Sabbath Thought – Passover Love

By: Dan Dowd

     It has been said that with spring, a young man’s heart turns to love.  While we could debate the veracity of such a statement, there is something about spring that brings a sense of new beginnings – perhaps that is obvious with the visual return of life in plants, trees and flowers, the birds return from their winter hiatus and the longer days and warmer weather. 

     The point of this week’s Thought is not to talk about a young man’s love, but rather another, more important, love.  We are just about a month away from observing the Passover – the start of another year of rehearsing and celebrating God’s Holy Days. We often discuss the direct meanings of these days (as we should), but there is another aspect concerning what God has instituted that we should remember as well. In John 3:16 (NJKV) we are told, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  God’s Holy Days are only part of the picture of what He has put in motion because of His love for us.

     Do we remember the love that God has for us as we keep His Holy Days?  This love flows out of who God is at His core because He is love (1 John 4:8, 16). While He gives us the Sabbath and His Holy Days to help us catch a glimpse of His plan of salvation, it is all premised on love. In following God’s way of life (1 John 5:2-3) we begin to reflect that love not only back to Him but also to each other (1 John 4:11).

     As we prepare for the upcoming Passover, we should also consider the implications of God’s love in the sacrifice of His Son.  Passover is not just about Christ dying for our sins, but what that payment of sin puts in motion.  Every action can have either a positive or negative consequence, and with Christ’s sacrifice we have the positive consequence of His life given for us, as well as our responsibility to give our life for others (1 John 3:16). In this way, God’s love never ends, never runs out and always flows to others.

     Perhaps God, in His love, began this process of showing us His love by having us begin the rehearsal of His plan of salvation in the spring. While it is not a young man’s romantic love, it is a love with eternal consequences for all of mankind.  That is a love that we should all strive to live up to.

For the Youth - Bible Trivia:

 1. When were the Israelites commanded to choose a lamb for the Passover and how were they to identify which lamb qualified to be used for this important ceremony?
*Hint: Exodus 12:1-13

2. What does Paul identify as the last enemy of mankind that will be destroyed?
*Hint: 1 Corinthians 15:19-28

3. Who said, “I am the resurrection and the life”?
* Hint: John 11:25-26

North Canton Announcements:

1. Sabbath Service Time (March 11th): 12:00 PM
2. Next Sabbath – (March 18th): 2:00 PM
3. Joe Szymkowiak Memorial: Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023, Time: 2:30 pm (Following Sabbath services) Location: Gateway Conference Center, Address: 5441 Global Gateway North Canton, OH 44320

Note: There will be a meal following the memorial service. For those who want to attend Sabbath services in North Canton, services will begin at 12:00 pm at the Gateway Conference Center.

Memorial Service webcast link: https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast

4. Jordan Evans: (Thyroid Cancer) – Jordan's surgery was successful with the removal of the cancerous thyroid and lymph nodes, she is resting and recovering but in high spirits as we move forward. We are thankful and ask for continued prayers as we still have additional steps to take toward being regulated and cancer free.
5. NW Team Prom: The Midwest Teen Prom has come to our area!  We would like to ask for your participation in their Sunday activities.  They plan to spend the day at The Heritage Center located on State Route 62 close to Winesburg.  We need your help by providing several dozen cookies for lunch.  Also need a few hands at the end of the day around 4:00pm to clean the facility after the games. Plan to come on over for fun and fellowship with families who come in from all over our region. Date: Sunday, March 19, 2023.  Contact Susan Miller to help out.
6. Passover Service: (Baptized Members Only)- Evening of April 4th – Service starts @ 7:55 pm. Location Gateway Conference Center
7. Night to be Much Observed: Evening of April 5th. Please make sure you have plans and if you do not, please don’t wait to let someone know.
8. First Day of Unleavened Bread: Thursday, April 6th – Services are at 2:00 pm. Location: Gateway Conference Center
9. Last Day of Unleavened Bread: Wednesday, April 12th – Services at 10:30 am & 2:00 pm. We will be combining with Youngstown and Cleveland. There will be a catered meal between services.

Location: Shady Hollow Country Club, 4865 Wales Av NW, Massillon, Oh 44646.

The cost will be 25.00 per person. (If you need help financially – please let us know).

We need to know asap if you will be staying for the meal. Please see attached document or information table for the menu. If you are gluten free or lactose intolerant, please contact Debbie Kuhns as soon as possible. We are prohibited from bringing our own food to the establishment for the meal.

10. Spring/Summer Picnic: Mark your calendars, Our annual Spring/Summer Picnic is scheduled for after Sabbath Services on June 10, 2023 at Price Park.
11. Troyer’s Hollow Campout: Mark your calendars for the Annual Troyer’s Hollow Campout June 23-25, 2023! Nestled in the scenic hills of Amish Country near Charm, Ohio, Troyer’s Hollow in the Doughty Valley, we will once again come together for a fellowship focused weekend for all ages. More details to follow. If you have questions now, please reach out to Mary Miller - mary@crawfordmfg.com
12. Seasons of a Women’s Life: The women of the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne congregations invite you to a Women’s Enrichment Weekend April 21-23, 2023. We will discuss and learn about the “Seasons of a Woman’s Life”. Rooms have been reserved at a local hotel and we will host a welcome reception there on Friday evening. On Saturday and Sunday, ladies will meet at the Indianapolis church building for a fun weekend of learning, fellowship, and music. Prices and registration information will be coming out in January. You may contact Lizzy Creech at liz.creech06@yahoo.com with any questions. See attached Flyer for more info.

If I’ve overlooked anything, Please let me know ASAP.