September 25, 2016 at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church
(Submitted by Corise Gambrell)
Steve welcomed everyone with a special welcome for Vivian Hare, since this is her first Sunday as our Director of Music. He also welcomed, Vivian’s husband, Keith Grogg.
Cindy Hensley and her children were our special guests. They are our Habitat home family.
The flowers on the communion table were from Ellen Huggins’ memorial service on Friday.
Pat Wilson has reported that Lloyd Frijole (husband of former WWC staffer Betty Frijole) died suddenly.
Larry Griswold talked about the celebration for Habitat’s 25 years. He asked all those who had worked on this Habitat Home, for Cindy Hensley’s family, to stand, and there was a round of applause. Cindy Hensley thanked Habitat for her new, safe home. She can’t wait to move in with her children. Today there is a special offering to help fund the home.
The worship service celebrated home and the power of music. The choral response to the Call to Worship was “God of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.” The Hymn of Praise was Let us Build a House.
Welcome Vivan Hare, our new Director of Music!
During the Time for the Child, Steve pointed out that we all need forgiveness, and he asked forgiveness for omitting time for the Prelude. Vivian Hare came to the Chancel to meet the large group of children, who introduced themselves. The group joined hands for a prayer.
In the Message, Steve talked about the power of music. He said that he has been thinking of his mother a lot lately, and that Ellen Huggins reminded him so much of his mother. Steve’s mother was always singing – in the church choir, working in the garden, folding the laundry. Her songs were a joyful sound of faith. Whether we sing familiar hymns for which we don’t need a hymnal – or new hymns – the music is powerful. In the reading from Ephesians, Paul admonishes the people of Ephesus. Ephesus was a progressive Greek city until the Romans took over. Then there were many conflicts – not unlike those we experience today. Steve said the current conflicts are the most violent and divisive since those fifty years ago. As we all know, he could speak to his opinions, but today he speaks to the power of music. Research has shown how music reaches everyone – from babies to the elderly and dying. He told the story of a Jewish social worker who found how to communicate with an African American woman suffering the effects of stroke and Alzheimer’s. She sang Jesus Loves Me to the woman, and the woman heard the familiar words and reached out for more contact. Steve sang Jesus Loves Me as the social worker did. Then he sang He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands and the congregation joined in response. We are called as a people of faith to bridge gaps with unity and harmony.
In the Pastoral Prayer, Beth prayed for the families of Ellen Huggins and Bob Keener, and for the Frijole family. She prayed for Eloise’s Aunt Kathryn, who is suffering severe complications from chemotherapy. She prayed for the people of Charlotte, and for the hope that all people can be honored and accepted.
The Offertory was Burkhardt’s arrangement of Be Thou My Vision, and the Postlude was Now Thank We All Our God, arr. Bock.
After worship, there was a reception in Fellowship Hall. Steve welcomed Vivian Hare, who introduced her husband, Keith Grogg, their son, John Hare-Grogg, and her mother, Clara Hare. Their daughter is at Davidson. The congregation also celebrated with Cindy Hensley, her children, and her parents.
Coming up at Warren Wilson:
- CE Work Day in the Swannanoa Community Garden this afternoon
- Welcome Totes will be delivered to the Black Mountain Home for Children tomorrow
- Christian Education classes for adults and children have begun
- October 2 – World Communion Sunday and Homecoming. Sign up in the Narthex for the potluck
- October 9 – Hunger Walk