May 4, 2008 Remembrance

Two Dogwoods and Two Spreading Yews Planted in the Churchyard. God choose these trees to be His messengers by night and day, in shadow or in sun. Let the light wind astir among their leaves, alert our thoughts to whisperings divine. Their beauty win our ways to graciousness, their verdure spell eternal peace and promise. As they climb heavenward, let our prayers ascend. As they reach outward, may our lives reach out in consecrated brotherhood and service. As deeper still they send their probing roots, still deeper grow our faith, more firm and lasting. As bird songs thrill within their pleasant shade, let life's own throbbing songs be entertained in the deep shadow of our cherishing. God, use these trees through test of time and weather to bid us stratighten when a storm is spen: Toughened with wrestling, agil from sway, unbitter and unbeaten, to sustain the break of branches and the pain of scars. Then though life's wind and lightning lay us low, or keen and ruthless fall the axe of time, though blight or season strip us, leaf by leaf, we need not die nor ever stay afraid: Our tutored souls in Paradise will don the glad, green fullness of eternal spring! Donor: Mr. Emil Anderson, Organ Hill, initial gift toward the landscaping of the spacious church grounds. Dedicated June 29, 1952.