Seasons are so Important.

Back in November ’05 our daughter and family moved to Florida. Sure she missed us but she also missed the distinct seasons of Ontario. Now they are in Texas, same thing. Winter just means that the temperature goes below 80 degrees for a day or two.

We were there in late April early May. It was 85 then. We came home to the hot spell here. It seems like a long summer for us. We feel we missed some spring.

Now I am actually looking forward to Fall, especially here in Niagara. Hot days but cooler nights; perfect.

Fall is also has a special energy when things start to gear up again. This means something different for each of us of course. Three thousand or so years ago Solomon known for his great wisdom wrote one of the best known verses in the Old Testament.

Something like; "There is a time for every season under Heaven." (depending on the translation). He goes on to list the significant events of life claiming that here is an appropriate time for being born, dying, planting , harvesting, speaking, keeping quiet, mourning, dancing etc.

In 1959 Pete Seeger wrote and sang ‘Turn, Turn, Turn,’ taken almost word for word from the King James Version of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Later in 1965 it was released by ‘The Byrds’.

It is probably well received because it is very down to earth. It makes great outline for a eulogy. Who cannot comment on the stages of a well lived life using Solomon’s list?

But it also moves us into an heavenly dimension, Solomon continues "for [God] has put eternity in their hearts."

It is sort of a helicopter view of our whole life. It takes maturity to see life in all of those perspectives, and to see life on earth as only part of our whole existence.

Hopefully the older we get we can say "Now I’m mourning, and that’s healthy but...wait for it, there will come a time for dancing. We appreciate fully each season, and see the value in each.

So the long hot summer has been different things for different people but now what will the Fall bring? At Elm St. We are looking forward to Sunday School starting up, the Choir returning, a great 50’s concert, and a study on the Covenant relationship that God has with us from Abraham to now and of course the music provided by Mike and Keith on organ and piano. This congregation loves the great hymns of the church. Once and a while we spend the whole worship time just singing. Fall is a vibrant season at Elm St.