The Torch January - February 2018 To receive and share Christ s embrace God s Valentine Happy New Year! The first day of each new year has become symbolic of new beginnings. We look at the empty calendar as a chance for a fresh start. 365 opportunities for new possibilities stretch out before us, inviting us to fill the year with new adventures and rise to new challenges. One of the challenges of switching The Torch to a bi-monthly publication, as we did last year, is keeping ahead of the calendar so that we cover everything that is scheduled for the coming 60 days. That is why, while you are still putting Christmas decorations away (have you even started yet?), and Christmas carols are still ringing in our ears, I m writing about Valentine s Day and the season of Lent. Lent starts a little early this year, with Ash Wednesday falling on February 14th or Valentine s Day. At first, that may seem a little strange. These two events certainly seem to be at odds with other. While the rest of the world is celebrating a holiday that has become a multi-billion-dollar bonanza for the floral, greeting card, and confectionary industries, Christians will be attending worship services where they will have ashes smeared on their foreheads in the sign of the cross to remind them that they are dust and to dust they will return. St. Valentine was a Roman Catholic priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius II (AD 268-270). Under his rule, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. To solve the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year 270. Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it From Your Valentine. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded). Valentine reminds us that there comes a time when you have to lay your life on the line for what you believe. And with the power of the Holy Spirit we can do that--even to the point of death, says Father Frank O'Gara of Dublin, Ireland. With that in mind, maybe it isn t so odd to commemorate these two very different events on the same day. While Valentine s Day is an opportunity to let our loved ones and sweethearts know how much we love them, Ash Wednesday reminds us of God s love for us. UPCOMING EVENTS Board of Elders Meeting: Sun, Jan 7, 11:30 am Sun, Feb 4, 11:30 am PPC Meeting: Sun, Jan 14, 11:30 am Ash Wed. Services: Wed, Feb 14, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm Lenten Services Begin: Wed, Feb 21, 1:00 pm Men s : Thursdays, 8:00 am, Hospital Packing for the Troops: Tues, Jan 30, 9:00 am Tues, Feb 27, 9:00 am Torch Articles Due: Mon, Feb 19, 9:00 am Adult Choir: Thurs 2:00 pm Bell Choir: Thurs 1:00 pm : Weds 9:00 am Kids : Fridays 8:30 am
P a g e 2 So, as you spend your time and money picking out just the right Valentine for your special someone, take time to remember God s Valentine to you: the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ crucified for your sins. As we approach the season of Lent, a time of repentance and renewal, we can be thankful that God held nothing back when it came to showing His love for us. Saved to Share,
P a g e 3 MINISTRY OF MISSIONS Our current Ministries in action are the Quilting Group, Packing for Troops, Food Bank Donation, Kids and supporting the Pregnancy Center. Kids has volunteers from 6 area churches as well as a dedicated staff of volunteers from First Lutheran. We have received positive feedback from the parents of our students and the reports from the schools have shown improvement in areas of spelling and reading. The children and volunteers participated in writing letters to Veterans in celebration of their service to our country. Mike Meyers was instrumental in getting the letters to them. We look forward to 2018 and the opportunities to serve our church and community. Gerrie Johnson, Missions Chairman Kids Community volunteer Barb works with Zane on word attack. FLC member Katie works with Evelyn on reading and comprehension.
P a g e 4 Kids Students and volunteers enjoy breakfast and Bible time. FLC members Jody and Kathy work with Jonathan on reading skills.
P a g e 5 Me, An Evangelist? by William J McKay Part 2 Five reasons people don t want to be evangelized: 1. People don t see the Good News as Relevant to their daily lives. 2. The church people see is one they don t want to join. 3. People reject Christianity because of past bad experiences. 4. People don t think they can (or want to) fit the Christian image. 5. People don t see their own need for a Savior. It is frightening and painful to face their need. Our evangelism must aim at creating a relationship in which this will be possible. Caring for others with accepting love can help them find the courage to face their deep needs and admit they need God. Then we can gently direct them to the God who has already met their needs in Jesus. Sharon Blanchard, Evangelism Committee A Love Story Vivian Osborne was surprised December 16 at our church with a concert by her daughter, Cynthia Makris, and her son-inlaw, Raimo Sirkiä, world renown opera singers from Finland. Their performance included many love songs in honor of Vivian and her late husband, Lou. It was a beautiful concert. Merry Christmas, Vivian! (Photos: Left: Raimo Sirkiä; below: Cynthia Makris and Vivian and friends).
P a g e 6 January Birthdays: 14th Janet Varhus 23rd Jessie Carstens 23rd Gerald Gregory OPERATION SPIRIT FROM THE HEART OF THE ROCKIES Homemade Cookies Needed Please! Chocolate is OK TRAVEL SIZE SUN SCREEN, SHAMPOO, LOTION MAGAZINES FOR MEN & WOMEN TRAVEL SIZE TOOTHPASTE FLEXIBLE INDIVIDUAL BANDAIDS TRAVEL SIZE SUN BLISTER PADS BATTERIES AA INDIVIDUAL SIZE WIPES COFFEE PACKETS SINGLES TO GO - DRINK MIX ANY SNACK BARS, ie. - GRANOLA RICE KRISPIES TREATS INDIVIDUAL CHAP STICK CUP OF SOUP RAMON NOODLES HARD CANDY BEEF JERKY TRAVEL SIZE FOOT POWDER February Birthdays: 2nd Jim Carstens 9th Kathy Martin 14 th Judy Fecht 14th Justin & Travis Eagles- Soukup 15th Johanna Stinnett 21st Linda Hayden 21 st Lee Shuey 22 nd Rachel Stinnett 28 th Linda Ryff January Anniversaries: None February Anniversaries: None Any cards and letters you would like to send would be GREATLY appreciated!! Monetary Donations are also needed to cover the costs of shipping and purchasing other supplies and items for the troops. Please make checks payable to First Lutheran Church and write Operation Spirit on the memo line. PLEASE PRAY FOR: Mark Cunningham, CH(CPT) James Brown, Anah Kotila and PFC Taylor Garrett. PACK TROOP BOXES 9 A.M. FRIDAY Nov. 10 for November and December
P a g e 7 JANUARY 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 1:00p -Bell Choir 11:30 Elder Meeting 11:30 PPC 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1:00p -Bell Choir 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1:00p -Bell Choir 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1:00p -Bell Choir 28 29 30 31 Packing for Troops
P a g e 8 FEBRUARY 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 11:30 Elder Meeting 1 2 3 1:00p- Bell Choir 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1:00p- Bell Choir 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1:00 a and 7:00p Ash Weds Services 1:00p- Bell Choir 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Torch Articles Due 1:00p Lenten Service 25 26 27 28 Packing for Troops
P a g e 9 First Lutheran Church Pastor Bill Cate Sunday 9:15 Worship Phone: 719-539-4311 Email: Firstlutheran@ bresnan.net Website: www.flcsalida.org First Lutheran Church 1237 F Street Salida, CO 81201 719-539-4311