Once upon a time there was a very great man. There was not one of his kind who was so good. In fact, this man was perfect. He spent his life teaching, loving, giving, doing all he could to make it better for the world.

In his brilliance and perfection, he influenced many to write down what he did and what he said. So many examples, so many sayings, so many lives saved.

One day, he made a comment that would live as the foundation for the world. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for his friends.”

Lay down one’s life for the sake of a friend, for the sake of your beliefs, for the sake of eternity? What a concept. And he did.

When the people of his time decided that this guy was too much of a threat, they arrested him, and beat him, and tried desperately to take everything from him … his dignity, his pride, his very soul. But they could not do it, for he was a very great man.

When all was said and done, the only way they thought they could keep him from doing what was right was to tear him to pieces with whips, fists, thorns, nails, and a spear.

They killed him. But he rose from the dead, and he ruled anyway because of what he did, and we who believe live happily ever after.

Sacrifice!

There is a lot to remember this Memorial Day weekend. And it all boils down to one word: Sacrifice.

This is a day of memory for the lives lost for our freedom. A day to look at oneself and say what have I done to make a difference.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women in the armed forces … they continue to make a difference for our freedom on earth and a man on a cross making an eternal difference for each and every one of us.

So, the question is, are you willing to make a difference? Are you willing to make a sacrifice of time, talents, and treasures for the sake of renewal in Lake County?

Please join us on Sunday to get an idea of exactly how we will do that.

The service this week is contemporary, and we are excited to invite all to worship with us.

Come as you are and enjoy the music, the Word, the food, and the fellowship.

Bible study begins at 9:30 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and lunch immediately following worship.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and I’d to share a few things I picked up over the years that I think are pertinent to celebrating this wonderful day.

See if any of these ring a bell with you.

My mother taught me religion. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me logic. "Because I said so, that's why.”

She taught me foresight. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me irony. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.”

She taught me about the science of osmosis. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

My mother taught me about contortionism. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about stamina. "You'll sit there until you finish dinner."

How about hypocrisy. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

My mother taught me the circle of life. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about behavior modification. "Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about anticipation. "Just wait until your father gets home."

My mother taught me medical science. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me wisdom. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite: My mother taught me about justice. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

But of course, mothers are not only good teachers, they are also sinful humans.

“One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" she asks. Her mother replies, "Well, every time you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thinks about this awhile, then asks, "So how come all of Grandma’s hairs are white?"

On a serious note, let’s focus on John 15:13 where Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” Our sin caused Jesus’ death … that’s the ultimate example of laying down your life isn’t it?

I know my mother would lay down her life for a friend if she had to. I’d be willing to bet that most mothers would do the same. Willing to make any sacrifice on behalf of someone else, most often for your kids? And sacrifice is something that goes beyond the door to your home. It means doing the same for your neighbor as well.

In Lake County we are desperately trying to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to renew the towns around the lake. It is not only a matter of necessity, it is also for the sake of pride in our communities.

Just like our mothers sacrificed for us, so too we must sacrifice for the those who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ in Lake County and beyond. We will talk more about this Sunday.

Join us this Sunday, May 13, for a Mother’s Day celebration in worship.

Bible study begins at 9:30 a.m. with worship at 11 a.m. and a wonderful lunch following worship.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572.

Well, what’s it going to be? Eros, philia or agape?

One of the problems we have in the English language is that one word has multiple meanings and in order to realize what is being communicated we need to be putting the appropriate context to the word being used.

In the case of love, we use the word for everything from food to flowers, to people, to just about everything.

I love chocolate, I love steak, I love to watch the 49ers play football. I love that sweater, love that car, sure do love that boat, love you brother, love you Mom, Dad, Sister, I love you, my wife to be.

Do we really understand what love means as it pertains to our Lord and Savior Jesus?

Regardless of economics, race or status, people value love and recognize that love will shape what is good and true.

It should not be surprising to anybody that love permeates and lies at the heart of what the apostle John is saying in John 15:9-17.

Since our English word love is used so broadly, it is helpful to distinguish between different types of love in order to gain a more precise understanding of the New Testament's message.

This can be easily accomplished because the New Testament was written in Greek and there are various Greek words for love all of which are translated into the word “love” in English.

Eros: Eros is probably what most people mean when they announce with a smile, "I'm in love." This type of love covers everything from queasy stomachs and warm fuzzy feelings to strong sensual passion.

Philia: We recognize philia and its meaning from the name Philadelphia, that is, the city of brotherly love. This is the love of friendship, best friends and the fellowship of being with those people you enjoy.

Agape: Unlike the previous two types of love, agape is not limited to being held hostage by its environment and someone's perception. The reason why agape can soar above these is because it is based upon the commitment of a decision. It entails the decision to proactively seek someone else’s well-being. For example, Jesus' teaching that we should agape (love) our enemies is intended to show the boundless nature of the Christian commitment toward seeking another's well-being, unconditionally.

Agape is the love we need to be showing to every person we come in contact with each and every day, especially those who are in desperate need; like many in Lake County.

So, the question is, do we agape people enough in this community to respond to their needs. If not, that is where we need to get to so Lake County will once again flourish. Like the Beatles song says, “All you need is love” and that love (agape) is exactly what we need!

We will talk more about agape on Sunday, May 6, at First Lutheran Church. Please join us for our traditional Holy Communion service at 11 a.m.Bible study begins at 9:30 a.m. and there is lunch served each week after worship.

All are welcome, so come as you are to learn more about the true vine.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572.

When I was small, one of the greatest joys in life was walking around my Grandpa’s farm. There were so many cool things to see and do.

It was a special treat when my little sister and I would go out with our little pails and pick wild raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and the like. We’d bring our pickings to the farm house and Grandma would cook up a pie or two. Along the way, we would always indulge and eat as many of these berries as we could.

The one thing we couldn’t pick in Canada was wild grapes. When you get only three months of growing weather, grapes don’t have a very good chance of survival.

That was probably good, because where there are wild grapes growing, there is also Canada Moonseed or Virginia Creeper growing as well. They are highly toxic and deadly plants that look identical to wild grapes. People who eat of the moonseed vine will likely die from the toxins.

So, as I look back and remember eating the wild raspberries and strawberries and blueberries, I am kind of happy we didn’t get the chance to munch on the deadly fruit of the “look alike” grape vine.

Guess where that brings us? The analogy we see in Jesus’ words in John 15, “I am the true vine.” How often we hear these words and simply gloss over and rush by them. After all, we know it. We’ve heard it. We get it. Let’s get to the good stuff. Let’s get to what we need to do. We need to abide in Jesus. We need to obey Him and bear much fruit.

There are many deadly vines in our community, temptations that pull us away from the need to bear fruit for the true vine which is Jesus.

As Lake County is reborn in Christ and people take pride in the joy of living here, the true vine will flourish and the deadly “look alike” will perish.

That is why it is so important for our communities here in Lake County to reach out to folks who are lost, who are burdened with addictions, mental illness, homelessness, unemployment, hate and any other adversity.

By working together in a manner that is focused on the cross of Christ, there will be renewal … but it takes the effort of all to make that happen.

When you see someone who is struggling in any way, offer them some grapes from the true vine. Tell them about the Good News of Jesus, then step back and watch what happens!

Please join us at First Lutheran Church to hear more about the true vine this Sunday at 11 a.m. Bible study starts at 9:30 a.m., contemporary worship at 11 a.m. and lunch following the service.

All are welcome, so come as you are to learn more about the true vine.

Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This Sunday the United Methodist Church congregations in Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks and Potter Valley will be looking for understanding in John 15:1-8 and Acts 8:26-40 on the topic of “How will your vineyard grow?”

In John, we find the recorded words of Jesus using the analogy of growth of a Christian to the cultivation of a vineyard. As we live in an area of vintagers, you will find that these words of Jesus can very easily be understood by us today.

What we find in the scripture from Acts today may not be so easily understood. Here we find a eunuch, a castrated man, of great authority, in charge of the treasure of a queen, reading but not understanding the words of a prophet. An angel of the Lord told Philip – oh, I will say no more you must come and hear the rest of the story.

For one reason or another, you may have been away from church for some time, but what a wonderful time to reunite. We especially invite you to return in faith to one of our churches to talk to God about your needs and praise God.

Each of our churches is involved in assistance to the their communities. We invite you to come, learn more and be one with us.

For that get-up-early place to worship, join our Potter Valley United Methodist Church, 10075 Main Street, Potter Valley, at 9 a.m.

Join Clearlake Oaks UMC, 12487 The Plaza, at noon, and enjoy a fellowship potluck after the service this Sunday.

For an afternoon service join with us at Clearlake UMC, 14521 Pearl Ave. at 2 p.m.

We pray that we see many visitors in our churches in the beautiful days of spring.

Dawn-Karen Roberts pastors the United Methodist Church congregations in Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks and Potter Valley.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April is Alcohol Awareness Month and this year’s theme – “Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘Rite of Passage’” – will be celebrated locally and nationally aimed at educating folks about prevention and treatment of alcoholism, especially among our youth.

This also highlights the important role parents of young adults can play in providing their kids a better understanding of the impact that alcohol (and drugs) can have on their lives and the lives of those around them.

Alcohol and drug use by young people is extremely dangerous, not only to themselves and the community at large, but is also directly associated with educational failure, violence, traffic fatalities, suicide, unsafe sex and alcohol overdose. This even applies to those individuals who may never develop dependence and/or addiction.

Adolescence is the prime time of elevated overall risk-taking and as alcohol and drugs enter the picture, parents are often faced with a very unique set of challenges.

Parents sometimes justify underage drinking or drug use as a “rite of passage.” Parents can either sit back and hope that their kids will get through it, or they can adjust their attitudes and partake in an active role to learn about alcohol and drugs and assist their kids in doing the same.

It is not always an easy task to discuss with children about the perils of drinking and drug use, but is well worth the effort parents can put into it.

Studies have shown that kids who have conversations with their parents early on and learn about the dangers of alcohol and drug use are more than 50 percent less likely to use these substances than those who did not have such discussions.

This is the opportunity when parents can reinforce the fact that imbibing alcohol is not a “rite of passage.”

When parents foster a change in attitude about alcohol and drug use in both themselves and their children will help them all to understand that drinking is not a way to be or feel independent, “cool,” or to fit in socially.

Young people can learn that alcohol and drugs are not a requirement in order to have a good time and that non-use of any substance is a viable and most importantly the healthiest option. We must learn to honor and respect another individual’s decision not to drink alcohol.

Alcohol and drug use is a very risky business for young people, and parents are the lynchpin in making a difference. The longer young people delay alcohol and drug use, the less likely they are to develop the inherent problems associated with it.

For more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.

Todd Metcalf is the administrator of Lake County Behavioral Health.