Chancel Ringers Notes
November 14, 2013
We Play Sunday!!
Heads Up: Remember that the screen arms in the Sanctuary are raised before worship and lowered at the beginning of the announcements. For those of you sitting in the wings of the choir loft, the arms will come very close to your heads and bodies. Just be aware of this!! Remind me to remind you on Sunday.
Wanda and her husband, James, polished the bells on Monday after rehearsal...all the bells!! They are beautiful!!! Look like new. What a beautiful gift. Thanks to both of them.
I look forward to seeing you early Sunday morning. Appreciate you all.
Peace,
Ruth Ann
Playing Schedule
Morning Procession
Now We Offer
Jesus, We Want to Meet (9:30 only)
Sunday, December 8, all services.
Comfort Ye
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers
Possibly portion of Ding Dong Merrily on High
Below: Tryptych: Hearts Journey by Quinn
Prayers
For Lori and a quick recovery from her knee injury.
For Nona - healing from shoulder surgery on October 21 - doing well!!!
For those fighting cancer: Roger L. - for discernment concerning surgery
Grateful for cancer survivors: Wanda and Valerie
For encouragement: Ashley Roper and her family (David is her dad)
For our college students: Trace Hayles (graduate studies), Kayla Nichols and Michelle Zimmerman; John Lind
For parents of young children: Ashley
For those taking care of parents: Nona, Shelly (her mom has Alzheimer's) - see note below
Below: Psalm 5, Hallelujah Morning by Virginia Wieringa
Celebrations
We have beautifully polished bells!!! Thanks Wanda and James
Nona's successful surgery
Matt and Stephanie (Lind) Schlimm are expecting a baby in April!
On the Light Side
Gertie said, "You call that love? You know that new Cadillac I just got for Mother's Day? That's from my son Bernie. What a doll."
Golda, in turn, replied, "That's nothing. You know my son Stanley? He's on analysis with a psychotherapist on Park Avenue. Five sessions a week---and what does he talk about? Me."
Who is the Greatest?
It is that time of year again when culinary experts shine. "She makes the best pumpkin pie." "Her dressing is the most tasty and moist that I have ever put in my mouth." "You haven't tasted fried turkey until you have tasted his." " Oh me, oh my, her sweet potato pie." You get the picture. While my culinary skills are adequate, you will never hear, "Ruth Ann makes the best_______." Not in my DNA.
I appreciated Matt's sermon on Sunday. I was encouraged by his words to follow Jesus in the context of our gifts and time. There is a place and need for our own unique fearfully and wonderfully made-ness. We do not have to compete for our place, it is already there. (Mine is not necessarily in the kitchen) We may need help from discerning friends to see where and how we fit, but we DO have a place.
Concern over our 'place' is human nature. In the Gospel of Mark from 9:33-10:45, the disciples are wrestling with this themselves. On the way to Capernaum, Jesus hears them arguing among themselves. "But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest." (9:34) Jesus' answer, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. He took a child..." (9:35, 36)
The story of the rich young man who kept the commandments but couldn't leave all his stuff. That ends with Jesus telling the disciples, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
And then, the request of James and John, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." (
10:37). Jesus' answer, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (10:43-45)
That is a lot of firsts and lasts, don't you think? So I am wondering...maybe, it is not about being seen as being great, but about how we do what we were created to do at this time. Maybe it is not about making the best pumpkin pie ever, but about making pumpkin pie because I love the people I am making it for. Maybe, it is not about being the best choir ever, but about loving and making music with and for the people we are with at that time. Maybe, it is not about being on the fast track of discipleship (and making sure that everyone knows I am a super disciple) but about being faithful on this day, using my gifts and being faithful to the people God has placed in my path. Maybe it is about remembering that I have a place...in the kitchen, the choir room, my office, the sanctuary, the grocery store, at the table. on the highway. I have a where. My choice is how.
See you Sunday. Appreciate you all.
ra