Consider the lilies ....

This is the reluctant organist's first Sunday off since, well, the last 4th of July weekend ecumenical service on the square.

Nothing against ecumenical services, but it's almost guaranteed that the sermon will be longer than 15 minutes --- and one year it rained and I was trapped inside Johnson Auditorium with a praise band. That left permanent scars.

So I think I'll do a little work in the garden and let the lilies preach --- courtesy of the Gospel according to St. Luke.

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;

they toil not, neither do they spin:

And yet I say unto you: 

That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field ...

... shall he not much clothe you, O ye of little faith.

And then a thanksgiving from the Book of Common Prayer that I like: "O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowleldge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Note: With one exception, from the garden of a friend, all the lilies here were photographed late Saturday afternoon in the museum gardens. Isn't diversity amazing?