Greetings from Pastor Pat

Love

     I went to the grocery store the end of December and the Christmas candy had been replaced by box after box of sweets for Valentine’s Day.  Nothing like being prepared!  Looking through the display made me think about the slogan used by a jewelry store that goes something like “Nothing says I love you quite like a diamond”.  Hershey probably would not agree. 
There is another saying about love that I try to live by; “It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.”   These are words that I have tried to make part of my core values.  I can tell someone that I love them, but if there are not actions connected to those words then there is the chance, they will mean absolutely nothing.  I can tell Sharon “I love you” and she believes it but the words mean so much more when she sees evidence of my love.  It is exactly what Jesus was getting at when he asked Peter, “Do you love me?”  Each time Peter said yes, and each time Jesus said “Then feed my sheep” 
  Saying to someone that you love them is extremely important but demonstrating that love means so much more.  Because there is a connection between “saying” and “doing” I hope, when people see St. Luke’s (or any church for that matter) they will know we are Christians by our love! 
 During the month of February our mission focus will be Church World Service’s Tools and Blankets project.  Our Missions Committee has chosen this important global ministry as a means of showing our love for those in need.  Let us be generous in our support because remember, “It’s not what you say, it’s what you do!” 
Blessings, 
Pastor Pat