PRAYERS – Jon Cook; Millie Mutka; Kathy Mayo; Barb Zima’s friends Rich Bagley, Mick, Steven and Marilyn Hummel; Gregory Bowens; Laurie Nelson; Amber Ross’s daughter Linda; Sandy Bishop’s brother Larry Barber and friend Kelly Newman; Randy & Diane Niemczyk’s daughter Julia VanAvery, niece Sarah Joda, and their dear friends, Denise Runde and Denise Hazel; Dick Volland; Valeria Hesselberg; Chris Markussen; Anne Verona’s sister/brother-in-law Pat & Woody Woodworth and friends Dennis Peterson and Natalie Madine; Strong’s friend Erin Molle and Kevin Miller; Debbie Cyrtmus’ mother, Rose Wicker and sister, Corrie Trittin; the Ebert’s friend Patricia Kulzick; Joyce Leander’s cousin Laurie Nelson; Ashley Clark’s friends Keith & Becky Hernandez; the Waggoner’s sister-in-law Cheryl Busse; and her niece Lisa and friends Bob and Dawn; Ann Carlson’s people Enid, Curt, Beth, Dana, Julie, Denny, and Troy; and peace for all nations and comfort for those in distress.
PRAYER LIST PROCEDURE – Submit your prayer requests to the office in writing, by phone, by email or in person. If requesting prayers for someone other than yourself or an immediate family member, please obtain permission – unless the circumstances are public in nature.
GUESTS – if you are visiting us today, please sign our book at the entrance to the sanctuary.
KITCHEN – if you have any plates and/or containers in the kitchen, please make sure you pick them up so they don’t become absorbed into the kitchen inventory.
QUILTERS –Tie one on with the quilting group as they assemble quilts.
Next gathering is Jul 16 from 9:30 to 11:30 am.
PRINCE OF PEACE CHOIR – Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! If you are interested in joining the choir – next practices are Wed, Jul 16, Jul 23 & 30 at 4:30 pm.
PRAISE IN THE PINES – The second annual Praise in the Pines Music festival will take place at Northland Pines High School on Sat, Jul 19, 2025. This full-day event features a free Worship Experience, food trucks, a Christian ministry faire, inspiration from Taylor Hughes and a headline concert by the Newsboys. Visit www.praiseinthepines.org. For ticket information contact Pastor Grant.
MOVIE NIGHT – Tuesday, Jul 29 at 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Movie TBD. Open to all at no cost! Water, popcorn and candy supplied. Thank you to this month’s sponsor! If you would like to sponsor a movie night – please contact Ann in the Front Office.
GODS WORK – OUR HANDS – SUMMER FUN – Mark your calendars:
Jul 27 – POTLUCK PICNIC Bring your favorite dish to pass, including desserts! Meat will
be provided. Picnic here after worship. Outdoor games and much fun will be had.
Aug 24 – MINI GOLF Tee-time will be at 11am, following fellowship hour.
Sep 7 – GWOHs DAY We will be blessing the quilts.
Sep 21 – GWOHs DAY- (continued) Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Our Backpack Program. We will be collecting items for the program (TBD).
T-SHIRTS: We have: 2-small; 1-medium; 2-large and 2-2XL Hearts on Fire t-shirts @ $20.
We have: 2-small; 4-medium and 4-XL God’s Work -Our Hands t-shirts @ $15. And some free t-shirts that say “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water”.
SAVE THE DATE – two more fun events are coming up.
Worship in the Wild – Kayak Style – Jul 19 at 10:00 am. Right here at PoP! If you don’t have a kayak, contact Pastor Grant before Jul 14 and he will hook you up!
Vacation Bible School – Aug 6 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Details to follow
FUN FACTS – When we hear that first line of one of our most beloved national hymns, the emotions of Love for Country stir within us. Katharine Lee Bates (1859 -1929), wrote the original poem in 1893 and revised it twice in 1904 and 1913. The words of this song came from a poem of the same title by Bates. It was originally published in the July 4th edition of The Congregationalist, 1895. Bates was a teacher and professor of English at Wellesley College, poet and author of books such as America the Beautiful and Other Poems, which was published in 1911.
She made a trip to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, which was her inspiration for the lyrics to America the Beautiful. There is a plaque there today and the story is best told by Katharine herself: “We strangers celebrated the close of the session by a merry expedition to the top of Pike’s Peak, making the ascent by the only method then available for people not vigorous enough to achieve the climb on foot nor adventurous enough for burro-riding. Prairie wagons, their tail-boards emblazoned with the traditional slogan, “Pike’s Peak or Bust,” were pulled by horses up to the half-way house, where the horses were relieved by mules.
We were hoping for half an hour on the summit, but two of our party became so faint in the rarified air that we were bundled into the wagons again and started on our downward plunge so speedily that our sojourn on the peak remains in memory hardly more than one ecstatic gaze. It was then and there, as I was looking out over the sea-like expanse of fertile country spreading away so far under those ample skies, that the opening lines of the hymn floated into my mind.”
The original melody was written in 1882 by Samuel Augustus Ward, a composer and organist. It was titled Materna and was first published in 1910. It was sung for many years to the tune of Auld Lang Syne. It was said there were as many as 74 different melodies tried out on the poem before deciding on the one we hold so dear.
Ward died one year before the song was published as America the Beautiful. Ward and Bates never did meet.
Interestingly, Ward’s family never obtained any royalties for the song and Bates received $5 when the poem was first published and then gave up all royalties to the title.
Along with My Country ‘Tis of Thee and The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful was considered for the national anthem. But President Herbert Hoover signed a law giving the right to bear the national anthem to The Star Spangled Banner. Many disagreed and have lobbied down through the years for it to be changed to America the Beautiful. There are still many active petitions today.
NOTE: This fun fact was brought to this week by the letter G. Ah – actually – from Pastor Grant – he mentioned the history behind the song and we decided it was “Fun Fact” worthy. If you have a “Fun Fact” or would like one researched – just let us know!
We created a Wordsearch for you – please take a copy if interested – in the Narthex.
And – I was left unsupervised – so enjoy the following!
MORE NOTES FROM ANN: I was thinking about neighbors this week. We live on a small lake. Most of our neighbors are seasonal. We had a set of neighbors who recently moved. Someone we had broke bread with – they had been to our house, we had been to theirs. When they moved – they didn’t tell us about it. They had purchased a home 10 months ago. Basically left without saying goodbye but left a consolation gift (dropped off – not handed to) on their way out. Compare that to some of our other neighbors. There is Dave. A fiercely independent guy whose wife has some health issues. Every now and then he will ask for help – which we will gladly give. He returns the favor by bringing us fresh eggs or some other goody he has found along the way. We have another neighbor – Dave. He is the guy who watches out for our property. He lets us know if he sees anything amiss. There is Mr. T. He is a non-stop, go getter who has dropped everything to help us when we needed emergency excavating. He refuses payment, tho will accept a 12-pack every now and then. Jerry & Lynn are fantastic. They invite us to their church events and other events that happen in the community. And they are (mostly) patient when our rambunctious lab decides to “visit” their house. And our cousins, Steve & Kathie – they are present for family stuff and shenanigans when needed. What kind of neighbor are you? For me, it is tempting to live in complete solitude when at home. However, that isn’t our purpose. We are supposed to interact, assist, receive and give.
I found myself reacting to a situation this week instead of responding in a kind and respectful manner. I’ve been debating on how I need to resolve my reaction. I have been leaning in – hard – on the past two weeks sermons. Timely words for me that have given me a great deal of reflection. I know I will not be perfect, but I can be better.
Enjoy pictures from our Pie Day! And enjoy some of my favorite Fourth of July memes.
Have a safe and wonderful Fourth of July! Hope to see you at church on Sunday with all of your fingers still attached!
