office

This week’s hymn, “Love Divine All Loves Excelling,” is another of the most well-known hymns, even ecumenically. Its text is another one we could consider committing to memory for that (those?) moment(s) when we will really need it. The text is a gift from one of the early formers of the Methodist Church, Charles Wesley, and the tune we sing it to from the Welsh.

What this points out is how diverse our hymnody has always been. What we call the “Lutheran” tradition has always been open-armed, yet hopefully, fully discerning about what is worthy of our heart, soul, and voices.

As I age myself, the last part worries me less and less, as it is time itself, and the Spirit of God that will do the bulk of the discerning, and will carry what we need to future generations.

Enjoy.

-Cantor David Cherwien

Today’s hymn includes a text written by Susan Palo Cherwien, with the tune by Robert Buckley Farlee, “O Blessed Spring.” Yet another hymn that would be helpful to commit to memory. Its message will come in handy when we need it! That would include right now!

Enjoy.

-Cantor David Cherwien

During this time of physical distancing, the Godly Play teachers wanted to offer families some additional tools to tell Bible stories at home, together, and to remind the children of their time together in Godly Play. Parents and guardians: please feel free to adapt these guidelines to whatever works for your child(ren) and family.

This material, part of a weekly series, is intended to supplement, not replace, worshiping together as a family on Sundays. As such, the Godly Play team thought that Saturdays might be a good time for Godly Play-like story time, but feel free to do what timing works for your family.

Light a candle

Say: Long ago, God told us, “I am the Light of the World.” So, we light a candle together to remind us that God is always near to us.

Sing or listen to a song together.   We loved hearing your voices as you sang with the congregation here. Sing it again; we will be singing too.

Everyone is welcome to simply read together or re-tell the Gospel lesson for this week, John 14:1-14.

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 10, IS MOTHER’S DAY. ON MOTHER’S DAY WE DO NOT HAVE GODLY PLAY. WE ALL LOVE TO ATTEND THE MOTHER’S DAY YOUTH RECITAL WHERE OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH SHARE THEIR GIFTS WITH US. THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT. A LINK TO THIS YEAR’S VIRTUAL RECITAL CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE SUNDAY WORSHIP MATERIALS THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE TOMORROW MORNING. WE HOPE THAT YOUR FAMILY WILL JOIN THIS VIRTUAL RECITAL.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Please know that Mount Olive’s Youth & Families committee is here to support you. Don’t hesitate to reach out at youthfamily@mountolivechurch.org.