Pastor’s Corner
Loving
“You don’t have to be in love to love.” Those words jumped off of the page from the Hallmark Valentine’s Day promotion in my E-mail. Obviously, they were promoting cards and gifts, but I was reminded again that this day isn’t just about romance.
I remember when I was in Elementary School filling out the Valentine’s Day cards for my class. The teachers sent home a list of names of every student in the class. There was only one rule. Every single student must have a card. It wasn’t about popularity. It was about knowing you were valued by others.
I admit, there were students I liked better than others. And back then, I was much more comfortable being friends with the girls, I was sure that the boys had cooties. And writing their names on the cards was downright embarrassing. I carefully sorted through those cards, separating them into the ones that used the word like, and the ones that used the words love. Girls got love, boys got like.
Back then, the pack of cards always had a teacher card. Even teachers needed to be told that they were valued.
I think this may have been one of the most powerful messages that I learned in school. Every person deserves to be shown love.
God has commanded us to love one another as God has always loved us. God does not distinguish between those we are close to and those we are not. Just like my classes as a child, God calls upon us to value each and every person. Not because they are somehow worthy, but because God loves them.
Love redeems. When we love the unworthy, we are a part of their redemption.
Last week, I participated in the Homeless Point in Time count in our county. We provided special backpacks for anyone who was “sleeping rough,” without a safe shelter. This included warm socks, gloves and a hat, “hot hands”, snacks, cleaning wipes, and tissues.
One of the women I interviewed had been living in a tent for 14 months. The friend she had lunch with each day at the soup kitchen was impoverished but living in HUD housing.
Just before I left, I stopped to say good-bye. And I found her there, carefully separating the contents of her backpack, giving her friend a part of the “bounty” that she had been given. Anything she didn’t need; she gave to her friend.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I challenge you to be like her. Find someone who needs special love, or a cause you can support, and do something special for someone else. Reach out to that person you wouldn’t normally help. Show them the love that God has shown to you. On Valentine’s Day, show someone some love, who might not love you back.
You don’t have to be in love to love. Everyone deserves to be shown they are loved. Two important things to remember.
With love for each of YOU! Pastor Bobbie
Retrieving Freedom
Repeat article:
I am Andromeda Brouillette. I’m working on my silver award for Girl Scouts. I’m doing a supply drive for Retrieving Freedom. Retrieving Freedom is a program for service dogs that are in training and the service dogs are for people who military and veterans and people who have Autism. They are opening a facility in Sedalia. I’m trying to get the supplies by January 12, since the dogs will be arriving in mid-January. They will be moving into the facility before then, so we can take donations before then as well.
Some of the supplies we are collecting are: cleaning supplies, paper supplies, towels, kitchen supplies, queen bed sheets, toiletries, blanket/throws, pillows, laundry supplies, pet supplies and toys, raised water bowl platforms, fabric treat bags (easily cleanable), collar bandannas, lint roller hooks.
We can also take: cash donations and gift cards from Walmart, Pet smart and Amazon.
*********************************************************************************************
Section L
Longwood Presbyterian News
Presbyterian Women
PW did not meet in January due to weather. We did discuss after worship service with the whole congregation the upcoming Chili Supper. We discussed the supply needs and several donations were given to me to purchase supplies. Total collected was $100 and that covered, within $10 or so, all of the needed ingredients. We also discussed that those who made pies to please bring 2 and others to bring what they were comfortable with making for dessert. I think we all prayed that the weather would cooperate.
The Chili Supper was held on Saturday, January 25th and we had a light turn out, probably because the gravel roads were still slick. Those who did attend had their pick of a variety of pies, cheesecake, cakes, brownies & cinnamon rolls for dessert. Of course we also had our chili, hot dogs, chili dogs, and vegetable beef soup, with lots of different toppings to put on dogs and chili. We want to thank all of our hard workers who made this event possible, it takes us all. But most of all we want to thank our supporters in the community who came out to participate and were very generous to our church. It was nice for a lot of us just to get out of the house after being cooped up due to weather and enjoy visiting with neighbors, friends and family. Our total for the evening was $1058.00. Thank you--Everyone!
Our next PW meeting is scheduled Wednesday, Feb. 5th, weather cooperating.--Sharon
Cares and Concerns
Please keep these folks in your prayers. Some are in nursing homes and would also enjoy your visit:
Section R
Range Line Presbyterian News
Submitted by Pastor Bobbie
on behalf of Georgia Reid
News from RLC
January was a quiet month, as Pastor Bobbie started a series on God’s Promises. Weather kept us from meeting one week. Our congregational meeting was held. Ted Coffelt entered Sylvia Thompson, and is reunited with Helen. Following her hospitalization and rehab, Georgia Reid has moved to a one bedroom apartment at Cedarhurst. They were able to connect her phone using the same number she had at home. Both welcome visitors.
Our Kids
On January 27 (delayed because of multiple snow days) Northwest Elementary recognized our students for 2nd Quarter achievements at the Elementary. Students received awards for outstanding classroom academics, great Mustang character, perfect attendance, 5th/6th grade Honor Roll, and Accelerated Reader certifications.
February 9, at 2 PM, Allie and Cassie Ballinger and Andromeda Brouillette will participate at a piano recital at New Bethel (South of Sedalia). Congratulations to them on all of their preparation and hard work!
Cares and Concerns
Ted and Helen Coffelt
Bill and Margaret Schlomer
Elijah Johnson
Alan Meyer
Kenny Reid
Esther Brown
Georgia Reid
DATES AHEAD
Feb. 2--First Communion of 2020
Feb. 12--Senior Supper
Feb. 19--Session meeting
********************************************************************************************
From the Internet:
Six Little Stories with Lots of Meanings:
Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.
Be a reflection of what you’d like to see in others! If you want love, give love. If you want honesty, give honesty. If you want respect, give respect. You get in return, what you give!
Loving
“You don’t have to be in love to love.” Those words jumped off of the page from the Hallmark Valentine’s Day promotion in my E-mail. Obviously, they were promoting cards and gifts, but I was reminded again that this day isn’t just about romance.
I remember when I was in Elementary School filling out the Valentine’s Day cards for my class. The teachers sent home a list of names of every student in the class. There was only one rule. Every single student must have a card. It wasn’t about popularity. It was about knowing you were valued by others.
I admit, there were students I liked better than others. And back then, I was much more comfortable being friends with the girls, I was sure that the boys had cooties. And writing their names on the cards was downright embarrassing. I carefully sorted through those cards, separating them into the ones that used the word like, and the ones that used the words love. Girls got love, boys got like.
Back then, the pack of cards always had a teacher card. Even teachers needed to be told that they were valued.
I think this may have been one of the most powerful messages that I learned in school. Every person deserves to be shown love.
God has commanded us to love one another as God has always loved us. God does not distinguish between those we are close to and those we are not. Just like my classes as a child, God calls upon us to value each and every person. Not because they are somehow worthy, but because God loves them.
Love redeems. When we love the unworthy, we are a part of their redemption.
Last week, I participated in the Homeless Point in Time count in our county. We provided special backpacks for anyone who was “sleeping rough,” without a safe shelter. This included warm socks, gloves and a hat, “hot hands”, snacks, cleaning wipes, and tissues.
One of the women I interviewed had been living in a tent for 14 months. The friend she had lunch with each day at the soup kitchen was impoverished but living in HUD housing.
Just before I left, I stopped to say good-bye. And I found her there, carefully separating the contents of her backpack, giving her friend a part of the “bounty” that she had been given. Anything she didn’t need; she gave to her friend.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I challenge you to be like her. Find someone who needs special love, or a cause you can support, and do something special for someone else. Reach out to that person you wouldn’t normally help. Show them the love that God has shown to you. On Valentine’s Day, show someone some love, who might not love you back.
You don’t have to be in love to love. Everyone deserves to be shown they are loved. Two important things to remember.
With love for each of YOU! Pastor Bobbie
Retrieving Freedom
Repeat article:
I am Andromeda Brouillette. I’m working on my silver award for Girl Scouts. I’m doing a supply drive for Retrieving Freedom. Retrieving Freedom is a program for service dogs that are in training and the service dogs are for people who military and veterans and people who have Autism. They are opening a facility in Sedalia. I’m trying to get the supplies by January 12, since the dogs will be arriving in mid-January. They will be moving into the facility before then, so we can take donations before then as well.
Some of the supplies we are collecting are: cleaning supplies, paper supplies, towels, kitchen supplies, queen bed sheets, toiletries, blanket/throws, pillows, laundry supplies, pet supplies and toys, raised water bowl platforms, fabric treat bags (easily cleanable), collar bandannas, lint roller hooks.
We can also take: cash donations and gift cards from Walmart, Pet smart and Amazon.
*********************************************************************************************
Section L
Longwood Presbyterian News
Presbyterian Women
PW did not meet in January due to weather. We did discuss after worship service with the whole congregation the upcoming Chili Supper. We discussed the supply needs and several donations were given to me to purchase supplies. Total collected was $100 and that covered, within $10 or so, all of the needed ingredients. We also discussed that those who made pies to please bring 2 and others to bring what they were comfortable with making for dessert. I think we all prayed that the weather would cooperate.
The Chili Supper was held on Saturday, January 25th and we had a light turn out, probably because the gravel roads were still slick. Those who did attend had their pick of a variety of pies, cheesecake, cakes, brownies & cinnamon rolls for dessert. Of course we also had our chili, hot dogs, chili dogs, and vegetable beef soup, with lots of different toppings to put on dogs and chili. We want to thank all of our hard workers who made this event possible, it takes us all. But most of all we want to thank our supporters in the community who came out to participate and were very generous to our church. It was nice for a lot of us just to get out of the house after being cooped up due to weather and enjoy visiting with neighbors, friends and family. Our total for the evening was $1058.00. Thank you--Everyone!
Our next PW meeting is scheduled Wednesday, Feb. 5th, weather cooperating.--Sharon
Cares and Concerns
Please keep these folks in your prayers. Some are in nursing homes and would also enjoy your visit:
- Esther Brown, at Pilot Grove
- Bill & Margaret Schlomer at Golden Oaks
- Marjorie Haley at Sylvia Thompson, Sedalia
- Helen Coffelt (and Ted)—Helen is at Sylvia Thompson, Ted has been in the hospital
- Calvin (and Mary) Kirchhoff at Golden Oaks
- Georgia Reid
- Elijah Johnson (Delbert & Amy’s son)
- Renee Moore
- Scott Moore (good reports, and on the mend!)
Section R
Range Line Presbyterian News
Submitted by Pastor Bobbie
on behalf of Georgia Reid
News from RLC
January was a quiet month, as Pastor Bobbie started a series on God’s Promises. Weather kept us from meeting one week. Our congregational meeting was held. Ted Coffelt entered Sylvia Thompson, and is reunited with Helen. Following her hospitalization and rehab, Georgia Reid has moved to a one bedroom apartment at Cedarhurst. They were able to connect her phone using the same number she had at home. Both welcome visitors.
Our Kids
On January 27 (delayed because of multiple snow days) Northwest Elementary recognized our students for 2nd Quarter achievements at the Elementary. Students received awards for outstanding classroom academics, great Mustang character, perfect attendance, 5th/6th grade Honor Roll, and Accelerated Reader certifications.
February 9, at 2 PM, Allie and Cassie Ballinger and Andromeda Brouillette will participate at a piano recital at New Bethel (South of Sedalia). Congratulations to them on all of their preparation and hard work!
Cares and Concerns
Ted and Helen Coffelt
Bill and Margaret Schlomer
Elijah Johnson
Alan Meyer
Kenny Reid
Esther Brown
Georgia Reid
DATES AHEAD
Feb. 2--First Communion of 2020
Feb. 12--Senior Supper
Feb. 19--Session meeting
********************************************************************************************
From the Internet:
Six Little Stories with Lots of Meanings:
- Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer, all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That is faith.
- When you throw babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That is trust.
- Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarms to wake up. That is hope.
- We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That is confidence.
- We see the world suffering, but still, we get married and have children. That is love.
- On an old man’s shirt was written a sentence: “I’m not 80 years old; I’m sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.” That is attitude
Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.
Be a reflection of what you’d like to see in others! If you want love, give love. If you want honesty, give honesty. If you want respect, give respect. You get in return, what you give!