nursing homes

Let Us Have a Little Talk

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Just a Little Talk with Jesus” is part of a series that we record live at the nursing homes that we visit. “Why do we make these videos?” some of you ask. That is a great question! After all The Gaither Vocal Band harmonizes better and Alan Jackson plays way better, as well as an endless array of gospel quartets. But these videos are made to encourage you to reach out and share the joy of worship in the challenging surroundings where our brothers and sisters live at the nursing home. Sometimes nurses walk in front of the camera, you can hear the clatter of plates in the kitchen and one of our dear sisters is making sounds because she cannot communicate, but she listens and enjoys the music. Yet, despite all the issues, people gather every week, the staff makes a great effort to bring as many as possible in for our meetings and people are reminded that Jesus has not forgotten them. Yes, I pray that you will be blessed by our songs, but I also pray that you might answer the call of God to share the hope we have in Jesus in nursing homes in your own community.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:40 KJV

For those interested in learning more about Nursing Home Ministry, “Walking With Lambs” is our most complete resource and tells the personal stories of many of the friends I have made over thirty years serving in long term care facilities as well as in home visitation ministry. I have included a number of photos of my precious friends, to help you put faces and smiles, with the concept of Nursing Home Outreach.

One Final Christmas Carol

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And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 ESV

Since this was our last service at nursing home until after Christmas, I wanted to share one of our last carols of the year. I hope you will be blessed as you listen. Our people had so much fun singing, this joyful and very scriptural song, that calls us to jubilant praise.

Jesus Loves to Hear us Sing!

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I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. Isaiah 46:4 NLT

A few Christmases ago, as we were singing “Silent Night!” at a nursing home; a soft unfamiliar voice began to join us. When I turned to see who it was, I was shocked to see it was a 103-year-old lady, who had never even spoken a single word over the entire year during which she had been wheeled into our services. Then, it occurred to me that some of my other friends there could no longer remember where they were or how they had come to live there. A few had forgotten their children’s names and one or two, could not even remember their own. Yet, the miracle was that as we sang Silent Night; most had no trouble remembering the words as we lifted our voices together in worship.

As those last notes faded away, that experience made me remember that what mattered was not about how smart any of us were, how much money we had in the bank or where we lived. All that really counted in the end, was that we mattered to God. God has promised to carry us, not only during our years of beauty and youth, but even through white hair and failing memory. His love is an eternal and unchanging commitment, and even when everyone else forgets us, Jesus will carry us for a lifetime: and no matter when we were born or where we are living, He still loves to hear us sing to Him today!