Words of Love and Encouragement

Dear Friends in Christ:

Writing this article is one thing that, as your Pastor, I have looked forward to, even when we had a newsletter every week!

Here are some of the reasons:

♥ Writing from my heart has given me a way to provide encouragement to you often by pointing you to God’s words of promise, hope, peace, joy, and love.

♥ Sometimes I have used this column to teach.

♥ I often included words to help you smile, or even laugh.

♥ I try regularly to show my appreciation for your participation in the mission and ministry of our congregation.

♥ Above all I have tried to celebrate with you the goodness of God who is at work in our lives to bless us, and to bless others through us.

The Letters in our Holy Bible express so much of how I feel as I write these “letters” to you. I leave you with just a few of my “favorites”:

† “I am convinced that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38-39

† “Love never ends.” — 1 Corinthians 13:8

† “By grace you have been saved through faith … it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8

† “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” — Philippians 1:3-5

† “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say Rejoice.” — Philippians 4:4

† “I urge that prayers be made for everyone … This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved.” — 1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4

† “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that you may do for Christ.” — Philemon, verse 6

† “I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love.” — Philemon, verse 7

† “We have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them … We love because God first loved
us.” — 1 John 4:16, 19

THANKS FOR READING!

† Pastor David Fetter