Audio – Clinging To The Rock

This is one of those rare occasions in the Curtis household. Our three daughters are home together for a visit.

Whenever such an event occurs, there is laughter; lots of laughter, lots of singing; and there are lots of memories of people and places to recall and celebrate.

Kathy Tibbo (Robin) lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Joanne Woolfrey (Jody) lives in Botwood, Newfoundland, and Vicki Meltzer (Jonathan)lives in Dover, New Hampshire.

Vera and I want to share, (much to the chagrin of our daughters), with the many wonderful people who have touched our lives over the years; especially the lives of our three daughters, growing up as children of the manse. Gratitude is therefore expressed to the people of many congregations throughout The Newfoundland and Maritime Conferences.

Although the song that follows is produced in the ‘fun mode’, the message contained herein truly conveys the reason for our gratitude.

A Prayer To Follow This Post

Father, of all beauty, We praise You on behalf of all families for the inexpressible joy of family living, for the tender nurturing of the delicate seeds of personalities, destined to reveal Your image in the world. Give to those within all families the measure of love and grace to fulfill that high calling.

For the special role that falls to the community where families live, make it known to each resident that their community has been specially chosen by You for this sacred mission. May community leaders act as conductors of the magnificent symphony prepared by You and encourage the young to play their part for Your glory. The essential requirement for this Is Your gift of Faith.

Bless the rhapsody of laughter, may it echo in our hearts and homes. And as we all move into the streets throughout the world let us joyfully invite all others to sing with us, until the whole universe is alive with the sound of voices, all singing the same song of love, to Your glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

EDITORIAL NOTES

The Song sung here is titled ” ONE VOICE” written by

RUTH MOODY ” As sung by THE Wailin’ Jennys

www.thewailinjennys.com

the photo speaks for itself and fits into the ‘fun mode ‘ atmosphere. It goes without stating, that obviously, no professional direction has been sought or secured.

SEA FEVER

It is recommended that you read the following Scripture portions You may also find help in the editorial notes at the end of the post.

Suggested Scriptures: Psalm 107:23 – 31, Matthew 14: 22 – 33

There follows a reading of JOHN MASEFIELD’S poem ‘Sea Fever’. I dedicate this post to ‘All Who Go Down To The Sea In Ships: who carry out their tasks upon the mighty deep. ( Psalm 107: 23)

My years of ministry in the Grand Bank United Church, made me keenly aware of’ the real” price of fish.” The ceaseless labor, the excruciating hardships, the ever-present dangers surrounding them and the hours of loneliness suffered by those who pursue that calling. Add to that, the anguish of loved ones on the shore who keep a constant watch for the first signs of their ship’s safe return. Home at last from a sea that often appears reluctant to part with its riches. Only then does one begin to understand the real price of fish.

A PRAYER TO FOLLOW THIS READING

Blessed Lord, It is evident from Your Gospel that you nurtured a deep love and a profound respect for the sea. It was beside the sea that Your ministry, that would change the world, had its beginning. It was here that You met men, whose blood every day was mixed with the salt spray of the sea. And from that company, you chose Your first disciples.It is also inspiring for us to recall how the epilogue to the account of Your glorious Ressurection is written with the sound of the sea breaking on the shore, and the sound of Jesus’ voice asking Peter: “Peter, do you love me ?” To which ‘ the big fisherman’ Peter, answered, ” Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You!”

Between that beginning and end, the thunder of the sea is like the recurring theme of a mighty symphony. In the terror of a storm, when there is only blackness and the cries of human helplessness are audible above the shrieking wind, Your voice is like music from Heaven: ” Don’t be afraid, it is I!”

It is of great comfort to know, that You once shared the agony of being on the shore while loved ones are somewhere out on the boundless deep. It was love for Your disciples that made You go to them one stormy night. It is love that makes us want to go to our beloved also when the sea is boiling, but You know the burden we mortals bear. Please, Lord, whenever such situations arrive throughout our life’s journey, sustain us with the belief that our loved ones will hear You say: ” Take heart, Fear Not! it is I.” Thank You for holding us in Your arms and rescuing us in Your love, now and evermore. Amen.

Hymn: Eternal Father, Strong To Save

https://youtu.be/bDjwUzUnNpU

EDITORIAL NOTES

The suggested Scriptures are from the King James Version Of Scripture.
Sea Fever https://allpoetry.com/Sea-Fever Poem by John Masefield (Background music from Dan Gibson’s Solitudes: Ocean Surf – Seascapes)
The post is dedicated to All whose profession carries them away from their families to labor upon the sea.
Photo: The Fishing Dragger (GRAND BARON) somewhere at sea from Grand Bank, Newfoundland Courtesy of Bill Tibbo, Grand Bank, Newfoundland.d