The Ancient Maple

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV


The Ancient Maple has a classroom
Among the Birch, and Fern
High above the forest shadows
Where we may come to learn

 Teaching first the Winter’s lesson
How beneath the drifts of snow
The sap is waiting in its roots 
On God’s call for it to flow 

And how in Spring the buds fly open
Clothing limbs with leaves
To catch the sun that gives them life
And grow as God is pleased

Till comes the frost splashing with colors
Painting leaves with pink and crimson
To show off their hidden treasures
Then letting go when they are done


The Ancient Maple 
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2023 © all rights reserved
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

Learning to Rest

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments 
Jesus teach me the lessons of resting in You
When I'm burdened with fears and care
Help me to trust grace will carry us through
While I'm quietly waiting in prayer

Help me to have a heart gentle and kind
Not just endlessly doing my best
Always striving yet somehow unable to find
Your gift of sweet stillness and rest

Like a shepherd You lead us on just as You said
Around the twists and turns of life's way
Up on the ridges down the valleys ahead
To Your arms at the end of the day!

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am 
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls
Matthew 11:29 NKJV

Learning to Rest By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2023
 all rights reserved

I’ve had to step back for a while from regular posting. I have needed time to rest, and this labored bit of verse reflects my heart. I hope it might point you to our Savior. He is teaching each of us in different ways, a daily lesson on rest, (though I often struggle with my homework!)

Thankful for Volunteers

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV

This week I was especially thankful for the small but faithful group of volunteers who work with me in our nursing home ministry. What happens every so often is that there ends up being four straight days of meetings at the different facilities that we serve. Though I do dearly love my friends in long term care, these weeks would be almost an unbearable burden were it not for people who come alongside to serve. Those meetings began on Thursday morning in a memory care unit, where I am usually full of energy and joy. But by Friday, I was delighted that our good friends, the Hysons, not only came to help serve communion, and then Sue shared a wonderful message with the group. On Saturday at Sunshine Village, another volunteer named Donna, shared her testimony, while another made coffee and brought in cookies for our fellowship after the meeting. Finally at the Sunday afternoon meeting, a couple comes faithfully every two weeks to serve communion, hand out song sheets before the meeting and distribute our newsletters afterward. As I look back over this past year, I am both thankful and amazed to see how God has been building us together as a team, so that together we can better share the love of Jesus and offer people an extension of the ministry of our local church.

Do you have a nursing home outreach at the church you attend? Volunteering might feel intimidating, but there are many different ways to serve. One man has been doing the graphic art for our newsletter and others help us by writing. Some serve communion and others give a brief devotional talk. This week I am posting Donna’s testimony about the way God worked miracles in her family, after her great grandson was diagnosed with leukemia. Donna is not a professional speaker, but her heartfelt story points to our God who does amazing things through the lives of ordinary people like you and me. I pray that you will be encouraged and open for how God wants to work through your life. Stay tuned for tips on organizing a holiday program, in my next post. Have a great week everybody!