Nursing Home Ministry

Getting to Sing by Christmas

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Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord , all the earth! Psalm 96:1 ESV

It seems that the door is just beginning to reopen to nursing home ministry if only just a crack. I cannot yet go into a facility nor can the residents come out. But what we were able to do was meet outdoors with those in the Senior living units that surround the main building. Please pray with us that no matter the results of the election that in some safe way that we will be able to sing for our dear friends by Christmas. We can and do send cards and have already raised money to purchase about thirty large print Advent devotionals to give. What is on my heart is to have opportunity to sing Christmas carols in person even if we cannot hug or even shake hands. Thanks for your prayers encouragement and ideas. Today the video includes Have Thine own Way, some clips from our meeting last Saturday and O How I Love Jesus. God bless you and have a great weekend.

Two or Three

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Yesterday when I got home from the store I discovered three doves by our front door. They reminded me of the scripture of two or three gathering in Jesus name. They were so peacefully hanging out that I hated to disturb them by getting out of the car. Of course Jesus isn’t surprised by finding us together because He knows all things, but I get the sense that He delights in finding us praying together. Can’t you picture Jesus quietly tiptoeing in so as not to scare us away?

This coming weekend I would love to have some of you to pray for a small prayer gathering at a fountain in a senior village by a long term care facility. As some of you know our nursing home ministry has been limited to sending videos, cards and flowers since March. But wonder of wonders I was invited to play some hymns for this outdoor meeting on Saturday. Some of the folks from our home group are coming and we are excited to see this small beginning. I hope everyone is having a good week. God bless and I hope to be back with a great report on Saturday. Blessings all!

Sunlight – Sunlight

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Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

About 40 years ago I received an invitation to bring my guitar along to play some songs at a little nursing home in Danbury Connecticut, called Park Terrace. Our Linda Southard had started going there to visit and she believed a little music would brighten things up a bit. Linda would bring the message and our four year old son Ben who liked hanging out me comprised our team. I don’t remember much of what our small group did but I do recall that whenever Linda asked the people for their favorite hymns, Ben would put up his little hand and ask; “Can we sing Sunlight Sunlight?” That cheerful hymn from the 18th century had somehow become his favorite. Its melody often comes to my mind and reminds me that no matter what I face: Jesus is still the light. I pray that today’s short message and hymns including – Sunlight Sunlight; This Little Light and a medley of Wondrous Cross and I Surrender All will lift your spirits today. May God bless you and give you a sense of His presence. He ever remains the light of the world!