSG) ~
CaringBridge
There a a number of hurting and or lonely people whom you could be a blessing to this holiday. Help in any way you can.
Hospitals don’t take two week breaks like schools do. I know people who will spend their holidays in the hospital. You do too! Say a special prayer for them. Do some deed to minister to the patient and/or the family.
If you have children or grandchildren around this week, why no fill some of their time with stories and projects about international missions? You’ll be blessed as much as they will!
http://www.imb.org/main/downloads/page.asp?StoryID=6926&LanguageID=1709
Merry CHRISTmas!
Anna Lee
Sunday
“But the Lord stood at my side ….” 2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)
CaringbBridge
- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole
- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dondenton
- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris
- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kathyjothompson
- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh
Juanita Jenkins “Maw Jody” Martin
(June 28, 1923 – December 17, 2009)
|
|
Mrs. Juanita J. “Maw Jody” Martin was born June 28, 1923 and passed away at 12:15 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2009 at her residence in Independence. She was 86 and a native of Hillsdale. “Maw Jody” was a retired nurse from East Feliciana State Hospital, Jackson, LA.
“Maw Jody” is survived by 4 sons, Royce Martin and wife Eunice, Holden, Dennis Martin and wife Pennie, Hebron, IN, Colonel James Martin and wife Sky, Vienna, VA, and Reggie Martin and wife Cindy, Independence; 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 3 great- great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by parents, James Wesley and Isabell Kirby Jenkins; husband, Jessie Lee Martin, Sr.; 3 sisters, Lucille Bennett, Marie Morgan, and Annie Henry; 10 brothers, James, Edgar, Leon, Davis, Elmer, Wilford, Roger, Hulon, Roy Lee, and JD Jenkins.
Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday December 21, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. until Religious Services at 11:30 a.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mitch Williams and Deacon Roger Navarra officiating. Interment in the Colonial Mausoleum, Independence.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations be made to the Independence First Baptist Church,372 Pine Street, Independence, LA 70443.
An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Hood Automotive.
Poor
ONE DAY, THE father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live…
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad.”
“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.
“Oh yeah,” said the son.
“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless.
Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”
“Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock.” Psalm 107:41
Posted by Mike Benson
Saturday
What Makes Christmas so Special?
By Kelly Boggs
Baptist Press
In Dr. Seuss’s classic tale “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” the malevolent main character discovers that Christmas cannot be thwarted. Try as he might, the Grinch is unable to steal, stifle or subdue the Christmas celebration of the Whos who inhabit Whoville.
Even the Whos understand that the reason for Christmas is not to be found in gifts, feasts or decorations. Christmas is a celebration that takes place in the heart.
While the good doctor’s holiday tale is not inherently Christian, it does illustrate that Christmas is essentially a spiritual matter — a contemplation of the soul.
Those familiar with Seuss’s story know that the reason the Grinch could not comprehend the Whos’ zeal for Christmas is because his heart was “two sizes too small.”
Dr. Seuss demonstrated simply and profoundly that the reality of Christmas does not exist in external symbols. Much of what is associated with Christmas these days has little or nothing to do with why the holiday is so special.
Decorated trees, blinking lights, singing-dancing snowmen, Santa and his flying reindeer have no connection whatsoever with the essence and reality that is Christmas.
Many who celebrate Christmas believe the significance centers on the birth of Jesus Christ. However, the season’s significance transcends the mere fact that Jesus was born.
The only people who celebrate a birth, for the sake of the birth, are family and friends. In order for someone’s birth to be honored by a nation, much less the world, the person must achieve a great deal during his or her lifetime.
In America we remember the birth of certain presidents because of a unique or significant contribution to our country.
Columbus has long been honored because his voyage across the Atlantic opened the door for colonization of the new world. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his courageous leadership in the cause of civil rights.
What did Jesus do that was so significant that the world should pause to remember His birth? In his relatively short life, he wrote no books, made no earth-shaking discovery and he led no political movement. So, why do people the world over celebrate the birth of Jesus?
Perhaps it is Jesus’ death that makes his birth worth commemorating?
The Bible details the nature of Jesus’ earthly demise. Each of the Gospel writers relates the horrific reality of Christ’s crucifixion. However, the fact that Jesus suffered a tortuous death is not, by itself, justification for the world to remember his death.
What is it that makes Christmas so special? It is not because Jesus lived a virtuous life or died a tragic death. What makes Christ’s birth so significant is the awesome reality that Jesus conquered death.
The Bible boldly proclaims that three days after Jesus was crucified He rose from the dead. The resurrection is the exclamation point on the life of Christ. The resurrection is why Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The significance of the resurrection as it relates to Christmas cannot be stressed enough. When Jesus walked on earth He claimed to be God in the flesh. Had He died and remained in the grave, His claims would have been dismissed. However, an empty tomb and subsequent appearances to His followers validated his “outrageous” pronouncements.
What makes Christmas so very significant, so special, is Easter.
The Grinch learned that Christmas cannot be thwarted. It is not a celebration dependent on symbols or external motivation. It is a celebration of the heart.
While the masses may bury the Gospel truth under gifts, trees, tinsel and lights, the fact remains that the reason for the season is a crucified and risen Savior.
May our hearts be enlarged this Noel in order to accommodate the whole Christmas story — which includes the cross and the empty tomb.
(Kelly Boggs is a weekly columnist for Baptist Press and editor of the Baptist Message (www.baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.)
Merry CHRISTmas!
Anna Lee
Friday
|
“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.” ~Psalm 9:11~
That is exactly what Lottie Moon did. As I look forward to the Lottie Moon Tea at First Baptist Church, Amite tomorrow at 2 P.M., I want to share her recipe for tea cake cookies. She baked these cookies in China. The aroma traveled through her windows to children. The smell of the tea cake cookies “opened the door” for Lottie to begin her ministry to the children there. She people there started calling her the “cookie lady”. |
|||
|
|
||
Thursday Afternoon
Please pray for the Martin family.
Juanita Jenkins “Maw Jody” Martin
(June 28, 1923 – December 17, 2009)
Mrs. Juanita J. “Maw Jody” Martin was born June 28, 1923 and passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at her residence in Independence. She was 86 and a native of Hillsdale. “Maw Jody” was a retired nurse from East Feliciana State Hospital, Jackson, LA.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time.
An on-line Guestbok is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com
McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Hood Automotive.
Thursday
But the angel said to them,
“… I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.”
~Luke 2:10 (NIV)~
Robert Callihan has been undergoing some tests. He will get results on January 4th. Pray for him as he waits.
Ideas for Generosity
By Chuck Bentley
Baptist Press
The holiday season is here, offering an almost continual opportunity to celebrate with our loved ones. Blessings are counted, gifts are given and large meals are devoured. But many people in our communities and in our own church congregations have little means with which to celebrate. This presents a great opportunity for us to model generosity and to bless those who are in need, showing them the love of Christ and the true meaning of the season.
In the familiar story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus showed us two lives. One was filled with plenty, luxury, and excess, while the other was filled with poverty, want and pain. The Bible does not teach that it is a sin to be wealthy, nor was the rich man condemned simply because he had much. The rich man was punished because he put his faith in his possessions, not in God. He is an example of someone living in man’s economy, where wealth, power and possessions are the goals for which to strive. He missed a great opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, to serve God, and to live in God’s Economy, where peace, joy andd eternal blessings are given. We can learn a great lesson from the rich man.
— See the need. The need was right outside the rich man’s door. Every day, the rich man had to pass by Lazarus, who was literally laid at the rich man’s gate (Luke 16:20). Yet, the Scripture does not say that the rich man ever offered to help Lazarus. Many times, we don’t need to look any further than our own churches and communities to find a need. Take a close look around you. Once you recognize the need, you can think of ways to help fill that need. What are the needs in your sphere of influence?
— Share your resources. The rich man had plenty to eat, while Lazarus longed for merely the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table (Luke 16:21). We may not think we have much to offer, but God can use whatever He has given us to fill the needs around us. Giving of our time and talents are just as important as monetary gifts. Take inventory of your resources and talents. What has God given you that you can use for His glory?
— Sow seeds in the next generation. Both the rich man and Lazarus died and went into eternity — Lazarus to eternal peace in the presence of God, and the rich man to eternal torment and separation from God. When the rich man realized his fate, he begged for someone to warn his five brothers, who were still alive (Luke 16:27-28). He realized that because of the example he had lived before them, his five brothers would most certainly end up in the same place. What kind of legacy are we leaving for the younger generations? Make sure to include your children in your plans to give. Let them see firsthand how powerful it is to help those in need. Teach them to bless others by being generous. What can you do as a family to be generous to someone this year?
Here are a few ideas for generosity:
1. The next time you go to the grocery store, buy a bag of canned goods to drop off at your local food pantry.
2. “Adopt” a local family and provide Christmas gifts, clothing and food. Check with your neighborhood school resource counselor for a list of needy families.
3. Offer a day of free babysitting for a single parent to do some Christmas shopping.
4. Have the whole family do some yard and household chores for an elderly neighbor.
5. Have your children create homemade cards for a local children’s hospital, orphanage or nursing home, then deliver the cards as a family.
6. Take homemade cookies and notes of thanks to your local firehouse or police station to thank them for their service this year.
7. Send cards and care packages to soldiers serving overseas. Check with a military official for what can be sent in the care packages.
8. Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood or to elderly neighbors.
9. Have the whole family clean out clothing or toys that they no longer need (in good condition!) and donate them to a shelter.
10. Spend part of your Christmas budget to give a donation to your favorite charity.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®
Every penny given to Lottie Moon is used to support Southern Baptist missionaries as they share the Gospel overseas. The offering represents 54 percent of the International Mission Board’s total income.
.
Cooperative Program
Thirty-five percent of the IMB’s income is received from the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program. Each state convention gives between 14 percent and 57 percent of its CP collection to the SBC. The SBC gives 50 percent of that amount to the IMB and 50 percent to other SBC entities, including the North American Mission Board.
Other income
Southern Baptists’ gifts to the IMB’s World Hunger and General Relief ministries comprise 3 percent of the IMB’s income. Field-generated funds, investment returns and other income constitute the remaining 8 percent.
How much does it cost to support a missionary?
• $40,931.64 a year
• $3,410.97 a month
• $787.15 a week
• $112.14 a day
• $4.67 an hour
• $.08 a minute
Reported June 2009. Support includes housing, food, children’s education, medical expenses, retirement and more.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. Roy Douglas Frazier, a loving and devoted husband, father and PawPaw, passed away peacefully in his home at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in Baton Rouge. He was 65, a native of Kentwood and a U.S. Navy veteran. He retired from Ethyl Corp. Roy was a longtime member of Parkview Baptist Church where he was an active deacon. Visitation at Parkview Baptist Church, 11795 Jefferson Highway, on Thursday, Dec. 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes at the church on Friday, Dec. 18, from 12:30 p.m. until funeral services at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Rick Edmonds, the Rev. Bob Anderson, the Rev. Ron Tyndall and the Rev. Collin Wimberly. Burial will be at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 41 years, Julee Sharkey Frazier; and three daughters and two sons-in-law, Bridgette and Dale Denicola, Chantel Houston, and Carmen and Kirk Evans. He was blessed and loved by his five grandchildren, Morgan Blanchard, Paige and Grant Denicola, Will Houston and Hayden Evans; and two stepgrandchildren, Daniel and Anne-Marie Evans. He is survived by his dearly loved sisters, Margo Danos and Thelma Laboyteaux; and brothers, Clifton and James Frazier. He was preceded in death by his mother, Irma Hilburn; father, Claude Frazier; sister, Emma Brewer; and two brothers, Hulon and Vernon Frazier. Pallbearers will be Harrell Sharkey, Leonard Crawford, Kenneth Bueche, Lamar Frazier, Donald Danos, Phillip Brocato, Richie Edmonds and Bobby Sharkey. Honorary pallbearers are Parkview Baptist Church deacons and his Sunday School class. He will always be remembered for his boundless love and compassion for his family and friends. A special thanks to his sitter, Janice Williams, Dr. David Rice and the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, or St. Joseph Hospice.
THEME SONGS FOR BIBLE CHARACTERS
Someone has suggested the following theme songs for Bible characters (Warning: some of these are real oldies!):
Noah: “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”
Adam and Eve: “Strangers in Paradise”
Lazarus: “The Second Time Around”
Esther: “I Feel Pretty”
Job: “I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues”
Moses: “The Wanderer”
Jezebel: “The Lady is a Tramp”
Samson: “Hair”
Salome: “I Could Have Danced All Night”
Daniel: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
Joshua: “Good Vibrations”
Peter: “I’m Sorry”
Esau: “Born To Be Wild”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: “Great Balls of Fire!”
The Wise Men: “When You Wish Upon a Star”
Elijah: “Up, Up, and Away”
Methuselah: “Stayin’ Alive”
Nebuchadnezzar: “Crazy”
There was no theme song suggested for Jesus Christ. May I suggest the following song, entitled “A New Song,” first sung by those two famous groups, “The Four Living Creatures” and “The Twenty-Four Elders”:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth…..Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:9-10,12)
I don’t know about you, but I look forward to joining them someday in this great song of praise. Worthy is the Lamb!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Have a great day!
Anna Lee
Wednesday Evening
Mrs. Betty Bethel and Lacy O’Brian
Please put mom and Lacey on the prayer list. They are both having kidney problems. Mom has a mojor kidney infection. Lacey’s kidney are porducing too much protein and the doctor dosen’t know why. She fell start taking test next week when she is out of school….
Yours in Christ; Joan Hagan
Yours in Christ; Joan Hagan
Pray for Mr. Dick Brennan. He’s hospitalized in Covington.
Pray for the family of Mr. Roy Frazier. He was the brother-in-law of Mrs. Wanzie Williams and Mr. Harrell Sharkey.
Roy Douglas Frazier
A resident of Baton Rouge, he died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. Arrangements are pending with Rabenhorst Funeral Home East.
The Prayer Link 
You must be logged in to post a comment.