Norway Spruce – Picea abies

Something to Ponder:

There were thirty of them when first planted. Evergreens of all sorts. They were planted in honor of the founding minister of this church – Tommy Panno and his wife and their thirty years of marriage. They were planted as the end of Tommy’s life was approaching – a life lived well, a marriage that stood the test of time, and in honor of his vision to put a church on the ground where you now stand.

You can count how many are still standing. Several are gone – broken by a storm or destroyed by disease. And yet others still stand tall, green throughout the four seasons, viable, healthy.

But the message is clear for all of us. Despite our apparent strength there will come a day when the next season in life will be too much to withstand, too much to bear, just…too much. As different as we are, it is one thing we all have in common.

For Christians, that then is the moment of our great peace and great joy. While the evergreens may last for long time, longer than we are on this earth. It is our comfort that we are the living beings that have eternity awaiting. Death has already been conquered. That was Tommy Panno’s belief as his “needles fell to the ground” for the last time. It can be yours as well.

Learn More:

Norway Spruce-Picea abies, produces sharp square shaped 1" needles that wrap around the twig. Branches droop down and swoop up at ends like a ski jump. Its somber and formal appearance make it a favorite for cemeteries. This spruce was known as the "mother and father" of all trees by early pioneers who would mark the spot where a farmhouse once stood by planting a Norway Spruce.