Good afternoon parish,
Happy Valentine’s Day weekend! This Sunday (2/12) we will base our message on the Hebrew Testament lectionary reading from Deuteronomy (30:15-20) which offers two paths for the future: one (faithfulness to Torah/God’s way) leads to life and fulfillment, while the other (rejecting God’s way) leads to destruction and disappointment. The Handbell choir will by playing, and we will light a candle in loving memory of David Rand, a longtime member of Calvary UMC who passed away this week.
The Worship Guide will include a free-will offering envelope for any who wish to contribute to the earthquake relief effort (UMCOR) for Turkey and Syria. As of today (Friday), over 23,700 have died, with thousands injured and homeless.
Also on Sunday, our Youth Group will distribute subs ordered for the Super Bowl and will enjoy a Pizza Party. On Saturday (February 18th), we will offer a Public Supper (5 pm, UMCA) with music provided by the Park Avenue Pickers.
I close with a Valentine metaphor by Vicent Van Gogh: “Love is something eternal—the aspect may change, but not the essence. There is the same difference in a person before and after he (or she) is in love as there is in an unlighted lamp and one that is burning. The lamp was there and it was a good lamp, but now it is shedding light, too, and that is its real function.”
As we grow in our love for God and neighbor, let us shine with compassion,
Pastor Steve Bascom