Hebrew Scripture Reading—Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10
A few summers ago I visited Fort Collins, Colorado, for the first time as an adult. We stayed at the home of a friend who lives outside the town near various hiking trials, and I was so excited by the natural beauty that I saw that I decided to wake up early and go for a run just so I could experience some of that beauty close at hand. I ran on a somewhat rugged trail up a hill, and I found the wildflowers to be extraordinarily beautiful. I had brought my camera along with me, so along the way, I stopped to take some pictures. On the cover of your bulletin is a picture of one of the flowers that I saw. Out of the pictures I have taken, I would have to say that this is one of my favorites. Partially because of the memory I associate with it and partly because I like any flower that has that sunflower look.