Love in a Closet

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

My dad was not a fan of Valentine’s Day. He declared that “it was a holiday invented by Hallmark just to increase their profits and if you truly loved someone you would show it every day and not just one day a year.” My mom and dad celebrated Valentines by going to the local pharmacy, picking out a card for each other, giving it to the other to read, and then putting it back on the shelf.

One year my dad brought home a heart shaped box of chocolate for Valentine’s Day. My mom made a big deal about receiving this box of chocolate. She even kept the box in her closet after the chocolate was gone. The next year my dad took the box from the closet and placed little candy hearts with the wording all facing up in the heart shaped box and gave it to my mom. When my mom received the box she shook it to see what was inside which sort of ruined my dad’s plan.

I never saw that heart shaped box again until one day, after my parents had died and we were cleaning out their house, we found hidden in the back of my mom’s closet that heart shaped box. That simple act of love meant more to my mom then I had realized.

God also showed us how much He loves us as John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” This love is not like a heart shaped box that we store in our closets but it is a love that we can bask in the glory of each and every day.

In this month that we celebrate Valentine’s Day may you find ways to show others that you love them. One simple act of love could be to offer a friendly smile and a kind word to a cashier that has seen scores of frowning people. Another act of love could be to offer food, clothing, or shelter to someone in need. Maybe one of the greatest acts of love is offering the love of God by sharing your faith with another. Don’t leave your love stored in a closet but bring it out for all to see.

Grace & Peace,
Bob Clark

Small Groups

Sunday School. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Any one willing to volunteer as a sub please email Robin Stolarcyk. Open to all youth pre-k through high school. Please contact Robin Stolarcyk for more information. (Contact the church office for Robin’s email address)

Christian Fellowship Class. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM.  Please join us. Please contact Shirley Prentice for more information.

Pastor’s Study & Prayer Group: Sunday mornings 11:30 AM, Room B6. Everyone is welcome to join. Questions contact Pastor Bob (910) 260-0551 or 648-4326. No Class 4th Sunday, join us for Pot Luck Luncheon in fellowship hall.

Youth Group meetings, 1st & 3rd Sunday evening of each month at 6:00- 8:00 PM in the Loft. All youth 5th – 12th Grade are invited to attend. Please contact: President: Mason Stolarcyk, 743-0545 or Pastor Bob (910) 260-0551 for more information.

Unity Circle: Ladies Group, 2nd Monday of every month 11:00 AM. All ladies are invited to join. Contact Bev Hamm for more information. (Some dates the ladies have luncheon’s instead so check with Bev if you are interested in joining.) No meetings in January, February, July & August.

Ladies Monday Night Book Study: Monday evenings 6:30-7:30, Room B4 (Disciple Room). All ladies are welcome! Contact Karen MacKenzie if interested.

Rachel Circle: Ladies Group: 3rd Tuesday of every month 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM in the Frazer Room (B18). All ladies are invited to join. No Meetings in July & August. Contact Marita Root  for more information.

Knitting for the Lord: Tuesday, evenings, 6:00 – 7:00 PM, Room B2. Prayer shawls are available for those in need. Please contact Sue or Lynne if you know of someone in need. Contact Sue Alcott or Lynne Masland for more information & for summer meeting places & times. 

Choir: Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to join. Contact Carla Fako for more information. No meetings after memorial day for the summer.

Note: If you need contact information for any of the leaders above, please contact the church office at chenbridgeumc@outlook.com or 607-648-4339.

Night  to Shine Night sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation has been rescheduled for March 28th 6-9 PM & will be held at Chenango Valley High School. Please go to www.night2shinecb.com for more information.  Please contact Night2Shinecb@gmail.com for more information or questions.

Ash Wednesday Worship Service, February 26th 7 PM. Join Us!

Lenten Services on Wednesday evenings starting March 4th—April 1st, 7-8 PM at Ogden-Hillcrest UMC, 1061 Chenango St., Binghamton (Hillcrest). Friends & guests will lead in different types of worship. March 4– Rev. Joyce Allen, Ogden Hillcrest UMC, March 11 – Rev. Bob Clark, Chenango Bridge UMC, March 18– Rev. Timothy Taugher, St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, March 25– Rev. Steve Chastain, Port Dickinson Baptist Church, April 1– Diane Kofahl, Minister of Music. Please join in Worship!

Maundy Thursday Worship Service. April 9th 7 PM. Please join us.

Easter Worship Services: Sunrise Worship Service at 7 AM at Chenango Valley State Park with North Fenton UMC. 10 AM Worship at Chenango Bridge UMC. Please join us to celebrate Jesus our Risen Savior!

The Unity Circle’s be collecting for the Church World Service Blanket Program on March 22nd & 29th. They are requesting your help with this mission project. The Unity Circle will assist you at tables in Fellowship Hall & the Narthex on Mar. 22 & 29.  Write “Blankets” on your check, in the memo line. Offering envelopes for the Blankets will be in the bulletins on March 22 & 29th or you may get one from the church office or in the back of the Narthex. Leader: Bev Hamm, 723-2864.

Church Women United of Binghamton invite you to World Day of Prayer Service: Friday, March 6th at 10:00 AM at Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church, 203 Oak Street, Binghamton, NY. Everyone is Welcome! For more info call: 648-4711. World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

Reminder Daylight Savings begins Sunday, March 8th. Please remember to turn your clocks one hour ahead!

Altar Flowers: If you would like to have flowers on the altar in honor or memory of loved ones, call Marion Ramsey, 648-6794, & specify if you would like the $15 or the $20 arrangement & if you will pick up the flowers after the Sunday service or would like them taken to a shut-in.

Woman Of Faith conference: Would you like to attend? Fri. May 29th-Sat. May 30th 2020 @ Clarke Summit University called LYFE (Living Your Faith Everyday)! Includes workshops, music, & speaker Sheila Walsh! Topic: Incomplete & It’s Okay; Speaker: Sheila Walsh; Cost: $155 includes overnight stay & all meals. Contact Michelle Stoll for more info. Continue reading →