August Grace Notes & Calendar

 "To everything there is a season."

This is the beginning of Ecclesiastes 3:1 and the first words of the song: “Turn, Turn, Turn” by Pete Seeger. And while we are still in the season of summer with its heat, long days, and vacations, we are reminded that fall is just around the corner. The days are getting shorter.  School is back in session for some. And Friday night football is back this month. 

One thing that is also back, is preparation for Charge Conference! This is the season in our church where we look back at the past year to see where we have come from and take a look to the future to see where we are going. Mostly, during the year, we are just looking to the present with no thought of past or future, so this time gives us a much-needed perspective.  Of course, we do all this in prayer.

While I love the different seasons of the year and its various activities and holidays that come with them, it is the seasons of the church that I find prodding me along in life…giving me a path to walk on with God. For instance, in this time of year, we call Ordinary Time or the Season after Pentecost, we look at how we can walk closer to God. We take a season to hear the parables of Jesus once again and maybe even discern parables in our own lives: stories of times when we have learned more about God and God’s Kingdom. We will transition to the next big season, Advent, at the end of November. (It also starts a new church year) 

One of the things I have learned to do as a Christian and as a Pastor, is to take time to listen to God’s voice, especially when I look ahead to the new season. I want to be led into each season by God’s hand. In order to do this, I take time away from noise and distractions to a quiet place and pray, walk, and listen with God. I’m amazed at how God answers and directs if only we give time to God. It’s time beyond Sunday morning or 30-minute devotionals. It’s immersion in God’s time. 

As I continue to learn more about Grace UMC and each of you, I’m also reminded that it’s time to prep for Charge Conference. And as I’m doing the Charge Conference prep, I’m reminded that it’s time to set myself apart and be with God to prepare for the next church seasons of Advent and Christmas. I’ll be doing this the last week of August. (Aug 30-Sept 3). 

Why not try your own retreat? Immerse yourself in God’s time for a couple of days or if time is valuable, one day works. Any time is good. Just make sure it is a distraction free time! I find having access to outdoors helps me talk to God. Then I listen. Take a blank notebook with you in case you want to journal or write notes. Take your Bible. And take your watch off!

You’re on God’s time. Allow God to lead you to where God wants you to be. If you like having a set agenda or need ideas to follow to help move the day along, see me! I have ideas. We can come up with something suitable for you that also allows God to lead. 

Yes, everything has its season. God knows the plans and purposes for each of the seasons.  Why not tune in to God’s plans and make them ours as well?!? 

Blessings to each of our youth as they head back to school. May you know that God goes with you. And we all support you! Blessings to Grace UMC as we follow God’s will and plans for us in the seasons ahead. And blessings to each of you as God guides you in the rest of this season and into the new church year ahead. 

 Yours In Christ,

Pastor Mary

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July Grace Notes & Calendar

Greetings In the Name of Christ,

 
An odd thing happened to me one day. It had started to rain when I reached Stephens City town limits and turned onto a back street. As I looked around, I noticed that it was raining a block to my left, a block to my right, in back of me and about two blocks in front of me. Yet, where I was stopped, there was not a drop of rain. The storm was all around me.
 
I thought about how sometimes the storms of life are all around us, threatening to come into our lives, yet God protects us and brings us shelter and peace. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have the rains or thunder or lightning of tragedies affect us. Christians are just as affected by storms of life as anyone else. But what is different is that God promises to go through the storms of life with us.  God often tells us: Do Not Fear!!   
 
For that brief time, I felt protected from the rain. I felt at peace and comforted.  I also felt comforted knowing that no matter what storms my family or I go through, God will keep us to Him and help every step of the way.
 
When I went to Alabama this past Spring, I quickly learned about our “safe spot” in the house during bad storms. It is here that you wait out the time until the “All’s Clear” is given after the storms are over. We had to use our Safe Spot twice while storms with the possibility of tornados howled outside. But like in the car, I felt protected and secure knowing whatever happens, God would be there to walk with me and with my family.
 
May you also feel this special peace and comfort in your life this summer and forever. God’s promises for you are real and sometimes mysterious, just like what I experienced that day in Stephens City. Believe in God’s presence and do not fear the storms of life.
 
Have a great and safe summer.
 
Blessings
Pastor Mary

 Print/View Our July Calendar

Grace Notes newsletter, emailed July 20, 2022

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Grace Notes: June newsletter

Click here to view the June Grace Notes newsletter. This is a printable version. 

Most news and updates are emailed to our email list. Very occasionally a printable version is created since Covid19. That's because there have been fewer office hours and pandemic restrictions. Few printable newsletters are needed--the mailed list includes 12-15 names. Email saves us time and expense--do we have your email address? Your correct email address? (Postage rates go up again in July.) Send us an email at graceumcmiddletown@gmail.com 

Our Bells Ring on Sundays

 Our Member, Ann Wisecarver, climbs up the narrow stairs to the bell tower each Sunday to play the bells. She plays several selections each week at 11 am. As you might expect with the start of Advent she played some familiar Christmas tunes last Sunday. 

Please enjoy our playlist on YouTube. 

Grace Notes newsletter November 2020

November 1, 2020 – All Saint’s Sunday         

We remember the following Grace Members today who have passed away since the last All Saints Sunday:

• Gretchen Scothorn Cooley
• Frances Carol Robinson
• Harold Nichols
• Alice Ann “Dot” Cooley
• Claudine Taylor

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18  |  RSV

How do we give thanks in a pandemic? Here we are in what I often call, "Gratitude Month," and we are beset with stories of illness and death like we have never seen before. So many are sick and dying right now all around the world, but especially in our own nation. As I write this hospitals in Utah are considering the rationing of health care so many are sick with COVID-19. Who could of imagined this a year ago? And here it is the month of thanksgiving. This is an  intense time in our lives, a time we will not forget.

Paul's words to the Thessalonian Christians are often disruptive. I've been asked about this passage now and then in my years as a pastor: "Give thanks in all circumstances? How can we do that?" How can we do this?

We begin where we are. We look around us. Take your pulse. Are you living? Breathing? Give thanks. How about our family members? Despite the struggles they are facing are they living and loving you each day? I am so, so blessed to be married to Lisa!  Give thanks.

As I sit and write these words at home I can see out our dining room window. The trees are changing their color and birds are at the feeder. The sun in shining brightly on the leaves bringing out their color. Earlier today I was driving and could see more color in our part of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Give thanks.

Yesterday Michael and Melissa stopped by in a surprise visit. They were on their way back to

Waynesboro from Pennsylvania. We had a brief socially distanced visit with our masks on. They are happy, busy, and full of life and love. Give thanks.

A year ago I was facing surgery, chemo, immunotherapy, and what else I did not know. A year later the surgery and the chemo are over and I had "a massive response" (Dr. Ingram's words) to the treatments. The immunotherapy is using my immune system to keep the cancer at bay  and I am tolerating it very well compared to the chemo. Give thanks.

In this past year I have had so many answered prayers, so much love and support, so many acts of kindness and friendship, so many (!) cards, so much care and food. And I received cards and gifts for Pastor Appreciation Month, too. Thank you for the gifts this year. Give thanks.

While we are not meeting together in person we still meet each Sunday to hear the Word. We continue to pray for one another when there is an illness or crisis. We are continuing in our mission in various ways. Twice since the pandemic began we have collected food items for

Bright Futures so that hungry children can have food. Ryan provides us with lovely and inspiring music each week. We are still learning how to be church during this time. The longing we have to see one another is a gift. Ann Wisecarver has played the chimes since March of this year for everyone to hear in Middletown. She has done this almost every Sunday. You can even find these on YouTube under her name. She's done this with some help from Emma!" Give thanks.

Most of all Christ is Lord! He is with us as our Emmanuel. He remains the Good Shepherd of the sheep (that's you and me!). We still have his words in the Gospels. They shape and challenge us and tell us the truth. I've been reading a Psalm a day for eight months. They have helped me so very much during the last year. The Spirit is with us to guide, comfort, and give us power. The God of hope gives us courage to live the life he has called us to live. Give thanks!

Grace + peace,

Clay+

A word about Grace finances from our Treasurer

Thank you to everyone who has faithfully given during this difficult time. While all expenses and apportionments continue to be paid in full, undesignated offerings to the General Fund have decreased dramatically the last two months. 

September offerings totaled $8,860 while October offerings were $9,310. Expenses during September and October were $13,400 and $14,690 respectively. For the year our undesignated offerings have totaled $129,477 while expenses have totaled $136,000. We have a reserve of funds available to cover expenses, however the decrease is concerning. Expenses of the church continue even though we are not holding services. 

Please keep the church and church leaders in your prayers and give as you are able and led by the Holy Spirit. Please contact me if you have questions or would like to discuss the church finances in detail. 

Carolyn Bell, Treasurer 

Youth collected breakfast items for Bright Futures

Thankful for Charlie Higgs and all of our youth and mentors for helping last Saturday to gather donations of breakfast items for Bright Futures! They will help feed hungry students in Frederick County and Winchester City. Thank you to all the church members who donated these items for our mission project! I’m sorry not all our youth’s photos that helped are here! We appreciate all that came! You are a blessing to our community.

Thank you to one of our youth group members, Avery, for helping me deliver the huge load of breakfast items for Bright Futures. Between our church and my Alpha Rho teacher sorority, we gave them seven tubs of items including apple sauce, granola bars, Pop tarts, fruit cups, baby food, and several bags of coats. Bright Futures is currently feeding 800 students a week!

Lisa Knick

Volunteers Needed for CCAP. Can you help?

Thank you so much to the volunteers that helped with our first CCAP pumpkin patch. We had great turn out and the children were adorable picking out their little pumpkins. 

We have a few needs some are very urgent we are looking for some help with.

We have a driver on Fridays who picks up store donations from 8am until about 11:30am. He needs a helper. Someone who can go with him every Friday and help load and unload. Please let me know if you can assist with this.

Other needs description of duties:

Pantry: Assist in food distributions, packing food boxes, stocking shelves, etc as needed.

Accepting Donations: Sit in the warehouse and accept and inspect incoming donations as well as provide receipts.

Sorting: Sort clothing into correct sizing bins to be moved to clothing house.

Translators: Translate for organization, must speak Spanish and English.

*Please feel free to share with anyone. *please scroll down to the bottom of this message to view the flyer for our donation needs for Thanksgiving holiday food boxes. 

Please reach out to me if you can assist, Crystal Pruitt, CCAP Volunteer Coordinator

A letter from Bishop Sharma Lewis

As I type this letter, I write it with an urgency to call the entire conference to join me and the Call to Action Work Group for Racial Justice and Reconciliation for a three-day period of “Prayer and Fasting for the Healing of the Nation” from October 31-November 2, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

I encourage everyone to commit to fasting and praying during these three days that we might be more aware of Christ’s presence in our personal lives, the Commonwealth, and the nation. Prayer is essential to sustain our faith and fasting calls us to refocus our attention and listen for God.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

We can no longer pretend and turn a blind eye that our nation is in the midst of trouble. We are witnessing the tension between party lines coupled with our anger that governs our speech. We are fighting two pandemics—COVID-19 and systemic racism— that have taken the lives of individuals and forced us into a world of pain and suffering.

How are we as Christians called to act in this unprecedented time? How are we as Christians called to live out our civic duties? I believe God is calling us to a time for deeper soul searching, reflection, and repentance that leads us to daily prayer and fasting. Our United Methodist Church Social Principles state, “we hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of people to free and fair elections.”  I encourage all of you in the Commonwealth to exercise your right to vote as we seek God’s direction for our country.

In the designated 12-hour period, I encourage you to pray, fast, and spend time with God. You may choose a total, water, partial or juice fast.  Please fast only if your health allows it at this time. If you can’t restrict your food or liquid intake abstain from something else – like social media, watching television, fast foods, desserts, etc.

If you have reservations or want more information about fasting, the attached document describes the significant components in understanding the spiritual discipline of fasting.

I pray as an annual conference we will experience the power and presence of God in an extraordinary way as we commit ourselves from October 31 to November 2, 2020 to pray for the healing of the nation.

Peace and Blessings, Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

 

 

 

Grace Notes Newsletter - October 2020

Happy October All!

Your Grace Notes newsletter is in email form this October 1 - Or subscribe to this blog. I would like to let you know I’ll be in the Church Office afternoons, Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursdays until 4 pm in the Month of October. 

Notes of thanks:

The Hahn family would like to thank our Grace church friends for the prayers, cards, and messages of concern and sympathy due to the loss of our Mother. The lovely cards brought us peace and comfort during this difficult time. We have missed our church family and look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Sincerely, Rob and Gail Hahn

Again, dear friends, I wanted to say how wonderful it was for Dan and me to see your faces and participate in the Grace Charge Conference [Saturday, Sept 26].  I never thought I would be able to do this again, so it was very special for me.  (Amazing how ordinary things become so special—and bad things like Covid-19 have unexpected silver linings.) We are so grateful to be with our children and grandchildren in California, but it goes without saying that because of the many years I spent with you I still miss Virginia and my Grace Church and Middletown friends very much. Blessings to all until we meet again! Susan Garrett 

It was a great pleasure for me to meet with all my Grace Church friends. Blessings in your vital ministry. Christopher Morse

Great seeing all of you today. All of you looked so wonderful. Thanks to all of you for the hard work. We had attendees from NY to California! I'm not sure any other Charge Conference will be like this for Steve this year! Clay Knick

Note: the Charge Conference reports which includes reports from the pastors above is viewable HERE. A printed booklet will be available sometime this month.

Youth Project: Breakfast items collected Sat Oct 24

Thank you to all who donated to the school supply drop off for Bright Futures in August.  We collected seven over-flowing tubs of school supplies.

On Saturday, Oct 24 starting at 10:00 the Youth Group will be collecting breakfast items for Bright Futures in a similar drop off method. 

Items needed:  granola or breakfast bars, single serve applesauce, individual packages of oatmeal, pop tarts, etc.  Thank you very much for those willing to help feed breakfast to our school children in our community. For more information contact Charlie and Lisa Higgs or Lisa Knick.  

Healthy Church Team Met September 8

Attending:  Clay Knick, Sherry Jenkins, Randy Jenkins, Betsy Jenkins, Katie Fauver, Carolyn Bell

Clay opened the meeting with prayer.  He reported that he gave Mary Lou and Lucy permission to go down to Thrift Shop and clean and put things away, which they have done.  The Thrift Shop will remain closed.  Mayor Charles Harbaugh had previously contacted Clay about using the church kitchen for the Farm to Table event.  He was told this would not be allowed.  There have been no other requests from individuals or groups to use the building, but should there be they will not be allowed.  Clay said Robin is coming in to the office periodically.  Carolyn suggested that there be a dedicated time/day that she is in the office so members know when she is there if they need information. 

Katie Fauver provided the latest Covid-19 Data for the area.  She said that the trend for positive cases has recently been trending down, however with school starting and the recent Labor Day holiday we may well see an increase in cases in the next few weeks.  Her recommendation is that the church remains closed at this time.  Everyone was in agreement.  Sermons will continue to be available on the Church’s website, Facebook and YouTube.  It is also available through a Sermon by Phone option.  Clay noted that there has been an increase in viewers of sermons recently.

Carolyn gave a brief financial report that donations for August were nearly $17,500 and expenses were $12,150.  Financially we are doing well and meeting all obligations.

The next Healthy Church Team meeting will be Monday, November 9, 2020. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Bell

COVID-19 Data as of: Monday, September 7, 2020

• Cases: 6,226,879
• Deaths: 188,051
• New cases in last 7 days: 292,055

Virginia:

• Total Cases: 127,571
• Total Hospitalizations: 9,902
• Total Deaths: 2,684

(Fairfax County and Prince William County have highest number of cases in VA)

UMCOR continues to help those affected by natural disasters. The need from recent storms, winds, wildfires is great. Click here to help if you can. 

AbbaCare and Other VA Pregnancy Centers Targeted

In recent weeks, some organizations who believe differently about the abortion issue have made malicious accusations and false claims against many Virginia pregnancy centers, including AbbaCare, in the media. These unfounded and unsolicited allegations are meant to discredit the compassionate work and professional reputation of AbbaCare and others like us. We also have reason to believe that the attacks may be a precursor to legislation that these groups plan to introduce in the Virginia legislature early in 2021. As a friend of AbbaCare, you can support us in these difficult times by:

• Remembering our ministry in your prayers, as we respond with truth and grace to any inquiries that may come our way.
• Staying informed about any new legislation that may target life-affirming pregnancy centers in Virginia in the coming months.
• Contacting us directly with any questions or concerns.

As always, we rest in the truth of 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Thank you for your love, encouragement, and support as we stand for life in an increasingly hostile culture.

Race Relations Conversations facilitated by Rev. Jean McDonald-Walker and Mrs. Sadie Nelson, based on the book Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation. Starting on Thursday, October 8 at 6:00 pm. Please join us for this opportunity to study the book & engage in conversations on racial reconciliation. Please email vamarketst@gmail.com if you would like to participate.  We will send you the Zoom link. Thank you, hope to be in conversation with you! Keiko Foster (Market Street UMC)

'Dismantling Racism' Events Around the connection, United Methodists are gathering online and in-person to do the difficult work of dismantling racism. Find an event to attend or watch the video of one that has already occurred.

Upper Room - Because Grace subscribes to The Upper Room daily devotional, we are reaching out to you to offer additional resources (free of charge) for responding to the presence and call of the Good Shepherd in the midst of such unsettling times. We are experiencing the convergence of at least three storms—pandemic, economic downturn, and social upheaval over the bitter fruit of persistent racism. Where is God in the midst of this “perfect storm”? How do we hear and respond to God’s presence and call in the midst of such anxiety and anger? These are the pastoral challenges for which we offer these resources. 

Morning Prayer with The Upper Room via Facebook Live, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11 a.m. (CT). These guided prayer experiences are archived so you may join us at your convenience if you miss it live. 

Resources for Spiritual Wellness in Anxious Times. For navigating the pandemic, this link makes available to you a robust list of timely practices—for individuals and families as well as your faith leaders. Included are digital devotionals, videos, eCourses, podcasts, etc., all of which can be accessed and distributed free of charge to everyone in your congregation.  

A PDF File of the September/October issue of The Upper Room is available to our standing order churches. Because you are a paid subscriber, we want to provide this service to you since we realize many readers are currently reticent or unable to pick up their copy of the devotional guide because of the virus or closed church office.

Also note the Upper Room devotionals continue to be available here at Church. Please feel free to pick one up during office hours.

The November newsletter deadline is October 27 by Noon. Please share notes of thanks and Thanksgiving greetings and pictures. 

As always you can catch video of Pastor Knick on Sunday mornings at 10 am on Facebook. It will also be posted on YouTube and our Blog as soon as I can get to it. If you know someone with no Internet access, please do share our Sermon by Phone number: 1-540-283-9254. I usually have the latest sermon loaded by Monday.

Here is the Blog Post for this last Sunday. In my opinion this was a great sermon to listen to this week in particular with the debates coming up, then again after!

Grace Calendar

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Our Social Creed - The Book of Discipline 2016

We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.

We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.

We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.

We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of all persons.

We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.

We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.

We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.

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From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2016. Copyright 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.

Music Reflection: How Can I Keep from Singing

For this week, please enjoy the NYC Virtual Choir and Orchestra performing “How Can I Keep from Singing,” a beautiful arrangement and reminder of togetherness though socially apart. 

Lyrics: My life flows on in endless song above earth's lamentation. I hear the real, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock, I’m clinging Since love prevails in heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing? While though the tempest round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth. And though the darkness round me close, songs in the night it giveth. No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock, I’m clinging Since love prevails in heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing? I Lift my eyes. The cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it. And day by day, this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it. No storm can shake my inmost calm, I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? How Can I Keep from singing? Keep Singing.

O God, who would fold both heaven and earth in a single peace:

let the design of thy great love

lighten upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows:

and give peace to thy Church,

peace among nations,

peace in our dwellings,

and peace in our hearts:

through thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

With Metta and Peace,
Ryan Keebaugh
www.ryankeebaugh.com

Music Reflection: Down to the River to Pray

This week I would like to offer you a performance by the Schola Diffusa (dispersed choir) in a virtual performance of Down in the River to Pray. A beautiful piece reminding us of guidance, assurance, and stillness as we walk together with God and Christ through our daily living.

A Camino prayer

May I walk this day in the realm of grace, walking with You my feet firmly on your earth-path, my heart loving all as kindred, my words and deeds alive with justice.

May I walk as blessing, meeting blessing at every turn in every challenge, blessing, in all opposition, blessing, in harm’s way, blessing.

May I walk each step in this moment of grace, alert to hear You and awake enough to say a simple Yes.

-Robert Corin Morris

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Ryan Keebaugh

Music Reflection: Listen

 This morning, I would like to offer you another prayer by Thomas Merton.

Oh God, we are one with You. You have made us one with You. You have taught us that if we are open to one another, You will dwell in us. Help us to preserve this openness and to fight for it with all our hearts. Help us to realize that there can be no understanding where there is mutual rejection. Oh God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely, we accept You, and we thank You, and we adore You, and we love You with our whole being, because our being is Your being, our spirit is rooted in Your spirit. Fill us then with love, and let is be bound together with love as we go out diverse ways, united in this one spirit which makes You present in the world, and which makes You witness to the ultimate reality that is love. Love has overcome. Love is victorious, Amen.

Thomas Merton
The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton

The music, that I share will be slightly different. The piece “Listen” was composed as a soundscape for a new album I recently completed in collaboration with the contemplative poet, Andō. The piece/soundscape is used as a beginning point to accompany your prayer and meditation practice. I hope that it bring you peace and stillness. Click Here to play the recording in the background as you read scripture, sit quietly, or reflect. 

Ryan Keebaugh
www.ryankeebaugh.com

Music Reflection: This is My Song

I am in fear of watching or reading the news. I quake at the thought of listening to NPR, CNN, or opening the news app on my phone. What horrible things will I experience and learn – updates on the infected and death toll due to a world pandemic, political unrest, violence, senseless death, racism and hatred for fellow humans? I do not understand. How we can treat others this way and claim to be guided by God? How can we claim to be followers of Jesus and yet hold hatred in our hearts for others who have different colored skin, worship contrarily, or have a different sexual orientation? Would we still follow Jesus if he were with us, in person, today — a brown skinned man of Jewish background from the Middle East? I believe, given these difficult times, this is something many of us lose sight of.

As I’ve ruminated over these questions during the past months, today I thought I would share a recording of This is My Song by the vocal ensemble, Cantus. You will discover that the tune to this piece is very familiar and is one of the most stirring tunes in the United Methodist Hymnal, the melody known as known as FINLANDIA. The melody comes from a symphonic tone poem by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) by the name of Finlandia, Op. 26. The lyrics, or poem for the original setting was composed by Lloyd Stone (1912-1993), an American public-school teacher. Lloyd wrote the first two stanzas of “This Is My Song” for its inclusion in the collection, Sing a Tune (1934). During the brief time of peace between two world wars, it was a song of hope for all nations — “for lands afar and mine.” The poet acknowledges love for his own country, but balances that with the love that others feel around the world for their nations, their fellow countrymen, and a deeper connection to one another without concern for political background, creed, or purpose. We are all God’s BELOVED sons and daughters. 

Here is Lloyd Stone’s text:

This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine;
this is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine:
but other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
 
My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;
but other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine:
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine.

Click Here for this amazing recording. I hope you enjoy and find solace in the powerful words and music. May peace and love be with each of you.

Ryan Keebaugh
www.ryankeebaugh.com

Grace Notes Newsletter September 2020

 Click here to view the September Grace Notes newsletter

The next newsletter deadline is September 24. You are welcome to submit letters, pictures, recipes, stories, and prayers. Send to Robin at GraceUMC2@comcast.net 

Someone has left us a lovely painted rock on our grounds! 

Music Relection: The Human One

This morning I offer you a poem of John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892), a Massachusetts journalist and anti-slavery campaigner. His work continues to find a place in modern hymn-books, far beyond the boundaries of the Religious Society of Friends.

Dear Lord and Father of mankind

Forgive our foolish ways!

Reclothe us in our rightful mind,

In purer lives thy service find,

In deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard

Beside the Syrian sea

The gracious calling of the Lord,

Let us, like them, without a word,

Rise up and follow thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!

O calm of hills above,

Where Jesus knelt to share with thee

The silence of eternity

Interpreted by love!

With that deep hush subduing all

Our words and works that drown

The tender whisper of thy call,

As noiseless let thy blessing fall

As fell thy manna down.

Drop thy still dews of quietness,

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our souls the strain and stress,

And let our ordered lives confess

The beauty of thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire

Thy coolness and thy balm;

Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;

Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,

O still, small voice of calm!

The musical selection, this morning, is entitled, The Human One. This piece was commissioned and written for the String Trio, Musica Harmonia, in 2015 and was premiered during the Shenandoah Valley Bach Music Festival in Harrisonburg, VA.  The Human One read as Son of Man in many translations of the Bible, is from a common Greek word, anthropos, meaning human being. This humble work is a meditation on the deity of Jesus with human appearance, characteristics, and challenges. The Human One is God come to earth, made flesh, to live among us within the human experience. 

May you find peace,

Ryan Keebaugh
www.ryankeebaugh.com

Music Reflection: A spark

I would like to offer you this short, yet profound, prayer by the Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968). The prayer demonstrates unique honesty and truth; a spark I believe we need in this moment of history.

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though

I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. 

 I also leave you with a composition for choir, The Suffering Servant, based upon the text from Isaiah 53. I composed this piece in 2012 in honor of Dr. Jesse Hopkins, Professor of Music at Bridgewater College. Since then, the piece has been performed national as well as internationally by the Western Michigan University Chorale under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Dunn-Adams.  I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7D4J-f_3o

May each of you find love, peace, and rest in the upcoming week.

With Metta,

Ryan Keebaugh 

www.ryankeebaugh.com

Music Reflection: Mother of God

I would like to offer you this prayer by Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1842) that was set for choir by the late Sir John Tavener. The performance recording below was recorded by the Emulate Chamber Ensemble, at Eastern Mennonite University, from 2017. Many of you had the opportunity to hear this performance live when the ensemble visited Grace. Click Here to listen.

As we work through moments that seem dark, having turned our hearts to prayer and repentance, the light of a new dawn begins to break. We are comforted by the image of our sorrowful Mother Mary at the foot of the cross. As we quiet our hearts and pray in thanksgiving for Mary’s intercession on behalf of our suffering. Sir John Tavener’s Mother of God, here I stand is a relatively short excerpt from his incredibly large work The Veil of the Temple. Considered by himself to be his greatest and most important work, The Veil lasts more than seven hours, modeled after the Orthodox all-night vigil service—another image of our journey through darkness to morning light.
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Much like Job, who waited for an encounter with God, we hear God’s voice in our darkest moments—those moments when we are most empty, when divine silence can penetrate our hearts.
 

Mother of God, here I stand now praying.

Before this ikon of your radiant brightness,

Not praying to be saved from a battlefield;

Not giving thanks, nor seeking forgiveness for the sins of my soul, nor for all the souls

Numb, joyless and desolate on earth;

but for her alone, whom I wholly give you... 

 I hope each of you are safe and I hope that we will have the opportunity to see each other face to face, even if at a distance, very soon.

 
With love and peace,\

Ryan Keebaugh

www.ryankeebaugh.com