On Monday, the groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.

The way it works is if the sun is shining and Phil sees his shadow, that’s an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and Phil returns to his hole. If it’s cloudy and Phil doesn’t see his shadow, he will stay above ground, signifying there will be an early spring.

 

Ground Hog Day isn’t a national holiday like Washington’s Birthday is ) that’s coming up on Feb. 22nd). But still, the news stations always report on it. Even my United Methodist Worship Planning Calendar has Ground Hog Day noted on Feb. 2nd.

 

The idea for Ground Hog Day came to the U.S. with German immigrants and originally involved a hedgehog, according to the official history of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

 

The town held its first Groundhog Day celebration in 1887. And a series of toothy rodents named Punxsutawney Phil have risen from the burrow every Feb. 2 ever since.

 

So, will it be an early spring ahead or will we be looking at more cold and snow for 6 more weeks? I’m sorry to say that Phil did see his shadow. It’s the fifth time in the last six years so it’s no surprise that some of the crowd there booed in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. I’m pretty sure there was booing in Crete, IL., too.

 

So, I’ll keep on feeding those critters in the backyard. When I told Chris that Phil saw his shadow, he went to Ace Hardware to buy more critter food for them, God bless him. 

 

So stay warm, my friends. Remember that warmer weather will come. Spring always follows winter. So just hang in there. And remember the words from the prophet Isaiah:

 

As the rain and the snow

    come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

    without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

    It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 

Yours in the journey,

Pastor Kristen

 

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                                                                              Announcements: 

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The Spaghetti Luncheon, hosted by the Women's Club has been switched to next Sunday, February 15th, not the 8th, this Sunday. Please invite a friend, all are welcome to attend.  

 

On Saturday, February 14th, the Women's Club are planning to go see a movie. The time and name of the movie will be announced at a later time.  In the meantime, save this date. All are welcome to join in on the fun. Please contact the Women's Club for more details. 

 

The Women's Club meets the first Monday of every month. Their next meeting will be held on Monday, March 2nd. All ladies are encouraged to attend.  

 

Order forms are now available on the wooden table for you to order your Easter flowers. Easter this year will be on Sunday, April 5th. 

Cost per flower-per Tulip or Lillie is $9.00 each.

Please fill out the order form and place in the collection plate.  Thank you. 

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