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We are nearing the halfway point in February. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and so you may want to remember your Valentine. Ruth hates Valentine’s Day; she thinks it is far too commercialized. So, I get a pass on this holiday but certainly try to celebrate my valentine every day. Despite the bitter cold weather, the Women’s Ministry Valentine’s Brunch was a success last Saturday. My thanks to all who made the event possible.

I don’t know about you, but I thought the Super Bowl was super bore. And I refused to watch the halftime show. A great season of football concluded with a lackluster final game. Such is life. How often are our expectations so high and then we are disappointed when they aren’t met. Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:12 of learning to be content in any and every situation comes to mind. The bigger news is that spring training has begun and opening day is only 40 days away!

On Tuesday this week, we had the celebration of life service for Carol Shonk. Please continue to remember her children Jen Deibler and Jeff Shonk in your prayers. Yesterday the OAKS ministry met for their luncheon and game time. They have more events forthcoming. Be sure to check out the bulletin board across from the mailboxes for their next two events. On Sunday we will be hearing from Youth Roots about their winter retreats.

This Sunday we will be observing communion in both worship services as the season of Lent begins next Wednesday. This year we will be challenging you to take up Lent rather than give something up for Lent. Each week there will be a challenge that coordinates with our Believe series to help make this Lenten season a time of spiritual growth. With Lent being six weeks before Easter, we are busy planning for Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. Easter is April 5 this year, and yes there will be a sunrise service at Alan and Pam Platt’s home. God has much for us in this special time of year.

As you have heard, Lenten Cottage meetings are beginning this week. In your mailbox is a letter along with cottage meeting schedule and questionnaire that will be discussed at our cottage meeting. Your deacon should be contacting you to invite you to their cottage meeting. However, if you cannot make it to their cottage meeting, feel free to join another one but be sure to let the host deacon know that you will be attending. Be sure to bring the completed questionnaire with you to your cottage meeting. If your deacon hasn’t contacted you yet, perhaps they are hosting one of the latter meetings in late March. Cottage meetings start Tuesday evening and will run through March 26.

This week in our Believe series we will be looking at our biblical understanding of humanity. What does it mean to be human and how does God see us? What we believe about humanity matters and we will be in John 3:16-18 for the message. Of course, the Sunday School lessons will be on the same theme as will next Wednesday evening Adult Bible Study. Don’t forget that Roots is Wednesday evening starting at 5:45 pm for the meal.

Yesterday I was with our Solanco Pastor’s Fellowship for a monthly meeting. I enjoy being with these pastors and for this meeting we heard about “Settled” which is a full community effort to reduce homelessness. “Settled” has been tried and proven successful in several states and is being considered for our community. Homelessness is growing in the southern end and Solanco Neighborhood Ministries is seeing if “Settled” might be a possibility for our community. 

Lastly, I spent time in prayer this week just being thankful. Too often my prayers are overwhelmed with “Lord can you do this…” or “Lord, I need that...” or “Dear God, please help…” Granted those prayers are important. But so is praise and thanksgiving. So, I was far more intentional this week about praising God and thanking Him for the bounty of blessings in my life. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” I took that verse to heart this week in my daily devotional time. Consider taking up that challenge as we enter the season of Lent.

I hope you have a great weekend even without football or baseball. Enjoy some family time, work on that puzzle, and ready yourself for another amazing Lord’s Day. As a reminder this Sunday is Mealbarrow Sunday as we bring in non-perishable food items for the food bank. Last month the wheelbarrow was overflowing. Let’s see if we can do that again. We are blessed to be a blessing, and this is one way we can bless those in need in our own community. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we continue our Believe! series and grow together to become just like Jesus. It is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin