31 Stream Lane – Levittown, PA 19055
[email protected]
pastorpaulfedena.weebly.com
September 13, 2023
Dear Praying Friends,
Greetings in His matchless Name! Yes it is me and I am still above ground, and although it may be hard to believe, the blessed Lord is still using this OLD preacher!
Last week I drove the PA Turnpike NE extension 1 ½ hours north to go to Easton where Arthur Gilmore was the pastor for over 30 years. I had a great time meeting and fellowshipping with the new pastor, Henry Funkhouser. He is a real gentleman, and I now consider him my new preacher friend. Unfortunately, I did not get to meet his wife or 4 children since a couple of the kids were not feeling well and did not make the services. I have heard that they have now recovered. Amen. I believe the church is in good hands with this young preacher. He has a vision for souls and wants to build the church. I taught Sunday School with a lesson entitled “Before the Beginning” (see attached), and then tried to be an encouragement to both the pastor and the members and friends in the AM service preaching on Acts 20:28 with Paul’s admonition to the church he pastored for 3 years and was leaving. The title was “Blest Be The Tie That Binds The Pastor And His People”. There was a good response and two people raised their hands to consider becoming members, and most of the congregation signified that they wanted to support and be a blessing to the church and the pastor and his family.
I attended the PM service so I could hear the new man-of-God preach. He did a great job. I stayed till Monday AM and then drove home. Saturday and Sunday nights I stayed in the beautiful Prophet’s Chamber that Pastor Gilmore and a couple of helpers constructed before he moved to Jacksonville, Florida. He and Mrs. Gilmore are close to their kids and grandkids now. Shirley and I used to stay in the nearby Holiday Inn Express hotel, and it was nice, but the new digs are beyond nice. (Thank you, Pastor Gilmore!) It was a blessing to renew friendships and fellowship with many of the saints there. My wife and I OFTEN were invited to preach and teach God’s Word in Easton. And, of course Shirley played the piano and/or organ. Pastor Gilmore was very generous to share his pulpit with me many times over many years. I annually preached in their Tent Meetings as well.
This week I will be travelling to Rio Grande, NJ and stay in the lovely guest room in Pastor & Mrs. Jeff & Brigit McLeod’s parsonage and I will be preaching in the Rio Grande Bible Baptist Church on Sunday Morning. (Rio Grande is adjacent to Cape May, a beautiful Victorian resort. My family and I annually stayed in Dr. Carl McIntyre’s Christian Admiral Hotel right close to the beach of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. He gave pastors a great rate so they and their families could vacation there. Dr. McIntyre was the founder of the Bible Presbyterian Church and the American Council of Christian Churches.)
Pastor McLeod and I are related and the family refers to me as “Uncle Paul”. They have 3 very nice children: Jeff, Jr, Lindsay and Drew. Lindsay is now a 2nd year student at Crown College under the leadership of Dr. Clarence Sexton. (Please pray for Dr. Sexton’s health issues. They are serious!)
Next week I will be preaching for Pastor Anthony Garris in Camden, NJ. This good man of God and his church have supported me for many years. Please pray for my safety on the road and in this crime-ridden city.
Also on my agenda, I will soon start weekly teaching ZOOM sessions on pastoral qualifications for the Harbor Baptist Church in Hainesport, NJ where Brother Patrick Higgins is the pastor of this growing work. This teaching ministry is in connection with their East Gate Baptist Bible College.
Speaking of prayer, please pray for my endurance. I have some severe breathing issues that are presently under control [?] with a steroid inhaler). Between that and my age (89) I am also experiencing some weakness. My clock is ticking very loudly these days…
Sincerely in the Savior,
Pastor (emeritus) Paul C. Fedena