February, 2017 - In This Issue:
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Love has spawned a new industry; immediately after December 25, stores start putting out Valentine's gifts, cards and candy; Valentine's Day is big business taking in   $19.7 billion last year.

A woman woke up one morning, turned to her husband and said,  "Honey, I just had a dream that you bought me a new gold necklace. What do you think it means?"

He answered,  "I don't know, but Valentine's Day is coming soon. Then you'll know."

A few nights later, she again woke up after having a dream. 
She said,  "This time, I dreamed you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you think it means?"

"You'll know on Valentines' Day,"  he replied.

The morning of Valentine's Day, she again woke up telling him about her dream:
"This time I dreamed that you brought me a diamond necklace. What do you think it means?"

" Honey, be patient,"  he said.  "You'll know tonight."

That evening, the husband came home with a package and gave it to his wife.
Delighted, she opened it - and found a book titled,  "The Meaning of Dreams."

T radition says that Valentine's Day came about because of a saintly individual named Valentine who around 449 AD was imprisoned for not worshiping pagan gods.On the eve of his execution he sent a note to the jailer's  daughter, who had befriended him, expressing his appreciation.  He signed it "Your Valentine."
 
There are plenty books written about love by all the so called experts.
There are plenty of songs that have been written about love.
  • Baby Love
  • Stop in the Name of Love
  • You Can't Hurry Love
  • All You Need is Love
  • Love Me Tender
  • I Can't Stop Loving You
  • I Just Called to Say I Love You
  • I Will Always Love You
  There's a lot of talk about love but just what is love?

The Bible tells us that the greatest thing in the world is love.

There was a lawyer that approached Jesus one day and asked Him which was the
greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:37-39

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
 
38 This is the first and great commandment.
 
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 
Jesus gave us this commandment in laymen's terms.  If you love God and love your neighbor then you have fulfilled His requirements.

Everything hinges on these two things. 
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GREAT START TO THE NEW YEAR

The month of January got off to a great; in spite of the weather, w e had some wonderful services and some very special guests.

District-wide Prayer Meeting

(We appreciate our pastors and their congregations for attending this special called prayer meeting)
The Shepherds in Concert
(This group leads in worship; they are not in the entertainment business) 
Collard Sandwich
(Don't knock it until you try it!)

Youth Praise Service
(Guest Speaker: Adrian Franklin)

Sanctity of Life Sunday
(We love our kids!)
Love Life Charlotte
(Andre Gonzalez is doing a great work leading this vital ministry)

Men's Day

We celebrated Men's Day on Sunday January 29th with special guest speaker: Bishop Ken Boyd from Wilson, NC. 

We were blessed as we were reminded by Bishop Boyd that this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Life is precious; never take anything for granted! Live everyday to its fullest and don't try to live in the past.


The church was greatly blessed as the presence of God was evident in both the morning and evening services.

We appreciate all of our men and the contributions that they make to the church throughout the year.

It takes everyone working together in the operation of the church and in the work of the kingdom.

Let it be said of all of our men as it was said of Barnabas:

Acts 11:24 a
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: 
Black History Month

Black History Month is a time set aside to honor African-Americans, who have made contributions in the United States, around the world and especially in the church.

The Church of God has a rich history of pioneers who have blazed the trail for black ministries.

During the Sunday morning service of February 26, we will feature our very own Caroline Coke and our African American Praise Team.

During the Sunday evening service we will have as our guests: Bishop Charles McIntosh, pastor of the HIgh Praise Ministries International Church of God, along with his singers.

We are looking forward to a wonderful time in the Lord!




Matthews Church of God
704-847-5625




"A church with open arms, a smiling face and a loving heart for all people."

Come Worship With Us!