T H E W O R D

T H I N K A B O U T I T

“Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.”

—Psalm 98:1

Two of the most popular Christian songs of all time are “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” List your favorites here—then round up your friends for a sing-a-praise-along!

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The Music of Spring

“Hope is hearing the music of the future. Faith is dancing to it now.” —Unknown

Can you see the buds of April flowers and hear the splash of April showers? Hurray, it’s time to celebrate the hope of spring! Green tulip shoots are poking through the melting snow in the North, and the cherry and peach blossoms are popping open in the South. Bye-bye gray days of winter. Hello red, yellow, pink, and blue!

“Hope springs eternal” would be an appropriate title for the display happening outside our windows…and inside our hearts. Because, thankfully, Jesus, our eternal hope, never goes out of season. He’s always encouraging our hope to grow and our faith to bloom—especially through the dry and difficult seasons of our lives:

“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!” (Isaiah 35:1-2)

“Flowers and singing and joy!” Hope is the music of spring, the joyous melody of God’s eternal love and his promises of blessings given to us.

So let’s sing along!

Wait, are you too shy to sing? Don’t be, because singing praises to God is not about the quality of the voice, it’s about the quantity of the heart. Can’t hold a tune? No problem, because faith, hope, and love are the notes God listens to. And singing, an outward expression of faith, also strengthens your inward faith. How? As American evangelist Dwight Moody put it, “If we can only get people to have the words of the love of God coming from their mouths, it’s well on its way to residing in their hearts.”

Rejoice with the blooms of spring, sing a new song of praise, and let your heart dance with joy. For God’s hope springs eternal!

April 2014

APRIL 2014

“Take two CDs, and call me in the morning.”

Your doctor may not give you a prescription like that anytime soon, but new research is confirming that music is good medicine!

According to U.S. News & World Report, new advances in brain imaging and recent studies show that listening to calming music can actually lower blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels—and more.

Tess Krappes, a speech language therapist, uses rhythm and music to help people with neurologic problems (like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia) regain their lost ability to speak. She explains, “I will often have a person sing ‘Hi, my name is Mary’ to the tune of ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’ It helps them get started and gives them a sense of success.”

Actually playing music can have healing benefits too. The U.S. News article reported that one patient who couldn’t speak or move

A Woman of Note Do you know which

Christian woman wrote over 8,000 songs but never made it to the top of the billboard charts?

She may not be famous by today’s standards, but Fanny Crosby is certainly in the top by God’s standards!

Left blind at six weeks of age due to poor medical care, Fanny felt the loss

of her sight was a gift from God so she could write songs for his glory. “Blessed Assurance” and “To God Be the Glory” are two of the most popular hymns she penned. Paid on average about two dollars for every song, Fanny never became rich but was certainly rich in her faith. Her first poem, written at age 8, reveals the joy that lived in her heart:

Music as Medicine  

Oh, what a happy child I am, Although I cannot see!

I am resolved that in this world Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy That other people don’t!

So weep or sigh because I’m blind, I cannot, or I won’t!

When she was 10 years old, Fanny could recite from memory the four Gospels and the first four books of the Old Testament! Born in 1820, she lived to be 95 and was always thankful for the gift of her blindness: “I could not have written thousands of hymns if I had been hindered by the distractions of seeing all the interesting and beautiful objects that would have been presented to my notice.”

Fanny Crosby—truly a remarkable woman of note.

after suffering a spinal injury and stroke received therapy that included vocal and piano training, and a few years later they had written more than 400 songs and recorded three CDs!

So the next time you’re overstressed, under the weather, or experiencing a physical health challenge—take your medicine. Listen to, sing, or play music (Christian music is highly recommended for additional benefits), and you’ll feel better too!

© Mihai Iova | Dreamstime.com

APRIL 2014

What’s Happening for Women An invitation to all women... The Spring Convention of the Western Ohio Christian Women's Connection will be at the Van Wert Church of God, 314 S. Harrison St. in Van Wert on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Reverend Dottie Kaiser will be speaking on "Loving and Caring for Others - The Christian Way". Her topic will include 10 things to do, 10 things not to do, keeping ministry in the visit, and taking care of myself. The cost is $10 which includes convention costs, breakfast, and lunch. There will be a silent auction of your baked goods and new or gently used items (clothing excluded). The silent auction funds will support our 2014 state project The Place of Promise on the property of the Church of God in Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Also, DVDs and books for girls (12 to 18) will be collected for Hope Hill Children's Home in Kentucky. For more information please contact Margie Davis at 884-7441, Nancy Peters at 673-8714, or Sherry Hoying at 836-4070. Save the date… The 2014 Inspire event is scheduled on Thursday, October 2nd!

For all women… Gal Pals Meets the 2nd Sunday of every month Gal Pals is a group of women who meet once a month and share a meal together at various local restaurants. All women are welcome. Please invite friends or family members who may or may not have a church home at this time.

April 13, Olive Garden on Miller Lane May 11, Marion’s Pizza, Englewood June 8, Cracker Barrel, Miller Lane July 13, Rob’s, Brookville Aug 10 , O’ Charley’s, Miller Lane Sept 14, Pearson House, W. Milton

Watch the e-Happenings for any changes. For more information contact Ginny Chesterton at 833-3443. Women’s mission focus groups… Helping Hands 1st Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Meets in various members’ homes Meetings focus on the lessons from the Christian Women’s Connection of the Church of God. This year’s theme is “passion”. Each meeting offers a program, business meeting, devotional time, prayer, fellowship, and refreshments. We emphasize and support missions both locally and globally, including Children of Promise. All women are welcome. For more information contact Harriet Coppock at 277-4402 or Carol Crowe at 540-9176. Gaulke Circle Date: Third Wednesday of the month Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Room 316 The Gaulke Circle is the oldest woman's circle group at Salem. It is 65 years strong. This circle was started on May 10, 1948 with a group of 10 ladies (including our own Edna Hardman). Currently, the circle is working to expand our membership. We meet at 1:30 in the afternoon once a month. This would be a great time for those who don't like to drive at night or young Moms who have children at home. Children are always welcome at our meetings. We strive to help missionaries with prayer and monies while having fun as well. We support many local ministries and our global outreach includes supporting two Children of Promise kids. The ministry supported by this small circle is nothing short of amazing. God is great! Please contact Nancy Peters at 673-8715 with questions. Women of the Word Third Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. Location: member’s homes Our focus is serving children and women. We support Children of Promise and other projects. Check us out! Contact Sherry Hoying at 836-4070 or Ann Evans at 832-8111.

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A Taste of What’s Happening for Women

Name: Pastor Alisa Harkless Phone: 937.836.6500 ext. 123 Email: a.harkless@salemchurch.org

April

Contact for more information

Sunday mornings… Woman to Woman 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Room 402 Do you often feel like your faith is just mediocre? Join us beginning April 27th for our new study, "Believing God" by Beth Moore. You'll be challenged to take God at His word, believe His promises, and as a result, live a fuller life for Him. Join us at any time. Books available in class for $16. Through the week… Tuesday Morning Bible Study Beginning in June 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Room 402 Join us for our next study, Gideon: Your weakness...God's Strength by Priscilla Shirer. This 7 weeks study will encourage you to see your weaknesses as keys the Lord give you to unlock the full experience of His strength in your life. Watch the e-Happenings for the start date. Books will be available in class for $13. For mothers of young children… Mom 2 Mom Wednesday evenings September through May 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Room 316 Seeking encouragement and support in the journey of motherhood? Whether you’re a new mom or navigating the elementary school years, this is a night designed just for you! It’s a casual 90 minutes to connect with other women walking in your shoes. Your children will be well cared for during our time together in the children’s ministry areas. Secret Sisters… Reveal Party Sunday, May 4th in the Gathering Place at 12:15 p.m. Salem’s Secret Sister Program is a fun, intergenerational mentoring experience that provides the opportunity for adult women to encourage, support, and pray for the next generation of young women. Adults and Students, who are currently enrolled in 2013/1014 program.