Welcome back!

Well! When I wrote last, I told how our wonderful early summer pulled me toward Thanks-giving Song. (You can sing the lyric to either our own tune or the marvelous tune of "Danny Boy.")

Just this week, a tornado swept by rather closely, and there's huge damage around us. But actually, this gave another reason for thanksgiving! We did feel God's protection against injury, and have seen so many people volunteering to help, even "friends we hadn't met yet."

As I write this now, the sound of chain saws is a special music to me--with the dedication and strength of the people who work them! It gives physical meaning to my hymn Connected by Spirit about the different gifts in the body of Christ. The hymn also goes with the Romans reading for August 23rd.

Since August is often a time of vacations, we still highlight our song Holy Places. Both the praise band version and the solo version begin with the beauty we might find on a summer trip. The song also references the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the Gospel reading for August 2nd.

Other songs which suit August 2nd (and other Sundays) are:

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing and I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, offered as solos with guitar, plus

our communion pieces Jesus, Feed Us (with guitar) or Lord, Before that Quiet Meal (multiple treatments).

Psalm 118—A Psalm and Psalm-Tone Paraphrase and Morning Prayer also feel personally good to me just now as they remind of God's salvation and care.

Finally, as gardens continue in bountiful swing, we highlight A Summer Thanksgiving, about how gardens relect the Kingdom of God. It has a hymn as well as a solo version.

 

Do take time to appreciate God's current wonders,

and check back soon for more suggestions,

including for the new Festivals of Creation!