Nursing Home Ministry

Joy! Joy! Joy!

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Psalm 47:1 ESV

Not that I always am well prepared, but I do prefer to have some semblance of a message and a list of hymns to get us started each week at Life Care Center. But, even on the weeks when I have everything carefully mapped out, I have found that the residents love having the chance to pick a song themselves. This week’s suggestion from one of our seasoned saints was so great and we had such a blast singing it together, that I wanted to share it. It just goes to show, that getting older, doesn’t require us to lose our joy or our sense of fun. I do hope you will not only get a smile from our impromptu session, but that you will sing along and experience the joy that only Jesus can give.

Swing Low

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My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  John 14:2-3 NIV

Whatever the origins of Swing Low Sweet Chariot, the song has come to be a melody of hope to everyone who senses that they are waiting for Jesus to come. I especially enjoy singing it with my friends at long term care facilities. I believe that many in our little congregation understand better than I the nearness of Heaven and the promises of Jesus. Contrary to legend, neither Saint Peter, nor the Archangel Michael come to take us home. Our only method of transportation from earth to Heaven will be in the arms of the Good Shepherd who will one day come for us all. Are you ready to meet Him? Can He claim you as one of His flock. For Him to call us by name as members of His flock in glory, we must call on Him to be our Lord right here, before the chariot comes. I do hope you enjoy our impromptu version of this classic spiritual. Have a blessed day all!

Is Your Name on the Roll?

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 ESV

Yes, we will rejoice when we see our names written in the book of life, but an even greater joy it will be when we realize that there in Heaven, Jesus will be there with us! “When the trumpet of the Lord will sound and time will be no more.”, we will pass from the shadow lands of earth, into the presence of Jesus, where we will see Him face to face. It is impossible to imagine how amazing it will be, though the word of God leaves us hints. “In HIs presence is fullness of joy.” Psalms 16:11 ESV and “He will wipe away every tear.” Revelation 21:4 ESV

For me the closest thing to understanding the joys of that day, comes when I sing with my friends in long term care. Maybe it is because those who are believers know that they have one foot on the doorstep of the house where Jesus lives! I do hope you will enjoy our rather rousing rendition of, “When the Roll is called up Yonder. Have a blessed Lord’s Day!