To all God’s People, 

The season in which all, who are believing in Jesus, will come together in celebration         of His resurrection, is now upon us. Soon the world will once again pause from both its ongoing joys and trials, and hear the raised voices of the followers of Christ, giving testimony of the miracle working power of the Lord Jesus!

As Jesus spoke to Martha concerning Lazarus, He declared “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered with the understanding and knowledge, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”    The immediate response of Christ Jesus was, “I am the resurrection and the life.   The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  (John 11 ESV)    In this, we come to understand the full power of God found only in believing in Jesus.   In Christ Jesus, eternal life is found!   Likewise, as the believer walks confident under the influence of the Holy Spirit, walking by faith and not by sight, knowing that we once who were dead in sin, are now chosen of God, saved by Grace, living by faith in Christ and his righteousness, we now, to the glory of our risen Savior, walk in fellowship with Him! 

Let us rejoice in this hour with the lyrics of the hymn of old, titled ‘In the Garden’.   Those lyrics, in part, ring out today… 

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And he walks with me
And he talks with me
And he tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
And he walks with me
And he talks with me

May your voice rise in praise of your Redeemer, the Lord Jesus in this holy season.  ‘Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  (1 Cor. 15:57).   Yes the challenges in this day abound, however the call today for every FG clergy and parishioner is; utilize every medium available, whether it be congregational, small group, telecommuting, text, facebook, or around the home with family.  Let your testimony and praise be a declaration of the saving grace of Christ Jesus, (Phil. 4:5) for the Lord is coming soon!   We celebrate Christ Jesus together this Resurrection Sunday! Be blessed.  

Pastor Simeon Strauser
FG Chairman 

Read our March 2020 print newsletter here.