By Rev. Ralph Manuel - "I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”  (John 15:15)  - Welcome to Fall! The time of cooler weather, back to school, and our new season of music activities at Heritage.

Here is the new schedule of rehearsals:

Adult Choir – Wednesdays, 7:15-8:30 p.m., beginning September 1

Youth Choir – Sundays, 5:15-6:30 p.m., beginning September 12

Children’s Choirs – The first Sunday of each month, 9:15-10:15 a.m., as part of the new Sunday School program (see “Fall Sundays for Kids” insert sheet)

Orchestra – Sundays, 4:00-5:00 p.m., beginning September 12

For further information about any of these, please contact me or call the church office.

But that’s not all: On Sunday, September 26, Gioele Settembrini will be presenting a vocal concert at our church, along with his friend Patrizia Conte. The concert will begin at 6:15 p.m., with an ice cream fellowship following. This is an event you will not want to miss!

To God be the glory,

Ralph

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When Joseph Scriven was asked who wrote the words to the poem he had on his wall he said, “The Lord and I did it between us.” The poem was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Joseph Scriven (1819-1886) learned early in life to give his griefs to the Lord. On the eve of his wedding day, his bride was found drowned. This crushed him. He left his homeland of Ireland and moved to Port Hope, Canada. He found Jesus to be his best friend and decided to give his life to be a friend and a help to others. He became known as the “Good Samaritan of Port Hope.” He wrote the poem “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” as an encouragement for his sick mother. We, like Scriven’s mother, are reminded again that we have a friend who wants to know our cares, griefs, burdens, temptations, trials, sins, pain, and sorrows. Jesus is that friend. Have you spoken to Him today?

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

(Courtesy The Schaefer Homepage)