snow the 28th

How far is it from Harleysville to Souderton. Well, it's as far as from rain to snow. This is the same weather that postponed the World Series game in Philadelphia last night. Rain on Sumneytown Pike. Half snow in Franconia. Snow in Souderton.

I don't believe this--two inches of snow! What's the meaning? Were the Phillies doing too well? Is this to give us the motivation to get on with our Christmas planning? Is this to say Mother Nature will do what Mother Nature will do? Is this to get us in the spirit of All Souls Sunday this Sunday?

Where are the clues? Let's see--Souderton spelled backwards is "not red uos." Hmmm...not red us? A neighbor has a lawn sign up--if you're seeing red, vote blue. Nah. Nature is not political.

sample the anthem

The previous post mentioned "Look at the world" by Rutter. Here's a decent youtube of a small choir in England (probably professional) singing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-6_pIWPbgI

autumn worship

One of the great features of the Zion campus is the barn (see pic). This Sunday, Oct. 26, there will be some autumnal colors in the leaves around it.

Maybe its the agriculture in my family background, maybe it's Americana. I don't know for sure. But autumn draws me to barns and to anthems such as the one the choir is doing this Sunday, "Look at the world," by Rutter.

junior choir starts strong

The Junior Choir (where's my camera when I could really use it?) opened its season with two songs done very well--You Are Holy, and We Are Marching in the Light of God.

Thanks, you guys. And thanks to Director Gail and Darlene at the piano.

Thanks, Judy

Faithful Zion member, Judy McVaugh, carefully put all the music titles on computer. Here Kara Glick, Minister of Worship, and I enjoy the results after popping the cd in the computer. Left column is title, then composer. Then the really sweet stuff of looking for the perfect piece of music--does it have a flute part? a handbell part? just for men's voices? is it a Thanksgiving piece?

This will save tons of time for music people at Zion. How can we say thanks to Judy?

choir on steps again

Here's the choir this morning--first singing the anthem, "Take time to be holy." We stayed on the steps for the hymn, "Listen, God is calling." Then a close-up. A few persons have asked me about when the choir will wear robes again. The schedule has us doing it in November. But if there is interest maybe we should do it before then. Four persons are singing with the choir this fall who didn't sing last year--Kara, Ned, Lia, and Danielle. I'm so grateful for them. (Pic by Julia).

wells of ... salvation

An old song goes "open the wells of grace and salvation." Zion has a well in front of the barn. The people at the fall festival tent this morning will not be drinking from it, even though this pump looks like it still works. In the day, you got water from a stream, from a well, or from the rain. Having a well was a big deal. Jesus met a woman at a well and asked for a drink.

street name anomoly

A brilliant blue sky lights up the Zion campus. The barn looks inviting. The festival tent glows yellow behind the trees. But the street sign demanded I take this pic. Zion's lead pastor is named Hunter Hess. How does he get a street named after him--Hunters Way. What are the chances?

taking the good news outdoors

One way Zion lives the good news is through the fall fesitval. What's more American than Christians gathering in a tent for a good old time! Somehow those pears near the tent and the stark limbs of the tree both say something to me about the beauty of God's world.