February is the shortest month of the year (and as cold and icey as this Winter has been, I guess that is a blessing!) Despite being short, this month is holiday- enriched. We get Groundhog Day on the 2 nd, President’s Day on the 15 th, Valentine’s Day the 14 th, the Boy Scout’s 100 th Anniversary on February 8 this year, and Ash Wednesday on February 17 this year. That’s a lot of special days!
 
I want to share with you a little of what I know about the origins of Valentine’s Day. It is especially fitting that it falls on a Sunday this year because this is one of the Christian holidays that has become quite separated from its Christian roots. The original Valentine, Valentinus, was one of those early Christians thrown in jail and eventually beheaded by the Roman government for refusing to give up his faith. He was a kind and gentle soul as well as steadfast in his devotion to Christ. His jailer had a daughter who was both blind and deaf. Valentinus patiently established a relationship with the poor girl. She blossomed in his loving care. He prayed for her, and God miraculously gave her both sight and hearing! Despite their love and Valentinus’ gallant witness, the cruel death sentence was carried out. The Jailer’s daughter became a part of the Christian community there in 280 AD and declared her undying love for her Valentine by planting an almond tree with its pink heart- shaped flowers in his memory and vowed to love others like her Valentine had loved her. She lived her witness to the song we’ve sung at the closing of our worship services for some time now here at Aztec United Methodist Church: “They’ll know We are Christians by our Love.” You can expect me to preach some more on this theme of reclaiming Christian love on February 14!

Later that week, we begin the purely Christian season of Lent with a different kind of individualized devotional experience. I will be in the Sanctuary to offer both the ashes (an ancient Hebrew sign of repentance and humility) and a Silent liturgy of prayer and preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Usually our celebrations of the Lord’s Supper are much more communal and joy-filled, but this occasion will give each of us an opportunity to bring to the Lord our sins and failures, our shortcomings and longings for His healing forgiveness. There will be a short devotional preparation to read through (about 15 – 20minutes) and then I will be there to serve you the Communion Bread and Cup of Wine by intinction. Rather than having to rush, you can spend as much or as little time in prayer and communion with God there at the Altar as you like. The Sanctuary will be open from 4-6 PM to come and go as fits your schedule. Come near 4 if you want to get home before dark, or when you get off work if that is an issue. My hope is that this experience and our combined class during the Sunday School hour for the next 6 weeks during Lent will help your Spiritual journey to Easter to be especially meaningful this year. This study will use Adam Hamilton’s 24 Hours That Changed the World with a video tour of all the places around Jerusalem the Bible tells about.

Bring your friends, neighbors and relatives who might like to experience the love of Jesus Christ and His people here in Aztec United Methodist Church for themselves!

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jeff Symonds