Pastor Carolyn’s Conundrums:
In February we will be celebrating St Valentine’s Day. It is a day that we set aside to show those we love that we love them. I know there are those who say that this holiday was made up by the card and candy companies, and that they don’t need a holiday to show their love. But sometimes I think we all need a reminder.
I would challenge us all to use this holiday as a reminder to show God our love as well. God placed a commandment at the top of the list in the Old Testament and again when Christ was listing the 2 greatest commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. I believe we all get busy in our lives and as we do, our priorities shift and just maybe God is not getting top billing in our lives.
How about this February we take some time to show God how much we love God? Coincidentally, or maybe not so much, Lent begins in February. Lent is a season of preparation. We are preparing to celebrate the season that expresses Christ’s limitless love for us, Easter. In many traditions Lent is a time for giving something up (chocolate, caffeine…). I believe it should go beyond giving something up, and be a time to add something for God. Adding more study time in the Bible; adding more time to volunteer; adding more prayer, gifts, time for God in/throughout our lives. Even when we give up things we can then dedicate the outcome to God, for instance, I am going to give up those fatty mochas at Better Brew, so I can become a healthier servant of God.
This Lent we will be having Soup and study on Wednesdays, starting with Ash Wed. We will gather for a meal together at 6:30pm and then we will be studying The 24 Hours That Changed The World (video), by Adam Hamilton, at 7:15pm. If you are not able to make all the Wednesdays, you are welcome to join us for when you can. The studies are such that they are self-contained and you can understand and participate in one without being at the one before.
Another February event will be our Visioning Retreat on Feb. 11th at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch (see article further in the newsletter). This is a time for us to gather and figure out how we as a congregation are going to embody the Love of Christ in our church, in our community and in our world.
Let us not only celebrate our love for one another this February, but also our love for God.
PINE ISLAND
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Reverend Carolyn Westlake
200 North Main, Pine Island Minnesota, 55963
Telephone Us At: 507.356.4553
WORSHIP SERVICES EVERY SUNDAY AT 9AM - SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 10:15AM
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS - 9 AM - 2:15 PM MONDAY - THURSDAY & CLOSED FRIDAYS
