It's a Theme

 The link for our live-streamed service this week is here

In preparing the report regarding this blog for the annual congregational meeting, I looked back over the past two years of posts and discovered a recurring theme -- hope.

Either that speaks to a want of originality on my part or to the fact that hope is at the very core of our being, both as a congregation and as Christians. Let's go with the latter.

So, here again, I direct you to portents of hope.

• Dr. Bonnie has loosened restrictions on weddings and funerals. For the many who have grieved alone in the past two years, the opportunity to hold full services of remembrance is huge.
• Spring is coming. My crocus are showing their sunny faces.
  
  
  
• Gladys has had her surgery and is home, using a walker, but getting better every day. She is filled with hope.
• Rev. Irwin is back in the pulpit. We hope for his continued good health.
• The rhubarb has started poking through the ground. Hope for a bountiful harvest and lots of pies, jams, and cobblers.
  
  
  
  
• After six weeks and SPH and two at the Gorge for rehabilitation, Kay is at home in The Peninsula. With her walker, she is able to manage the 100 steps from her room to the elevator and go down the the dining room. And, since the latest change to public health regulations, she can have visitors. (hint, hint.)
• Bible Study resumes this Wednesday.
• Our live-streamed services are bringing comfort and hope to members of the congregation unable to attend in person.

In the topical index to our hymn book, there are eleven hymns listed under the banner of hope but only five under suffering and tribulation. Hope runs rampant in our church.

This is hymn #443 in our Book of Praise. It's not a hymn we sing often, but I like the words. They are full of hope.