Comfort thru the Hard Times

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

it's hard leaving a church family. since denise has accepted a position at Jasper UMC, she/we had to break the news to the current youth and parents last night. there were many tears, many hugs, many words of encouragement. we, gartahotze's, have been praying for last night and the coming month for a few weeks. we've been praying for God to prepare the hearts of those who have come to know and love us at st. paul. we've been praying for God to encourage our hearts as well. and those prayers are definitely being answered. God has moved mountains in these hearts. the youth have shown such courage and support - it's awesome. and denise has been strong - tho her heart breaks for this separation.

so we solicite your prayers for this transition. i believe that May 23 will be out last day at st. paul. and being honest, some families are really struggling with denise, steven and i not being at st. paul. please keep us all in your prayers.

Jesus,
we know You as our Rock and our Comforter. we've seen You move mountains. we've heard Your calling to 'Go' and we want to be faithful. but God, it's not easy. our hearts are broken, empty, hurt, and yet there is a sense of purpose within all this chaos. we know that following You wasn't going to be easy; and we know that You are the One encouraging us thru this difficult time. i praise You for this opportunity to be faithful. thanks for the support and love the church family has shown us. thanks for equipping us to do Your work where ever we are. we give You the glory for allowing us to be Your servants. help us to always keep that before us as we continue to say, 'we'll see You later' to our close friends and loved ones. may You continue to bind together this youth ministry at st. paul. may the person You've chosen to fill the youth director role be passionately in love with You and enjoy kids. may this person have a desire to go way out of their way to make a youth's day. thanks for upholding the youth thru this trying time. thanks for carrying them. i know that You are present and active in their hearts. thanks for pursuing them with Your passion. let their fire for You burn ever stronger thru the fire. i love You and You are my strength.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*st. paul's youth ministry *Jasper's youth ministry* denise