FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
VALENTINE’S DAY AND LENT
February is famous for Valentine’s Day, a day that keeps florists, chocolate makers, and Hallmark in business. It may seem a little odd that Lent begins eight days after that holiday this year. Nobody ever got rich selling Ash Wednesday flowers, Lenten greeting cards, or Good Friday chocolates. But these two holidays share a common theme: love. Even if Lent is remembered in a slightly different way than Valentine’s Day, the cord of love entwines them both.
Valentine, after all, wasn’t some Don Juan or Casanova. He was a priest in Rome, who was martyred sometime during the third century A.D. Although many legends later developed about him in the late medieval era, there is relatively little that can be said with certainty about him other than that he showed his greatest love toward God by being martyred.
Lent also reminds us of one who was willing to give more than mere chocolates and flowers. He gave His very life for us, a fact that we will particularly focus on for six and a half weeks.
NEWS FROM THE YOUNG ADULTS
On Saturday, January 14, the Young Adult Ministry (YAM) enjoyed a matinee performance of the Pirates of Penzance. It was live theater at its best, with the audience right in the midst of all the action. YAM was more than happy to invite the congregation as a whole and was also glad to see that others besides the YAM members were interested in the play.
On Sunday, February 5, YAM will go to brunch at a restaurant within walking distance of the church. If you are interested in coming, talk to Holly Bray—or just show up on the 5th.
TAKE A LEAP AND HELP THE FOOD PANTRY
by Rick Frank
WOW! Another year has flown by! Thanks to you, 2011 was a pretty good year for First Bethlehem’s Food Pantry. Donations were less than six dollars short of what was spent to supply needed items to the people in the neighborhood. Thank you again for sharing your blessings with those less fortunate.
I have a special request. We are in need of women’s items. As you contemplate your next donation to the pantry, please consider furnishing items that would be of use to women, such as, undergarments, deodorant, personal items and the like.
As always, not only do I appreciate those that donate to the food pantry, I’m extremely thankful for the people that donate their time every Wednesday, to make it possible for the pantry to be open. When you see them, please say thank you to Pastor Kellerman, Clementine, Vicky, Valencia and Dawn.
This year is a “Leap” year. Remember, we have an extra day to thank God for!
LENTEN SCHEDULE
- Ash Wednesday is February 22. There will be a service at 7:30 p.m.
- Lenten midweek services will be held on the five following Wednesdays (February 29; March 7, 14, 21, and 28), all at 7:30 p.m. The theme this year will be “Peter Learns to Live” and will explore what Peter learned later in life because of what he saw Jesus undergo.
- Holy Week services (Go ahead and mark your calendar!) will be at 7:30 on Maundy Thursday (April 5), Good Friday (April 6), and the Vigil of Easter (April 7).
- A Lenten devotional booklet should be available sometime in early to mid-February.
- Because of the choir director’s schedule, the choir is rehearsing every Monday from now until February 13. It will go on break until April 2, when it will dust off the pieces previously rehearsed, just in time for Holy Week and Easter.
GENERATIONS
The Generations program continues to serve a meal to around 30 to 40 senior citizens each second Saturday of the month. We welcome volunteers, including people who can help out only one time. We would especially appreciate volunteers next month on March 10. We know that we will be shorthanded on that day, but we don’t want to stop this very worthwhile activity.
If you can help us on February 11 or any second Saturday of the month, talk to Joe Hunter if you are interested.
Latest Newsletter
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
VALENTINE’S DAY AND LENT
February is famous for Valentine’s Day, a day that keeps florists, chocolate makers, and Hallmark in business. It may seem a little odd that Lent begins eight days after that holiday this year. Nobody ever got rich selling Ash Wednesday flowers, Lenten greeting cards, or Good Friday chocolates. But these two holidays share a common theme: love. Even if Lent is remembered in a slightly different way than Valentine’s Day, the cord of love entwines them both.
Valentine, after all, wasn’t some Don Juan or Casanova. He was a priest in Rome, who was martyred sometime during the third century A.D. Although many legends later developed about him in the late medieval era, there is relatively little that can be said with certainty about him other than that he showed his greatest love toward God by being martyred.
Lent also reminds us of one who was willing to give more than mere chocolates and flowers. He gave His very life for us, a fact that we will particularly focus on for six and a half weeks.
NEWS FROM THE YOUNG ADULTS
On Saturday, January 14, the Young Adult Ministry (YAM) enjoyed a matinee performance of the Pirates of Penzance. It was live theater at its best, with the audience right in the midst of all the action. YAM was more than happy to invite the congregation as a whole and was also glad to see that others besides the YAM members were interested in the play.
On Sunday, February 5, YAM will go to brunch at a restaurant within walking distance of the church. If you are interested in coming, talk to Holly Bray—or just show up on the 5th.
TAKE A LEAP AND HELP THE FOOD PANTRY
by Rick Frank
WOW! Another year has flown by! Thanks to you, 2011 was a pretty good year for First Bethlehem’s Food Pantry. Donations were less than six dollars short of what was spent to supply needed items to the people in the neighborhood. Thank you again for sharing your blessings with those less fortunate.
I have a special request. We are in need of women’s items. As you contemplate your next donation to the pantry, please consider furnishing items that would be of use to women, such as, undergarments, deodorant, personal items and the like.
As always, not only do I appreciate those that donate to the food pantry, I’m extremely thankful for the people that donate their time every Wednesday, to make it possible for the pantry to be open. When you see them, please say thank you to Pastor Kellerman, Clementine, Vicky, Valencia and Dawn.
This year is a “Leap” year. Remember, we have an extra day to thank God for!
LENTEN SCHEDULE
GENERATIONS
The Generations program continues to serve a meal to around 30 to 40 senior citizens each second Saturday of the month. We welcome volunteers, including people who can help out only one time. We would especially appreciate volunteers next month on March 10. We know that we will be shorthanded on that day, but we don’t want to stop this very worthwhile activity.
If you can help us on February 11 or any second Saturday of the month, talk to Joe Hunter if you are interested.