Down on the Corner Word from Wiese 25 September 2024 “Down on the Corner” is a peppy song from one of my favorite ‘70’s bands, Credence Clearwater Revival. The lyrics describe a joyful scene of a corner full of musicians, playing their instruments at the end of the workday “trying to lift you up.” Well, lately there’s been a little …
The Voice Word from Wiese 18 September 2024 The Voice died last week. Throughout many of our lives, James Earl Jones’ voice etched a permanent place in our memory banks. For those who grew up with the Star Wars saga, his voice empowers Darth Vader. “Luke, I am your father!” For you Field of Dreams fans, Jones’ voice urges the …
I Don’t Want To 11 September 2024 I don’t want to write this WFW. And you probably don’t want to read it. Much easier for both of us to stick our heads in the sand. But seven days have passed since the school shooting in Winder, Georgia, just 60 miles up the road. (And if our country’s pace of mass …
The Sweet Spot of Labor Word from Wiese 4 September 2024 Dear Friends in Faith, Growing up, the rock group Loverboy produced the hit, “Everybody’s Working for the Weekend.” Weekends are fun. Including three-day weekends like the recent Labor Day Weekend. But it’s a bit sad if the song also implies our Monday through Friday workweeks must be endured while …
Hair Word from Wiese 28 August 2024 Dear Friends in Faith, After worship a few weeks ago, I greeted the incomparable Betty Schmidt. After bravely enduring some cancer treatments, Betty’s hair was growing back wonderfully. She looked beautiful and I told her so. And then I added, “Betty, you’re styling even more hair than I am!” Without missing a …
Grounding Marks Word from Wiese 21 August 2024 Marks on the ground can be very instructive. Marks on the ground inform where pickle-ballers are in danger of the “kitchen,” basketballers can shoot for the 3-pointer instead of 2, and receivers must get their toes in for the game winning-catch. Marks on the ground can tell us where to park or …
Scratching Before Bed Word from Wiese 16 August 2023 Breezy, our rescue dog of 18 months, accidentally ripped a mattress pad. Fresh out of the laundry, the cover was strewn on the living room floor with the rest of the laundry waiting to be folded. Looking like a comfy place for a nap, Breezy launched her rest-time ritual: she walked …
Stones of Significance Word from Wiese 14 August 2024 In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean . . . blue. 400 years later, in 1892, Germans installed blue—and many other colors—tiles high atop the tower of the Castle Church in Wittenberg Germany. The very church where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses which launched the Protestant Reformation in 1517. The tiles …
Olympic Motivations Word from Wiese 7 August 2021 Dear Friends in Faith, Prepared for a new chapter as we move into our renewed sanctuary on Sunday August 18, our usher team asked me to share this picture of the dynamic new outfits they’ll wear on Sundays. Ahh . . . just joking. But in the enthusiasm of watching the Olympics …
Displays & Images Word from Wiese 31 July 2024 The countdown is on until COS traditional worship services move back into the refreshed sanctuary on Sunday August 18! Praise God. Thanks again to all who financially and prayerfully contributed to this amazing God-glorifying effort. On the 18th swing by the Shepherd’s Window for some celebration goodies. One feature captivating the …
