The Priest’s last moments…One day, an Old Catholic Priest was dying. He sent a message for two members of his congregation to come to his home. One was a politician and one was a lawyer. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the priest held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of his bed. He then grasped their hands, sighed contentedly and smiled. For a long time no one said anything. Both the lawyer and the politician were touched and flattered that the old priest would want them with him during his final moments. He had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them. His sermons in the past about greed and various other behaviors had made them squirm in their seats many a time. Finally the lawyer asked, "Preacher, why did you ask us to come and see you at this time?"
The old priest mustered up some strength, and then said weakly, "Jesus died between 2 thieves…and that’s how I wanted to go!"
From the Choir Loft
"Wounded for me, wounded for me, There on the cross He was wounded for me;Gone my transgressions, and now I am free, All because Jesus was wounded for me."
The Easter Bunny…A man was blissfully driving along the highway, when he saw the Easter Bunny hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the Bunny, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of his car and was hit. The basket of eggs went flying all over the place including all the candy.
The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road, and got out to see what had become of the Bunny carrying the basket. Much to his dismay, the colorful Bunny was dead. The driver felt guilty and began to cry. A woman driving down the same highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong. "I feel terrible," he explained, "I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny and killed it. What should I do?" The woman told the man not to worry. She knew exactly what to do. She went to her car trunk, and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead Bunny, and sprayed the entire contents of the can onto the little furry animal.
Miraculously the Easter Bunny came back to life, jumped up, picked up the spilled eggs and the candy, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped on down the road. 50 yards away the Easter Bunny stopped turned around, waved and hopped on down the road another 50 yards, turned, waved,hopped another 50 yards and waved again!
The man was astonished. He said to the woman, "What in heaven's name is in your spray can?" The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said:
Hair spray. Restores life to dead hair. Adds permanent wave.’
Today in history
(April 8)
2005 – Funeral of Pope John Paul II
1742 – 1st performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in Dublin, Ireland
Bud’s History of the Hymns
April 8, 2007
(1933) page 310
Words and music by Alfred Henry Ackley (1887 – 1960)
"Why should I worship a dead Jew?"
That was the question posed by a sincere young Jewish student who had been attending evangelistic meetings conducted by the author and composer of this hymn, Alfred Ackley. Rev. Ackley’s answer to this probing question, ultimately prompted the writing of this popular gospel hymn, ‘He Lives.’
The composer answered the young man by saying: "He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands."
Rev. Ackley’s forthright, emphatic answer, together with his subsequent successful effort to win the young man for Christ, morphed into song and crystallized into a convincing message in the hymn, ‘He Lives!’ He sat down at the piano and transformed that message into song. The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music quickly and easily.
Rev. Ackley received musical training from his father and later at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he became a great cello player. After graduating from Westminster Theological Seminary in Maryland, he was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1914 and pastored churches in Wilkes-Barre, Elmhurst and later Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He wrote some 1,500 religious and secular songs.
Meanwhile…1933…74 years ago…in the United States…
President: Franklin D. Roosevelt…V.P.: John N. Garner
Bread: 7¢/loaf, Milk: 10¢/qt., Eggs: 52¢/dozen,Gas: 18¢/gallon 1st class stamp: 3¢, Unemployment: 25.2%
Top Song: ‘Easter Parade’ by Irving Berlin
Prohibition was repealed
Walt Disney released ‘Three Little Pigs’
Fay Wray co-starred with a mechanical ape in the movie ‘King Kong’
The U.S. Congress passed the 1st "minimum wage law" (33¢/hour)
Trolley car service ended in Silver Creek, New York
Rev. James W. Reis was pastor of Sheridan Methodist Church
Ref. CenterForChurchMusic BuffaloHistory TanBible DmarieCapsule Cyberhymnal BrainyHistory
Church office: (716) 672-2048, Bud: (716) 934-7734, email:
tubamanbud@yahoo.com
