Evergreen Outreach
By Joyce Mueller
Appreciation would be the key descriptive word of this week’s Evergreen program, from conversations of the London Olympic Games to the outstanding performance of David and Patricia Pence (the SoftFire duo from Hillsboro).
Concerning the games, one person mentioned that there are athletes from 204 nations that represent their homelands. Another lady remembered reading that ocean liners were contracted to accommodate the overflow of travelers from the many countries.
Some athletes from our immediate area are: Mark Alexander (champion), swimmer; Forrest Blakley (Cobden), archery; and Edwin Cockrell (New Athens), track and field.
We also have an Olympic Corner in Wesley Hall, where bowling is dominant. Our competitors have a great time. We plan to resume this activity later in the year.
We again met at the Fayette County Hospital LTC facility, hearing outstanding and inspirational music by the Pences. They always present a program with a variety of songs and instruments.
Some of their selections included: “Down at the Cross,” “The Mansion Just Over the Hilltop,” “I’m a Child of God,” “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart,” “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord,” “The Circuit Rider,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Revive Us, Again.”
This week's leader, Joyce Staff, announced that we have six birthdays this week. She and the Pences led in the singing of “Happy Birthday” to Dorothy Hoefacre, Joan Goldhardt, Bobby Kimbro, Jason Galvin, Cora Foster and Marie Sutton.
Staff then introduced the Rev. Ernie Flowers, who presented devotions. His subject was taken from Romans 8:25, “But if we hope for what we do not have, we will wait for it patiently.”
He led this in with the fact that we all have problems and difficulties, and how it all started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and also how their sin now affects everyone.
He closed by saying, “God is bigger than all your problems.”
The Pences continued their program with more songs: “If You’re Happy,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “When We All Get to Heaven,” “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder,” “Amen” and the show stopper, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
Guests and volunteers formed a dance line and several at the tables sang along throughout the SoftFire performance.
Several of them were also petting the SoftFire border collies, Daniel, Phoebe, Rufus and Molly, who were friendly and lovable. They also had their own pillows to nap on while waiting.
In the pinochle corner, Peggy Lippold and Rosamund Hobler tied 2-2 with Shirley Locke and John Hunsley.
Scheduled next week: Beulah Brown, leader; the Rev. Joe Lawson, scripture; Pam Childers, pianist; Charlene Jett, writer; and special entertainment will be provided by Melody Staff’s students, Madison Click and Emily Britt.
A final note: Evergreen Outreach will resume meeting in Wesley Hall at First United Methodist Church next week. All are welcome.
CARPE DIEM (Seize the day).
