1 & 2 Thessalonians Artwork

1 & 2 Thessalonians : Holiness & Hope in Hardship

In the Winter of 2025 the Family of Terra Nova Churches will go through the two New Testament letters the Apostle Paul wrote to the church Thessalonica.  Our hope is that by hearing what Paul had to say to the Thessalonians may also inspire us to live with holiness and hope even in the hardships of our lives.

So, wether you are in Troy, NY or Saratoga Springs, NY – please find your way to a local Terra Nova Church and journey along with us!

The Artist

Susan Halbedel [Terra Nova Troy]

Susan lives in Delmar, NY with her husband, Gary and is a faithful congregant at Terra Nova Troy. Much of Susan’s Gospel-based artwork has been featured (and sold) at the Bethlehem Public Library gallery.

To help us remember this series, we will be giving away stickers so be sure to pick these up at your local Terra Sunday Gatherings. 

The Art

The story behind the painting began as a child. I loved climbing the green hills and mountains, sometimes talking to God (if He was there). By eighteen I had done so in several states and parts of Europe. Then in 1975, here at Lake George, I was offered an opportunity to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. The question immediately in my mind was “What about my love for mountain climbing?” The Holy Spirit replied, “ Don’t worry, I have ‘mountains’ for you to climb.” Fast forward to 1987, our third child, David was born with CF, an incurable genetic disease. This was a mountain of faith way too high for me! Precious David’s delicate, intricate care and eventual death 20 years ago at the age of 15 was a mountain that crushed me. Yet I imagined a rainbow banner of hope and love over us, so somehow this all made sense to God.

Desperately crying out to God for help and answers, He quieted my soul by whispering “I desire a relationship with you Susan more than pleasing you by answering all the needs of this world.” He led me to the book of Revelation to see how His story turns out. The last three chapters gave me hope and a vision of what Jesus was up to. I was invited as part of His Holy Bride to attend the ultimate Communion Supper of the Lamb! But how was this possible? I was filled with anger and resentment and certainly not holy. Then I read in Rev 4:1 that John was invited to “come up here” and see God, sitting on a throne surrounded by a pulsating emerald rainbow (Rev 4:3). The green of life and mercy towards sin is there, above, in heaven, radiating towards us through Jesus. He alone can dissolve the hardened places of my heart and make me holy and acceptable to God as His Bride.

Six year old Ned Caprera called this painting “A Portal to Heaven.” Let it be an invitation to believe and trust there is a New Heaven and New Earth being formed with an indescribable, beautiful joy-filled banquet for all who believe and trust in God’s Word.