THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
“What’s your favorite song? When did you first hear it?” I overheard these questions asked to someone in a group setting that I was in. I found myself wondering how I might answer such questions. To be honest, I’m not sure I have yet figured out a good answer. I love a lot of different music and have a number of “favorite” songs depending on my mood and stage of life. Not to mention that as new music is constantly created, I find myself liking more and more songs as they are released and as my musical library is ever-increasing as I hear more and more music.
I did, however, find myself realizing that a number of potential “favorite” songs are songs that I heard for the first time at live concerts. I have always found it interesting the amount of money and time human beings can put into going to live concerts. Given the fact that the music is more polished and “perfected” in the studio and can now be heard from anywhere through streaming platforms, it seems strange that we would have such a desire to attend live concerts. And, there is a cultural experience that live concerts can be “better” than the “perfected” sound put together in studio.
Of course, this is directly connected to the number of live concerts that Henderson makes available throughout the year to our great town—The WC Handy Festival is a perfect example. I also think there is a direct link to this with our religious worship. There is something different about attending a live, in-person, worship service verses listening or watching online.
Side Note: There are a number of differences between concerts and worship. The most significant being the entertainment value. Many people flock to concerts for entertainment. We certainly don’t want our worship services to become entertainment—we want to be sure that we are active participants in the worship of God.
However, I also think some of the things that make the music of live concerts more appealing can also be true for our worship of God. There is a connection to the wider community of the folks that are joining us in that same time and place. Something I learned from preaching to an empty sanctuary during COVID is that the energy is certainly different when the congregation is present. I’ve even experienced differences in energy (or the Holy Spirit) based on the size of the congregation from a small gathering to a larger Easter or Christmas Eve gathering.
Attending the live concert seems to stimulate the senses in a radically different way than merely listening to the song on a device. As I mentioned, I find myself liking songs that I first heard live more than songs I merely listen to in other ways. There seems to be more of a creative connection for me between the hearer and musician(s). I think this can be true for worship as well. There can often be a deeper connection between the congregation and God through live worship. The process of worship can become more thought-provoking and engage in the creative connection to God in ways that can’t be experienced merely watching or listening to a recorded version of worship.
I encourage you to attend live worship as often as possible in order that you can also experience these benefits. Allow yourself and your family the opportunity to experience the worship of God with all the senses as often as possible. I hope to see you in the sanctuary on a coming up Sunday.
Peace Always,
Rev. David Clifford
And the Rose of Sharon Replied………
by Brucie Farris
My inspiration today is about a Rose of Sharon bush from Herbert. Herbert helps Johnny in his yard, and Helen Harrison’s, and he so graciously wanted to give me a Rose of Sharon bush from his yard because he knew I wanted one. They trimmed it way down but it was pitiful after the transplant. The bark was a whitish color, and during winter and spring looked deader than a door nail! I kept going out to examine it for just a tiny sign of new growth. Nothing!
Sheila said, “Brucie, you need to pull that up because it is embarrassing looking! I just couldn’t because it was a gift of love from Herbert. Every day I went out to it and encouraged it to have strength to live. Well, I started to see what I thought were some nubs not buds. I kept on encouraging it, and wouldn’t give up hope.
When I got back from El Salvador, low and behold, it had a few sprouts! Johnny told me where to cut it back some more and yes, it now has green growth. During this process of love and encouragement, I have compared my rose of Sharon to a person. How many people do we just want to give up on? With the grace of God and perseverance, we may be just what one needs to bring them back to life. Lesson learned for me!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tonight’s FCCH Board meeting has been canceled. We will meet again on July 20.
The General Assembly 2023 convenes in Louisville on July 29, thru August 1. Rev. David along with Ken and Debbie Enyart our two representatives will be attending the assembly. Please be in prayer for these three as they are there representing FCCH.
Check out FCCH’s Podcast “Monday Morning Preacher” on Facebook. It was live Monday, June 12 at 3:00 p.m. Go to the church’s Facebook page to watch or you can go to our website: https://fcchenderson.com/ and select the podcast.
New Children's Bulletins: The worship committee is now providing children's bulletins for all children who are in worship. These bulletins have activities based on the lectionary scripture readings for the day. There are two options: a "reader" bulletin for older children, and a "pre-reader" bulletin for younger kids.
It’s time to enjoy W. C. Handy Blues Festival which started yesterday and continues through Saturday, June 17 downtown Henderson. Our church is an “In-Kind” sponsor for providing food for the visiting musicians at the hospitality tent.
The Senior Saints will dine at Knob Hill in Newburgh on June 20. Arrive at the church at 11:15 a.m. Please RSVP by Sunday, June 18. Transportation will be available.
The Ministry Team will meet Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The CMF will have their men’s breakfast, Sunday, July 2 in the fellowship hall.
The Church office will be closed Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
New Bible Study Class: Christy Gibbs (Becky Aldridge’s daughter) will lead a Bible study called “Women of the Bible”. It starts Tuesday, June 27 at 3:00 p.m. in afternoon. This will be a monthly class. So please mark your calendars for the months to come.
Fill the Gaping Hole in Our Ministry Team: The growing number of young people present on Sunday mornings brings an exciting change to the energy of the church. But one thing is missing—a leader for the youth ministry. Absent from Ministry team meetings is the wisdom of an individual committed to developing programs for those young people we have wanted in our midst for a long time. If you have an interest in programs for youth, we need you. Rev. David would love to talk with you. And, if you decide to join us, you will discover a support team of leaders of other programs eager to be there with you.
Sprinkles of Joy to all of us! Just as the Handy Blues Festival is ending, Miss Anna Dixon has agreed to treat Sunday morning worshipers to her version of gospel/jazz music. Miss Anna, who is 102 years old, is a self-taught musician who delights in sharing her talent with churches in this area. Amazing sounds come from a piano in the hands of the musician who can not one note of music.
