Song for Sunday: (Very Late): Hosanna to Our King

I know it's Thursday. I'm extremely late with this. But this weeks Song for Sunday is tied up with nostalgia so I want to write about it regardless.

Hosanna to Our King by Lloyd Larson

Hosanna to Our King: Sung by a church choir

I remember many years ago in our church it was sung as the anthem on Palm Sunday. The Choristers sang the line "Who is this king of glory?" The adult choir responded: "The Lord strong and mighty....." Parts they sang together, parts the congregation joined in. It was glorious.

Our church is smaller now. We don't have any choristers. But this is still a frequent Palm Sunday anthem. This year, one of the choir members played the tambourine, adding excitement to the song. It, too, was glorious.

What is your favorite Palm Sunday song? How has the music in your church changed over the years?

Heroes: No Greater Love

Greater Love has no Man than this: that He Lay Down His Life for His Friends.

Sgt. 1st Class Danny Ferguson, Sgt. Timothy Owens, and Carlos Lazaney were already heroes when the woke up on Wednesday, April 2. They were members of the military, serving at a time when deployment to an area conflict was possible. They were heroes just for that.




But these three did not get to go to bed that night. They went instead, too soon, to the morgue.


They all died heroes, going about the business of defending their country, in a place that should have been safe.


Danny Ferguson died protecting others. He placed himself in front of unlockable door and held it shut. He died when bullets fired by the gunman penetrated the door. He saved a roomful of other military personnel. He gave his life for his friends.


I never met Danny, but his fiancé attended CYC, the ministry I volunteer with, several years ago as a camper. Though I haven't been in touch with Kristen really, except a little via Facebook, I still feel a connection through our camp sisterhood. My heart goes out to her and her family. I will be praying for her and for all the families as the memorial program happens today.


I pray for peace and comfort for the families. I pray for healing for the injured. I pray that our military bases will be safe places, that soldiers suffering from mental illness will get the help they need, that all mass shootings --all shootings-- will stop. I don't know what the answers are, I just pray.

God grant us peace -- all kinds of peace. 

Pantry Challenge: One Week Down

A week ago, I explained that I am participating in an April Pantry Challenge: Buying only perishable items to give my pantry a spring cleaning and save a bit of money.


Look at my earlier post: Pantry Challenge for details of how it works.




So far, so good.


I am within budget for the first two-week segment, although I am down to a little over $12 for perishable items if I am to stay within that goal. I have stuff on hand, though, and we are away for the weekend, so I may be able to pull it off. If not, perhaps I will take a little from next segment.


I have spent less than $20 from the "Treats & Meals on the Road" budget line. I am trying to keep $75 for the trip.


I haven't bought any pantry items and have used up bits and bobs - I am down to one packet of frozen vegetables and have only a little barley left.


There is still plenty of rice (white and brown), pasta, flax seed, etc. We still have two boxes of cereal, too.

So all in all, this is working out fine.


What are you challenging yourself with right now?  How's it going?