Month: May 2020 (Page 1 of 3)

Creation Will Be At Peace

May 31, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

It’s a promise that’s hard to remember in days like these. What a horrible week. The murder of George Floyd followed the horrible murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and so many others! So much pain, and frustration and seemingly little justice… What do we do? That’s what my child has been asking. I’m not sure what to do other than pray, and if there is an opportunity to join in a peaceful protest we will go. The hymn of comfort tonight is an anthem that my mom (Anna Laura Page) wrote a long time ago (with text by J. Paul Williams). We thought that it was appropriate for this week. We feel peace when we listen to it, and hope you will too. It’s a setting of Isaiah 11:6-9:

The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling^[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
⁷The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
⁸The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

I actually sang this anthem to Wren as her lullaby when she was a baby. I want her to know the peace that we will find in the Holy Mountain of the Lord. I also want her to grow to be a peace-maker in times like the ones we are living through now. I can’t explain to her the hate and racism that has led us to the events we are watching unfold, but I can offer her an understanding that we are called to work as agents of reconciliation. Showing Christ’s love to others – and that is much stronger than the hate we are seeing now. So playing this piece tonight is her offering of peace. (Thanks Nonnie for helping us record your amazing anthem!)

Creation Will Be at Peace by Anna Laura Page and J. Paul Williams

Text:

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
in the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.

The wolf will lie down with the lamb, the cow and bear will feed,
their young will play together; a little child will lead, a little child will lead.

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace.

The leopard and goat will graze, the lion will feed on straw.
They will war no more, they will war no more; a child will lead them all,
will lead them all.

In the holy mountain of the Lord all war and strife will cease;
In the holy mountain of the Lord creation will be at peace,
Creation will be at peace.

Words by J. Paul Williams

Meeting to Worship

May 30, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

This morning, Wren woke with the tune Holy Manna in her head. She was walking around singing it, so we thought this must be the hymn of comfort today! Maybe you know this tune as Brethren We Have Met to Worship (or Christian we have met to worship). Since we celebrated Pentecost tonight, I think that this tune was put on Wren’s heart. It reminds us how blessed we are to be part of a community of believers who “Love God, Love Others, and Love Life.” Our church is an amazing community! Even though we have been apart for so long, it doesn’t feel that way. I know our family looks forward to our worship each Saturday (even a zoom worship). We are really blessed by this community! Today, the adults who serve in the children’s ministry drove to every rising 6th-grader’s home to celebrate them with a car parade. Since I serve in children’s ministry, and I am also a mom of a rising 6th-grader, I was doubly blessed!! Thank you Church of the Savior! We are blessed to journey with each of you, and I am so thankful my child is surrounded by such loving Christian mentors!

Eagles

May 29, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

Wren has been a Lowell Eagle for 6 years, and today was her last day. I can’t believe she will be starting middle school next year! Here she is on her first day as a Lowell Eagle:

And here is she is on her last day… So strange that it’s at home…

We did go take some photos with the sign, but it was bittersweet not being able to finish as we expected. I do realize that this is not a unique experience, and we lament with our friends (and my students) who missed graduations and other bigger moments in their lives!

Yesterday was “virtual Discovery Day” so we decided to go out and check on the baby Eagle. It’s really growing (just like my Eagle). Here are some more pictures so you can see how it’s growing!

Since we were thinking a lot about Eagles, we thought this Hymn of Comfort would be appropriate: And He Will Lift You Up on Eagle’s Wings.

I’m super proud of this amazingly kind, creative and clever kid!!! She’s going to be an awesome middle-schooler!!!

Bookends

May 28, 2020 / kristen / 2 Comments

It seems like yesterday that we were starting elementary school! Now there is only one day left… and I can’t believe it. This cute little kindergartener…

…has grown into this beautiful girl. She’s kind, thoughtful, empathetic, smart and creative! I’m so proud of her!

Here is the girl playing on the honor recital at Blue Lake Family Camp the summer before first grade. (Throwback Thursday)

Here she is performing her concerto in Wentz Hall last spring!

She also recorded a hymn of comfort for you. This is a different tune than I know for the Hymn “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”.

Benediction

May 27, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

We hope you find peace today!!

Borning Cry

May 26, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

We were introduced to this new (to us) hymn. It’s a really beautiful tune, and it has a wonderful text by John Carl Ylvisaker.

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
To see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
With a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
To find where demons dwell.
When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living God,
To whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
And you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme
From dusk ’till rising sun.
In the middle ages of your life,
Not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
Complete what I’ve begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
And you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
With just one more surprise.
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
To see your life unfold.

Borning Cry

Remembrance

May 25, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

Today we remember those who have given much. This Memorial day seems more poignant than others to me. So many are giving so much right now, and those of us who aren’t on the front lines are thankful. We showed our thankfulness by staying home. I went out and played Taps at 3:00 for the Taps Across America event. So many neighbors came out and stood on their front steps. It was very meaningful! It was nice to be able to honor those who have served. I think of my grandfather, Kenneth Hood (Navy), my uncle, Nigel Hood (Navy), and so many former students, but especially Christian Skoglund who lost his life in service.

Uncle Nigel (a few years before his service – obviously)
Sorry I don’t have service photos!

Wren’s hymn of comfort tonight is O God Our Help in Ages Past. We hope you enjoy, and we hope you will join with us in honoring all of those who have served in the military and those who continue to serve us in fighting the pandemic. Show them your appreciation by staying home, wearing masks, and washing hands!!

O God Our Help in Ages Past

Abide with Me

May 23, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

It has become my new habit to go birding on Saturday mornings. I’m the early “bird” in our house, so it’s usually just me. I’ve also decided to keep visiting the same place. I love how I’ve come to know this place. I know where I will see bluebirds…

…and I know that the pair of red-tail hawks will be screaming and I’ll see the Eastern kingbirds when I hit the back meadow.

It’s becoming familiar, but there are is also something new each time I visit! Today I was surprised by a resting hummingbird.

I also added a new warbler to my lifelist (black and white warbler), and I was serenaded by a Common yellowthroat!

I’m enjoying seeing new plants pop up, and new flowers each time.

Wren picked Abide with Me for her hymn of comfort. It is such a comforting tune. We hope you enjoy.

Take a Breath

May 22, 2020 / kristen / 1 Comment

I finally had 2 days in a row without a zoom call! I was the only one in the family with this luxury, however. Tonight we went for one of our sunset walks so that we could just take a breath! It was really nice, and it was fun to be the only people in a place where Wren could explore.

Wren picked the hymn “Breathe On Me” tonight for the hymn of comfort. Funny story… my childhood best friend, Sally, and I would love to sing this and breathe on each other during the chorus. This is probably not a good hymn to use during a pandemic… even when it’s safe to worship together again…