Bethlehem Lutheran Church
The Heart of Bay Ridge
Sunday Service 10:30am
4th & Ovington Avenues
Brooklyn NY 11209
718.748.9502
Dear Members and Friends,
At the end of the school year in June, I received a very meaningful gift from one of our LES students. I shared this in one of my sermons and Elaine Caruso thought it was great and asked for a copy of it. I quickly thought of a way to make my life a little easier. Rather than giving Elaine a copy, I told her I would share it in my September Beth Star message. The following is a letter from God. It is all found in God’s Word to you. Please put your name on the top.Dear ________,
You are precious in my sight, you are honored and I love you (Isaiah 43:4). My faithful love never ends and mercies never cease (Lamentations 3:22). Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken (Isaiah 54:10). I will go before you. I will be with you; I will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). For I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). I will cover you with my feathers. I will shelter you with my wings. My faithful promises are your armor and protection (Psalm 91:4).
Even though you walk through the darkest valley, you will fear no evil, for I am with you (Psalm 23:4). When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you (Isaiah 43:2). I will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength (Isaiah 58:11). Your hope in the Lord will renew your strength. You will soar on wings like eagles; you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).
I am your Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts you in all your troubles, so that you can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort you receive (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that you may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13). Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from my love (Romans 8:39). I am with you always (Matthew 28:20).
Love,Your Father Almighty GodIn the Lord's Service,
Rev. Paul H. Knudsen
Pastor Paul's September Message
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ® | 4th & Ovington Avenues, Brooklyn NY 11209 | 718.748.9502
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
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