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Dear MRC Family,

Pentecost blessings to you, beloved of God

This Sunday is the last week in our Summer Sermon Series from the SALT Project — Summer Days: A Companion to Mary Oliver’s ‘Devotions.’ Our focus this week is SING using Psalm 150 along with Oliver’s “Six Recognitions of the Lord.” 

Did you know that singing has physical and emotional benefits? I did a Google search and I found out it helps with —

Stress and Anxiety Relief: The deep, rhythmic breathing required for singing acts as a natural tranquilizer, helping to lower heart rate and reduce cortisol levels in the blood.

Mood Enhancement: Singing triggers a chemical symphony in the brain, flooding your system with endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine to boost happiness and promote relaxation. 

Catharsis and Emotional Release: It provides a healthy, creative outlet to express complex feelings, cope with grief, and process emotions in a safe and comfortable way.

Better Lung Function: Singing functions like aerobic exercise. It forces you to engage your diaphragm and respiratory muscles, increasing oxygen intake and lung capacity.

Pain Management: The rush of endorphins—the body's natural painkillers—along with the activation of the vagus nerve, can help raise pain thresholds and manage chronic discomfort.

Improved Immunity and Sleep: Studies show regular singing can boost immune function by increasing Immunoglobulin A antibodies. The vocal and breathing exercises involved can also tone the muscles in your throat, which is shown to reduce snoring and improve sleep quality.

Boosted Memory: Singing engages different neural networks more than speech. This allows individuals with memory loss or dementia to recall lyrics and access autobiographical memories when spoken language fades.

Brain Training: Keeping a vocal line in mind, adjusting pitch, tracking rhythms, and coordinating breathing acts as a full-spectrum workout for the brain.

Community Bonding: Singing with others (such as in a community or church choir) releases oxytocin, a hormone that enhances feelings of trust and connection. 

Less Loneliness: Synchronizing your voice, breath, and heartbeat with others builds strong social bonds and makes people feel less isolated

With all those benefits we should lift our voices and SING daily! So, come this Ninth Sunday after Pentecost at 10:30AM and let us praise God with our hearts, minds, strength, and voices. Tom will lead us in our hymns and sing the Prelude “When We Pray” and the Anthem was first introduced on Sesame Street in 1971 and then was made famous by The Carpenters. I’m sure you will want to “Sing” along. My sermon title is One Big Hallelujah. After worship, come downstairs to the Lower Auditorium for coffee and conversation before you head out for summer fun.

I realize that many of you are away for summer or taking a break. I wholeheartedly approve sabbath taking! But also, your church family misses you in worship. If you are unable to be in person for worship, we will be streaming live on our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@mrcafabulouschurchoflove1611. Also, we would be grateful if you would still send in your tithes/offerings so we can continue to do the work of Jesus which doesn’t stop during the summer. Please consider sending in your offerings online at www.mrchurch.us/give or to 121 Kings Highway Middletown, NJ 07748. Thank you for your continued generosity!

 

Keep bothering and following Jesus, beloved

 

With gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish

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