Loved ones…you who are loved by our Lord,
Valentine’s Day is Friday. But that day is more than just remembering your loved one (spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend…). It is remembering what St. Valentine represented to the church at large in his day–and through the ages since. Here’s just a tidbit of information.
A physician and priest living in Rome during the rule of the Emperor Claudius, Valentine has become one of
the noted martyrs of the third century. The commemoration of his death, which occurred in the year
270, became part of the calendar of remembrance in the early church of the West. Tradition suggests
that on the day of his execution for his Christian faith, he left a note of encouragement for a child of his
jailer written on an irregularly-shaped piece of paper. This greeting became a pattern for millions of
written expressions of love and caring that now are the highlight of Valentine’s Day in many nations.
(From http://www.lcms.org/ Biographies of Commemorated Saints)
To love is to sacrifice. Look what Jesus did for us–sacrificing His innocent life in suffering and death on the cross for our sins. By His wounds, we are healed! Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life [sacrificially] for his friends” (John 15:13 ESV).
By the power of Christ’s love for us, we are moved in love (even like St. Valentine) to offer up ourselves sacrificially for the good of our neighbor–loving them, caring for them, encouraging them, comforting them, helping them, showing mercy and being as Luther said “little Christs” to our neighbor.
Celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. Say: “I love you” but also show that “I love you.” Again, remember that Christian love is sacrificial love–putting the needs of others before yourselF.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jr. Confirmation Class is this evening at 6:30PM.
Ladies of Holy Trinity meet this evening at 7:00PM.
Wednesday Bible Study at 10:00AM. We continue our study on “The Kingdom of God.”
Church Council meets Wednesday at 7:00PM.
Thursday…all things scheduled may be compromised due to the BIG STORM!!!
If no storm, Bible study at 6:15PM
Choir at 7:00PM.
Congregational Meeting this Sunday, Feb. 16th, after Divine Service.
SERVING THE LORD THIS WEEK:
Ushers: Brian Lassy
Gene Giblin
Elder: Brian Lassy
Altar: Mary Wollenberg
Acolyte: Lexi Belanger
Coffee: R/D Lassy
Have a great and blessed week in the Lord!
Pastor Kotila