FEBRUARY: LOVE-GIFTS-HEARTS
I had an old professor in college (rest in paradise, Dr. Beckman) who made all the incoming freshmen memorize this definition of love: “Love is the overwhelming concern for the wellbeing of another, without any regard to what you get in return.”
It is probably still the best definition of “agape” love I have ever come across in all my life or studies. This is the love we are commanded to have for neighbors, or enemies, or strangers. It’s the love God gives to all when He causes the sun or rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. It’s the love demonstrated on the cross. It’s the love of “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This February, Deer Flat Church is going to love a demographic of people in our valley through gifts that we pray will bless their hearts. They are vital servants of our community and often overlooked and underappreciated. They are people who have a tough job and a front row seat to some of the most heartbreaking relational tragedies caused by selfishness and sin. They are the 200 social workers in the Treasure Valley who serve our children who are often scared and vulnerable and just trying to survive in the foster care system. For certain, they are deserving of our respect, but we also feel they need some encouragement and appreciation too.
So, Deer Flat Church is joining with a few other local churches to provide 200 gift bags, valued at $50 or more each, so that every social worker, whether Christian or not, can receive and experience a little bit of God’s “agape” love this season. Because of your faithful tithes and offerings, Deer Flat is contributing $2,500.00 towards this endeavor from our missions funds to give these gift bags to our social without asking for anything in return. Thank you, Deer Flat Church family; you are an amazing people.
If this particular outreach to bless social workers resonates with you, and you help put bags together or give in some other way, then please contact Jamie Wood. She is spearheading the enormous task of purchasing, assembling, and delivering all of these gift bags on behalf of the church and can use your help. So we welcome anyone who is interested in participating to let her know.
You can reach Jamie at: (208) 989-7696 or jamienaw@gmail.com
With sincere appreciation,
Pastor Martin Flaherty
Updates on Upcoming Events:
Sweethearts Dinner is sold out. If you are attending, please remember to send Jessi Sams a photo or two of you and your sweetheart for our couples slideshow.
Weekend to Remember may have a few spots left. If you are attending, please email pastor Martin so he can communicate better with everyone going from Deer Flat.
REGISTER NOW/ Use the group name “DeerFlatChurch” for $100 off.