My Hymn "Praise God For Days Long Past!" is Sung During a 250th Anniversary Worship Service

I feel somewhat remiss in not having posted this sooner. 

Anne Fritts of the Schoeneck Moravian Church in Nazareth, PA, sent me the program from their congregation's 250th anniversary worship service and a note of thanks, because they included my hymn "Praise God for Days Long Past!" as part of the celebration.  Above and below are some photos.

I thought I might make some mention of the hymn that they selected...

"Praise God for Days Long Past!" is my 24th of well over 1000 hymn texts that I have written since 1983.  The hymn was written in 1991 for the hymn search for the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  It was not chosen by the judges of that search.  The text is based on a passage from II Timothy.

Even though it was not chosen then, the hymn did not get forgotten.

It was published the very next year in the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s 100th anniversary edition of "The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study".

Thereafter, it was distributed nationally to all PC(USA) congregations by the Presbyterian Historical Society, for the first annual "Presbyterian Heritage Sunday" on May 24, 1992, as the Presbyterian Heritage Sunday Hymn.

For some time I kept track of the requests that came my way for its use, and I see that it was published in the Foothills Presbytery Newsletter, Greenville SC and in the wonderful but no longer in print "Church Worship" magazine in April of 1992.  The hymn has been sung by numerous congregations in at least 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces.

Currently “Praise God for Days Long Past” is under my copyright.  It is to appear in my next book from Wayne Leupold Editions, called “God is the Singer’s Friend” which will debut at the Hymn Society Annual Conference in Richmond, this coming July. 

Up until Schoeneck Moravian Church, I believe the longest / oldest anniversary of which it was a part was the Bicentennial celebration of First Presbyterian Church of St. Clairsville, OH on 5/26/98.

But to think... A 250^th anniversary (wow!).

I am excited that they hymn that the judges rejected has gone so many places, and so pleased that it was part of the Shoeneck Moravian's anniversary service—and what an anniversary!

Jesus and the "Wife Fragment"

The November issue of "Smithsonian" magazine has a splashy article about the fragment that a Harvard professor is touting as proof that Jesus was married. You will recall that I had a response to this theory when it first made national headlines on September 20.

You can read it here: "Did Jesus Have a Wife"

Having scanned the blurb in "Smithsonian" I am inclined to go with another expert's view of the matter, Prof. Elaine Pagels of Princeton, as quoted in that article...

"At least 99 per cent of this text is missing".

My point.  Exactly.

And in a similar vein... 

If Jesus was married...  Did Jesus have a mother-in-law?

John 6:47 – Believe, and live in the assurance of eternal life, this day. This is a Wekivaword.

I Voted...

I voted...

Here in Florida we are permitted to vote early.

This week, only.  At some very limited locations, only.  All week long we have had people showing up at the church to vote early.  This, they may not do.  We are a polling place on Election Day but not an early voting location.  One person actually argued with our receptionist that she was here to vote and vote she would.  Huh?  Heidi kindly explained to her that the nearest location was our library branch.  Still, the woman argued.  Friends, people like this are choosing our leaders.  It gives one pause...  And a good reason why you and I should get out there and vote!

It is every one's civic duty, as well as right and privilege, to be able to vote.  I have heard lots of complaints about all the TV ads and the unsolicited phone calls regarding voting.  And yes, I wish I could have a kind of "blab-off" on the TV and phone that would say, "Enough everyone, I have already voted!"  But in this day of automated phone calls and blanket advertising, I am not going to hold my breath.

The right to vote--well ask the suffragettes about it--and you will understand why you need to get out there and be counted.  They marched and were locked up and so forth, in order to be able to do what you are now able to do, if you are willing to take a few moments out of  your busy day to cast your ballot.  A few moments...

We did, on Wednesday, at the Hunt Club Library, near our home.  Judy went in the morning, and I took Anne just after lunch time.  Was it busy?  Yes.  Don't get me started on the way people were driving in that parking lot...   Friends, people like that are choosing our leaders.  It gives one pause...  And another good reason to get out there and vote!  Regarding the parking lot, the line and such: Was it "worth it"?  Yes.

At lunch we talked about the "Amendments".  Anne had done the research.  So had one of our friends from the church.  We combined their insights with some further conversation of our own.  How did we vote?  We did not tell each other, so why would we tell anyone else.  Secret ballots are part of the right to vote.

Here in Florida we have ballots that look like the SAT.  You fill in the ovals, completely, using the pen provided.  I wonder how long those pens last?

In PA, we had voting machines the size of a side by side refrigerator/freezer.  You went into the booth, pulled a big lever, and the curtains went closed behind you like the Wizard of Oz.  Then the idea was, "Pay no attention to that man (or woman, thanks to the suffragettes) behind that curtain!"  And then you voted, by these very cool little switches or levers that somehow recorded your vote when you pulled the big lever again, and as the curtains opened--like opening night on Broadway--ta da!   You voted!  With curtains for privacy. 

Friends, there are no curtains in FL.  Just those little side panels that make you feel as if you are doing "Final Jeopardy".  I was tempted to say to the rather Wagnerian woman next to me, "Please don't peek!"  She was taking up more than her fair share of our shrinking planet.  And don't get me started about those what-were-you thinking-when-you-got-dressed-to-go-out-iin-public grey stretch pants she should not have been wearing...  Friends, people like this are choosing our leaders!!!  Another good reason for you to get out there and vote! 

As I say, with no Pennsylvania-esque curtains, her eyes seemed to be wandering ever so freely in the direction of my nice black ovals (on the ballot, thank you very much).  And at first I thought, "Don't peek!"  But then again, if she had wanted to vote just as I had voted, I suppose I would have said, "Go right ahead...  Copying is allowed!" 

Is there a right answer or a wrong answer?  Of course!

Go vote.  Go vote, today, if you are in FLA.  (Just not at the church).

Oh!  Too funny...  I have to add this P.S.  At 3 PM today, a Mini Cooper in red and white livery pulled into the parking lot.  Someone got out.  Came in to the office.  Left soon thereafter.  Backed out of the space, turning the wheels in the proper direction to leave following the directional markers.  Then thought better of it, and pulled back in to the space and then backed out turning the wheels the WRONG direction.  And drove...around the Campanile, and over to the Watson end of the lot--which as all of you who have been here know, does not have an exit... And then came back around the Campanile and left the lot by the "IN" driveway.  When I asked Martha our afternoon receptionist who the person was, she smiled and said...  She was here to vote!

Friends, people like this are choosing our leaders. Please, get out there and vote!

At the Car Wash...

Last Saturday, as the rain bands from Hurricane Sandy were drifting over Central Florida, we had two events going on at the church:  The Men's Pancake Breakfast and the Youth Car Wash. 

Both were great and they complimented each other; since the men had their cars washed while they enjoyed their meal. 

Here are some photos of the car wash. 

I was too busy eating the pancakes to take photos inside...!

Trick or Treat!

Last night was Halloween, and we have a bit of a tradition.  Mimi and Papa join us, and we distribute the candy to the costumed visitors.  It is Brantley's favorite holiday--he thinks all the little ghouls and goblins shop up just to see him.  We have supper before the festivities start, then hand out goodies, and then have pie.  Here are a few photos. 

Above, Mimi is trying the candy to be sure it meets her standards... "How are those Peanut Butter Cups, Mimi?"  (Please, don't answer with your mouth full!)

Below, Papa is cheering her on!

 Above and below, no that is not yours truly.

Above, we received a card from Tizzy Lish, who is a very up to the moment witch.  She does not  ride on a broomstick but rather on a Hoover Vacuum cleaner, circa 1940, the one with the headlight so she can see where she is going. Tizzy has been a part of our family for years and years, and you never know when she or a post card from her will turn up.  It may sound corny, but then again...

Above and below are some tiny pumpkins that Anne decorated with the dinosaur theme and with the spider web.  Clever!

Above, one of our Halloween treats is home made apple pie -- Judy's treat to the family and to several of the friends who stop by with their small children (the Andersons and the Woods).  We miss the Kings, who are now in California.  I wonder if there are apple pies there?  Certainly, none as good as Judy's!

Did we have candy...?  Yes.  Above is the "mix" which had lots of things we all like.  Fortunately, it went fast--we had loads of trick or treaters.  Below, mini's for the small trick or treaters.

Above is another of Anne's creations--a flower festooned pumpkin.  Below is an openwork pumpkin Judy placed to grace a corner of the family room.  Our home lends itself to fall decorating; since we favor warm, natural, organic colors where we can. 

Even though there are not many fall leaves in Florida, we have a few here and there...but not enough to have to rake.

By the end of the night Brantley was completely worn out.  You are looking at a tired but happy dog!

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, this day. Let your requests be made known to God. This is a Wekivaword.