The Weekly News

Weekly Thought: The Blackbird's Song
 

by Pastor Jerremy

“Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world”

I don’t usually think of blackbirds as being a symbol of singing or praise.  Blackbirds are clumsy, awkward, and rough around the feathers.  Their song, if it can be called that, is anything but sweet and their social skills are raw and bullyish… yet, there is something about an early morning sunrise accompanied by crackly cawing.  

Maybe it’s the fact that none of us behave like a songbird all the time.  We all have a gravelly irritating side that needs renewal and refreshing.  Morning sunlight offers hope of a reboot; hope that today can be a different day.  Maybe it’s also the fact that announcements of a grand entrance aren’t usually soft and subtle.  Kings enter their throne rooms announced by heralds that shouts with conviction.

The second verse of this beloved hymn gives a clue as to why a black birds song might be the most appropriate response on a sunlit morning;

“Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven,                          
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.                                    
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden.                        
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass”

The blackbird's song announces the majesty of a king.  The rest of the day may be filled with finches and canaries, but the morning is owned by sleek blackness against bold color.  The perfect place for a bird full of passionate resonance is indeed the first morning light.  The starkness of its silhouette gives glory to the sunrise and highlights the brilliance that is to come.

If you ever feel out of place and lonely in a crowd.  Maybe you can own the blackbirds song for yourself.  In the silence of lonely moments your awkwardness can dance in the sunlight and cackle a dramatic tune, celebrating your Creator, who loves you to your very core and delights in your song.

“Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day”

Prayer Requests:  Email your prayer requests to Mike Parnell by Friday evening and a list will be compiled for Sabbath morning's prayer time.
 

Lopez Bible Study will meet each Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the LAF building. The Fowler's will be our hosts in April.
 

Truth Link Bible Studies and a meal at the Friday Harbor Church each Tuesday beginning at 6:00 PM.  Everyone welcome.

Orcas Women's Bible Study each Wednesday at 4:00-5:30 PM in the OCS Cafe.

 

 

News in the Washington Conference 
 

 

News from North Pacific Union Conference

 

 

Mission Story from Cambodia: "Unlucky to Loved"    
The 2nd Quarter 2025 supports the Southern Asia-Pacific Division 
 

 

Spring Ferry Schedule is in effect from March 23 to June 14, 2025.
 

Smart Breakfast Ideas for Kids
 

Breakfast is brain food for kids. While skipping breakfast is a bad idea for anyone, kids will feel the impact more. They have a higher ratio of brain weight to liver weight, which means that their brains’ overnight demand for glucose more quickly outstrips the supply stored in the liver than it does in adults. Thus, refueling with the right breakfast is vitally important.

Ways Breakfast Helps Kids

• More energy. Research shows that kids who eat breakfast can accomplish more at school and at play, including sports. The right breakfast can supply your children with more than one-quarter of their daily energy requirement.
• Greater learning ability. A good breakfast improves concentration, allowing kids to better absorb new information, solve problems and enjoy faster memory recall. Benefits have been specifically found for reading and math.
• Better behavior. Breakfast eaters attend school more regularly and have more positive interactions with their fellow students and teachers. Hungry kids are more prone to irritability, nervousness, headaches, colds and ear infections.

What to feed them

• Cereal choice. Select a whole-grain, high-fiber cereal with low-fat milk and fruit, or make cooked cereal using traditional oats, honey, and cinnamon. Grating a fresh green apple into oats that have been soaking overnight in milk is also delicious.
• Bread option. Offer whole-grain toast spread with natural peanut butter and topped with a sliced banana or a scrambled egg with baby spinach and mushrooms.
• On the go. Prepare a fresh fruit smoothie of low-fat milk, assorted fruit, a dollop of yogurt and some wheat germ or bran.
• Weekend special. For a treat, try homemade pancakes, crepes or muffins using whole-wheat flour and served with a savory vegetable topping/filling or fresh/canned fruit, honey and/or cashew nut cream (rather than ice cream and syrup).

 

 

THE WEEKLY NEWS WELCOMES YOUR NEWS!

PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ROCHELLE OR PASTOR JERREMY BY MONDAY NOON.