April 15, 2026
I’m back! Scott and I had a wonderful time away, visiting my youngest daughter in Paris, touring some of the beaches involved in Operation Overlord, enjoying the French countryside in Normandy and the small historical town of Bayeux, and touring the beautiful Abbey at Mont Saint Michel. We walked about a million steps, including about 300 up and down in and around the abbey, and took sooo many pictures! We shared meals, drank tea and coffee at cute shops, visited way too many pâtisseries and did a lot of people watching in train stations. We were blessed to see the hand of God in the beautiful countryside, in the sunlight shining on unfamiliar waters, and in the quiet reverence of an American Military Cemetery as the flag was lowered and Taps played. In true Stanley style, we had an awesome time and came home feeling like we needed to rest!
I missed my church, though, and I am very glad to be home now. I know that I missed an eventful Sunday morning – an emergency business meeting to agree to purchase the new AC unit needed for the sanctuary, and then an amazing food-packing event for Rise Against Hunger in our Fellowship Hall. AND WE RECEIVED A GONG!! I am so proud of our church – 250,000 meals packaged is an amazing feat; one that required the very hand of God to accomplish! There is no way we could have done it by ourselves. Praise the Lord, and may He continue to move and work in us and through us until no one on this planet goes hungry!
Having been involved in several RAH events in the past I find it amazing that when we pack food for hungry people it is as spiritually fulfilling for me as a packed-out worship service in the sanctuary. Even though there is only one prayer and the congregation does no singing, no offering plate is passed and no sermon preached, our hearts and spirits come together to honor our God who is infinitely worthy and do something practical and to meet the physical needs of His children. That is worship! We declare God’s worthiness by serving those who are made in His image and have need. It is our great honor to do the things Jesus did when He was here, and when we do there is joy in our hearts as well as joy in Heaven.
See you on Sunday for worship!
Careen
Worship Songs for April 19:
Come, Christians, Join to Sing – Matt Boswell/Matt Papa/Keith & Kristyn Getty – https://youtu.be/4QjelEhuQ5E?si=MJvrA8sEpJhBJJXi
Blessed Assurance – Daniel Baptist Congregational – https://youtu.be/vaA2nqU3_Gg?si=ZiuAWL6_-pVMVQkd
Holy Forever – CeCe Winans – https://youtu.be/jMoLC58LKF0?si=zx0iIiUppFoG6Vbw
Something About That Name – Anne Wilson – https://youtu.be/bAhvyPJYWrA?si=G9veK1zyUciRRYoO