St. Paul's Christian Messenger NewsLetter for March, 2008

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed!!!

Gary Conger is coordinator of the Sunday morning Coffee Hours and he would like to have your help by signing up to serve as a host. There is a sign-up sheet on the kitchen counter in the Social Hall. After signing up, if you would like your name and the occasion printed in the Church Bulletin, please call Carol at the church office (828-0020).

Music at St. Paul’s

Organ concert: Thanks to all who attended our Feb. 24th organ concert. Extra thanks to the Women’s Guild for hosting the reception afterward!

O Sacred Head
The hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” has been a part of Holy Week observances for a very long time. The text, originally in Latin, may have been written by Bernard of Clairvaux in 1153. In 1601, a German translation was set to the tune we know today (PASSION CHORALE) by Hans Hassler. Hassler had previously used the tune for a secular song, “My mind is bewildered,” but it quickly became more associated with the religious text.

The tune was used a great deal by the composer J.S. Bach. Bach even incorporated it into his Christmas Oratorio in order to remind his listeners of the connection between Christ’s birth and His ultimate purpose.

It was translated into English several times, but the version we most often sing was written by J. W. Alexander in 1830.

One of the more touching stories about this hymn is how, in Tanjore, India, in 1798, Christian pupils of missionary Christian Friedrich Schwartz sang the hymn with their teacher at his deathbed.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal [www.cyberhymnal.org]

Emily Sensenbach-Gopal,
Director of Music

Letters…

Dear Teacher & Students,

I would like to thank you, Julianna & Gabriella for the pretty valentine you made for me – I’m enjoying it very much. Being a former nursery school teacher I can appreciate your hard work.

When I taught nursery school – Adam & Greg Weyer were my students.

Many thanks and many happy days to you all!

Love,
Dorothy K. Ryan
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Dear Rev. Weyer,

I am writing to thank the Sunday School of St. Paul’s., for the beautiful Valentine’s card they sent to me over the miles. It was made with great care and lots of God’s love, I’m sure. Please send my thanks and love to all these children. It’s so nice to be remembered after all these years.

Sincerely,
Rev. Gerhart
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Dear Friends at St. Paul’s,

Thank you for your generous contribution to Our Church’s Wider Mission in 2007. Your gifts made possible ministries in New Jersey and New Orleans; in South Dakota and South Africa, and in hundreds of other places.

Thank you for doing God’s work in Milltown, and for supporting God’s work around the world,

Peace,
Sherry Anderson
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Dear Rev. Weyer & St. Paul’s Congregation,

Thank you so much for the wonderful breakfast you provided on Friday. Your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated.

Parkview Main Office Staff
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Dear Pastor Rich & Members of St. Paul’s,

In April 1923 our grandmother wrote to her fourteen year old daughter: “May you be happy Loretta, may flowers your pathway strewn, may you be one of the many among God’s chosen few. The wish of your mother.”

As many of you may know, our mother, Loretta Brindle, passed away recently. When our families returned from the funeral we sat around, as most do on these occasions, reminiscing, alternately smiling and wiping tears from our eyes. It was then that we chanced upon the note written so long ago. Thinking about it we realized the wish of our grandmother had come true. In our mother’s path were flowers, and she is, we believe, among the many of God’s chosen few.

There can be no greater proof than of that of the many people associated with St. Paul’s Church who so kindly paid their respects to our mother; and from that of the many gifts donated in her name to the St. Paul’s Memorial Fund.

My sister, Sharon Rahman, my brother Landy, and I, on behalf of our families, want to express our abiding appreciation to everyone at St. Paul’s for their care and support during this time in our lives. We would also like to extend to Pastor Rich our deepest gratitude for the comfort and encouragement he provided at a time when it was greatly needed.

May God Bless,
Jeff Brindle
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