Your Gateway to Grace

Weller United Methodist Church 101 N. Altamont Avenue Thurmont, Maryland. 21788 Pastor: Rev. Robert E. Kells, Jr.

Gods Valentine for You Valentines Day. The words conjure up images of hearts and flowers, chocolates and little cupids, greeting cards and stuffed animals with I love you tattooed somewhere on their furry exterior. Valentines Day, as we celebrate it, is a good time to remember the loves of our lives. But, like our celebration of Christmas, this day has become yet another exercise in consumerism.

- In 2012, Americans sent an estimated 150 million greeting cards and spent an average of $126 for Valentines Day, providing a $17.5 billion input to the national economy.

- By comparison, average spending on Christmas was around $750 and added an estimated $580 billion to the economy last year.

- About 196 million roses are prepared for Valentines Day each year. - And here are two of the saddest Valentines Day statistics: according to one survey, 53% of women said they

would end their relationship if they didnt get something; and, 14% percent of women send themselves flowers this day.

It seems the business of Valentines Day has taken us far from the original intent of the day, which was to honor an early saint of the church. Valentines Day was established to remember the martyrdom of one or more saints by the name of Valentinus in the 200s AD. In the Middle Ages, the day was associated with the tradition of courtly love, with knights pledging their honor to protect fair damsels from whatever evil they might face. But it was 18th century England where the modern practice emerged of expressing love through hand-written cards, flowers and candies. Mass produced cards became a big business in the 19th century, while the 20th century made accessorizing this day a must. All of this seems far removed from the love God demonstrated for us in Christ. And yet, when it comes to love and loyalty, we are no different than our Hebrew and early Christian ancestors in the faith. How many times did the peo-ple of Israel turn away from Gods love and break Gods commandments? How many times did the first Christians sin and seem beyond hope of redemption? Too many to count. And yet God never gives up on Gods people. Here are the words of the prophet Jeremiah:

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of JudahI will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jer 31:31, 33).

What better Valentine could we receive than Gods love, written on our hearts? That Valentine came to us in the form of a manJesus, the Son of God. In Jesus, there was no mistaking this message that Gods love is for us; it is com-plete; and, it is unrelenting. The gift of the Holy Spirit fulfills the promise from Jeremiah that Gods law and Gods love will be inscribed on our hearts. The Holy Spirit is working Gods love into us, like yeast being worked into dough. This is not something that happens in one day. It takes a lifetime for God to work Gods love into us. But God will never leave this job undone. And that is very good news for Valentines Day, or any other day. So when you receive your Valentines this year, remember the best Valentine of all is the one that comes to you, post-age free, straight from the living God. Peace, Pastor Bob

Come! Experience Gods love with the Weller Church Family.

Sunday Morning Traditional Worship 8:30 A.M. Sunday Morning Contemporary Worship 11:00 A.M.

Baby & Toddler Nursery through 4yrs available at both services Wednesday Evening Prayer Time, 7 P.M. (2nd & 4th Wednesdays)

Sunday School for all ages 9:45 A.M.

Church Office Hours: Tues.-Friday 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M. (301) 271-2802 Email for Pastor Bob: Pastor@wellerumc.com

Email for Sandra Valentine, Church Secretary: Secretary@wellerumc.com www.wellerumc.com

TIDINGS OF WELLER FEBRUARY

Affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as we care for others and tell people about Him.

Affirm~Care~Tell

February Birthdays 02/01 Hannah Hooper 02/03 Jeremy Bailey 02/04 Andrew Mathias; Sabrina Mathias 02/05 Matthew Roberts 02/06 Alan Harrison; Madison Kiessling 02/07 Dorothy Clever; Janet Thompson 02/08 Stephanie Kiessling 02/09 Agnes Stitely 02/11 Merle Dawson 02/12 Fred Henning; Ian Rinehart; Jolane Souris 02/13 Rick Wivell; Caitlin Merico 02/14 Jared Grimm 02/15 Jared Fahnestock 02/17 Keith Valentine 02/18 Michele Merico 02/19 Erica Lockney 02/20 Megan Clark; Troy Angell; David McGuire; Nick Smith 02/25 Joan Staub 02/27 Nicole Riffle; Nicholas Humerick 02/28 Anna Lea Weihrer; Kaitlyn Herbert

February Anniversaries 02/12 Louise & Robert Shaffer, Sr.

March Birthdays 03/01 Jerry Clem; Sarah Kells 03/03 Carol Stevens; Tar Bowers-Seek; Skyla Smith; Brody Mathias 03/04 Linda Henning 03/05 Bob Miller; Dakota May 03/06 Carol Miller; David Grimm 03/08 Ernest Staub; Steven Wastler 03/09 Arlene Fogle; Bruce Reed 03/11 Alan Brauer, Sr. 03/15 Kyle Eyler 03/17 Catherine Pitt; Melissa Mathias 03/18 Lee Eyler, Sr. 03/22 Louise Shaffer 03/24 Nancy Lewis 03/29 Paul Hahn; Destiny Wastler 03/30 Lydia Baust

March Anniversaries 03/01 Vickie & John Howes 03/19 Joni & Tom Lindsey 03/25 Sandy & Richard Shaffer 03/31 Diane & David Stottlemyer

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We appreciate your service to God and our church! If you are unable to attend church on your scheduled date, please make substitution arrangements and

notify the office. Thank you. ) 271-2802

Church Council 2013

Pastor Rev. Robert E. Kells, Jr. Organist Lori Eyler Administrative Board Paulette Mathias-Chair Wes Hamrick-Vice Chair Cemetery Roy Clever Finance Committee Kay Miller & Peggy Royer Lay Leader Catherine Pitt History Committee John Hart

Nominations Committee Rev. Robert E. Kells, Jr. Membership Virginia Gelwicks SPRC-Staff Parish Relations Cindy Hart Stewardship Ethel Brauer Trustees Committee Tom Shaffer Council on Ministries Bob Miller Dorothy Clever-Vice Chair Care Committee TBD - OPEN Church School Youth/Children-Paulette Mathias, Pat Alexander Adult-Roy Clever

Fellowship Committee Karen Younkins

Missions Committee Kelly Alexander, Pat Alexander Public Relations Noelle Hallman

United Methodist Women Dorothy Clever Worship Committee Michele Merico

Youth Council Jr. & Sr. High- Debbie Stull, Stephanie Kiessling

Greeters 8:30 02/02 Betty & RJ Shorb 02/09 The Boy Scouts 02/16 Paulette & Dennis Mathias

Acolytes 8:30 02/02 Krista Royer 02/09 The Boy Scouts 02/16 Skyla Smith Scripture Readers & Call

to Worship 8:30 02/02 Nancy Rice 02/09 Boy Scouts 02/16 Bob Fahnestock

Nursery Assistant 8:30 02/02 Peggy Royer 02/09 Louise Shaffer 02/16 Charlene Stitely

Greeters 11:00 02/02 Vickie & John Howes 02/09 The Boy Scouts 02/16 Barb Barbe

Acolytes 11:00 02/02 Jacob Wastler 02/09 Emmalee Miller 02/16 Josh Miller Scripture Readers & Call

to Worship 11:00 02/02 Alison McGuire 02/09 The Boy Scouts 02/16 Josh Miller

Nursery Assistant 11:00 02/02 OPEN 02/09 OPEN 02/16 OPEN

Combined Svc. 2/23 Greeters: Jenny & Matt Roberts Acolyte: Megan Clark Scripture Reader: Debby Shultzaberger Nursery Asst: Katy Bowers and Makayla

Sermons 02/02 Why, God? Why Gods love prevails - Roman 8:28-39 02/09 Prayer 101: What Prayer is All About - Luke 11:1-2; Rev. 3:20 02/16 Prayer 101: The Varie-ties of Prayer - 1 Tim 2:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 02/23 Mission Sunday Guest Speaker: Jessica Hogan

The Childrens Choir will perform one Sunday a month.

There is no set schedule. Check bulletin for changes

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Communion

5:45 p.m. Youth Super Bowl

Dinner

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Prayer Shawl 7 p.m.

Scout

Leaders 7 p.m.

4 Puppet Ministry

6 p.m.

C.O.M. 7 p.m.

Childrens Choir

Practice 7 p.m.

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6 Cantata

Rehearsals: Guitar Ensem-

ble 5-6 p.m.

Handbell 6:15-7:15

Choir 7:30-8:30

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Prayer Shawl Ministry during

services

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Trustees 7 p.m.

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Membership 11 a.m.

Ad Board

7 p.m.

Childrens Choir 7 p.m.

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UMW 1 p.m.

Prayer Time

6:30 p.m.

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Guitar Ensem-ble 5-6 p.m.

Handbell 6:15-7:15

Choir 7:30-8:30

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Puppet Ministry 3 p.m

Fellowship

Dinner 4 p.m.

Talent Show 5 p.m.

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Missions 7 p.m.

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Missions 7 p.m.

Childrens Choir

7 p.m.

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Alpha Course Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

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Guitar Ensem-ble 5-6 p.m.

Handbell 6:15-7:15

Choir 7:30-8:30

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Mission Sunday

8:45 a.m. Sunday School

10 a.m. Combined Service

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Worship 6:30 p.m.

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Childrens Choir 7 p.m.

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Prayer Time 6 p.m.

Alpha Course Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

27 Guitar Ensemble

5-6 p.m.

Handbell 6:15-7:15

Choir 7:30-8:30

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All bulletin information/announcements are due to office by noon on Tuesdays. Thank you!

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JOIN US IN PRAYER

The Prayer Group: Scripture tells us that Christians most powerful resources is communion with God through prayer. Ple