First Baptist Church Lakeland
FBCL | Valentine’s Dinner February 14th 2024
The evening in February was warm as the members of Lakeland FBC gathered in the Fellowship Hall for the church-wide Valentine Banquet. The men of the church had invited the ladies of the church to attend the banquet. Led by Robert Hamilton, the men decorated the room, prepared the meal and cleaned up afterwards. The ladies were delighted with the preparations that had been made for them. They were also delighted that the cozy ambiance and dinner to come was done with no effort on their part.
Stepping into the building, the ladies were enveloped in delicious aromas, presented with a cup of punch and directed to the beautifully decorated Fellowship Hall. Conversations liberally sprinkled with laughter flowed as the ladies made their way to their seats. Families and friends gathered at the tables in anticipation of the delicious meal.
The highlight of the evening came when our Pastor brought a message from God’s word, an inspiring message about God’s selfless, relentless love. The sacrifice of Jesus reveals the greatest example of love, God’s love that never stops.
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
A huge thank you to Robert Hamilton and the team of men who were able to help as they delivered a wonderfully blessed evening of fellowship possible because of God’s endless love.
