Ark Valley News - The View from Sunflower Gardens

The View from Sunflower Gardens
By Marilyn Bentley
Last Updated: March 26, 2015

‘Amazing Grace' beloved song

Among the dear hearts and gentle people who live here are those who like our Mennonite hymn sings and Friday sing-alongs. Some of us like the hymn by John Newton, "Amazing Grace."

Verse of the week (I Thessalonians 5:16-18): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you."

Did you know? John Newton was a captain of a slave ship. In 1764, when he was a preacher in Olney Parish of England, he used this in a sermon to the congregation:

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see."

This hymn was popular in the Civil War. In World War II, the black singer Mahalia Jackson and in 1972, the bagpipe version became popular. It was the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards that launched the song into worldwide fame.

The tune "New Brittain" was adopted in 1835 and was considered an old American plantation song.

In 1910, the last stanza was added: "When we've been there ten-thousand years bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun."

Research on this song was done in Chatham Library in Kent, England. It's now a beloved song to so many Americans.

As the days are warmer now, we enjoy our coffee chats, potluck dinners, game nights, walks around our building. We are still getting to know the newer residents.

Remember: "What the world needs now is more love and less paperwork." Pearl Bailey.

"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died." Anonymous.

"Among the country's surpluses are wheat, corn, cotton and calories." M. Mandel.

Remember to keep our troops in your prayers and also their families.

We are glad to see the greenery in the puzzle rooms. The jigsaw puzzles are fun to do for some of us. Along our hallway walls are framed scenic puzzles. We still like Nancy's piano music.

We are all enjoying watching the variety of birds at our bird feeders. There are goldfinches, red-headed finches, red-headed woodpeckers, bluejays, sparrows, juncos, mourning doves and blackbirds.

There is an ongoing set-up with students from Friends University about family history. So we are doing our family tree info in a fun way to include some travel, and adventures to write up and include in the study. Also about jobs and foods favorites are included.

Soon our gardeners will be setting in new plants to bring colorful flowers to our front door entry. All entries are unique and we add a touch of color, according to the holiday.

Our library is always in use.

"Be kind, anyway." Mother Teresa.