Last week I told you about 2 birds in the backyard that I hadn’t seen before. One was a rather large brown bird. I still don’t know what kind of bird it is but it’s still hanging around here. The other one was the Pileated Woodpecker that I’ve not seen since.

But on Monday, there was another new bird in the yard. It was eating the suet in the little cage that’s next to the bird feeders. I quickly called my husband over to have him see it. It turns out it’s a Red Headed Woodpecker. It’s much smaller than the other woodpeckers I see. It’s head and neck is fully red, it has a white belly and black wings that are white at the tips – and has black tail feathers.

My husband looked it up for me and it turns out these birds are listed as endangered species. This is due to the loss of their habitat. These birds nest in dead trees by making a hole to nest in its trunk. I imagine most people who have dead trees on their property just cut them down – not knowing how important dead trees are for the ongoing survival of this bird.

What a blessing to see this rare bird!

There is only one dead tree left on the property behind the parsonage. And there are a few on the property beside us to the west.

I am so hoping this Red Headed Woodpecker finds a mate and makes new Red Headed Woodpecker chicks. Today I pray to God for the survival of this precious, endangered species. And I invite you to do the same.

Yours in the journey, 

Pastor Kristen

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       This week's Devotion is from the Upper Room's Website, dated May 11, 2026

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Driving in an older section of our town, in Ohio, Mary Ellen (the writer) and myself passed by a historic, majestic church building. A sign out front announced its closure and gratitude for the 110-plus years of its service our community. 

 

Mary Ellen and I felt an overwhelming sadness as we imagined all the weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations that would no longer be held there, in the historic church. I also thought of the somber occasions — the funerals, the broken families seeking refuge. We imagined the people of that church praying with and for each other, sharing in their joy and grief.

 

Today, worship takes many forms. For some it is an online event. Others feel that the Lord doesn’t require four walls or a church community to worship God. There is truth to that. We can worship anywhere and anytime.

 

But for me, church is the place where I experience God with other believers and being part of that has been a dynamic experience. There is something special about people of different ages and backgrounds joining together as a church family to worship God. Together we reach into our community and around the world to promote God’s word and to support and help each other.

 

What a joyous feeling it is to join with others in a shared love for God!

 

Today's Prayer

"Dear Lord, we worship you and offer all praise and glory in Jesus’ name. Amen."

 

Yours in the Journey,

Mary Ellen Hazel (Ohio. USA) 

Upper Room's Website: https://www.upperroom.org/

 

                                         

 

                                     Announcements:

 

May 14, 2026- Thursday. 

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Tomorrow at 10a, the Women's club will be meeting at the church and traveling together to Sunrise Nursery, in Grant Park. If interested in attending, please contact Sue Naylor, and let her know you will be joining in on the fun: 1321 Main Street, Crete, IL.

 

After going to the nursery, a luncheon will be planned at a local restaurant. All are invited to attend. 

 

Miracle Sunday is this Sunday, May 17th. All are invited to give. 

 

 

The next Women's Club meeting will be on Monday, June 01, 2026, in the narthex, starting at 1p., at Crete UMC. 

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