As I sit here thinking back on April and looking ahead to May, I see sunshine, finally, out the window and hear mowers going rapidly back and forth across many lawns in the neighbor-hood. This whole weekend’s weather is calling for sunshine and warmth. I am so happy about that I could dance a happy jig! I was beginning to think my bones were never going to warm up or dry out!
The Easter Cantata, despite a few technical glitches, was a success! I just love that music. A couple of the songs move me to tears and a cou-ple more make me dance. Isn’t that what the sto-ry of Jesus’ death and resurrection should do for Christians? Ultimately, we get to celebrate be-cause He is Risen!
The choir is saying Good-bye to Clarissa on May 8th and the church is having a reception immediately following the service on May 1st. Be sure to come with your well-wishes for this beautiful young woman as she heads off on her new journey and adventure. I, for one, will miss her sweet spirit and angelic voice!
Clarissa’s leaving does not mean you shouldn’t join us in the choir. Now is a great time to be-come a member and sing with us! You will be uplifted and moved by God’s spirit each week.
It seems as though things are always changing in life and church. Covid caused so much change and many of our habits changed. In our church, we have had Pastor changes, choir di-rector changes, leadership changes in other are-as and losses of dear, dear members this year. I know for me this last change has been the hard-est. It appears the UMC is in for many more changes to come. No matter what changes take place, however, this is my church FAMILY, not just a building. Nothing can take me away from my family!!
Here is one of my FAVORITE reminders:
Anne Wilson’s Sunday Sermon
Lyrics
Seven years old, third row pew John 3:16, something changed in me Red letters coming off the page Flooding my heart with amazing grace I knew then I believed And those roots run deep
Oh, I been through some faith-shaking hard times, yeah But nothing’s gonna make me forget
Every one of those Sunday sermons Every time that choir would sing I could hear my Savior calling, telling me how much He loves me No matter what the world throws at me I know His word is true It all started with heart-stirring, spirit-moving Sunday Sermons
Devil gon’ try and take me out of that church But you can’t take the church out of me Devil gon’ try and take me out of that church But you can’t take the church out of me
Gonna have my worries, well that’s part of life But then I think of those stories ’bout what my God can do He’s still moving like He did back then Born again people, can I get an “Amen”? (Amen)
We’ve all seen the proof He makes all things new
Even all those faith-shaking hard times, yeah I never wanna stop remembering
Every one of those Sunday sermons Every time that choir would sing I could hear my Savior calling, telling me how much He loves me No matter what the world throws at me I know His word is true It all started with a heart-stirring, spirit-moving Sunday Sermon
Devil gon’ try and take me out of that church But you can’t take the church out of me Devil gon’ try and take me out of that church But you can’t take the church out of me (Oh-oh, those Sunday sermons)
Jesus loves me This I know (this I know) For the Bible tells me so Jesus loves me Ain’t no doubt (ain’t no doubt) So I’m gonna keep on talking about (Oh, yeah)
Then the song goes back to the chorus again…
I just remember all the Sunday Sermons I have heard at this special place with my church fam-ily around me. Most of you have been here for the baptism of my girls and the death of the people I love the most. People, (and I have liked all of them, so don’t think I’m saying I have not), and policies and leadership may come and go in the UMC but my St. John family is just that…my family. I am thankful for each of you! May God bless each of you this month.
Joyfully submitted,
Sondra
