Thank you for all your help. I like the ida of the soap slivers but I use only liquid soap. Next time I am at a craft store I will look for the white chalk pencil and if that doesn't work I'll try the freezer paper solution. I guess I should have thought ahead chosing such a dark border but it makes the words punch out. It's going to be a wallhanging for the church.
Thank you for all your kind words of encouragement. Being a member of this forum has helped me so much!