All the world is God’s own field,
Fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown,
unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Grant oh harvest Lord, that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.
All the world is God’s own field,Fruit unto His praise to yield;Wheat and tares together sown,unto joy or sorrow grown.First the blade, and then the ear,Then the full corn shall appear;Grant oh harvest Lord, that weWholesome grain and pure may be.Someone recently told me that August is the Sunday of the year. I guess they meant that thefun is up and now we press our noses to the grindstone.But for me, the end of August also means gratitude. The growing things which have beenplanted and have matured are about to be gathered in.
Yes, Fall means a return to “regular”work but in this season our new beginning is blessed by God’s abundance. We have time…thewhole school year lies ahead. If we are lucky, we have energy…for the restfulness of Summerhas just renewed us…And in this area, we have the change of season with its color and brisktemperatures which can inspire us to remember God’s presence and power in this, His creation.So, welcome back, back to the predictable rhythm of Fall, back to the familiar faces of friends,coworkers and neighbors, and back to the pews of your parish home. This is the season toreflect on the beauty of the familiar and to relish it.And this month as we settle back into our church patterns of choir, Sunday school, The PathBible study, Tuesday healing services, and faithful church attendance, I pray that God maygrant each of us appreciative eyes so that we may see abundance all around and so that we maygrow ourselves to be wholesome and pure grain to nourish all whom we might meet.Welcome home…I look forward to seeing you all.God’s blessing,Cooper+