STILL HAPPY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

 was getting ready to post about the 75th anniversary of St. Paul, Roseburg, and someone sent me this link! I'm still wiping the tears from my eyes!  Play it LOUD!!! and enjoy!  May you never forget the words!

Silent Monks Singing Hallelujah Chorus

What a hoot!

... continued  ...

here I thought it was a new "about to go viral" video ... oh well, ...
have you seen this one?  don't know how new/old it is, either -
but once an idea comes, it takes a while to get it out of one's mind ... and off YouTube
Alaska Hallelujah

so yesterday (Sunday) we got out of Prince of Peace at 12:07 and knew that it's 187 miles to Roseburg!  The service was set for 3:00 - we needed one bathroom stop and arrived at ST.Ps at 2:56!  Were rapidly greeted with the welcoming committee and hustled into the church.  No rain, (no sun, either) made for uneventful trip.  Karina drove as I finished my sermon.  (that's why there's sermon hymns, you know).  although to my surprise there was no sermon hymn.

the service was well prepared: opening hymn; prayer, scripture, then a video Pr Farhut (resident pastor) had done with Vera Wilson (charter member ... 94? maybe ... and she was pretty sharp for the questions asked.  Then it was my turn.  They had chosen Matthew - Peter's confession {...and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ...}as the Gospel, and just used he simple phrase, "I will build MY church".  intro was how we like to make our church OUR church - thus my title was "My Church: St. Paul's".  The resolve came, of course, when My Church is seen as Jesus' 'MY church.'  Had a few stories of note to add, but mostly preached the Gospel ...

after I was done there was a skit on the "body of Christ" (pieces I had unknowingly alluded to in my sermon); then letters of recognition were shared; then introduction of "VIPs" - pastors who were there; members baptized - confirmed - married there; Sunday school attendees; school grads and attendees; and numerous other things;

then a powerpoint slide presentation - about 7+ minutes with a lot of memories ... and "open mike" and many people shared their stories!  About 175? at the service - they had another service (completely different from the afternoon  one)  in the morning with about the same number in attendance.

it was a wonderful time for an old softy like me - the stories and faces were so uplifting!  Karina got to meet many folks who'd she'd only heard stories about ... sad news, she was sporting a horrible cough and achy feeling - but trooper that she is, made it through.  She also learned a lot of the relationships that were forged over the 16 years at ST.Ps - and she hopefully felt a part of them as well.

the school there has been well and not so well, but is a real blessing these days - about 125 kids and growing!   so many people looking at least 16 years older! (Hah)  but looking over the congregation I probably only had a ministry with half of them ...

God has truly blessed them over the years.  And they have great plans for the ministries that are yet to be developed.

Had dinner with June at Appleby's -   really great! - got her home and had to make our way back.  think we got back about 11:00 or so - OK for me, but Karina had to be up and going at 5:30 - YUK!

Planning our holiday schedule:  heading to M & Cs on Christmas Day;  will stay there til Wednesday;

made reservations for the GOSPEL CHRISTMAS - the Oregon Symphony and Northwest Gospel Choir - their 13th presentation (think I've been to all but 2 of them) - an UNBELIEVABLE way to start the Christmas season 12-9; then the Concordia University concert on the 10th.  That and other little gathering will keep us busy, no doubt.

I suppose I could rave on "my" Oregon Ducks - but I still can't stand 'em!  I must say they looked pretty amazing against Stanford last Saturday ... but they'll have to do more than win to earn my allegiance!  Don't know why I've never liked them - must be like Iowa/Iowa State rivalries in the Midwest - must say I have my opinions in those rivalries as well!

Had fun with the Sunday service at PoP as well, already posted.  Hope you like Ed ...

that's about it from here.

Love ya.

Karina and Dan