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This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

 

This morning, during my morning walk, I couldn’t help singing this hymn. It’s a hymn we sang often in church when I was growing up. It celebrates God our Creator and the beauty of his creation.

It was written by Maltbie D. Babcock, a Presbyterian minister who enjoyed the practice of “taking morning walks to the top of a hill north of town where he had a full view of Lake Ontario and the surrounding country.” It was said that before he left for these walks, he’d often say, “I’m going out to see my Father’s world.”

I love the Autumn season because of the bright colors, and now the trees are turning in earnest. If you can, I encourage you to do the same. The brilliant reds, oranges and yellows are everywhere. They are nearing the peak of their beauty, a sort of last hurrah before winter sets in.

The second verse of the hymn goes:

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world: he shines on all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.

 

May you go out to see your Father’s world. May he speak to you this day. And may you experience his nearness.

 

Yours in the journey,

Pastor Kristen

 

                                              Announcements:

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We extend the opportunity for Greeters. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. Also on the bulletin board is a sign-up sheet for our new prayer chain.

Bells rehearsals have resumed. They meet on Wednesday nights, starting at 6:30p.

The next Church Council Meeting will be November 3rd after service in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to attend.

All Saints Day: On Sunday, November 3rd, during our 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, we will be celebrating All Saints Day. We will pause to remember those who have joined the Church Triumphant in the last 12 months. As we remember, we thank God for the wonderful and positive memories that comfort and sustain us in our loss.

Daylight Savings Time: November 3rd at 2a. Clocks fall back an hour at this time.

The next United Methodist Women’s Club meeting will be held on Monday, November 04, at 1:30p, in the Narthex. All are welcome to attend.

Penny-Pantry Sunday: Every fourth Sunday of the month, we as a church collect for what we refer to as Penny-Pantry Sunday. These funds are divided quarterly into four separate charities: Bishop Appeal, Crete Food Pantry, PADS Ministry and the Helping Hands Ministry. From October to December of this year, 2024, the Penny-Pantry funds will go to the Helping Hands Ministry, helping those in our community in need. Sunday, October 27th will be the next Penny-Pantry Sunday. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

The Thrift Shop is open Saturdays from 9-3p. It’s a great place to purchase awesome stuff at low discount prices. They have an assortment of items.

The Church Conference will be on Sunday, December 1st, 2024, after church service. Please save the date and mark your calendars. All are welcome to attend.

Save the Date: Saturday, December 07th, from 9-3p.

During Crete Country Christmas we will be having our Annual Crafts and Artists’ Market in the Narthex. A lot of vendors have already signed-up, so like last year, it should be a very fun day where one can purchase unique Christmas presents for yourself or a loved one. Applications for being a vendor are available on-line from our website.

Save the Date: Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 8th, by our church pianist, Paul Blievernicht. The concert will begin at three. Popular Christmas songs and hymns will be played. Concert will be about an hour. Light refreshments will be served.