February 16, 2025
“
Love never fails ...” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV) ~
SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY: WHERE IT CAME FROM
About the time most of you will receive this edition of CONNECTIONS, it will be Valentine’s Day. For those who receive this through email and forgot what day this is you may still have time to go find a special card for your Valentine. For those who will get this in the mail and forgot the holiday I have no real advice for you but to grovel really well!
There are many ideas about the beginning of Valentine’s Day but most people are unaware of the actual story behind the holiday.
Valentine lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. He had everything going for him: he was young, wealthy, healthy, and passionately in love with his fiancée.As the day of his wedding approached, Valentine’s future looked storybook–bright. However, his world suddenly began to fall apart when the emperor declared all Christians to be guilty of treason. In order to escape punishment, all citizens had to declare “Caesar is Lord.” Valentine refused to make such a declaration. Worldly success and worldly love were secondary priorities for him he was first and foremost a follower of Christ.
As a result, Valentine was arrested and put in jail. There was no trial, just a sentence to public execution in the Roman arena. While awaiting death, Valentine wrote love letters to his fiancée beautiful romantic letters assuring her of his never-ending love. On February 14, 259, he became another of thousands to be martyred for faith in Jesus Christ. Since then, Christians have celebrated his fidelity to Christ and romantic love by sending love letters to special people.
Afunny–but–sad PS to this story is that the Hillsborough, New Jersey school system, decided a few years ago that the name St. Valentine’s Day created an oppressive environment since some students and faculty were not comfortable with the implied religious overtones of a day named after a Christian martyr. Fearing that celebration of the day constituted a violation of church and state, the school board voted to rename February 14th Special Person Day.
Regardless of what we call it, February 14th is a day when we acknowledge those special people in our lives.
It reminds me of another day a day when ultimate love was declared and demonstrated for all of us. It wasn’t a day of eros love (romantic love). Rather, it was a day of agape love (perfect love). Alove letter was written but not on a Hallmark Card. It was written on the palms of Jesus’hands.
God the Father, was not willing that anyone should perish for their sins. However, not one person was innocent before the Holy God and not one of us could pay the price for our sins. God did what only He could do. He sent Jesus into this broken, sin filled world over 2,000 years ago. He allowed His only Son to become our sin and die on a cruel cross in payment in full for our sin.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
~ John 3:16 (KJV) ~
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands…”
~ Isaiah 49:16 (KJV) ~
That is the ultimate love story! Friend, if you have not allowed Jesus to come into your life as Savior and Lord, why not do so today. That will be the greatest Valentine’s gift you will ever receive.
Blessings on your week. May we each discover Jesus intersecting our lives as only He can do. I do look forward to seeing you this Sunday, as we look at KINGDOMS:ACrash Course on Emotional Freedom
P.S.
The tradition of written Valentine’s Day cards began after 1400. The oldest written Valentine’s Day greeting still in existence today dates back to 1415 and no, it is not one that I wrote to my Valentine, Barbara. It was written by the Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
King Henry V also allegedly sent a Valentine written by a hired writer to Catherine of Valois.
So, there you have it men. You may still have time to hire someone to write a Valentine to your special lady or you could just stop at Walmart and pick one up at the Greeting Card aisle!
YOUTH GROUP Students in grades 7-12 Wednesdays 6:30 PM at the CABIN ! Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study 9 AM to 10 AM at the Cabin !
NEW MEMBERS CONNECTING SEMINAR
Attend this Seminar taught by Pastor Terrell for a basic introduction to our church family.
All-in-One-Day Class February 16, 2025 beginning at 2:30 PM - dinner included.
IF YOU NEED HELP Deacon of the Week:
Morning Worship at a Glance
“Higher Ground” “No One Like You, Lord” “Lion of Judah”
Welcome & Offertory Prayer
Kidz4Christ dismissed
“Sweet Aroma of Praise” “Cry of My Heart” “Seek Ye First”
KINGDOMS
Immersing Our Lives in God’s Word A Crash Course on Emotional Freedom 1 Kings 19:1-21/pages 214-215/paragraphs 9ff I HAVE DECIDED “I Am Thine, O Lord” “Higher Ground”
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
928-772-7218
fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org
www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God one heart at a time.
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