"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'" - Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV) 

When I was young, I mean I was in my 20's I thought the word "youth" in this context meant people in their teens and 20's at least.  Now in this 21st century, the concept of young has been expanded dramatically. If we consider youth as not only biologically but also spiritual, the concept of youth can seen in even more varieties.  So, I would like to interpret the given scripture this way: Remember your Creator as long as your spiritual and physical condition allows, before the time comes when you will not be able to even try. 

When we are strong enough physically and spiritually, we have many things we want to do.  To have time to remember God, who created us, guided us, and saved us from our sin and eternal death, can be at the first, second, or very end of our to-do list.  But, when we have nothing much left to do in our lives, we would very much be satisfied with our past decisions if they were the right choices. 

As I am preparing our new choir year starting in early September, I hope we will have another active and meaningful year.  In addition to all our goals in music ministry we have pursued in the past, I would like to add some new projects.  Some of them are having slightly different formats for services during Advent and Christmas season and implementing reading and acting parts around music.  Other activities will include more opportunities for people who want to learn basic music reading skills.  Also, I plan some outside activities with our musical groups, such as visiting senior facilities and hospitals during the holiday season this winter. 

All of the new plans, thought, will need more helpers and participants.  Having only a few leaders, including the director, would not make things happen successfully.  We need you, who may need to rearrange your schedule if necessary and try to make some room for spending a little more time at church with us.  You can find which music groups will be suitable for your interest and schedule by visiting the church website, www.1stpresby.org and'or attending the Ministry Fair on September 7 and 14 after service.

Here's another scripture that is pretty much same in meaning as the first one: "I will praise the Lord all my life: I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." - Psalm 146:2 (NIV)