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In the English language, there are four letters for love. In the Bible there are four words for love.

The New Testament, orginally written in Greek, speaks of four words distiguishing between different forms and intensities of love: agape, storge, phileo and eros.

Agape love is the highest level of love referenced in the Bible. Everlasting and sacrificial, regardless of receiving love in return. God is love. 1 John 4:16 The word agape was specifically used to identify the love that God embodies. God displayed this perfect love sacrificially in John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. The traditional love verse of 1 Corinthians 13 exemplifies agape love: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Storge love describes familial love. A natural and caring bond between parents and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, as well as those you consider family. It is depicted by Martha and Mary and their love for their brother Lazarus. Phileo love refers to the warmth and affinity shared by close friends. Found in Romans 12:9-10, it parallels 1 Corinthians 13. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. The shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept” was filled with much compassion, as Jesus was deeply moved and troubled over the death of Lazarus. The Jewish people said of Jesus, “See how He loved him!” John 11:36

Eros love is the romatic, sexual love created as a gift from God. The Song of Solomon commends the virtues of passionate love shared between a husband and wife. The book is the expression of pure marital love as ordained by God in creation. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Like a diamond, there are many intricacies and facets of love. Galatians 5:22-23 shows worthy expressions of love to pursue. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control–against such things there is no law.

–Compiled by Rose Burgweger with excerpts from crosswalk.com/ faith/bible-study/agape-storge-phileo-and-eros-love-in-scripture.html

Light of the World Lutheran Church continues to move forward in planting a new church in the De Soto community. Currently we are trying to locate and purchase property for a future worship facility. We meet at the Senior Center, the first and third Sundays of the month at 6:45 pm for Bible Study and community projects. Contact Pastor Bert Tegtmeier at 620-343-4371 or email norbert.tegtmeier1953@gmail.com

April 2 • 9 to 2 Spring Fling

Food & Craft Sale

De Soto United Methodist Women

Local, Handmade Gifts and delicious Homemade Food/Soups. 8760 Kill Creek Road, De Soto 913-583-1359 See ad on page 25

April 8 • City-wide Easter Egg Hunt

10:30 am Miller Park, Downtown De Soto

2 pm De Soto Baptist Church grounds

A joint venture by Reach Church and De Soto Baptist Church. To accommodate families’ schedules, two events will be held. Both include an Easter Egg Hunt, Crafts, Prizes, Bounce House and/or a Petting Zoo. All Children are invited!

May 4 • 12noon national Day of Prayer

City of De Soto Gymnasium

The National Day of Prayer has a long and rich history in America. Since 1952, each president has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation. Locally, former City Clerk Lana McPherson coordinated the National Day of Prayer that began in May, 1999. Held at De Soto City Hall, she received full support from all of De Soto’s mayors. Last year the National Day of Prayer resumed, after Lana’s retirement and COVID-19. It was coordinated by Linda Lane and Rose Burgweger. Please save the date and join us in 2023 as we come together to pray for our leaders and country. We hope to have all of De Soto’s churches represented.

Clearview Baptist’s new name–Philadelphia Baptist Church

“We were thinking of changing our name,” Pastor Joshua Turk shown at right explained. “I was doing a study in Revelations–thinking about our vision, goals, who we are and want to be.” That prompted the name “Philadelphia” Baptist Church from Revelation 3:7. Likewise, we want to be a church that is holy and true–a church that God loves.

The church was begun by Pastor Turk’s grandfather, Louis R. Turk in 1998. Prior to that, he planted several churches in Kansas. It was back in 1948 he was saved and called to preach. Previously, Pastor Louis served in the U.S. Marine Corps and received two Purple Hearts for his wounds at Iwo Jima. Joshua’s father was also a pastor. Moving his family to Indonesia, they served as missionaries for ten years. Returning to the United States, Joshua completed high school and then attended Oklahoma City University, receiving his Bachelor of Science Mathematics Degree. He became a teacher in Dallas, and there received his Certificate of License to preach from Rogers Baptist Church in 1997. At the University of Arkansas, he worked on his Master of Information Systems Degree. Returning to Oklahoma City, he became the campus director for Midway Baptist Church. In 2005, Pastor Joshua Turk was called to be an associate pastor at Clearview Baptist Church. He served with his grandfather for three years. When Pastor Louis Turk retired in 2008, grandson Turk became pastor. The church is located across the street from Astra Enterprise Park and Clearview City. Pastor Joshua Turk commented, “Growth–I think it’s a good thing. There will be many people entering the factory right in front of the church.”