There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit

“I will pour out my spirit on all people”

Joel 2:28

Greetings Friends,

Last Thursday we kicked off a four-week study on the theology of hymns. We had a lively discussion about church music, trying to avoid simplistic terms like “contemporary” versus ”traditional”. I am always amazed at how much and how GOOD the food is for these gatherings! Each week we will focus on one special hymn, and we started out with the most well-known hymn

— “Amazing Grace” by John Newton. This Thursday we will be looking at “It is Well with My Soul” so bring a covered dish and join us!

As I reflect on music in worship, especially hymns, it occurs to me that there is one hymn that really speaks to the mood in our congregation right now

— “There’s a Sweet, Sweet, Spirit “.  Last Sunday there was such energy in the worship service, the music was great, folks seemed very attentive and then we had a full house for the covered dish luncheon after worship and as always the food was delicious. Then yesterday we had another great worship service followed by the congregational meeting to hear a recommendation from the Pavilion Committee. I was nervous about how the meeting would go but Bob Dunn and Bob McCarley did an outstanding job presenting the plans and the financials. We will vote by ballot at a brief congregational meeting following worship next Sunday. If you can’t be in worship on September 27, you can stop by the church and cast your ballot this week. Yesterday folks stayed for the third Sunday “Refreshments on the Lawn” after the meeting and again the spirit was so positive and energizing!

 (Thank you for the preacher’s birthday cake!) I spoke with some visitors and they remarked on how welcoming you all made them feel.

So… If someone asked me to describe the state of our congregation today, I would share with them the words from the hymn:

Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly dove

Stay right here with us

Filling us with your love

And for these blessings

We lift our hearts in praise

Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived

When we shall leave this place

Its a joy to be your pastor.

Blessings,

Mike

• Congregational Meeting – Sunday, September 27th
• College Students – Please turn in your students address to Beth Gannon
• Church Directory – Copies of the church directory are available in the Narthex