Church in the Park

I am tired. But blissfully tired from a morning of Worship in the Park with Salem UCC, Catasauqua.  God blessed us with great weather two years in a row.  Today was again warm and breezy. Attendance was good the children sang like angels!  All year long we would try to get them to sing and on the Sundays that we were schedule to sing no one showed up or perhaps 2 did.  So today we had a great group and they sang a medley of their greatest hits.  You know, like Jesus Loves Me, This Little Light of Mine and The B I B L E.  Yes it was great to see and hear the children.

The nest with the birdie

I love Pastor Mike's Sermon in the Park. At church I usually just look at him during the sermon but today, I watched birds, and a few squirrels and marveled at the evergreen trees that were to my left.  I still listened to the sermon but there is something about the wind blowing, the sun shining and just seeing the nature around me that makes me feel so close to God.   There was a bird in a nest just to the left of where Pastor Mike was standing and when it popped up it made me smile.  One of God's creatures also taking in the sermon.

I think the birds sang twice as loud when everyone sang, I think they wanted to sing along.

A shout out to everyone who made it possible - bff, Tammy organizes the event but so many hands helped in the setting up and taking down that it went so smoothly.

It's hours later and I am beat - my legs just about want to give up.  But I am still smiling about singing Blessed Assurance, praying and listening to Worship in the Park today.  I hope more people will join us next year.

Oh - and let's not forget the FOOD - omg - really - hot dogs, barbeque, tons of salads, snack and DESSERTS.  Yes Megan I had your delicious peanut butter dessert and it was a little slice of peanut butter heaven.  As we said there is no such thing as too much peanut butter.

And then there was BINGO.  I called Bingo and bff, Cathy played a card for me.  I won a crossword puzzle book.  But you know what, I never got to call the number B4 - I know this because I wanted to say, if God B4 me - who could be against.

and that's .....another day in Catasauqua

Give me that Old Time Religion

What a glorious day.  So glorious I had to write about it.  Today we did something new, that was something old;  that was to have our church service at the Catasauqua Playground.

I remember when I was a child, one Sunday when I was heading to the pool I came across a group singing at the Pavilion - Grace Hilficker was up front.  I wasn't a member of Salem back then but some of my friends were and I asked them what was going on and they told me that they were having their church service in the park.  I remember thinking, wow how cool is that.  Well today I could have that experience.

Thanks to bff, Tammy Lutte for organizing the event. And alot of other bff's for participating, it happened!

I got to the playground this morning at 8:00 AM and OH MY what a beautiful morning.  God surely graced us with a wonderful day.  We unloaded the car and then the other cars came, it was like a beautifully orchestrated event.  Not everyone got there at once, there wasn't any confusion and everything flowed smoothly.  The only boo boo was that we overloaded the electric strip from too much food.  LOL was that really a problem?

During the Service itself I couldn't help but smile. Pastor Mike had a great sermon about attending church.  Behind him some squirrels played.  The air was quiet except for the chirping of birds.  It was like nature cooperated with us for the perfect experience.  Everytime the wind blew through I couldn't help but think of the Holy Spirit, especially since it was Pentecost Sunday.

At one point I remember thinking as Judy, our organist sat up front and Pastor Mike was preaching-- how old fashion and relaxing it felt.  I made everyone hold hands for the benediction song just because I felt so overjoyed.  

After the service we had the BEST PICNIC EVER - I am still full.  And everybody mingled (perhaps because we didn't have our usual pew to sit it)  We played bingo afterwards for prizes.

What a great Sunday it was, great people, at a great park.  I like those Homecoming Arches, Catasauqua, nice job.  And the playground, pool and pavilion look the best they ever have. 

It makes you realize how wonderful it is to live in a small town, to have a wonderful Church to attend and caring friends.  You can feel the Love of God on a day like today.  You feel the love and kindness all around you.  You even share cookies and soda with kids who just happened by at the right time.  And best of all.........you feel blessed.

Amen and that's another day in Catasauqua

The New Year's Resolution

If you thought you were going to find out what my New Year's resolution is, sorry - I didn't make any this year.  I resolve occasionally  to try to do things better.  Sometimes after a great sermon, like the one Pastor Mike of Salem UCC, in Catasauqua did a few weeks back on Attitudes;  I resolved to have a better attitude at work.  However, like many resolutions, it is difficult to keep.  The pressure of deadlines, and attitudes of others, clients included can affect my way of thinking.  That's why resolutions are so hard.  We set high goals once a year and expect ourselves to meet them.  I rather work my way gradually to a goal, like eating better.  From years at Weight Watchers I really know how to eat better (I just don't always do it).  However, we eat less fried food and more vegetables and whole grains, but at Christmas some of that eating flies out the door.  I had also quit Weight Watchers in the beginning of November so I could have more money for Christmas Shopping; but, I will rejoin this Thursday, mainly because I am noisy and want to know what the new plan is all about.(I have to brace myself though, lots of people will be joining, just like lots of people go back to the gyms)   It will also help me and my family get back on a healthier eating track.

So where did New Year's Resolutions start?  Well, the ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.




The Romans began each year by making promises to the god  Janus, for whom the month of January is named.


In the Medieval era,  the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.

 At the end of the Great Depression, about a quarter of American adults formed New Year's resolutions. At the start of the 21st century, about 40% did.

So how successful are New Year's Resolutions?   A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study's participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

So, if you really want to make a New Year's Resolution, go ahead, share your goals and find the right support, and you are more likely to succeed.

In the meantime I have some Christmas candy and cookies to finish off before Thursday .......and that's another day in Catasauqua.

To everything there is a season

I use to say that God talked to me in the shower.  Maybe it's because it is the only place quiet enough for me to hear Him.  So, I just got out of the shower and wanted to share my ponderings.

I was pondering thoughts of life and eternal life.  On Friday I attended the funeral of a dear friend, Miriam.  I won't lie, it was hard one, and I cried and my heart ached.  Even though I knew that Miriam was now singing in the heavenly choir.  I knew she was now with her husband and her friends, that had gone on before,  but it was hard because I miss her so.  Today I received a call from my friend and co-worker, Barbara, and her mother is now very sick.  I am wondered what I would say to someone who ever asked me why?  Why does this have to happen.   Why suffering ? why death?

Well this morning was the first Sunday with our new Pastor, Pastor Michael Smith.  And he gave us homework of sorts, and that was to think what God meant to us and share it with someone.  What better place for me to share my faith but here with you, my readers.  All four of you.  Maybe five on good days.

Everything has a season.  Football has a season, and it will end soon with the Super Bowl.  Every sport has a season.  Our universe has a season, it had a beginning, and someday it will have end, although I think that is a long way off.  And sadly, our life has a season.  A beginning, as babies, helpless, but loved, taught along the way by many teachers that form our beliefs, our thinking, our very being.  I was lucky, I had a great Sunday School Teacher, Mrs. Horner, and I learned all about God and Jesus and how much He loved me and I formed a strong faith at a very young age.  So I know that like all good things, our life comes to an end.  That's why I am writing today.  To tell you that every day is a miracle, a gift.  Find the positive in at least one thing today and ever day.  See God in the sunshine or in a child's smile.  Feel God in the wind or a loved one's touch.  Life is precious and we should never waste a day of it.

Celebrate every day, not just the holidays or birthdays, but everyday, heck each day only comes once a year.  Talk to God, He listens and if you are really quiet He answers.  Maybe not in literal words, but in feelings, in your thoughts and in your heart. 

Share a smile with someone today.  Sit and listen to someone.  Help where you can. There are so many ways you can share the love inside you, you only have to open your eyes, ears and your heart to it. 

Love your family and tell them every chance you get, and say I love you to your friends, cause HEY you do, love them dontcha?   Kiss the dog and pet the cat. 

What I am trying to say is, we never know when our season is over, we usually don't get overtime or maybe we do, that's called a miracle. 

From Ecclesiastes 3 -

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
 ² a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
 ³ a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
 ⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
 ⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 ⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 ⁷ a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 ⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Well, it's now time for this blogger to go to bed, and with that....it's another day in Catasauqua.
PS  I love you