Midweek: Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

 

Midweek 5/25/22

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Music Notes
• PPM Update
• Invite from Goodnights
• Faith’s Sweet Consolation, Day by Day

“. . . that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:12

Music: Please note that there are no rehearsals until June 2nd, so no Thursday rehearsal on May 26th.

Preparation for June 5th (Pastor Je's 1st Sunday), as well as Pentecost: Sanctuary, 7pm on:

• Thursday, June 2nd

Preparation for Worship in the Park, with CCC, on Sunday, June 26th (time TBD): 7pm on:

• Thursday, June 9th and
• Thursday, June 16th
• possibly at CCC on Wednesday, June 22nd time TBA.

Choir will then be on hiatus until at least Labor Day & until Pastor Je has had more opportunities to worship with us, meet with the Worship Team, and determine what his needs and wishes are for the choir.

Invite from Debbie Goodnight: Please join us to celebrate McKenna Reynolds at her graduation open house on Sunday, May 29th, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It will be at Les & Debbie Goodnight's home, 228 Nottingham Lane, Lebanon.

PPM is on semester break until June 6th. Teachers will be in the classrooms this week cleaning. There is also carpet removal and flooring installation going on. Much activity here for PPM, despite the absence of the children!

Sometimes life is like enjoying a piece of cake or a plate of cookies around a table with friends: The cake and cookies are sweet, the company is sweeter, and you have a moment to smile, savor, and enjoy. Other times, life deals us a meal that is bitter, sour, lonely, and full of struggle. Where do we find the balance? Can we know the sweetness of the cake when the circumstances in our lives more closely resemble a bitter brew? Karolina W. Sandell-Berg has beautiful advice for us in her hymn: “Day by Day”. Karolina’s father served as pastor of her village’s Lutheran Church in Frvderyd, Sweden, and she happily enjoyed a sweet home life growing up. In 1858, when she was twenty-six, life took a drastic turn for Karolina. She and her father had been on a boat trip along the east cost of Sweden when suddenly the ship lurched and her father was pitched overboard. He drowned, and Karolina was left to return home alone. She poured her heart out in poetry that year; fourteen poems were published, some of which were made into hymns we still sing today (“Children of the Heavenly Father”). She continued to find solace and release in music, and seven years later the hymn “Day by Day” was published. The first verse speaks volumes to this subject of finding balance in our lives, as well as acquiring the strength to face trials: “Day by day, and with each passing moment, strength I find, to meet my trials here; trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, give untoeach day what He deems best; lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.” Whether we have in front of us a small plate with a beautiful piece of cake and friends around us with which to enjoy it, or life has handed us a cup of bitter brew and we contemplate how to summon the strength to partake of it, our Heavenly Father is here. He does not promise an easy life, but He promises we do not have to go through it alone. (“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b) Scripture tells us: “So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6) Perhaps it is not man we fear but rather test results, or the absence of people and the presence of loneliness, or tasks that are too big for abilities we judge too small. Whatever it may be, the Lord is by our side day in and day out. He does not take a vacation or burn Himself out. He does not use voicemail or an answering service but always answers every call. He does not text while we’re talking or get distracted in anyway but rather gives us His full attention. He does not have office hours but rather is available 24/7. “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (Exodus 15:2) “As your days, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25) “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31) “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) So raise a glass (or a fork!), and let us take heart: the kindness of the Lord is here and will not depart.

Thank you to the Greeters who have helped us so far or who have already signed up on the schedule! Veterans: you are on the schedule for May 29th. Please arrive by 10:10/10:15.

1, 2: Our Greeters welcome you
3, 4: Smiles ready at the door
5, 6: All treats, no tricks
7, 8: Our Greeters are first rate!
9, 10: Be welcomed by a friend

Would you like to be a greeter? We would love to have you! It is an important ministry. Feel free to sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board across from the office. Or contact Gretel in the office: M-F 9-1: Gretel@lebanonfpc.org ; (765)482-5959. Would you like to help but are unsure what to say or do? Let us know your thoughts and concerns. It is our pleasure to help you help others.

Graduates: Do you have someone graduating this year from high school, college, or beyond? Please share with us the following information, so we can celebrate together this wonderful accomplishment. Please email: jenniewoods1966@gmail.com. Information needed:

• Full name of graduate
• Where they are graduating from and what with (i.e.name of school and degree/focus of study)
• Post-Graduate plans (i.e. college, graduate work, job, missions, etc.)

“Happy Birthday to you! We celebrate with you! Please know that we love you, and God loves you too!” George Piper: May 28th; Dennis Brannon: May 30th.

Interested in joining the prayer chain? Contact Phyllis Duff at (765)482-1485/ raduff2@att.net. The following prayer is taken from the hymn “Day by Day” by Karolina Sandell-Berg”.

Dear Heavenly Father, Every day You are near me with a special mercy for each hour; all my cares You fain would bear and cheer me, You whose name is Counsellor and Power. The protection of Your child and treasure, is a charge that You have taken on Yourself. “As your days, your strength shall be in measure,” this is the pledge to me You have made. Help me then in every situation, so to trust Your promises, O Lord; that I lose not faith’s sweet consolation, offered me within Your holy Word. Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, e’er to take, as from a Father’s hand, one by one, the days, the moments fleeting, till I reach the promised land. In Jesus’s name we pray and praise, Amen.