Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff on a rotating basis.

Spiritual Reflection

by Orin Johnson, Director of Music & Liturgy

With great thanks especially to many intrepid 7 th graders, on May 9 th , the “Great Gather Hymnal Swap of 2024” went off without a hitch. We began using them with the Solemnity of the Ascension last weekend, May 11th and 12th.

Reminder: more than just a songbook, these new Gather books also contain the readings for every Sunday and significant holiday in our calendar.  Look for a new four-digit number on our hymn number boards (at least to start with, on the second line down, all the way to the left of each board) which will direct you to where you can find the readings, if needed.  The pew missalettes will be retired after the current edition expires in a couple weeks.  We will continue to keep larger print missalettes on hand for those who need them.

On Wednesday, May 22, at 7:30PM, we will have a special prayer service and potluck reception, to both welcome and bless these new Gather books and also the new-to-us piano which joined us several weeks ago. With thanks to the support of so many in the parish who made these acquisitions possible, SMOS continues to be a house of vibrant prayer and musical worship! We hope you can join us that evening for a brief time of prayer and fellowship! (And if you wish, feel free to bring a tasty treat to share, though we plan to have the event ready to go – tasty treats or not – regardless.)