Pastoral Message

Ch Ch Ch Changes - oh no!  What is happening, now?!

Fall is the season when nature shows us how beautiful change can be.  While I don’t pretend to be as gifted at change as nature, I am excited about a few upcoming changes.  In Worship Committee we were discussing how “new” hymns are appreciated but challenging at the same time.  The idea was submitted and accepted and implemented that along with the Lectionary Reading list, the focal scripture for the service might be highlighted and planned hymns for the Sunday be listed as well.  Now if you are asking yourself - “How does that information help if I don’t know the hymn or have the new/old Hymnals?”  I’m glad you asked!  If you go to YouTube and search the title of a hymn that you don’t know, chances are you will find it!  Become familiar with the tune, or the lyrics.  If you prefer to know the text, try searching Google or Bing or Yahoo for lyrics so that you may peruse the texts (and order) of the hymn.  This is not required homework by any means, simply an effort to let you maintain a sense of worship while we are praising God together on Sunday morning.  And, as always, if it has 3 numbers, it is in the red book; if it has 4 numbers that starts with a 2, it is in the black book and if it has 4 numbers that starts with a 3, it is in the green book.

More newness:  Our Joshua in a Troubled World book discussion ended.  I was thrilled that folks from Scotia and First UMC came to chat with us!  At the last gathering, one of our visiting friends asked what our next book would be and we decided on Mark - from the Bible.  We will start on Tuesday 11/1 at 11am.  We are pretty good about starting on time and finishing in an hour.  You, your ideas and questions are welcome whenever you can make it.  I expect this will be a 4-week class, ending on 11/22.

Another change that is already in place and very welcome - we have a new musician!  Faiz Wareh started 10/9.  He is a very talented young man who is a senior at Niskayuna.  I hope you get a chance to hear him play soon. 
Lastly, and perhaps the reason I have such an optimistic attitude about change, I will be getting married at the end of the month.  You may have heard about my engagement to Mike in August - we have a cozy ceremony planned for Thanksgiving weekend.  I am excited about the changes in the air!
 
Blessings!  Pastor Kristi