May 2008 Update

Dear Friends,

For nearly five years, many of us have gathered each second Sunday of
every month at Troutdale's Glenn Otto Park near the Sandy River. We've
met to worship, listen, affirm, encourage, and experiment. We have endeavored
to follow I Corinthians 14 and Ephesians 5:

"When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of
instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these
must be done for the strengthening of the church."

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and
make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the
Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

These are really quite simple admonitions, but admittedly, most of us
have no experience, reference, or model in how this really works. We
have much more experience as spectators. We'd
much rather someone lead us than follow the prompting of the Holy
Spirit to sing some kind of solo (how frightening!).

So how DO you "speak to one another with a song?" As Mary learned
to sit at the feet of Jesus, so we are learning at the River to do the same.
Carlene and I marvel at the corporate creativity, fragrance, and beauty in
the songs released in "earthly vessels" for the strengthening of the church.

So, we invite you to celebrate...in the spirit of constant thanksgiving for
everything, to honor Jesus this Sunday at 6pm.

We bless the original song in your spirit,

Darrell and Carlene