Loving Life Newsletter Winter/Spring 2018 Winter/Spring 2018 | Page 2

Loving Life Newsletter:
Winter - Spring 2018
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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p. 3 Message From The Editor
p. 4 Pastor’s Message
pg. 5 Emergency Numbers
p. 6 Words Of Inspiration
p. 7-9 Feature Article
p. 10 I Testify
pp. 11 Dollars And Sense
p. 12 Relationships
p. 13 Sweetheart Dance
p. 14 Poetry Corner
p. 16-18 Kids Corner
p. 19 Upcoming Events
MESSAGE FROM
THE EDITOR
by Dr. Monica Greene-Smalls
In October 2017, LFCC celebrated 11 wonderful years in the
ministry. During the month-long celebration we received
anointed and powerful messages from Bishop Ralph
L. Dennis, Reverend D. R. Hunter, Reverend Colinda K.
Hunter, Minister Angela Harris, and our shepherd, Pastor T.
Anthony Thompson. The themes all focused on the truth
that no matter what we face or go through, we will have
ultimate, overwhelming victory through Jesus Christ.
In this issue, we continue to celebrate overwhelming
victory through: a special 11th Anniversary message from
Pastor T; an interview with First Lady Jewell Thompson
and Women’s Ministry Leader Jackie Meadows as
they reflect on the 10th Mother-Daughter Event held
in October 2017; sound financial advice from Deacon
Jason Goods to help us remain victorious; a personal
Testimony of God’s overflowing goodness from Sister
Audrey Thomas; Words of Inspiration about God’s Grace
from Sister Jackie Meadows; and a poem to welcome the
new year of 2018. The Children’s Corner has activities,
created by Sister Kathy Kimbrough, which focus on the
message of love in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
During the 11th Anniversary celebration, one of Pastor
T’s most memorable messages was “Thank You for
the Scars.” Pastor T taught us that we should always
remember to thank God for the physical and emotional
scars caused by life’s trials and tribulations. The
scars serve as proof that God brought us through--
they are a symbol of our victory and the basis of our
testimonies. As LFCC progresses through its 12th year,
I would like to take a moment to THANK YOU, Pastor
T, on behalf of the LFCC family, for YOUR SCARS!
As a dedicated, humble, and awesome servant leader,
you have constantly made sacrifices for the LFCC ministry
and its members. You have Scars of Sacrifice from having
to sacrifice time with your beautiful wife and wonderful
children, as well as time for yourself, in order to serve.
You regularly minister to our souls on Sunday morning
and Tuesday night Bible Study, as well as Monday
through Saturday on the Prayer Call.
Yet, you also find time to cheer our children on at
basketball, football, and soccer games; applaud them at
musical performances; and celebrate them at graduations.
Not only do you visit your LFCC members in the hospital,
but also visit and pray for our extended family members
and friends who are battling illnesses. You sacrifice
your time by attending homegoing celebrations and
memorial services, and by personally comforting the
bereaved. In addition, you take time to pray diligently for
us, serve the community, and advocate for the church.
In spite of your steadfast dedication and commitment,
there are those who did not keep their word to support
your vision, as well as those who deliberately sought to
destroy you. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:
12). As a result of successfully battling against those fiery
darts in God’s strength, you also bear Scars of Betrayal,
Scars of Disappointment, and Scars of Spiritual Battle.
You continuously share these scars with us through
your testimonies of victories, both large and small, to
encourage us as we go through our own battles.
Pastor T, we thank you for your strength, humility and
leadership. You have even washed our feet at past services
as Jesus washed His disciples’ feet in an example of true
servant leadership. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s
feet. For I have given you an example that you should
do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you,
a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who
sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these
things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13: 14-17).
So, Pastor T, on behalf of LFCC’s members and
friends, we would like to say thank you for all that
you do and THANK YOU for YOUR SCARS.
In Christ,
Monica Greene-Smalls, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief
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