Bay Shore NY
4-07-2026 7:00pm

We Need Jesus

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - WE NEED JESUS

We tend to take our faith for granted. But sometimes it's what we need most. As NASA Astronaut, Victor Glover, the Pilot of Artemis II, so eloquently said, "We need Jesus - whether on earth or circling the moon." Looking at earth from space must inspire such perspective.

This week, Artemis II circled the earth and then blasted off to the orbit the moon. We await its return this Friday as the capsule that carries four brave astronauts is expected to splash down into the Pacific Ocean at 8:27pm EDT. I'll be a captive audience.

Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years, launching April 1, 2026, and setting multiple human spaceflight records.

Artemis II is the second flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the first crewed mission of the Orion spacecraft (named Integrity by the crew). It serves as a test flight for deep-space capabilities, paving the way for future lunar surface missions and eventual Mars exploration.

Here are some stats and highlights:

  • Commander: Reid Wiseman (NASA) – oldest person to travel beyond low Earth orbit and near the Moon.
  • Pilot: Victor Glover (NASA) – first person of color in space.
  • Mission Specialists: Christina Koch (NASA, first woman) and Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency, first non-U.S. citizen)
  • Launch: April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
  • Trajectory: 10-day free-return lunar flyby, similar to Apollo 8 but farther.
  • Farthest from Earth: 252,756 miles – surpassing Apollo 13’s 1970 record.
  • Closest lunar approach: 4,067 miles (6,545 km).
  • Firsts: First human crew to see the Moon’s far side with the naked eye, first to view a solar eclipse from the Moon.
  • Earthset: Captured stunning “Earthset” images as Earth dipped behind the Moon’s far side, recreating the Apollo 8 “Earthrise” moment.
  • Solar Eclipse: Crew observed a total solar eclipse from Orion, with the Moon’s corona glowing around its edge.
  • Scientific Observations: 30+ lunar surface targets photographed and documented, including Orientale Basin and Hertzsprung Basin.

After the flyby, Orion reestablished contact with Mission Control and began its return journey. God Speed.

Artemis II marks a major step in NASA’s Artemis program, demonstrating crewed deep-space flight, testing Orion and SLS systems, and setting records for human spaceflight distance and lunar exploration. It also advances diversity in spaceflight, with Glover, Koch, and Hansen making historic firsts. Now, that's a triple threat.

I was raised observing the night sky. When I moved to the city, my Mom would call me to ask me, "did you see the Moon tonight?" It was a ritual that my sisters and I continue to this day. On any given night, we'll group text, "did you see the Moon tonight?"

On the first anniversary of my mother's passing, I was star gazing one night and thinking about her. I had moved back to Long Island by now, so the night sky was just out my door. I would stand on my stoop with the stars and moon hanging above. One night, I looked at the crescent moon with Venus just under it. I said to myself, that would make a beautiful necklace. So, I went inside and started to sketch my idea. My cousin, Kathleen, is a jewelry maker. I sent her the sketch and asked her if she could make necklaces for my sisters and my nieces for our beloved's one year anniversary. They were made with a variety of precious stones and sterling silver. They were a hit. We wear them on each year on her anniversary in heaven.

Savannah Guthrie put out a video on Instagram this week about Easter. It is the most poignant prose I have ever heard. She talks about Jesus Christ and her deep faith in him. And she also talks about the questioning of what Jesus felt. Did he ever have these feelings of "not knowing." In the end, she comes to realize that he must have. We need Jesus. Always.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, faith can play a deeper role in our lives as we begin to question the meaning of life. There aren't many conclusive answers to those existential questions, but our faith can bring us comfort in knowing that we get to live it. 

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

My pick of the week is the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. This is where you can see some of the most beautiful Cherry Blossoms. April is the perfect month to see them bloom, and the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is the perfect place. For more information, visit www.bbg.org.

SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week was looking out my bedroom window one morning and seeing this.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Please bring Nancy Guthrie home. Amen.

SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK

English: Happy Easter.

Italian: Buona Pasqua.

SKYLARK'S INTERIOR DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK

You don't necessarily have to have one style in your home. As long as you bring things you love into your living space, they will go together and create a place that you enjoy being in.

Personal Shopper for Interior Decorating Accessories: www.skylarklive.org. I'm for hire!

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What does the blessing of Easter mean to you?

Please put your answer in the Comment section under this post. I'd love to hear from you.

 SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

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Lyrics

Every time I look at you
I don't understand
Why you let the things you did
Get so out of hand
You'd have managed better
If you'd had it planned
Now why'd you choose such a backward time
And such a strange land?
If you'd come today
You could have reached the whole nation
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication
(Don't you get me wrong)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now)
Don't you get me wrong
(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know
(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Tell me what you think
About your friends at the top
Now who d'you think besides yourself
Was the pick of the crop?
Buddah was he where it's at?
Is he where you are?
Could Muhammmed move a mountain
Or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that?
Was that a mistake or
Did you know your messy death
Would be a record breaker?
(Don't you get me wrong)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong)
Don't you get me wrong
(Don't you get me wrong, now)
Don't you get me wrong
(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know
(Only want to know)
Only want to know
(Only want to know, now)
Only want to know
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ
Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?

MY BRAND - SKYLARK LIVE

I created my brand, Skylark Live, when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature ageing through knowledge and self-awareness. I am open to conducting in-person conversations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be held in someone’s home or at a local library or senior center. To be continued.

Skylark Live Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, 60 and Beyond with Skylark - Living Life Inside and Outside the Home, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, goals, motivation, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I open to ideas of what to write about, so let me know. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paid subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each week in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter! You can also become a paying subscriber.

Skylark Live Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog is a recap of the articles I've written in my newsletter throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. You can find some of my vlogs on my YouTube channel. I also post them on my social media platforms. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark

$UPPORT ME:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive

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Personal Shopper for Interior Decorating - www.skylarklive.org

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Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!

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