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Issue 7 I July 2026
Love’s Lantern
Original Piece by Tom Trenney to debut at First-Plymouth August 9
Love’s Lantern, a new piece composed by First-Plymouth’s Minister of Music Tom Trenney, will be featured during both the 9:00 and 10:30am worship services on August 9. The eight-movement composition will be performed by choir and chamber orchestra, with congregational participation.
Love’s Lantern was commissioned by a group of five church choirs in Minneapolis, and Tom spent his three-month sabbatical last summer to bring together the lyrics and create the music to tell a meaningful story, conveying God’s ever-present gift of love, moving through darkness to light and from despair to hope.
The composition was sung by the commissioning choir on a recent tour to Sweden and Norway, and there are fragments of inspiration from Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish music in the piece.
Tom spent hours pouring over texts—psalms, poems and scripture—to pull together the right lyrics to convey a journey towards God’s love and light. In developing the orchestration, he consulted with a violinist, a clarinetist and a percussionist to better understand the character and impact of instruments beyond his most familiar piano and organ.
“The piece starts with a question: ‘How long, oh Lord? Will you forget me forever?’ Even if we have an overall beautiful life, sometimes things don’t make sense. Questioning God in despair and longing is an important part of the psalms,” Tom said. “The last movement is God’s ultimate response to the question posed in the first movement—‘I will make a way, even in the wildernesses and desert places of our life.’ God does that through the light of all people.”
Tom describes the piece in its totality as a collage of styles in which each segment has a different ‘sound world,’ while adding to the cohesive message throughout.
The title, Love’s Lantern, is derived from a poem by American poet Joyce Kilmer.
Tom will travel to five locations across the nation in the coming year for performances of Love’s Lantern by other musical groups in Spartanburg, South Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Birmingham, Alabama; Columbus, Ohio and Palo Alto, California. The piece will be recorded here in August in anticipation of the upcoming release of the published score so that it can be performed by more groups nationally and globally.
Love’s Lantern
By Joyce Kilmer
Because the road was steep and long
And through a dark and lonely land,
God set upon my lips a song
And put a lantern in my hand.
Through miles on weary miles of night
That stretch relentless in my way
My lantern burns serene and white,
An unexhausted cup of day.
O golden lights and lights like wine,
How dim your boasted splendors are.
Behold this little lamp of mine:
It is more starlike than a star!
Compline
Sunday, August 9, 7:00-7:30pm, Sanctuary
Ancient Worship for the modern soul
Wednesday Night Live Returns in August!
Music + Message
Summer Courtyard Series
6:00pm - 7:30pm in the Courtyard
Back-to-School Bash
with Backpack Blessing
August 2 Orion Walsh
LIve music & A Message from the Pastors
FREE hotdogs, ice cream, balloon animals, face painting, and more!
In the event of rain or high temperatures, the event will be relocated to Pilgrim Hall.
Drop-In Summer Choir
We will gather at 9:45 a.m. on these Sundays (right) over the summer for an impromptu and fun warm-up rehearsal in preparation to lead hymn singing and to offer the anthem for the 10:30 a.m. service. Everyone is welcome, even if they have never been in one of our choirs before. We will not wear robes, and there is no official dress code. No registration or rehearsal required. Please drop in and join us whenever you can, and invite family members and friends who might enjoy singing along!
August 2- Draw the Circle Wide- Mark Miller (Ariel Merivil, guest conductor)
August 16- The Storm is Passing Over- arr. Barbara Baker (with jazz combo)
August 23- Alabaré- arr. Ronald Nelson (with percussion)
August 30- And Jesus Said- Tony Alonso (with cello)
Circle 3 Women’s Book Club Begins
Sept 9 - May 12, 10:00 – 11:30am, (2nd Wed of the month), in Pilgrim Hall. Led by Pastor KJ Langlais.
Email kj@firstplymouth.org for info.
This year, we will dive into “The Book of Longings,” an extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny. Books will be available at the first gathering for a suggested $12.00.
“I so look forward to getting to know more women this year as we have lively discussions, learning, and growing together. Many women express ‘joy’ when they describe this group!”
-- Pastor KJ
Join a Welcome Team
Help create a warm, welcoming experience for everyone who comes to worship. Welcome Teams serve one month each quarter, making this an easy and meaningful way to volunteer. Email lana@firstplymouth.org to learn more.
Are you or someone you know experiencing the loss of a pet?
FP Animal Ministry is offering a Pet Memorial Service on Sunday, Sept 6, at 1:00pm in the chapel. It is open to anyone and is a brief service of poems and prayers to help ease the loss. Feel free to bring a photo and thoughts you might like to share of this special animal.
Sundays 11:30am | Otis Young Room
A brief meet-up for those who share an interest or experience—a great way to get to know other FP’ers.
Aug 2: Raised in another religious tradition
Aug 9: Introverts (Don’t worry you won’t have to stay long)
Aug 16: Parents Celebrating the First Week of School
Aug 23: New to progressive Christianity
Aug 30: Seasoned Cooks (& beginners!)
Love to Sing? Join Te Deum
Have you always wanted to sing in a choir but never quite “taken the plunge”? Do you love choir but worry that it’s too much of a time commitment? If you answered yes to either of these questions, Te Deum is for you!
Te Deum rehearses Tuesdays from 5:30–6:30pm, in the Choir Room, beginning Aug 25. The choir sings in worship once or twice a month and welcomes singers of all experience levels. If you’ve ever thought about joining a choir, this fall is the perfect time to jump in! Contact Jeremy Roberts with questions or to get involved at jeremy@firstplymouth.org.
FP Singles Ministry
Join our email list for monthly events. Email addie@firstplymouth.org.
Women’s Retreat: Aug 28-30
Led by Pastor Katie Miller. For more info and to register visit kampkaleo.com
A retreat for women seeking room to breathe, expand, and reconnect with what matters most.
Through stories of biblical women, worship, conversation, and time in nature, we’ll explore God’s invitation into a life that is wider, deeper, and more fully alive.
Experience Forest Bathing
Slow down, unplug, and reconnect with nature through forest bathing (shinrin-yoku)—a mindful walk that engages the senses and invites restoration. Time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and support overall well-being.
Join the First-Plymouth Climate Action Team on Sunday, Sept 27, at 4:00pm for a guided 45–60 minute forest bathing experience at Prairie Pines Preserve (3100 N. 112th St). Afterward, we’ll gather in the Visitor Center for coffee, hot cider, and fellowship.
Cost: $15 per person (ages 15+). Registration deadline: Friday, Sept 18. Register at FirstPlymouth.org/cat
Stop by God’s Garden
Sundays through October 11, stop by to explore a beautiful selection of flowers, garden vegetables and more, available throughout the summer for a small donation. If you have extra produce or flowers from your own garden to share, donations are welcome. All proceeds support the Sustainable Living Ministry.
A helpful tip from FP Sustainable Living Ministry
Did you know that those pesky black- or green-and-black striped caterpillars on your parsley, dill, fennel, and carrots turn into beautiful black swallowtail butterflies? If you are willing to share your herbs and plant a few flowers, you can draw them to your yard.
As you clean out your closets and garages, save your old electronics for the SLM Annual Electronic Recycling event in September (date TBA).
Legislative Candidate Forum
Tuesday, Aug 25, 6:30-8:30pm, at Unitarian Church (6300 A St).
Co-Sponsored by First-Plymouth Climate Action Team. Learn where the candidates stand on environmental issues!
Baptism at First-Plymouth
The sacrament of baptism is a beautiful expression of God’s love and grace. You do not need to be a member of the church; we welcome all individuals (from infants to 100+) and families who wish to take this meaningful step of faith. To learn more, contact lana@firstplymouth.org.
Grape Expectations Church Social
Friday, Aug 14, 6:00-8:00pm**notice the time adjustment, Pilgrim Hall at FPC
A great way to meet others who attend FP! Bring an appetizer and drink to share. Hosted by Marilyn Larson, Jerry & Jane Wray. RSVP by sending an email to msuelarson@hotmail.com
The Tool Library is Now Open
First-Plymouth is proud to partner with NeighborWorks on the new Tool Library, housed at The Hope House at First-Plymouth. An opportunity for the neighborhood to come check out a tool or two to use and return when your project is finished. For more information and the hours visit https://nwlincoln.org/our-work/cb/toollibrary.html