This month often focuses on Valentine’s Day and the lover shared by a couple. While recognizing the special bond, also expand the applications of love to that share among all believers. To assist, an acrostic for family to make it an action—something we do for one another.
As you plan Women’s Ministries gatherings for this month, remember widows and divorced women who are experience February alone. Also remember the never-married woman who is reminded of her singleness. While they understand the importance of celebrating Valentine’s Day, it can also be painful reminders of “what once was” or “what might have been.”
Perhaps the most neglected group of women is those whose husbands are non-believers. Be aware of these women when talking about family devotions and Christians husbands.
Family: More than a Noun
Matthew 12:46-50—from
The Message. Have a conversations with people from a non-Christian background and you’ll soon hear how the “Family of God” relationships are as important as biological ones.
F—Faithful—Hebrews 11.
Faithful living means living Christianity 24/7. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is a relationship that affects every bit of our lives.
A—Authenticity—real thing. Authenticity means we acknowledge our mess-ups and the times we don’t have it all together. It also means we talk about the struggles we have, how God is dealing with and teaching us through them, and the progress we’re making.
M—Mentoring—involves intentional one-on-one relationship with another person. Mentors share lessons they have learned, extend helping hands, and become safety lines of love and affirmation to those following them.
I—Instruments of Peace, grace, and mercy—people don’t care what know until know how much care.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
It’s living out the Golden Rule—you know, those actions that leave others wondering, “What caused him or her to do that?”
L—Love—we can’t do anything of the things without being deeply and completely in love with Jesus. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8—The Message. God’s love lived out in and through us—is foundational for everything we do.
Y—Yearning—to know God in his power and to be filled with His Spirit. There is nothing stagnant or static about a relationship with Jesus Christ—just as our relationships with others are growing and changing. It seems as if the more we know Jesus Christ, the more we want to know about Him, to be in His presence, and to share the joys of the relationship with others.
How can we become more “family” to those around us? Discuss ways Women’s Ministries in your congregation can implement these concepts.
Ministry to “Spiritually Single” Women
Spiritually single women carry a special burden. They face a double negative when Sunday morning comes around. First, they have to get themselves and the kids to church, leaving husband/dad at home. Sometimes the children ask, “Why do we have to go to church when Dad stays home? Can we stay home with him?” Now Mom faces another dilemma—what’s the best response? Then they arrive at church and head to a classroom—to sit alone rather than next to the men they love.
One solution to this challenge is to create a class for women who are spiritually single. Becky Brown created such a class. She recommends the class includes all women who cannot attend a class with their husbands. This includes believers who husbands are teaching another class, or serving as department directors, or completing other responsibilities.
Meeting on Sunday morning eliminates the need for these women to take another time away from their families. There are also classes and activities for the children, eliminating the need for child-care.
The purpose of this group is to form a connection to the body of believers, to feel accepted, and to know others are in similar circumstances. This group also becomes a prayer support group.
Whether your congregation is large enough to start a specific class, remember the women who are “spiritually single” and develop strategies for ministry to their unique needs.
Easter Story Cookies
Use this cookie recipe, received via email with an anonymous author, to help children grasp the Easter message. Give the information to family to include in their Easter preparations.
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested the Roman soldiers beat him.
Read John 19:1-3.3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and Jon 3:1-3.8. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each round represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:57-60.9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
10. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27:65-66.11. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read Jon 16:20 and 22.On East morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow. On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9.