July 2025
This month we had another musical memories singalong for Music at Atria! A wonderful team came together to make it all happen – Aditi & Marsha read background info for the years of each song’s release, Paul prepared & gave tech support, Patricia ran the PowerPoint, Jonathan turned pages for me, Shelly gifted another of her beautiful cross paintings, Beth came to encourage and support, and I enjoyed playing this set once again for the beautiful community of residents and staff at Atria (including my Dad aka Grandpa Gene). It was a beautiful time together, and many heartfelt connections were made afterwards. We always have a great time together bringing presence and music, making room for both joy and sorrow, for the greater glory of God!
July 2025
Music at Atria (a precious community where my Dad, aka Grandpa Gene, lives!)
This month we had another musical memories singalong at Atria LG in which Karen tinkled the ivories with a dozen of the songs from her 2025 Musical Memories set I! Shelly did a fantastic job as MC, engaging Grandpa Gene and other residents, staff, and family members who gathered around for an interactive time together. Paul took great photos and videos and sat with Grandpa Gene whenever he wasn’t turning pages for Karen 🙂
It was a beautiful time together, and many heartfelt connections were made afterwards. We always have a great time together bringing presence and music, making room for both joy and sorrow, for the greater glory of God!
July 2025
This month, for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, Bart (aka “Black Bart”), along with Beth, played a Summer Album and shared significant parts of his testimony along the way. Bart labeled “side one” as “Back story” and “side two” as “Bittersweet.” The room was filled with such peace and openness during this beautiful time of sharing songs, stories, and Scriptures. JR prepared delicious pastries and fresh fruit for refreshments, and Shelly presented a beautiful cross painting to one of the precious residents, who was very surprised and delighted at God’s very personal restoration because she had had a very similar painting in her room that was stolen two days earlier. Paul faithfully ran tech, and Kelsey and three of her girls (Faith, Ally, and Lillian) supported and encouraged all who were present. Pastor Karen closed our time together with a short talk and prayer. All glory to God!
July 2025
JR prepared and delivered five more cheerful Welcome Baskets to a nearby apartment community, so they can distribute them to new residents as they move in. Each new resident who receives one of these welcome baskets will find all sort of household supplies, baked goods, community information, a sturdy reusable shopping bag, a QR code for our church’s ENCOURAGING WORSHIP SONGS playlist, and a personal welcome note. May each one who receives one of these feel welcomed and loved in our neighborhood – won’t you be our neighbor?
August 2025
This was our first time to bring music at Atria LG again since Grandpa Gene, passed away – such a bittersweet time for Shelly, Patricia, Paul, and Karen. The staff gathered and encouraged residents, Karen played songs on the piano, Shelly and Patricia showed and shared many creative props with the residents, Paul ran tech, many other staff members walked past, and we all experienced comfort, joy, and peace as the music washed over our souls. It is truly a blessing to share God’s gift of music!
August 2025
We had a delightful time with our friends as we shared presence and music together at Atria with the residents, staff, and families. Everyone enjoyed the incredible props and singing along to songs which included references to the sun, moon, and / or stars. It was a bittersweet time for Pam, Shelly, Patricia, Paul, and Karen, as it was our first time to be in the library again since Grandpa Gene passed away. He never missed one of our music outreaches and always sat at the front, usually right next to the piano. Everyone in the room sensed the peace, comfort, sweetness, and joy, as we shared music together. Unfortunately, our recording cut out during the next to last song. It also meant that we do not have any footage of Shelly giving away another of her delightful cross paintings, which was gratefully received by a dear resident. All glory to God!
August 2025
This month for Music & Ministry at Meadowbrook, we brought our set, “Sun, Moon, & Stars.” The residents and staff absolutely loved it, joining in with their cut-outs and calling out, singing and swaying, welcoming and weeping. There was a beautiful unity in the room as we sang songs that included some kind of references to the sun, the moon, or the stars. Pam discovered that, due to tech issues, it’s actually better to not use a mic in that room, as far as being “among” goes during her fabulous MC-ing. JR prepared delicious treats and also brought a powerful word about the Sun and the Son – Jesus, who gave his life for us so that we can really live! Shelly hit it out of the park with her props and cut-outs, presenting another one of her awesome cross paintings to a very grateful resident. Patricia kept everyone on track with the Powerpoint and singing. Paul set up and ran tech, always a blessing, and Karen tinkled the ivories. In spite of severe physical or mental challenges, many entered in both to the joys and sorrows of the songs and of life wholeheartedly – the Lord visibly touched hearts all over the room. All glory to God!
August 2025
Liberty Vineyard Church hosted and helped with Grandpa Gene’s Memorial Service & Dinner, by demonstrating beautiful and radical hospitality to all … this is the beauty of the body of Christ! Many attended in person in the room, and from all over the world on Zoom. The love and comfort of Christ was shared generously among us all. All glory to God!
August 2025
Eight of us donned our safety vests and headed out after our monthly Potluck Lunch on a beautiful late summer afternoon to clean up Pounds Rd. We had a great time beautifying our neighborhood together!
