Church
This week’s Devotional
Pastor Harold George, Hampshire Charge UM Churches
You are loved
Last week we celebrated Valentine’s Day — a day we pay tribute to love. I have thought a lot about love this week. We have used the word love so often it has little meaning anymore. We say we love pizza and ice cream. We love this movie and that TV show. I love to hunt and I love camouflage clothing. The only problem is when my pants get ripped I throw them away and get a new pair. How much did I really love the old pair?
It seems like love in marriage is also something to be thrown away. The divorce rate in this country is really high. The U.S. Census figures state that 40 to 50 percent of marriages today will end in divorce. We take a vow to love and cherish for better or worse and then throw away marriages at the first hint of trouble. The love we know in the world is temporary. Even if we hold on to it, one day it will be gone as we leave this world. So many people in this world only know the type that is temporary, the kind that has conditions and is based on what they have to give. So many people feel unworthy to receive love. So many people think they will never be loved. So many people live in this world never knowing true love. The Bible tells us that God is love. God loves us in a way we find hard to understand.
God’s love is agape love. Agape love is unconditional love, selfless love, sacrificial love, divine love. The most famous Bible verse is John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believed in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” He gave his son to die for our sins, so we may live. Make that verse personal, read it that God so loved me that he gave his son so I would not perish but have life eternal. Jesus had you in mind when he was on that cross. God loves us all. We do not earn his love by being good or going to Church or by how we look. God loves everybody equally. Also, nothing we can do can make God love us less. Romans 8:39 tells us nothing can separate us from the love of God. We have love in God that is everlasting, that is, real with no conditions.
As Christians we are to live this love to show it to others. There are so many people who need God’s love. Is there someone you know with whom you can share it today?
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Church Bulletin Board – Week of 2-22-12
Lenten luncheons begin Ash Wednesday
The Romney Area Christian Ministerial Association will once again be sponsoring a series of Lenten luncheons each Wednesday during Lent. This year’s theme is “The Amazing Names of the Messiah.” The Rev. Dr. Roy Knight, pastor of Romney First United Methodist Church, will give the first week’s brief message entitled, “What’s In A Name?” The service begins Ash Wednesday, (today), at noon in the fellowship hall of Romney First United Methodist Church, 49 N. High St. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the Help Our Neighbor Fund. Guest speaker for Feb. 29 will be the Rev. Kenneth Caplinger, with Ebenezer/Springfield and the Episcopal church hosting.
Kids for Christ planning New York trip
Assembly of God Kids for Christ youth group is planning a one-day bus trip to New York City, Saturday, April 21. If interested, please contact Connie Haslacker for more information at 304-257-7583 or 304-822-5609 and leave a message or email connie_ag@hotmail.com.
Ash Wednesday service Feb. 22
An Ash Wednesday service will be held at Forest Glen Church, Green Spring, at 6 p.m., Feb. 22. Everyone is welcome.
Mountain View Assembly holding Beth Moore study
The women of Mountain View Assembly, Capon Bridge, will hold a six-week DVD Beth Moore Old Testament book study entitled “Esther: It’s Tough Being A Woman.” The study leads women through a journey of tragedy and triumph, teaching them how to trust God’s providence in the tough times. The class will meet on Wednesday’s beginning Feb. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This study is for women ages 15 to 100. There is no charge for the class. For more info., contact Lana Lombardi, 304-856-3339 or lanasworkshop@citlink.net.
World Day of Prayer March 2
Augusta community churches will hold a World Day of Prayer service at Christ Community Church on Friday, March 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The theme will be “Let Justice Prevail.” Pastors will be participating along with special music. An offering will be received for the Community Ministerial Emergency Fund. The women of Malaysia have written the World Day of Prayer service and everyone is invited to join in celebrating their unity in Christ.
Lenten study series begins Feb. 29
Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 29, a series of studies will be held from 11-11:40 a.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays just prior to the Lenten luncheons at the Romney First United Methodist Church. The studies will utilize the Society of St. Andrews Lenten Devotional booklet, “Living Proof,” which calls us to wonder about Jesus’s life, death and resurrection during the special Easter season. A short reflection, scripture reading and prayer constitute each day’s study. The Society of St. Andrews is a national charitable organization focusing on the feeding of hungry chi8ldren and adults here in America. The six study sessions will be held the following Wednesdays: Feb. 29, March 7, March 14, March 21, March 28 and April 4. A study booklet will be provided and participants are encouraged to pick them up at the church office prior to the first session on Feb. 29. May our journey together through Lent bring us to Easter joy.
Friday Nite Alive Feb. 24
Romney Church of the Nazarene, corner of Sioux Lane and Elk Place, will hold a Friday Nite Alive event Feb. 24 from 6-8 p.m. The theme is Movie night: dying to know — about death and the hope beyond this life. For ages 5 and up. Come and enjoy food, fellowship and fun.
