“For the Beauty of the Earth” has always been such a great hymn to sing for Mother’s Day. The flowers are blooming, the weather is a little warmer, and school is almost done. These are all beautiful things, but pollen comes in and stuffs up noses and waters eyes and generally becomes a nuisance when it comes to our cars and outdoor furniture. I’m told that studies show that the pollen season is getting longer on average by several weeks compared to 50 years ago. It’s due to warmer temperatures and shifting weather patterns which mean plants release pollen earlier and for longer periods of time. Also, the number of bees matter as well. A decline in bee population could lead to a shift in plant communities, with wind-pollinated plants potentially gaining dominance over animal-pollinated species. Bees are important, but they can sting……. So, thinking about all of this, there is much good and also bad to go along with everything. My great grandmother always said, “You just have to take the bad with the good and be glad when you can get through a day when the bad outweighs the good.” Some members of the choir have been suffering the effects of a beautiful spring with coughing, sneezing, etc tamped down with cough drops and other medications. Yet they continue to deliver inspiration and joy to our worship services each week. Next week, the Chancel Choir will sing John Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth”. As an introit, we will sing our hymn version of “For the Beauty of the Earth.” My favorite verse is “For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.” On this Sunday, our graduates will be recognized at the 10:30 service. The next Sunday, May 18, our confirmands will graduate. The choir begins the service with the hymn “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” and then they sing the anthem “For I Know the Plans I Have for You.”  

An Important Worship Note: Worship begins at 10:30 when the choir stands to sing. Please refrain from your conversations and turn your attention to the front of the sanctuary. All music is carefully selected to enhance our services. These notes and words are for you and for the Glory of God. Thank you.  

Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda 

Sunday, May 11

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:00 am Confirmation Class - Youth Suite

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Location

10:30 am Late Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, May 12

10:00 am Worship and Music - Upper Room

3:00 pm Salvation Army Cooking - Kitchen

6:00 pm Officer Training - Upper Room

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, May 13

7:00 am Youth Devotions - Chick-Fil-A SSI

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room

12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

4:00 pm Session Meeting - Upper Room

4:00 pm PW Ladies of the Night - John Law

8:00 pm Codependents Anon - John Law

Wednesday, May 14

9:00 am Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic

10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda's Office

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, May 15

10:00 am Womens Bible Study - Upper Room

5:30 pm ODD Book Group - John Law

Friday, May 16

No Activities Planned for This Day