Greetings from your Pastor    

“Will you be my valentine?”   How many of you remember those elementary school days when we handed out Valentine cards to everyone in our class for Valentine’s Day? I remember back in the 1960’s how each student would bring valentines for everyone in the class.  Each student had put up an envelope with his or her name on it to collect the coveted valentines. Each student was to go around and pass out their cards at the beginning of the day.  As I got older, it saddened me as I started to realize that the most popular kids got the most valentines and I certainly did not get the most.  It did not scar me for life but did sadden my Valentine’s Day at the time.  
 
     My best Valentine’s Day came when I first learned that Jesus chose me and loves me and always will!  True love is knowing that Jesus died on the cross for you and for me and for the world! HE CHOSE ME and YOU! Real love = God’s kind of love. We all know that. We use 1 Corinthians 13 – the “love chapter” – in most of our weddings and at Christmas we celebrated knowing that Jesus is God’s gift of “love” to the world. We know that it is by our faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved into eternal life.  

     Along with celebrating Valentine’s Day with our loved ones we have a wonderful opportunity during the coming days to grow in our faith in Christ and our knowledge of His love. We are coming up on the season of Lent, beginning on February 17^th.  Ash Wednesday – a time for reconciliation, private and public repentance, fasting and increased prayer and Bible reading.

     During Valentine’s Day we think of hearts.  For centuries the heart has been considered the home of our soul – that which is personal and immortal in each of us.  The “heart” of Lent is the essence of our great desire to know Christ, the One Who has loved us more than anyone could ever love us!  Therefore, let us approach Lent joyfully!  Think of it as a time of opportunity rather than sacrifice, for you as well as your family.  Choose penitential practices that encourage inner renewal – such as serving others, prayer & reflection, fasting (if you are healthy & able), and spending extra time in God’s Word.  Participate in worship and meditate on Christ’s sacrifice and its meaning for you.  Observing Lent this year can help you more fully experience the greatest Valentine of all – GOD’S LOVE FOR US AND HIS DESIRE FOR US TO GIVE HIM OUR HEARTS!  

                    In His Love,  Pastor Rob