FELLOWSHIP FOOTNOTES
Newsletter of Hamilton Bible Fellowship
August 2007
There's a bright golden haze on
the meadow, there's a bright golden haze on the meadow
The corn is as high as
an elephant's eye, and it looks like it's climbing clear up to the
sky.
Oh, what a beautiful morning, oh, what a beautiful day
I got a
beautiful feeling, everything's going my way.
All the sounds of the earth
are like music, all the sounds of the earth are like music
The breeze is so
busy it don't miss a tree, and an old weeping willow is laughing at
me!
Oh, what a beautiful morning,
oh, what a beautiful day
I got a beautiful feeling, everything's going my
way.
It’s the peak of the summer; everything is growing full and tall, heading for a fruitful harvest. The weather is delightful; many are headed for vacations and enjoyable activities with friends and family. Perhaps nothing evokes this sense of cornucopia better than this, the opening song of Rogers’ and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma.” It reminds me of what my Mom used to call the freshness of early morning: “first air” (condolences to all the college students who regularly miss this). Here all things are hopeful,
invigorating, and full of life.
This musical opened on Broadway in 1943 – at the peak of World War II. Imagine the response of the audience when the curtain opened and Curly (the male lead) flung open the gate to a world of which they needed to be reminded, as he broke into the initial words of the song. The real world at the time was oppressed by the threat of global fascism and tired of the terrorism of war. People needed to hear of a beautiful place of hope, with unlimited possibilities, of life anew. . . . Sound familiar?
Maybe we need another musical. But that would be an escape. God promises us relief amidst the realities of life – which can be oppressive and terrible. He promises to “satisfy us in the morning with his unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days – as many as with which he has afflicted us” (Ps. 90).
He “redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion; satisfying our desires with good things” (Ps. 103). “When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions . . . who stilled the turmoil of the nations . . . You crown the year with your bounty; the grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness . . .they shout for joy and sing” (Psalm 65). In the end, for those of us who belong to him, we will dwell in a land enriched by the water of life; we will be nourished by the fruit of the tree of life: there will no longer be any curse (Rev. 22).
For now, have a satisfying balance of the summer – in Christ!
NEWS AND PRAYER UPDATE:
Pray for the family of Jonathan and Marty Wright of Syracuse, who lost their oldest daughter Anna in an accident last month. They are long time friends of Martha (Reynolds) Fisher, and members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Syracuse.
Continue to pray for progress on the building as we head toward fall events (see the July newsletter). July was a productive month, as we had the lift on site and many helped out in a lot of areas. Things are looking good, but we still have much to do.
Pray for incoming and returning students, and for the CCF leadership team as they plan for the fall.
THE QUOTE CORNER
God washes the eyes by tears until they
can behold the invisible land where tears
shall come no more.
Henry Ward Beecher
COMING EVENTS CALENDAR:
The monthly gathering for casual traditional acoustic music happens the first Sunday – this month, the 5th, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Worship Room. All are invited, even just to come listen!
Last chance this season for Church Bulletin Night at Syracuse Chiefs: Monday the 13th, 7:00 vs. Pawtucket.
The Hamilton Village Area Clergy is sponsoring an All-Church Picnic on Sunday, September 2nd. HBF will participate; exact time and place TBA.
August Birthdays: 2 Sarah (Hubbard) Cowherd; 10 Sam Hubbard; 23 Lizzy Hodge;
31 Keslie Nolen
(if your or any family member’s birthday is not on the calendar, please forward dates to Putter.)