A Fond Goodbye
There are times when we are exceptionally fortunate
We know, as we're from the Presbyterian Church of Spring Lake
Dependent on interim ministers; with Rev. Don Davis we lucked out
So fortunate—cream. Cream always to the top, of this there is no doubt.
His sermons, the lessons, bible verses, so well does he present
Vast knowledge, caring demure, sense of humor, is always evident
Then there are worldly things such as golf that brings him pleasure
That strong bass voice, singing in that quartet-a pro, not an amateur.
The interim road has been relatively smooth; now comes the rut
Understandable, comes the times to back off; reasons here are clear-cut
Not back home to Highlands Ridge for that friendly golf game
Nor to be with that renowned quartet that puts all others to shame.
Best reasons of all: sometimes in each of our lives comes a special time
It's time to retire. Those past many years, looking back, most were sublime
Happy years, rewarding work, a family, married bliss with lovely Nancy
A true tale of success, work, caring, real dedication, stable-nothing fancy.
As time marches on, yes, I'm retired but do I really want retirement?
Good for now, perhaps later, again the Good Lord's work I can implement
Happy are we that Rev. Don forgot to fully retire and he did not hesitate
To our Church, his many talents revealed, for which we do appreciate.
Yes, he's retired. Where ever he is, if there is a need he will not overlook
People, sick, despondent, he'll be there with prayer and the Holy Book
Another time, another call, Fort Pierce-people there have a want
They sure will be lucky, as were we, with your arrival on that ocean-front
After your many years we wish that future decisions fulfill your dreams
You're a special people, a great couple, you are tops in our esteem
We won't complain. You'll be missed as well as your sermons on the Lord's Day
So from all of us, many, many thanks; to you a big bouquet, what more to say!
Our Church
New people in a new community, new places, lets give it a good start
New friends, good restaurants, stores, churches, the right ones-be smart.
We were lucky, or I prefer-our consideration was a careful thought
Places that we choose should be the best, or our search would be for naught.
From Sunday to Sunday, one congregation to another we begin our search.
Find the right setting, a good congregation, a superior service for our church.
Finally, on a beautiful Sabbath morning, in the quiet suburb of Spring Lake
There was a Presbyterian Church USA, on the north side of ninety-eight.
We'll give it a try. Format different but service was good. What a great choir
The people, so cordial and friendly, the sincere reception we sure did admire.
The first time great, give it a second chance, they we enjoyed even more
And the service was great, no too long, singing - the soloist you had to adore.
The fellowship following the service, comrade, everyone so nice
Everything so right, no need to look further this church home should suffice.
Our pastor's interest, the elders and congregational approval, I'm glad we came
Just think! Being a partner, -- a full membership we can now acclaim.
And once a member, you learn all the good that we do. We never realized
The concern for others, birthdays, anniversaries, shut-ins, sick, and hospitalized
Food from our kitchen, spiritual help by our minister, aid to those in need
Good deeds to others, for this our church is great, this, you'll concede.
Our pastors have been special, very capable, but then comes retirement
Fill that pulpit. Search committee, found Millie and Carl Bennett.
What a fill! A good sense of humor, great sermons, now he too, must say bye-bye.
So well liked — hard to find someone so good? Our search committee will sure try.
We're proud members, we have been blessed, so we thank you Lord
Being a member, helping, and in doing your work, what a great reward.
So, anyone, this could be you, if you want a church home, give this one a try
There's not one better, you'll enjoy this one as much as I.
Our Choir
What is on my mind? To find out you'll not have to wait too long
To find out what I think, —no—I know where you belong
Look behind me, you'll see a vacant chair that needs filling
A thought, it would be nice, you could be in that chair if you were willing
Now here is an alto, I sing those lower notes very sweet
I come here to practice Wednesday nights. I find practice quite neat
Although I hadn't sung much before, I knew that I could learn
My fellow members, they are so nice, guided me, I was the eager intern
A good choir must be complete. If there is an alto, there has to be a bass.
They add character, that low booming voice, lower notes they must embrace.
Be in the choir, You are new, inexperienced, there would be no trance.
No worry. With Suzan as director you'll do great. Give it a try; take a chance.
Me! I'm the tenor, the higher notes, those are the ones I really like.
Harmony is always great. Sour, off-beat notes you'll soon learn to dislike.
Being with friends, lots of comrade, the music you will enjoy, choir is fun.
Some days you will find that when practice is over, you wish it had just begun.
I've left the sopranos to the end for reasons we should discuss
Those top notes, beautiful melodies that make people listen, that's a big plus
And the accompanying music Richard is playing, making those keys tinkle
And with tenors, basses, altos, your voice with others does beautifully mingle
We ask-join us, watch those out these and see how much they seem to rejoice
The compliments that we get, the ones that you receive when they bear your voice
Good to know. A pleasure to hear, happiness to others our singing does impart
Try it! Come to practice Wednesday night. Give it a go. It's a start.
Membership, Outreach, and Evangelism
Activity in one; or in all of these areas is so important
With effort, we can reach many of our goals, -- we can't be complaisant
If it's help wanted by outsiders, or to our own valued members
If help is needed, it's there, -- could be early January through late December.
Our church officers, elders, and deacons; all have made a commitment to help
But Christmas, a special time to use our talents that we did develop
Anyone needing transportation and no other way to go or to shop
Please ask somebody; gladly they'll take you; even for a wrong purchase swap
Haven't been feeling well, sick? Need for a doctor or a hospital trip!
There's no way to get there; a phone call to a member-they will make it quick
A child with a toyless Christmas, remembering, --wouldn't you have been sad?
Knowing this, someone, someway, will find a way to make some child glad.
Those living alone, or an ailing couple finding it's so hard to cook anymore.
Surprise! A pleasant, delivered, home-made meal, cooking can be quite a chore
Limited funds, unpaid utilities, if complaining, how many will listen
If necessary; -- with help, monetary assistance for a hardship can be given.
Perhaps thing aren't right, many things go so wrong
Just to talk to someone, with assurance, they will let me know that I really belong
Our Church Family-a comfort to know I am surrounded with people to care
That my church, caring members, when needed, we know that they will be there
We are past Thanksgiving a time of reflection and gratitude for the past
When we give thanks in our prayers and for blessings for which we didn't ask
Reflection to remember how fortunate we were, forget negatives and bury the bad.
In remembering the good, be happy, things done for us should make us glad.
Now we enter Christmas, the beginning of a time so right
Bringing hope, love, peace, everlasting life; all of this should excite
A time for joy; our willingness to give of ourselves, a great time to be here
Just wanted you to know we can help. LOVE always -
A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Stewardship 2003
In our church, one each year, your elected officers must make a plea
Asking for your Stewardship, most necessary, I'm sure you'll agree.
In this transition period, more than ever, for your support there is a need
So please, your full attention, give this message heed.
Your stewardship committee, three times, will send once every two weeks
A communication such as this, to impart knowledge that you may seek
About our budget that is very real, oh-the bills, why we can't avoid spending
Must keep things going, benevolence, salaries, old air conditioner needs mending
Asking, seeking, pleading for contributions, sometimes seems irritating and a bore
Yes, your help, your money, but most important, for your support we implore.
So between now ands the Sunday when your pledge commitment you submit,
Thoughtfully, you know that for each sacrificial dollar, your church will benefit.
To be a good congregation I'm sure that you realize that we need plenty
Upkeep, charities, salaries, endowments, music, teaching, our needs are many
This message, an alert, your charitable thought to stimulate, make you think
Perhaps if I try, my pledge will be as much, can be more, I won't let it shrink.
Commitment Sunday for your welcome pledge will be 10th of November
The purpose of this message - in your reflective thoughts, makes you remember
That with your financial offering-"I'm not only participating, I am saying
That the Lord's work will continue." For this we are all praying.
Annoying But Necessary
This is not pleasurable, just plain necessary, we just can not delay
Not too far away is Sunday, November 5th, ours and yours Pledge Day.
Between now and then, hopefully, gladly, you will want to hear more
Messages so you will cheerfully make your commitment great. We implore.
Our church needs help from everyone: John, Judy, Ruth, and Fred.
We can do our part, make a super gift and earn "Our Daily Bread"
As you become more aware of our church's needs: — they seem immense
Then your fair share for two thousand and four does make sense.
The next few Sundays, your Stewardship committee will give their pitch
Please smile, relax, as we plead for funds so those funds for ours we can enrich
Request for monies can be somewhat irritating, unpleasant, and upsetting.
Think about it! Aren't you glad that you can give? What a blessing.
It certainly would be nice if at these times we could, or would, just forget
But Gee! To loose friends that I enjoy? My Christian Home; what a regret
So I'll gladly remember Pledge Day and as I tender my pledge, I'll smile
I'll sleep well tonight. My conscience is clear. Life is worthwhile.
Your Old Cool Friend
This is your old, fragile, sometimes sick air conditioner speaking
I'm in trouble, hurting, — ouch — for your help I'm seeking.
Twenty-five years ago I was young and could really do my stuff
Those years I've served you faithfully, but finally I just have had enough.
My parts have become rusty, some glued, they don't want to operate
I know that very soon, even with assistance, these parts will break.
Soon temperatures in house will be uncomfortable, even up to eighty-eight
If inoperable, who will cool those temperatures that I used to regulate.
My old age, those high temperatures, I no longer will be able to control
But get something new, not old me, lets be comfortable, that's our goal.
So, please retire me now before I expire, I hopefully plead
Those new ones with advanced gimmicks will make you happy indeed.
I sure hate to leave you, but after all these years I've had enough
Let me replacement, that new upstart, with new trinkets show its stuff.
It'll cost you, around fourteen thousand, — it sure won't be cheap
Think about it—for many years all those cool benefits you will reap.
I thank you. After all of these comfortably cool years, I've had my day.
So committee for all of that new equipment someone will have to pay
Just how you raise those funds, I'm sure you must have a plan or plans
To you, you lucky fund raisers, lots of good luck. I now wash my hands.
Enjoyment
It does seem that I get much enjoyment from these Sunday chats
As a matter of fact, I do. I just must give the facts.
When informed about the need for a better sanctuary, you agreed
And for funds to keep cool, you supplied those with surprising speed
Now, we have a little, more tiny, actually, a somewhat bigger request
This weather beat twenty-seven years! Roof caput - in a new one we'll invest
Funds for this program, it's amazing, off to a splendid jump-start.
Request for funds, half done, lets keep it going. No need to upset the applecart
This campaign we'll conclude the first of May
Sometimes between now and then, lets get out there and make hay
It's true, the markers on our bird feeder are two-thirds filled
But by golly, we'll not be happy until all those markers are over spilled
I just want you to know so far, we're happy with what we got
Our expectations are tremendous. We do know that we expect a lot
So in conclusion, our solicitation will conclude at month's end.
So please don't feel left out, a few pennies on the roof you can still spend
Great Day
A beautiful day, it sure it great to be alive
The way I feel, I feel I could live to be 105
The dog and I, with needed exercise, went for a walk
Enjoyed the wildlife, mockingbirds, and in the distance a hawk.
Just why I bring this up, I don't really know
It's a prelude to discuss our roof about which you all have been so macho.
I'm glad to inform you that the support given to our roof project is great
The support from all, and all the monies given so far, we appreciate.
To date, fifteen thousand dollars in our coffers toward our goal of eighteen
With nearly three weeks to go, — a reality; wouldn't that be pristine?
Our committee believes an early vote of thanks is deserved; here's to you.
For each dollar given so far, and a few more, soon our roof will be new.
As of now, we aren't quite there, — let us not be too complacent, I plead:
Still a few more funds needed, not frivolous, nor is it greed
It is just necessary. With added help-we must, and we will finish the job
Just knowing you had a part, seeing that new roof you'll have a heartthrob.
I BELIEVED
I SAW
I CARED
I HELPED
I WAS THERE
Demise of the Old Roof
Once again we come to you for funds that we must seek
It's not frivolous, nor for a group trip to Disney World or Pike's Peak
A year ago our air conditioner, caput, your aid-in cool comfort we live
Before then, monies for our sanctuary asked for and you did give
We need a new roof, experts insist that this roof we should replace
Left undone, rotten wood, plaster loss, real damage we could face
This old roof, after twenty-seven years, time has taken its toll.
A leak here, a leak there, a hole, a patch, surplus water is out of control.
We Floridians all know, and Trunk Slammers are fast to learn
That sunshine reigns most of the time but summer rains will soon return
Not if, but when, we know that hose torrential downpours will begin
The roof's bad spots, holes easily found for those raindrops to run in.
It's true that eighteen thousand dollars for a new cover sounds like a lot
But, how expensive is plaster damage, and new wood to replace wood rot.
To postpone, or to wait until next year does not make good sense
Extra cost for water damage, plus the new roof, our bill would be immense.
The Session all agreed that replacing the roof, is too important, it can't wait
To steam roll this important project, this committee they did create
Now, for this big event we need your help, and above all, your full support.
We'll solicit, plead, blatant beg, for needed funds that we hope to exhort.
Seeking money can be annoying; but good when there is a successful end
This is a big project. Your help your support, will be a big dividend
Our faith, the desire of all to aid our Christian Home we do appreciate
Our thanks, again thanks to all; a successful campaign we will consummate.
Funds for Our New Roof
Being here, seeing you, and talking to you once again is a pleasure
Pleasurable as it may be, I'm here to plead for funds; it's a big expenditure.
I know as a retired veterinarian, I still hear a meow-meow or a woof-woof
It's a carry-over, now all I want to hear - let's get that new roof-roof.
Watch! Out in front, please note the converted bird feeder
To you it's a greeter, actually an eager, greedy, money seeker
Each shingle on that roof when filled means the kitty gained five hundred
Soon, — we're finished when those boxes are filled with fire-engine red.
This campaign for our new roof begins last week
To raise eighteen thousand dollars is a lot of funds to seek
Most parishioners are sympathetic to this most earnest plea
With careful thought, a small sacrifice, you too can become an enrollee
We have an excellent start, observe the read in the boxes we already did fill
This is a great beginning, but there's a long way to go to the top of the hill
This campaign we would like to end before the heavy summer rains begin
With your support we'll make it. A good report when I address you again.
Caring
Diamonds, a stone brilliant, almost a perfect piece of carbon
Found in rings, jewelry, artifacts of which many are so fond
A status symbol; just having one, a bigger one makes many so proud
Exhibiting large ones will draw attention to you in any crowd
Diamonds, like silver and gold, and other jewels are only a symbol
When we care, -- we participate, help to others, and proper protocol
As Christians, we have joined the sharing community club of CARE
When there are problems we can answer with help, thought, and prayer.
When help was needed, you were asked - and you were there
An awesome task faced the roof committee, of this, you are aware
To raise eighteen thousand for that new roof is a big task
Your committee optimistically, from our church members we did ask.
Now worldly treasures, to many, are great, they seem to gratify
But when you give help to others, assist in a good cause, it does satisfy
Jewels and diamonds are good, but in our roof, what did they express?
Caring, each of you are more important, you made funding a success.
In the beginning with diamonds the subject, -- done; - not to confuse
But to compare to your caring, so meaningful, thus, we have good news
When you compare jewels against all the good done by those who care
You are the real gems, when needed and you were asked, you were there.
Yes! We made it. Our roof campaign is now complete
With results now in, Diamonds versus Caring just couldn't compete
After asking, sometimes pleading for funds, you people didn't hesitate
You cared! From the committee, THANKS! We're glad you did participate.
Trust
Over developing years we have many lessons to learn
How well these lessons are learned should be our concern.
One of these most important; -- all should make, is a must
To conduct ourselves to become one that all can trust.
There are many ways in which the word trust can be used.
Understanding these, when correctly used, you'll not be confused.
Dependency on others with honesty and character can give you hope
Knowing that reliance on others that are trustworthy, we can cope.
What about the one that's so uncertain; ethics are in doubt
Not always there when needed or do not care what it's all about
There's no way one can call this person a true friend
When needed, you need someone upon whom you can depend.
Those with questionable reputations, trusting them is no good
A failure because we believed them will not be understood.
By contrast, there are others proven dependable and true
Depending on them, you have help and may prevent many a miscue.
Why should I help you -- you just can't be believed or trusted.
This must be a terrible feeling when faith in you is gone -- busted.
Many things are put in trust; we know they are safer that way
We have many ways we show integrity, better than distrust to display.
What a tribute when one can say "most trustworthy person I've ever known".
So different from the fickle, indifferent one, that should be left alone.
An honest effort on our part to always try to do and to be right
It makes one proud that we are positive and, hopefully, always polite.