Chandler F.U.M.C.
by Linda G. Keeling

Sermon, March 30th: "Where Do We Go From Here?" Scripture: John 21:1-25

"Come to me and I will give you rest -- all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke." Matthew 11:28

In a recent Reader Digest article "Surefire strategies for a better night's sleep," one of the suggestions was to "begin the day in gratitude by taking ten minutes every morning to sit down, close your eyes and give thanks for the blessings in your life." One of the most fascinating things about psychology and/or social studies, is its direct correlation to the teaching of the Bible. Sure these discitheir plines have always been reluctant to acknowledge the significance of a belief in God, but they consistently identify the importane of a spiritual element for one's sense of well being. If the need to give thanks for the blessings in your life was essential to having a good night's rest, who do you give thanks to if there is no God? "So what does a man get for all his hard work? Days full of sorrow and grief, and restless, bitter nights. It is all utterly ridiculous. " (Ecclesiastes 2:23). Not so, for all we have to do is praise the Lord in the morning and night and "lie down in peace and sleep," for the Lord will keep us safe (Psalms 4:8).

C.S. Lewis writes in The Joyful Christian, that there are two musical situations on which we can be confident that a blessing rests. Basically that those performing believe that their talents will help bring the listener to God and the listener knows that the music glorifies God. In both, the church music will be filled with the Holy Spirit as it was Easter Sunday.

We were welcomed with Eileen Reid's "Family Ringers" playing "The Holy City." This musical family consists of Keith and Lori Jones and their children Alysa, and Alan, from Houston and Eileen's family, Ken and Preston, Ryan and Allison Reid. Thank you for sharing your joy with us.

During the offertory a wonderful duet was played by Kim Pollard and Patty Long. We are blessed with these ladies' talent each week. Also the Chancel Choir was accompanied by Jake Brooks, Clay Maddox and Ryan Reid on the trumpets, Macy Pollard on the clarinet, Marla Pollard, and Kate Griffin on horns, Preston Reid on trombone, with Logan McCullough on baritone sax. What a wonderful sound!

And speaking of blessings, my prayer was answered! I won the beautiful handmade tapestry. Thank you, Nancy Martin for your artistic abilities and to UMW for all your efforts. I plan on sharing the tapestry with the Seekers Sunday School class for a few weeks, so come by and see.

Happy Anniversary to: Gary and Sandy Dinsmore, Richard and JoAnne Rabe, Glyn and Ginger Stewart, John and Sharon Moffeit, and Joe and Carolyn Hendrix.

Happy Birthday to: Leonard Crawford, Don Young, Susan Romo, and Ruth Larkin.

Thought for the Week: "Make a rule, and pray God to help you to keep it, never, if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say, `I have made one human being, at least, a little wiser, a little happier, or a little better this day.'" Charles Kingsley