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Celebrate Valentine's Day!

Did you know we think there really was a St. Valentine?!! Valentine was of Roman nobility living in the 3rd Century. As a Christian, he witnessed the arrest and mistreatment of many followers of Jesus. Legend has it that one of those arrested by Roman soldiers was a young blind girl named Theodora. She was among a group attending a Christian wedding. They were all thrown into prison to await their deaths in the Roman arena by wolves. Theodora's father happened to be the jailor and he was in anguish that his daughter was arrested. Valentine met with her and the others and plotted their escape. Red-dyed parchment notes were sent from Valentine to the prisoners planning on their escape. He encouraged them to remain strong and unafraid and he reminded them of the love of the God who sent his only Son for the world. Theodora delivered these first "valentines" to the adults and children imprisoned. However, the Roman guards discovered the escape plans. Valentine offered his own life in exchange for the prisoners. It is believed that he died on February 14, 269 AD. Pope Gelasius named February 14 as St. Valentine's Day to honor this man and his sacrificial love. We now celebrate Valentine's Day as a day for Romance among couples. But its origins are closer to AGAPE love, the Christian understanding of love for one another as modeled by Jesus' sacrifice for us. There are several different versions of the beginning of Valentine's day but this is the most common one with some substance to it. Have a GREAT Valentine's Day and remember to not only show romantic love....but God's love to others. Linda

Psalm for a Winter Day

I found myself very tired of winter this morning and then I ran across a "Prayer: Psalm for a Winter Day" in a book entitled Fresh Bread by Joyce Rupp. It helped me see this time of cold and barrenness in a new way.

Surely I am not the only one who needs a new perspective on what seems a longer than usual winter time. I pray that you appreciate as much as I have.

*Prayer: Psalm for a Winter Day*

Lord God, creator of all seasons and ages,

I praise you for all that is beautiful in this winter day of February coldness:

the strong, black patterns of trees standing tall,

the utter whiteness of snow as it layers the lawn,

the stillness broken only by the sound of a brave snowbird,

the bush under the rainspout drenched in ice.

Oh, all that is glistening with cold this morning, praise the Lord!

All creatures snuggled away in nests, caves, and trees, praise the Lord!

Oh, all peoples bundled in winter wear, scurrying to work, praise the Lord!

Cars, trucks, and buses chugging along the freeway, praise the Lord!

Cows, steers, and sheep on hillsides, braving cold, praise the Lord!

Oh, crunch and crackle of shoes on frosty snowfall, praise the Lord!

All ponds and lakes deeply frozen and lovely formed, praise the Lord!

Little rabbits leaving deep footprints 'neath my window, praise the Lord!

Yes, all the winter world, whose beauty we so often miss,

whose weather we so often condemn, praise the Lord,

and bless God's holy name,

for our world has wonders and tiny miracles

if only our hearts as well as our eyes are open to see.

Joyce Rupp

May you find in the things that surround you voices that praise God for all that is and for all that is yet to come.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Peggy

The Gregorys Are Coming!

Written by Lane Bailey Thursday, 04 February 2010 14:48

Millennial Parents

Are you a Millennial Parent??? That means you were born between 1982 and 2000!!! Your children are in our ministry here at LUMC! Did you know there were more babies born in 2007 than at the height of the Baby Boom??(credit Jan/Feb. 2010 Children's Ministry Magazine)

So how do we try to minister to you and your children??!! Millennials grew up with technology. You are used to immediate response through texting and cell phones....so that means I will try to respond to calls and emails within 24 hours! And I do text...especially to keep up with my own kids. And now I blog...which I will try to update every week on Mondays!

Young United Methodists at LUMC

Written by Danielle Mills Monday, 18 January 2010 00:00

The Young United Methodists at LUMC are a newly organized group.