May 21, 2025
I am one who loves the Spring Season. I rejoice in the appearance of buds on the trees, in my perennials poking their heads from beneath the earth and in the grass getting greener and greener with each rainfall. I had work done on a small garden in my front yard and was very pleased with the end result. It is now a fertile, raised flower bed where my hostas and standard hydrangea’s roots have lots of room to grow. The earth looked rich and nutritious for these new plants. However, one day later, the trees exploded with those annoying “helicopters” which rained down on me, the lawn and my new garden leaving nothing but a litter of seeds all over everything. To say that I was annoyed, would be an understatement. What once was clean, rich and vibrant was now cluttered and ruined by these “vermin from the trees!” I looked up some information on these “samaras” and here is what I found.
Maple tree seeds, or samaras, are renowned for their unique “helicopter” flight as they fall from the tree. This spinning motion, called autorotation, is a clever adaptation that allows them to travel considerable distances and disperse the tree’s offspring. The seeds’ shape, with a seed pod attached to a winged structure, and the asymmetrical nature of their blades, contribute to this spinning motion.
Here’s a closer look at the story of maple seeds falling:
- The “Helicopter” Flight:
Maple seeds, specifically samaras, are winged seeds that spin and twirl as they fall. This spinning allows them to descend slowly and travel farther than they would if they fell straight down.
- Autorotation:
The seeds’ spinning motion, known as autorotation, is a result of their unique shape and the way air flows around them.
- Seed Dispersal:
The wind helps disperse maple seeds, allowing them to travel distances and potentially colonize new areas.
- Survival Strategy:
The ability of maple seeds to travel by wind is a key part of their survival strategy, preventing competition with the parent tree for resources.
This gives new meaning to “go forth and multiply”. Despite the fact that they are a nuisance on the ground, Mother Nature has worked her magic and has designed these samaras for a greater purpose than just annoying me! God told Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” Just as “go forth and multiply” encourages individuals to fulfill God’s purpose for them by repopulating the earth through procreation, so does the lowly maple who is only doing what God designed it to do….no matter how annoying it can be.
Worship Calendar
May 25 TBA Rev. Jan Hieminga
June 1 Communion: Witnesses of the Risen Lord Luke 24:44-53 Rev. Eric Lee
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Elaine’s Craft Club Spring Luncheon
When: Tuesday, June 10 @ 12:00 noon
Where: The Open Cork; 2101 Dundas St. E., Mississauga
Please sign up for this event on the sheet which is on the bulletin board in the entryway of our church.
A Spring Devotional Update: (Updated Mar. 25, 2025)
A new edition of These Days (April/May/June), as well as the current edition of Our Daily Bread (March/April/May) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Coffee Tea Sign Up
- May 25 – ??
- June 1 – ??
How to Find the Guideposts in Your Life
Scott Walker
By sharing stories with each other, we travel new paths that lead us home.
Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns. —Jeremiah 31:21 (NIV)
This morning, I read Jeremiah 31:21 for the first time and the word guideposts jumped off the page with new insight.
Becoming lost or disoriented on our life’s journey is a common experience for most people. As we traverse adulthood we are forced to travel new paths. We often fear we have lost our way, our perspective, and our connection to God and each other. It seems we have not seen a clear guidepost to give direction in a long time.
What helps me find direction in my life is listening to the stories of fellow travelers. My primary mentors, guides, and teachers have been men and women who told me their stories—their trials, victories, defeats, fears, and hard-earned lessons.
Perhaps our own story is the most helpful thing we can give to another person. To share those rare moments when a guidepost appeared on our roadside that sent us in new directions or connected us to paths long lost that led us home.
Today, in my heart I heard the old prophet Jeremiah speak an ancient word with new meaning: “Place for yourself guideposts so you won’t get lost.” Sharing personal stories with each other is how we create guideposts to lead us home.
Dear God, thank You for many people who have told me their story and placed guideposts on my path. Amen.
UPCOMING EVENTS
* Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM – Walking Group – All are welcome
* Thursdays @ 2:00 PM – Worship service at Centennial Park Place
* Saturday, May 31 @ 7:00 PM – You Have Voice-Male concert in Burlington
* Monday, June 9 @ 6:30 PM – Mission Team meets
* Tuesday, June 10 @ 12:00 – Elaine’s Craft Club’s Luncheon at the Open Cork
WEEKLY GIGGLE
A Presbyterian, a Methodist and a Baptist were discussing which church Jesus would join if He were to return to earth. “He would obviously join the Presbyterians,” said the Presbyterian, “because we have the form of government nearest to the New Testament pattern.” “No,” said the Methodist, “he would join us because of our emphasis on preaching and fellowship.” Eventually they turned to the Baptist, who had been silent all this time. “And what do you think?” they asked. He replied, “I don’t see why He should want to transfer his membership!”