Lent 2013: the last Thursday

I give thanks to God for the journey of  Stephen Minsitry class 2013 wich begun on January 9th ending last night.  All 14 new Stephen Ministers are great and will do great in One to One Christian Caring for God's people at Church of the Palms.  The first fruit of my labor here at this call.  Thanks be to God! My honest thanks to God for the most dedicated leader Fee in teaching, the founder of Stephen Ministry here -Paul and faithful supporter Pat.  I give thanks to all the others who also taught a session or two. God is good indeed! I am so very grateful.

Below is my scripture gifts to the graduating Stephen Ministry Class 2013 last night, in the chapel.

John 15:16

¹⁶You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

John 21:15-19

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ ¹⁶A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ ¹⁷He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ ¹⁹(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’