Consider this twist from the familiar phrase “A family that prays together, stays together” to “The church that plays together, stays together.” Ever since we started singing to shut-ins in we have been playing together quite well.

Sabbath, August 21st, over 40 members of the Cadillac and Lake City Seventh-day Ad- ventist Churches gathered at the Lake Bluff Farm Bird Sanctuary and Arboretum north of Man- istee, boasts over 1500 feet of Lake Michigan on 76 acres. Landscaped as an arboretum, many notable specimens have been preserved; California Redwood, Ginko, two Michigan Champion Trees, a Giant Sequoia and Sycamore.

Participants engaged in a nature walk and Lake Michigan shore stroll, prayed for each other, enjoyed sack suppers, and a worship thought in Garden of Eden temperatures. It was
a little heaven on earth -- a foretaste of Sabbath in heaven. They took pictures of Michigan’s tallest Sequoia tree and children linked hands and circle the tree to “measure it.” They did a Bi- ble-name memory game with all ages included and acted out Bible stories. It was heartwarming to see young and old collaborating and cheering each other on. More pictures of the skits can be seen on the Cadillac Seventh-day Adventist Church Facebook page along with videos.

Many said “I have been in Michigan all my life and never knew that we have Sequoi-
as here!” “This is a perfect place to be in nature on a Sabbath afternoon.” “My family had an amazing time!” “This vespers program made our Sabbath afternoon so special. We can’t wait for our next nature vespers.” So the next nature event will be held at Arcadia Overlook Inspiration Point.

This event was organized and directed by the Pastor Ariel Roldan’s wife, Dalyn. Her goals for this event were to identify two Michigan Champion Trees, notice different bird species, pray for each other and do interactive Bible activities. She shared after the event: “My heartwas thankful, full of joy as I saw the happiness in every face and saw our Lake City and Cadil- lac church families praying together and for each other.” The event ended with a devotional thought under the mature trees on the bluff. Our church will continue visiting, singing, and praying in their housebound members’ front yards, which we started during COVID-19 era. Come join us for any or all the future church events. “The church that plays and prays together stays together!”