Saint Valentine is a Christian martyr who lived in the third century. Little is known about his life, and there are several conflicting accounts of his story. However, he is most commonly remembered as a priest who performed Christian marriages in secret at a time when the Roman Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage, believing that single men made better soldiers. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, he was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually executed.
Before his execution, he prayed for the daughter of his jailer and she was healed of blindness. Before he was killed, he wrote a note to her encouraging her to stay the course with Jesus. It was signed, “Your Valentine”. February 14th is said to be the day of his death. That note began the tradition we know today.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the details of his life and death, Saint Valentine is widely recognized as a symbol of love and devotion, and his martyrdom is remembered as a testament to the power of love and integrity and the ultimate sacrifice that they can entail. That’s a far cry from the modern commercialism of Madison Avenue. For Christians, Valentines Day can be a time to reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ and to show love to others in a selfless manner, especially to our significant others.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… (Ephesians 5:25 ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (John 13:34 ESV)
Last Updated: 04/09/2023 by Karen Rauch
Photos from the Institution of Rev. Charlie Vensel Sunday, February 5, 2023
Archbishop Foley Beach visited Christ the King Church in Hiawassee, GA, on Sunday, February 5, 2023 and installed the Rev. Charlie Vensel as our Rector. Thanks be to God! It was a blessed event.
Last Updated: 03/13/2023 by Karen Rauch
Congratulations to the Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation Class of 2023
Last Updated: 03/13/2023 by Karen Rauch
Photos from the “Potluck of all Potlucks” Sunday, February 5, 2023
This fantastic potluck was held after the Institution of Rev. Charlie Vensel and the Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation of twenty people at Christ the King Church. What a fantastic selection of food and desserts!
Last Updated: 02/22/2023 by Charlie Vensel
Offertory: A Lenten Musical Journey featuring Tim Bethea Saturday, March 4, 2023
From the Artist:
In early 2017, as the newly appointed Worship Pastor at All Saints Church, Spartanburg, I sat at my desk and made plans to lead a special night of worship using the Harp and Bowl method. While researching the various approaches to this unique blend of prayer and worship, I found a reference to 1 Chronicles 16, which lays out David’s instruction for worship.
I read David’s Song of Thanks and was quickened to pick up my guitar. As I began strumming, a vocal melody came pouring out and a song was born. After a few days of crafting and arranging this newly inspired work, I was overcome with joy at what the Lord was doing in me. In response, I set out to write a song a week for the Offertory. Read More
Last Updated: 02/13/2023 by Charlie Vensel
On Fasting, by Mary Ann Johnson
What did fasting mean for Jesus? What should fasting mean for me?
First, we are NOT to fast like a Pharisee. The Pharisees wanted everyone to know how holy they were so they either had a dirty face or put ashes on their face. They did not comb their hair and they generally looked disheveled. In other words, they wanted to call attention to themselves so you would know how pious they were.
Since Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-17, “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb you hair and wash your face.” So…from the 2 verses we can discern that we are called to fast, otherwise Jesus would not have said when you fast. Also note you will be rewarded for fasting, we will talk about rewards later.
There are many references to fasting in both the Old and New Testaments (too many to list). We are told that Jesus himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. Matthew 4:2, “For forty days and nights he fasted and became very hungry.” So yes, you are supposed to be hungry when you fast. The 40 days and nights brings to our minds the 40 years that the Israelites spent wandering in the desert. They begged God for food and he provided. Most Old Testament dietary law as given in Leviticus and Deuteronomy was for the physical and spiritual benefit for God’s people. When we fast we are reminded to pray (let your stomach grumbles be a call to prayer). By not preparing meals and eating we have more time in our day to pray. Read More
Last Updated: 03/22/2023 by Charlie Vensel
Introduction to the Book of Common Prayer Class Saturday, March 11, 2023
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is a great resource for all Anglicans. Not only does it set out the orders of service for The Holy Eucharist, Baptism, Confirmation, and many more, it also has prayers to be used throughout the day via the Daily Office: Morning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Evening Prayer, Compline, and others.
These are suitable for individuals and groups of all sizes to use, and they can be led by anyone. The BCP can help you maintain a rhythm of prayer and devotion in your life and simultaneously joins you to millions of Anglicans around the world doing the very same thing.
This class will primarily focus on the Daily Office. To register, please click here.
NOTE: You will need an ACNA Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you need to purchase one, you may do so here. Please contact Charlie+ for more information.
Last Updated: 02/16/2023 by Charlie Vensel
Women’s Daytime Bible Study Begins Wednesday, March 1, 2023
The Women’s Daytime Bible Study will meet each Wednesday morning over 8 weeks from 10:30AM-11:45AM in the Fellowship Hall, March 1-April 26, 2023. Verlee and Holley will be leading this study by Erin Davis, called 7 Feasts: Finding Christ in the Sacred Celebrations of the Old Testament.
Please click here to sign up.
From Erin Davis’ website…
It’s hard to know when you read about the Feast of Booths why exactly it matters for your life. What in the world is the Feast of Trumpets supposed to be teaching you? And, in this case, the text itself doesn’t tell you. You need a resource, a guide that can help you understand the cultural significance and how these feasts relate to the rest of the Bible.
That’s exactly what Erin Davis does in this new 8-week Bible study, 7 Feasts. Topics include: The significance of these feasts and why God wanted His people to celebrate, how each of them point to Jesus and His work in redemption, and why all of this matters for our lives today.
Last Updated: 02/14/2023 by Charlie Vensel
Happy Valentines Day Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Before his execution, he prayed for the daughter of his jailer and she was healed of blindness. Before he was killed, he wrote a note to her encouraging her to stay the course with Jesus. It was signed, “Your Valentine”. February 14th is said to be the day of his death. That note began the tradition we know today.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the details of his life and death, Saint Valentine is widely recognized as a symbol of love and devotion, and his martyrdom is remembered as a testament to the power of love and integrity and the ultimate sacrifice that they can entail. That’s a far cry from the modern commercialism of Madison Avenue. For Christians, Valentines Day can be a time to reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ and to show love to others in a selfless manner, especially to our significant others.
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