Have I told you my favorite season is spring? All the new growth of plants reminds me of new opportunities for us in out jobs, families, churches, and communities.
We have opportunities to start new weeks more often than new seasons.
Isn’t it so appropriate to start our weeks with the Lord’s Day. Any week that begins in the Lord’s house surely is better than a week we start at any other place.
Read the Bible Every Day
March 24
Numbers 25:1 – 26:22
Psalm 37:7-13
Proverbs 8:32-33
Luke 1:24-56
Church
I hope that you will be in church today if you are physically able. You will have a good start to the week and special verses/thoughts to ponder on all week. Remember, we will continue to study Jacob in Sunday School. This week’s less is about the staircase to heaven he dreamed about.
Annie Armstrong Offering
You can give through the Annie Armstrong offering and be supporting mission work in all of North America. One hundred percent of your gift goes to mission work with nothing being taken out for any other purposes.
Easter
We will have two services Easter. You get to choose which one you will attend. I’ll give you more information during the week.
OCC
David and I found some good bargains in the last few weeks, especially last week. We had a friend who did some great shopping too. We really appreciate those individuals and classes who also support this ministry. I forgot to tell you we found a package of washcloths in our “Green donation tub” in the hallway in the basement. The washcloths were ordered by a class.
We appreciate all the donations and help we receive. You have a big part in helping get the variety and quantity of items we have to pack. Thank-you so much!
“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
HOSEA 6:1
Read the Bible Every Day
Numbers 21:1 -24:25
Psalm 37:1-6
Proverbs 8:30-31
Luke 1:1-23
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for the Annie Armstrong Offering for North America. Pray for guidance in ways the missionaries work with people in North America. As you pray, focus your prayer time on the troubles in Haiti. Pray for the country and for the individual people. We don’t have to know these people individually or at all. Just pray. God knows them all..
Today is preparation day for Sunday.
Do some of your preparatory cooking, washing, etc. today so you have plenty of time to get to Sunday School on time (9:15).
Operation Christmas Child
Yesterday, was a successful workday for OCC. If you would like to be part of a small group working to prepare items for “Shoeboxes”, please sign the list at the front of the church. Thanks, too, to those who are helping us shop by contributing, by going to the stores, or by ordering online.
This week, we received some flashlights that work by squeezing. That was a first for us. These were purchased online.
Pray for Donnie Travis. His shunt was replaced, so hopefully he will be better and soon.
Pray for Ruby Travis as she recovers from surgery for her broken shoulder.
Pray for Bryan Tate as his health concerns continue to increase and for his wife and caregivers as they care for him.
Please continue to remember Mrs. Alice Faye Lee and her daughter, Angela Lee Shockley, in your prayers.
Pray for Bro. Darryl as he continues to regain the strength he needs for his life as our pastor.
I forgot to mention that yesterday was Mr. Cete Dillon’s 98th birthday. He is the oldest person I have personally known. I know he would appreciate a sweet card, even if it is late for his birthday.
Read the Bible Every Day
Numbers 21:10 – 22:41
Psalm 36:7-12
Proverbs 8:27-29
Mark 16:1-20
Operation Christmas Child
Thank-you to Ora Lee Wilson for making some great sale purchases this week.
Thank-you to the Rebecca Class and the City Hall Class for ordering OCC some much needed items for the “Shoeboxes”.
Thank-you for the volunteers who have been helping us in small groups this year. There is a volunteer sign-up sheet in the front entrance to our church.
Sunday School Lesson
Genesis 28 contains the “stairway to heaven” vision, a wife for Jacob, and other interesting information.. I like the way our lessons continue through a book of the Bible before starting another set of lessons from another book.
Have a wonderful day as you focus on others through prayers, deeds, and actions.
Please pray for Jason Dean who is having surgery because of a torn bicep muscle. Pray surgery goes well and his muscle regains strength when it is healed.
Pray for Coach Shaw. He has been home for a while with help, as needed.
Thanking God
I haven’t done much riding around and haven’t seen storm damage except for the tire shop on Highway 51 and the east end of Ave. A, but yesterday I saw the damage on the west end of Avenue H. It caused me to be more thankful nobody was hurt during the storm last Saturday. I have been told there are other areas that had serious damage. Let’s all thank God for protection of Kentwood residents during the storm.
Obituary
Christina “Nicole” DeLoach
June 14, 1993 – March 15, 2024
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. –Mahatma Gandhi
Christina “Nicole” DeLoach, born June 14, 1993 and passed away March 15, 2024 at the young age of 30 years old. She is survived by her beloved son Aricin Shay Hughes, his father Ashton Hughes and his family, a cousin, Addison and her baby Cicily, and many close friends including Jamie Liotto and her family. She was loved by many. Nicole was a woman that lived for her son. Their favorite things to do together was eating sushi and watching movies. She played Fortnite with him, even though he had to “carry” her. She was a woman like no other. Nicole was very outspoken and always said what was on her mind, regardless of whose feelings she might hurt. She was proud but yet humble of what she had accomplished in her life thus far. Nicole was a mother, friend, aunt, sister, granddaughter and daughter. She thought she could conquer anything with just ambition and faith. Nicole was preceded in death by her grandparents Sydney and Patricia DeLoach. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1:00PM until religious services at 3:00PM on Friday, March 22, 2024. The family requests donations to Nicole’s GoFundMe Account. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
I did not know this young lady, but felt led to share her obituary so you can pray for her son and others mentioned in the obituary.
Senior Adult Lunch
Twenty-five people were present for the meal at Charlie’s in Springfield. Next month, the group will gather to eat together on Tuesday, April 16th.
Easter Sunday
FBC Kentwood will have two services Easter. I don’t know the times yet, but they surely will be available in the bulletin Sunday. You are invited to attend a Sunday School class that day in addition to the worship service.
There will be activities for the children again this year. I’ll share more about that later.
OCC Donations
We received donations from two classes last night. They are much appreciated! It’s nice to received donations in quantity from sales and from online purchases.
Remember, we have two ladies who would love to shop online for you and purchase the items you request or the items we most need. Ask Wanda Smith or Jackie Babin if you would like them to shop for you. The purchases can be sent directly to the church or to you so you can open the box and then bring it to the church.
Don’t forget there is a green tote in the basement hallway. We check it regularly so nothing is left there very long. Leave your donations there.
Annie Armstrong Offering (North America)
You can mark your envelope “Annie Armstrong” when you give at church. I’m sure online giving offers a way to designate your offering, but I have never given that way. This offering is listed last today, but it certainly is not least important.
Be an encourager today!
You can do this in person, online, over the phone, or through the mail.
Thanks for your interest in what I share each day.
I especially enjoyed the article about ministry in Plant City, Florida.
Read the Bible Every Day
Numbers 17:1 – 19:8
Psalm 35:22-28
Proverbs 8:22-24
Mark 15:1-21
Senior Adult Lunch
Don’t forget the lunch for senior adults at Charlie’s in Springfield.
If you are not able to go, please pray for those who will be traveling as a group, both on a bus and in cars.
Some OCC Needs Already Met
We already have enough combs and toothbrushes. You can continue to bring washcloths (need 40), marbles, and flashlights. As Sunday School classes meet this week, please consider purchasing marbles and flashlights as a group. Wanda Smith will gladly order online for you and have the package sent directly to the church. Also, remember the drop-off box, a bright green tote, in the hallway in the basement (under the sanctuary).
Thank you for your early support and your continuing support. You will help make a difference in the lives, now and eternally, of 650 children and their families, around the world. In 2023, our boxes that have already been sent out from Dallas, went to Ghana and countries that cannot be identified.
We are sharing a new shopping list each month. Let’s shop for this one now, knowing a new list will be given to you soon.
Continue to pray for the children who have and who will receive our 2023 shoeboxes and those who work with these childrens in their home countries. I leave you with this thought, “Jesus loves all the childre no matter what county they live in.
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at his home in Kentwood, LA. He was born May 14, 1972 in Franklinton, LA and was 51 years of age. He is survived by his father, Ted A. Dykes and wife, Shelia; mother, Pamela Ledet and husband, Brad. Preceded in death by his brother, Ted “Dee” A. Dykes, Jr.; grandparents, Richmond Dykes and Eva Dickerson Dykes and Reginald Holley and Omalee Breland Holley. Graveside Services will be held at East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA at 11:00AM on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.Services conducted by Bro. Scott Spinks. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Please pray for the families in this time of loss.
Read the Bible Every Day
Numbers 16:1-50
Psalm 35:17-21
Proverbs 8:20-21
Mark 14:43-72
OCC in March Reminder
Items we are collecting:
Marbles
Flashlights
Combs
Toothbrushes
Washcloths
OCC
If you have children, kindergarten age and older, who would like to help with OCC, please call me or see me at church. Not to leave anyone out, if you are an adult who would like to help with OCC, please call me or see me at church. There are always lots of tasks to do to prepare items for shipping.
Adult Lunch Trip to Charlie’s
Tomorrow at 10:00 the (senior) adults will make a trip to Springfield to eat at Charlie’s. The bus will leave at 10:00. Call the church office if you want your name added to the list. You may also travel in your vehicle, but you are requested to call the church office today so we can inform the restaurant of our count and the staff there can prepare a tables and chairs for us.
Bro. Darryl Miller was strong enough to preach both services yesterday. On top of that, Phillip Miller sang a powerful message! If you missed the service, I hope you will watch it on your phone or computer today.
Update
Angela Shockley is at her son’s home to recover from her heart surgery. Alice Faye Lee, Angela’s mother, is home. This family has worked together to take care of family needs. Keep them all in your prayers.
Read the Bible Every Day
Numbers 15:1-41
Psalm 35:1-16
Proverbs 8:18-19
Mark 14:22-42
Coming Soon
Wednesday, the senior adults are eating out. Contact the church office (229-8111) if you need more information.
Put your faith into action.
Pray
Visit
Call
Cook
Share
Study together
Etc.
There are many ways to grow in your faith and to be a positive influence on others.
Bro. Darryl came into the room while we were working on “Shoebox” items. He said that even though the church had electricity, the office didn’t.
The plan is for him to preach the Sunday messages today. Come worship with us. Thank God for Bro. Darryl’s progress.
Tornado in Town
We continue to thank God for watching our Kentwood Thursday. I still hear that no one was injured. There will be lots of chainsaw work to clean up the downed trees. Let’s pray every chainsaw operator is safe as are those in the area whether they are watching or helping.
Have a wonderful Lord’s day! Go to church today and thank God we are all safe.
Today, I’m thankful for all the people of Kentwood who are safe despite the bad weather we experienced yesterday. Join me in being thankful. What an opportunity to be available to help others right here in Kentwood!
Request
Please a dd Keith Allen to your prayer list. He is in Hood Memorial for evaluation.
Read the Bible Every Day
Numbers 12:1 – 14:4
Psalm 34:15-22
Proverbs 8:10-13
Mark 13:32-37
Kid’s OCC Day
Children K-8 are invited to meet in the fellowship hall of FBC at 9:00 this morning to help with preparing items for packing in “Shoeboxes” and distributed to children far from Kentwood. The children will receive many items that are useful, fun, and needed. If you haven’t worked in the OCC process, you would be surprised at how much goes into a “Shoebox”. In addition, children will have an opportunity to learn about Jesus and children have an opportunity to tell family members about Him. All because of a “Shoebox”!
Baptist Press
Get the current news and from a Christian viewpoint.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Good morning, Friends. I’m so thankful to be able to be with you each morning.
Let’s start our Friday our right and spend the day “letting out light shine for Jesus”.
Operation Christmas Child Today
This morning, we will be working with children K-8 to prepare some items for placement in the “shoeboxes” at a later date. I hope you will be bringing any children in your family so they can participate in the joy of getting items prepared for children’s “shoeboxes” later this year. We will meet in the fellowship hall at 9:00 Saturday morning.
Health Concern
Please pray for Donnie Travis. He and Delore were still at North Oaks yesterday. Each day they wake up with hope of going home, but learn later in the day that they have “one more day”. Your prayers will be appreciated.
Please pray for Angela Shockley as she has more time to heal and to be monitored before she can come home. Pray for her family as they “step in” and help take care of each other. I know they will be happy to all be home one day next week.
Obituary
Benton “Benjy” Cothran McNabb, Jr.
November 6, 1942 – March 13, 2024
Benton Cothran “Benjy” McNabb, Jr., 81, passed away comfortably and peacefully in the early morning hours, at his home in Gillsburg, MS on March 13, 2024. He was surrounded by the ones he loved the most. Benjy was a talented saxophone player, who began playing music in the fourth grade and never stopped. Some of the bands he played with were Phaeros, Showboat, Randy and The Rascalls, Dominoes, Southeastern North Lake Community Orchestra, Old Brookwind Symphony, The Counts, Delaware Horns, and Boogie Kings. Benjy loved sharing his talents for many church services, weddings and funerals. He never met an animal he didn’t love and was happiest when surrounded by his menagerie of pets. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maxcy and Benton “Sam” McNabb, Sr. of Arcola, LA. He leaves behind his loving wife of 31 years, Connie Carter McNabb; son, Benton “Duke” McNabb, III (Dawn), Bedico, La; and grandson, Benton “Coty” McNabb, IV San Diego CA. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024 at the Donald Kent Farm, Amite, LA from 1:00PM until 2:30PM. A graveside service will follow at Gillsburg Memorial Gardens, 6126 Mississippi Highway 568, Osyka, MS at 3:30PM. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to your local hospice, SLU Music Department, or the SPCA in your town. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, LA is in charge of arrangements.
Annie Armstrong
In addition to giving through your church, you can give online, or through the mail.
Give by Mail North American Mission Board P.O. Box 116543 Atlanta, GA 30368-6543 (AAEO in memo line)
The Sunday School lesson tomorrow is about the struggle between Isaac and Rebecca’s twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Look it up and read it regardless of whether you will be in a SS class in the morning or not. You are welcome to join us or any other class as we journey through Genesis each week.
Last, but not least.
Thank you for your prayers forBro. Darryl Miller as he has had some recovery time following surgery. Wednesday night he led in prayer meeting. Tomorrow, he plans to preach again for the first Sunday in a month. Thank God for his progress and for allowing his health to improve so he is back “preaching God’s Word” to us.
The Prayer Link 
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