FIRST FRUITS. February 2014 Volume 17 No. 2

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1 FIRST FRUITS WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS BECAUSE HE GAVE US HIS ONLY SON February 2014 Volume 17 No. 2 First Fruits February What is Agape Love, Anyway? You have probably heard the term agape love, but may not be clear on what it means. How is it any different from the other ways we use the word love? (You will remember that Pastor Andy ended his articles for First Fruits with the words In His Agape. ) The Greek word agape is often translated love in the New Testament. How is agape love different from other types of love? The essence of agape love is self-sacrifice. Unlike our English word love, agape is not used to refer to romantic love. Nor does it refer to close friendship or brotherly loved. It does not mean charity. Agape love is unique and is distinguished by its nature and character. Agape is love which is of and from God, whose very nature is love itself. The apostle John affirms this in 1 John 4:8: God is love. God does not merely love. He is love itself. Everything God does flows from His love. God loves because that is His nature and the expression of His being. He loves the unlovable and the unlovely (us!), not because we deserve to be loved, but because it is His nature to love us. God s love is displayed most clearly at the cross, where Christ died for the unworthy creatures who were dead in trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1), not because we did anything to deserve it, but God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). The object of God s agape love never does anything to merit His love. His love was demonstrated when He sent His Son into the world to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) and to provide eternal life to those He sought and saved. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for those He loves. In the same way, we are to love others sacrificially. Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of sacrifice for the sake of others, even for those who may care nothing at all for us, or even hate us, as the Jews did the Samaritans. Sacrificial love is not based on a feeling, but a determined act of will, a joyful resolve to put the welfare of others above our own. But this type of love does not come naturally to humans. Because of our fallen nature, we are incapable of producing such a love. If we are to love as God loves, that love that agape can only come from its true Source. This is the love which has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us when we became His children (Romans 5:5). Because that love is now in our hearts, we can obey Jesus who said, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another (John 13:34). This new commandment involves loving one another as He loved us sacrificially, even to the point of death. But, again, it is clear that only God can generate within us the kind of self-sacrificing love which is the proof that we are His children. By this we have known the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers (1 John 3:16). Because of God s love toward us, we are now able to love one another. (Excerpts taken from the Internet -- gotquestions.org)

2 First School And Day Care News We are excited about starting up the new nursery! We will have new babies joining us starting on Monday, January 27 th. The children will celebrate Valentine s Day on Friday, February 14 th. God Bless, Diane Thank you so much for the gift of money and the gift card to Heavenly Helpers. I appreciate your kindness! Christine 2/02 Psalm 1; Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 5:1-12 1/09 Psalm 112; Isaiah 58:5-9a, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5: /16 Psalm 119:1-16; Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, Matthew 5: /23 Psalm 103:1-13; Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48

3 2/01 Madie Mathews 2/18 Kyle House 2/20 Ellis Lundy 2/21 Ty Schoenfield 2/23 Tammy Campbell 2/27 Nora Borak Meridian - Henrietta Bram, room 402 Teddy Ash Anitra Haynes George Morris Dorothy Atchetee Shanelle Henson Nancy Mozisek Evon & Linda Atchetee Nora Hollingsworth Lloyd Nelson Charles & Vernell Bard Robert Hollingsworth Forrest & Norma Newton Lorene Bard Jewel-Deen House Odis & Lorraine Newton Lois Barosh Cindy Howell Sharon Nielsen Donald Berglund Debbie Hubenak Joe Novak Buck & Judy Bezdek Michael Hughes Debbie Reeves Diane Boyd George Jalowy Dave Schoelman Kristine Mock Carroll Bonnie Jones Gloria Schoenfield Joan Carter Marie Kight Ed Spradlin Mary Carter Justin Lormand Ann Strarup Bill Englund Connie Martin Esther Swanson Lisa Englund Jack McDonald Andy Talbert Eddie Graeter Mary & Frank Medina Mary Lou Thane Elnora Hadash Joyce Me ndez Jeff Thigpen Ashlyn Hanna David Moore J.P. Watson Anitra Haynes 2/11 Justin Cerny 2/15 Cori Bram 2/23 Ty Schoenfield 2/25 Tammy Campbell 2/26 Teresa Berglund Pray for our loved ones In the Military Jake Barosh Justin Cerny Sarah Langston Michael Monreal WE RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US OR 2/02 James & Sheila Herrington 2/14 Eugene & Judy Bezdek 2/14 Lionel & Shirley Chatel 2/18 Warren & Helen Johnson Office hours: Tues & Thurs: 8:00am -4:30pm Wed: 8:00am 12:00pm Phone: office@firstlutheranec.com COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, February 13 6:00 p.m.

4 Newly elected Church Council members: Calvin Borak, Nerissa House, Don Al Middlebrook, Ted Schoenfield Continuing Church Council members: Billie Jean Bram, Doug Mathews, Daniel Wilfert Elected to First School Board: Cindy Mathews, Cathy Schoenfield, Diane Stewart Continuing on the First School Board: Jaki Smith, Claudia Wilfert Elected to Cemetery Board: David Kight Continuing on the Cemetery Board: Calvin Borak, Nora Borak WOMEN OF THE WORD MEETING Monday, February 10 th 6 PM 2014 Annual Scandinavian Pancake Supper Sunday, February 23 rd 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free Will Offering It is that time once again! We need your help to make our traditional pancake supper a success. Please check the sign up sheet in the Narthex and let us know what you will do to help. It will take all of us to make this event possible. Thank you! Prayer s February 4 th & 18 th 6 PM Auditors 2014: Diane Stewart, Sharon Nielsen Convention Assembly Delegates : Helen Kight, Nelda Wagner, Karen Middlebrook Nominating Committee : Diane Stewart, Lynn Talafuse, Nelda Wagner Congratulations! The women of the church are invited to a baby shower for Lynette Joines Hernandez. It will be on Saturday, February 1 st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. She and Saby are having a boy! Everyone is invited! A Prayer for Our Nation s Leaders (President s Day, February 17) Almighty King, You rule all things in heaven and on earth according to Your gracious will to benefit the Holy Christian Church. We thank You for providing wisdom to those who established our nation. In our present day, grant us wise and unselfish leaders and faithful citizens. Bring us to repentance, and guide us by Your Word, for righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Amen ---Portals of Prayer (January-March, 2014) p.108

5 February 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 w/communion 3 4 Prayer WOW Church Council w/communion 23 Scandinavian Pancake Supper 5PM-7PM Prayer Newsletter Items Due February Responsibilities ASSISTING MINISTER: Carl Schoeneberg SEXTON: David Kight USHERS: Ed Campbell, Lionel Chatel ALTAR GUILD: Gloria Campbell, Jaki Smith ACOLYTE READER 2 nd Ty Schoenfield Helen Johnson 9 th Sawyer Schoenfield Ty Schoenfield 16 th Ty Schoenfield Kirk Marek 23 rd Sawyer Schoenfield Karen Middlebrook February FLOWER CALENDAR 2 nd James & Sheila Herrington 9 th Elaine Wiggington 16 th Charlotte Watson If you are unable to serve on your date, please find someone to take your place. 23 rd Henrietta Bram

6 First Lutheran Church 304 Oscar El Campo, TX ESTABLISHED FEB 1893 Worshipping Christ and Sharing the Word for over a century. Helen Marie Kight, Organist Christine Richter, Office Manager Diane Garcia, Director of First School Join us on FACEBOOK or check us out at CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS: Calvin Borak, Billie Jean Bram, Nerissa House, Doug Mathews, Don Al Middlebrook, Ted Schoenfield, & Daniel Wilfert. Our Newsletter can be found on our website at