Friends-
As we crawl towards spring, we come to a month that is noted for two things: 1) a large, fat, rodent that lives underground, sleeping out the winter (not a bad idea), who crawls out of bed to look around and decide how long it will be before spring arrives; and 2) a Christian bishop who was noted for the deep and sacrificial love he had for those in his community. The one is focused on the temporal- how the heck long will it be before this winter is gone?
The other is focused on the eternal- what does it mean to be faithful to the call of God to love?
Believe it or not, Valentine did not run a candy shop, a card shop, or a floral shop. He demonstrated God's love to all, and especially those that needed it most- the last, the lost, the least.
Now, there is nothing wrong with romantic love- I'm a big fan! But it pales beside a genuine demonstration of the selfless, generous, passionate, unconditional love that God both offers us, and commissions us to share. If you think that is a tall order, it is. But God doesn't expect it of us without offering to supply us first with a full measure of that love. He wants to pour it in you until it overflows!
If all the hype about love and romance is wearing you out, or if you're feeling left out, remember: "God is love." (1 John 4:8) Let your love start there, and never forget, He loves you so much! More than you could ever know!
Gary
Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service - 10:30 am.
2/5 - Communion Sunday
2/12 - All Church Valentine Potluck and Party - Church Basement after worship.
Tuesdays - Every Tuesday: Women's Book Discussion - 1 PM - Judy Murphy's home. Reading Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday:
- Sanctuary open for prayer and reflection - 5:30 - 8 PM.
- Explorers - 5:45 - 6:30 PM - Church Basement - Children 6 and older.
- Adult Bible Study - 6:30 - 8 PM - Church Fellowship Room - Studying James.
Thursdays - 2/2 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Church Fellowship Room.
2/9 - All men invited to Carlyle's for an evening of fellowship and fun at 6:30 PM.
2/23 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - eat and/or serve
dinner.
Saturdays - Every Saturday: Men's study group - 8:30 am. Call Gary for location.
2/18 - Gathering for Women - 9:30 am - Judy Murphy's home. See details below.
Other News:
All Church Valentine Potluck and Party - Join us for an early Valentine's Day potluck after church on Feb. 12. Please bring a hot and a cold dish to share. Hot dishes aren't limited to main course casseroles. Don't forget about hot veggies or baked beans. A couple of examples of cold dishes are any kind of salad (lettuce,veggie,pasta, jello), desserts, or breads. Bring a favorite game to play after the meal to chase away the winter doldrums. Call Judy Murphy with any questions.
Women - Would you like to be part of a group of women who love Jesus and want to show His love through service to others? Come and have conversations about how we can lift up others and have fun while doing it. We will be meeting at Judy Murphy's house (15333 Caledonia Road ) on Saturday February 18 at 9:30 am. Refreshments will be served. Call Judy Murphy with any questions.
Church Board for 2017 - The board members for this year are: Deacons - Colleen Blaney, Barb Kohl, Mark Zellman, Trustees - Curt Moore, Bob Lyford, Bill Komerska, Clerk - Nikkie Fowler, Treasurer - Dave Walker, and Financial Secretary - Nathalie Lyford.
As we crawl towards spring, we come to a month that is noted for two things: 1) a large, fat, rodent that lives underground, sleeping out the winter (not a bad idea), who crawls out of bed to look around and decide how long it will be before spring arrives; and 2) a Christian bishop who was noted for the deep and sacrificial love he had for those in his community. The one is focused on the temporal- how the heck long will it be before this winter is gone?
The other is focused on the eternal- what does it mean to be faithful to the call of God to love?
Believe it or not, Valentine did not run a candy shop, a card shop, or a floral shop. He demonstrated God's love to all, and especially those that needed it most- the last, the lost, the least.
Now, there is nothing wrong with romantic love- I'm a big fan! But it pales beside a genuine demonstration of the selfless, generous, passionate, unconditional love that God both offers us, and commissions us to share. If you think that is a tall order, it is. But God doesn't expect it of us without offering to supply us first with a full measure of that love. He wants to pour it in you until it overflows!
If all the hype about love and romance is wearing you out, or if you're feeling left out, remember: "God is love." (1 John 4:8) Let your love start there, and never forget, He loves you so much! More than you could ever know!
Gary
Calendar
Sundays - Every Sunday: Worship Service - 10:30 am.
2/5 - Communion Sunday
2/12 - All Church Valentine Potluck and Party - Church Basement after worship.
Tuesdays - Every Tuesday: Women's Book Discussion - 1 PM - Judy Murphy's home. Reading Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday:
- Sanctuary open for prayer and reflection - 5:30 - 8 PM.
- Explorers - 5:45 - 6:30 PM - Church Basement - Children 6 and older.
- Adult Bible Study - 6:30 - 8 PM - Church Fellowship Room - Studying James.
Thursdays - 2/2 - Church Board Meeting - 7 PM - Church Fellowship Room.
2/9 - All men invited to Carlyle's for an evening of fellowship and fun at 6:30 PM.
2/23 - Community Dinner - 5:30 PM - Poplar Grove Church - eat and/or serve
dinner.
Saturdays - Every Saturday: Men's study group - 8:30 am. Call Gary for location.
2/18 - Gathering for Women - 9:30 am - Judy Murphy's home. See details below.
Other News:
All Church Valentine Potluck and Party - Join us for an early Valentine's Day potluck after church on Feb. 12. Please bring a hot and a cold dish to share. Hot dishes aren't limited to main course casseroles. Don't forget about hot veggies or baked beans. A couple of examples of cold dishes are any kind of salad (lettuce,veggie,pasta, jello), desserts, or breads. Bring a favorite game to play after the meal to chase away the winter doldrums. Call Judy Murphy with any questions.
Women - Would you like to be part of a group of women who love Jesus and want to show His love through service to others? Come and have conversations about how we can lift up others and have fun while doing it. We will be meeting at Judy Murphy's house (15333 Caledonia Road ) on Saturday February 18 at 9:30 am. Refreshments will be served. Call Judy Murphy with any questions.
Church Board for 2017 - The board members for this year are: Deacons - Colleen Blaney, Barb Kohl, Mark Zellman, Trustees - Curt Moore, Bob Lyford, Bill Komerska, Clerk - Nikkie Fowler, Treasurer - Dave Walker, and Financial Secretary - Nathalie Lyford.
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