Introduction

February 14 is the date we celebrate love. Love is about giving. God gave us the greatest gift of all. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This program has a dual purpose: to remember those who may not normally be remembered on Valentine’s Day and to raise funds for World Service.

Service Project – Valentine Grams

This project will be done in two meetings. The first phase is to put together the paper grams and can be held weeks ahead of the delivery date. The second is to assemble the flowers or chocolates that will be distributed with the Valentine Grams.

First Meeting

Invite the women to assemble the Valentine grams. They should include information of when they will be delivered, (try to make this close to Valentine’s Day), what will be included (flower or candy), the deadline date for the grams to be returned and the cost. Try to keep the cost low so that all can participate. There are many ideas for suitable designs on the Internet and on Pinterest. Encourage the women to purchase the Valentine grams to give to their loved ones and others that many not be remembered on Valentine’s Day. The group may also want to sell the Valentine grams to their neighbors and friends to spread the love. If this is the case, be sure to consider how the grams will be delivered.

Second Meeting

Ahead of time, purchase the flowers or chocolates depending on what is included with the Valentine gram. Red and white carnations are usually fairly inexpensive and make nice bouquets. Wrap each bouquet in red and white tissue paper and top with clear cellophane. This will extend the number of flowers necessary, but still makes an attractive bouquet. Finish each bouquet with a bow.

Helpful Hints

Collect the money at the time of sale of the Valentine’s Day grams. The Sunday morning closest to Valentine’s Day is a good time for distribution. If possible, assemble the bouquets on Sunday morning so that they are as fresh as possible. Distribution is also easier on a Sunday morning as many of the recipients will attend the morning meeting.

Love the Lord Your God

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37–39. These are the words of Jesus. He is calling us to not only love, but to show it as well. To love is our greatest command. It starts first by loving God with all our heart because has given His only Son for us. Then our love for God extends to our neighbors, whom we are to love as we love ourselves.

I remember when I was first married. I believed the saying, “And they lived happily ever after.” But marriage wasn’t quite the fairy tale I believed it was going to be. There was so much I had to learn and discover. But through perseverance I have seen the beautiful fruit of this relationship that only God can bring.

Our relationship with God can sometimes be difficult. We often want to go our own way thinking that we know what is best; we don’t consult Him about what He wants us to do. We make our own plans, which are often not in keeping with His plans. But God is faithful to His word. He wants the best for us even in those circumstances where it is difficult for us to see. ^“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ’plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart’” (Jer. 29:11–13).

Let God teach you to love. This is not love as the world expresses it but a real and rewarding love that is straight from the Father to us. Spend some time in prayer and ask the Lord to teach you about His amazing love.