Praise Him, Praise Him

February 3 2008 


Hello Readers,

Today my dad opens the service with another hymn in a meter of 3. A violin is also playing (my brother-in-law I presume). I can hear my sister's voice singing along with the congregation. 

Next, announcements are made regarding a successful youth fundraiser, followed by an organ prelude. Call to Worship -- another Hymn -- Scripture Reading -- Offering -- prayer requests (some not on the microphone) at 34'40" mom asks for prayers for a friend who lost his daughter, Becky (54), in a SCUBA accident. This family is so close to ours -- I was the flower girl in Becky's wedding. So sad, --mom was especially close with Becky's mom, who passed many years earlier. 

Next - Hymn of prayer "Spirit of Got Descend Upon Our Hearts" -time of prayer - reading from scripture.

Sister delivers a unique sermon - reflecting on the scripture reading from Peter starting at about 49' speaking as the wife of Simon Peter and how she had never met Jesus face-to-face. On the Day of Pentacost, she had her life changed after hearing her husband give a very powerful sermon. My sister does a very great job of including many details in a creative way.

Recently, my cousin passed after a long battle with cancer. His wife had been his caregiver for a long time, showing love and dedication beyond measure. Jim's smile and personality lit up a room. I remember Jim fondly. He could have easily not seen this little cousin among so many other cousins, aunts, and uncles at our yearly reunions. Instead he alway greeeted me warmly, included me in 'adult' ball games, and continually made me laugh. Thank you cousin Jimmy for reminding me to not take life too seriously and to welcome and love others around me.

Jim Billhimer Obituary

With much love I anticipate the upcoming celebration of Christmas with my husband -- a quieter one is planned but no less important. The tree is up, lights hang on the porch, and the presents are (mostly) ready. With much thanksfulness, I write to encourage you all as today's opening Hymn declares, "Praise Him, Praise Him -- ever in joyous song!.

Thanks for reading,

Stay well,

AmyBH

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shall We Gather at the River?

  November 25 2007 In this service: Dad opens the gathering with Shall We Gather at the River?, sister does much of the worship leading, niece and brother-in-law share about recent travels to El Barbasco, Honduras.  Hello Readers, I like how this hymn opens with a question and then answers it over and over with each refrain. Similarly, I gathered this week with my loved ones to remember my Uncle Butch who died 10/19/2025 at age 81. He lived a full life up to his final moments. He coached a runner on Saturday. He called his sister and niece (me) on Tuesday. He sent a birthday card to his great, great, nephew. He even went out and finished a serving of shrimp scampi with his wife of over 50 years, who had no idea this would be their last meal together. Uncle Butch delighted in his yard and especially found pleasure in decorating for the holidays. He told me on the phone last week that they had some lights out and a big spider for Halloween. The tradition was to exchange the spid...
Read more

Traditions

Hello Readers, This week I found myself pondering the question, 'If you could have something from your childhood (such as a toy/album) what would it be?' I instantly knew my answer, but it was not something I could find on E-bay or Amazon. It was my father's Christmas poems. Every year, on Christmas morning, we would get up before the break of dawn, and find many things: loaded stockings, massive amounts of colorfully wrapped presents under our lit tree, and in the tree itself a handwritten note. Our names, Leslie, Helen, and Amy would each be easily found on the outside or top. Inside was Dad's distinctive drafting-learned handwriting. He always used thick colorful construction paper, the type every child of the 1970's remembers. Dad's style of poetry was a mixture of Dr. Seus' rhythm with a sort of third-person Mark Twain storytelling. The daughter was Tom Sawyer and Dad used her current life as content. The Dr. Seus-like rhythms often made us stumble and ...
Read more

Testing, Is This Thing On?

Welcome back Readers! I am excited to write and share with you that it is not too late! One thing I have enjoyed this past summer is listening to  Pop Culture Preservation Society  a podcast hosted by three women from Minneapolis. The hosts call their research rabbit holes versus their vulnerability, which they call getting a twisty feeling in their tummy. As I relate their podcast to my Blog, I have been encouraged to go for it and to remember to seek things I enjoy.  My dad also believed this sentiment. After he retired, he decided to take up the guitar and to make it a priority in his daily routine. He also took on the role of leading music. I will share more about this in the future. To close, I leave you with a sample of what seems to be one of the first times Dad used the microphone in this setting  Father's Day 2007 . If you listen to the end, you get to hear a loving sermon lead by my sister. Thanks for reading. Stay well, AbH
Read more