Good Thursday morning everyone and hopefully a beautiful one for you today!
Last Sunday we began our series, "Beauty Will Save the World" which is based on the Brian Zahnd book of the same name. We will stay with this theme through Easter, and perhaps one week beyond. To celebrate the theme and put some things into practice, we have some unique opportunities as a church family.
#1 I am working to get Peter Mayer back, virtually, to do a livestream concert for us. Many of us know and love Peter and our High Places relationship with him goes way back. For those who don't know his music, you're in for a treat. (Note this isn't the Peter Mayer who plays guitar for Jimmy Buffett, but the Minnesota native, https://www.petermayer.net/). I will keep us up-to-date on which Sunday he will sing for us. If you would like to contribute a special offering to help us bring Pete, please let Marilyn know.
#2 On Sunday, April 10 (Passover) we are tentatively looking at a special time after our main meeting to learn about butterfly and flower gardening from Rebecca Rupp. If you've ever been interested in supporting pollinators in your own yard, stick around that Sunday afternoon to learn a few tips and take a few seeds! Thank you Rebecca for offering this to us as we celebrate beauty in this message series!
#3 Also on Sunday, April 10 we have a great opportunity to make beautiful music as Tom Giles will be hosting harmonica lessons in the lobby at 9:30 AM. Bring your harmonica (in the key of C or G) and get ready to have a blast making music with Tommy!
#4 On Saturday, April 9 we will have a beautification day at the Grove to get this polished up for Easter. We will need lots of hands as we clean up and clean out some needed areas, as well as hands to help prepare our flower beds. We will plan to get moving around 10:00 AM and hopefully be wrapped up by lunch. Make plans now to help us out if you would please!
#5 Does it get much more beautiful than Norris Lake in the springtime???!!?? April 1-3 is our adult retreat and we still have room for those who'd like to attend. We will have some great fellowship time, good conversations, and some deep dives into our faith journeys. We truly WANT you to be there! Please let me know ASAP if you can come!
Lakeside views, Flowers, Harmonicas, Great Music from Pete, and a Grove beautification day make for EXCELLENT opportunities to 'practice what we're preachin' for the next several weeks! Let's shake off any lingering post-pandemic malaise and get back to celebrating life together at High Places.
Finally, just a reminder that Monday thru Fridays the community is invited to pray for Ukraine at the peace bell from 11:45 -12:00. Different pastors are leading each day, and today's my day - so come see me in about an hour if you read this in time!
Much love to each of you. And may the beauty and wonder of Christ fill you today!
David
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11