Letter of Encouragement to Mackenzie and Reagan

Dear Mackenzie and Reagan,

            I’m so happy to have the privilege of writing to you! When Maddy asked me to write you a letter for Chrysalis I was a little confused but hey I figure the Lord can use anybody to speak encouragement and love to you!

            I just want tell you that as a brother in Christ I’m super stoked and proud that you’re taking this step in your faith and striving toward Jesus! Our Father has a big smile on His face as you’re reading this because He sees your heart yearning for Him and loving Him with all that you’ve got. I admit I don’t know you as well as I would like, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know a few things about you. I know that you’re beautiful and one-of-a-kind. You are extremely important to many people in this world and you were created on purpose for a purpose! God has BIG plans for you and through everything, the ups and downs, you have a Father in Heaven who is watching over you and family all over the world willing to accept and love you! You were created exactly how God wanted to look and act. You have a unique personality despite what textbooks say :) In Christ, you are a princess! You are a daughter of the King and you deserve to be treated rightly so!

I love you guys for real! Have a great week gettin that quality time in with Jesus!

Greg

1 Peter 4:8 ^“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

How does this sound to you?

Newspring welcome
Hey y'all I'm Emily Mordenti and I'm a student here at Newspring! I want to welcome everyone today. If you are a first time visitor we are so glad you're here. We would like the chance to get to know you better so after service please be sure to stop by the green room. There's free food, awesome people to talk to, and a free gift! Go straight through the doors and look for the big green room banner and volunteers wearing green shirts.
Daylight savings time is next Sunday which means we loose an hour of sleep. Be sure to move your clocks forward one hour and show up to church on time!
Here at Newspring we believe that we can't out give God. That's why we love to give this opportunity to be blessed by giving to the local church. A biblical tithe is 10% of your gross income and anything above that is a gift. I want to thank everybody who financially gives. Because of your obedience we are able to pour into kids, like the ones who were on stage last week, and students like me! Newspring is also able to send students to the gauntlet where hundreds of teenagers meet Jesus resulting in lives being changed! We are raising up my generation to love church and be able to live our faith in Jesus out!

Lets do this!!!! :)

Follow Jesus’ example and say, “It’s not about me” with your actions in these ways:
1. Be generous
We serve a generous God. We can be assured that our Heavenly Father will take care of our needs so we can eagerly seek to meet the needs of others (Luke 12:22-34).  Take every opportunity to tip well and give generously to others.
2.  Speak Kindly
Harsh words display a lack of respect and a neglect for feelings of others. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Choose to encourage and build others up with your words.
3. Go Last
When questioned by his disciples who was the greatest Jesus overturned natural inclination and declared, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) Deem others more important and volunteer to go last.
4. Pursue Purity
Pursuing purity in your actions, speech, and dress serves your brothers and sisters in Christ. As we consider others better than ourselves, we’ll conduct ourselves in a manner that can keep others from sin. We’ll even be willing to limit our own freedoms to encourage their faith, as Paul demonstrates in 1 Corinthians 8:12-13.
5. Stop Complaining
Complaining displays an attitude of selfishness and pride. Our complaints are really demands for personal rights and preferences. Phillipians 2:14-15 not only encourages us not to grumble and complain but assures us that such behavior will allow us to “shine like stars in a wicked and depraved generation.”
6.  Pray for others
Our prayer lives often reveal what we really care about. Are we appealing to God on behalf of others, asking him to bless them abundantly? Or, are we only seeking the Lord’s blessing on our own lives? Obey Matthew 5:44 and pray for God’s blessing on both your friends and enemies today.
7. Be Honest
Although confrontation may be uncomfortable, it is a vital way we can serve one another. Paul instructs us, “if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” (Gal. 6:18)
8. Submit to authority
In the same way that Christ humbled himself, we can choose to humble ourselves under our earthly authorities and honor them through our obedience. (Titus 3:1)
9. Forgive
Bitterness, grudges, and unforgiveness proceed from a desire to keep someone subordinate to us. Humble yourself and forgive them and you have been forgiven by God. (Ephesians 4:32)
10. Thank God
All of our gifts, talents, and abilities come from God. He is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17). As we acknowledge that everything we are and all that we have ultimately belongs to him, we will readily serve and give to others in obedience to Him.