A Feeling in the Air

Titus 3:5He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

SPRING is a feeling in the air -

the feeling of expectation, the feeling of newness of life, the feeling of renewal. As our Damascus United Methodist Church experiences several days of revival, the same feelings seem to be there. We have not had a revival service for a long time, so there was that feeling of anticipation and expectation which many of us were feeling. Pastor Mick kept assuring us that it would flow naturally and not to worry. In our Sunday evening service, he was right. Through music and the word, we felt assured that in God's presence we were experiencing a newness of spirit - a renewal which will make the Easter celebration more alive and more meaningful than ever.

My hope is that many more will feel the need to be present at our services tonight and tomorrow night to hear the words of visiting Pastor Henry Moore, and that those who do take part will go away revived with a richer, deeper feeling of commitment to the church and to our Lord, who died for our sins.
On Monday evening the Bethel Church choir will bring us the word of the Resurrection in music. On Tuesday evening, we will celebrate Pentecost with Dulci-More Folk and Traditional Musicians. We will sing these words of music that the Lord sent to me:

Spirit of God, descend on me, Holy Spirit, come and set me free,
Fill my life, my soul, set me free.
Free to be thine both now and forever more, Free to live a life to please my Lord,
A life so rich, a life so full, Come and make my life complete.

Holy Spirit, come; Come and dwell in me; Let your light shine from within;
From within my soul, let it make me whole; Let your radiance fill my life;
Holy Spirit, come; Come and dwell in me; Come and feed my hungry soul;
Feed my hungry soul, and make me whole,
Let my faith be born again.

Spread the word of our revival services - but most important of all - spread God's word.

In Him,
Lois

Our Friend, Betty

Our dear friend, Betty, just took Jesus by the hand.

They are on their way to the promised land.

On her cello, she has played songs about this walk,

And now, probably before she was really ready, She will talk,

Of all her friends she's left behind, who will always have her on their minds.

She was a lady of no pretenses,

She loved everyone - young or old - in her presence.

Coming from her soul, was music of bow and strings,

Filling us with the joy that her music could bring.

Betty, we know you have found how beautiful heaven can be,

With the hosts of angels you can now see.

While we sing of all the angel's bands,

We know you are there, enjoying them first-hand.


We all love you and will miss you more than words can say,

Especially when your favorite melodies we play.

Whether it be Shenandoah, or the Water Is Wide,

We know, with Him you now abide.




Betty Onyett was found in her home on Wednesday, February 11th where she had died of natural causes earlier. She lived in Paris, Ohio during the time I knew her, but she was a Methodist minister's daughter, so undoubtedly lived in many places during her lifetime. She was a musician, poet, and teacher, and tells of many of her life experiences in wonderful writings called Starshine Stories, at www.wordshack.com
These little writings show such a sense of humor, and tell so much about her. At the end of one of them, she says:

Going up. Going down.

Hey…maybe birth and learning a few lessons the hard knocks way are the quivering and shuddering part. If so, been there, done that.

So when I leave this earth, I'm going to float away like a feather, coasting home. But if I need to, I'll ask to hold What's-His-Name's hand.

Betty hosted many, many Music in Paris jams in her home, where my husband, Ken, and I and several of our grandchildren really got to know her. Many of her church friends were always there to share a musical evening.

JOHN 11:25 NKJ
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Many folks listened all last night to the sound of wind gusts which were whipping the trees and taking down power lines. I was at the church piano playing for our choir rehearsal as the storm hit. Our church is not old, but its doors were rattling as the storm raged outside. As everyone in the choir caught their breath and tried to decide between singing and hiding under a pew, Chris, our prayer warrior leader, reminded us of how God was watching out for us, just like the sparrow in the song we were singing. The words of that song tell us, "Let not your heart be troubled, his tender words I hear, and resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears." The lights flickered for a few seconds, then came back on. After lighting the candles on the alter, just in case the electric went off for good, Donna, our choir director went right on with rehearsal, trusting in Him. Indeed, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He was watching over us last night. As other 'storms' rage in our lives we need to keep trusting in Him each minute of the day and night. We just need to go to Him when we need help. Answers to our problems are always there if we just look to our mighty Savior.

The scripture reference comes from Matthew where Jesus says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows." [Matthew 10:29-31]

"His eye is on the sparrow," the song affirms, "And I know He watches me." God's watchful care is affirmed in the Psalms. "Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love..." [Ps. 33:18] "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry..." [Ps.34:15]

As we sing our anthem next Sunday morning, I know that the words we are singing will have special meaning for each of us.

May you feel God's presence as he watches over you everywhere you go, every minute of the day and night.

In Him,

Lois