10/15/2020
This month’s sermon series has been about weathering the storms of life. We learned that into each life a little rain must fall, so for each of us there’s a chance of rain. Then we learned that our battle is not with one another, but it is spiritual warfare that’s at work, atmospheric pressure.
So now the rain has come, there’s pressure from all sides, trouble seems to be your best friend because your other friends are nowhere to be found. We are living in unsettling times – times when even the news broadcasts are doing special segments on feel good stories.
There are uncertainties of life, threatening situations, things that just come up. One day it’s sunny – the next day it’s cloudy. A songwriter said sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day.
How do we survive in times of adversity and uncertainty? When there are more gray skies than blue skies? Where can we go to find shelter, safety, and protection in the midst of a storm?
“You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91, NRSV
We have a refuge, a shelter, a fortress, we have protection from the storms of life. In other words, we have an umbrella!
Join me this Sunday at 10:00am, either in the Prayer/Praise Garden or online, as we talk about God’s protection and covering in our lives. We’ll continue to worship outside, as weather permits. Our Reopening Team has set a tentative date of November 1 for limited indoor worship. Stay tuned because this date is very tentative. Nov. 1 is also All Saints Day and the UMW Candle Burning Celebration!
Sunday will be the final opportunity to have your ballot notarized at the church. There will also be a food truck on the lot, with sliders and various treats for purchase.
Soon you will receive our annual stewardship mailing, including a pledge card. As I have said before, Green Trails is the most giving community I’ve seen, even during a pandemic! I would encourage you to take some time to pray over your 2021 commitment. I am fully aware that the pandemic has affected the economic stability of many families. In these times the church stands ready to be a resource and assist wherever we can. Please call the church office if we can be of help. For others, perhaps you were not financially impacted by the economic downturn, and you may be able to take a step up in your giving. What I want you to remember, is that while we may be different in our giving level, we are united in our sacrifice to the Lord!
We will have a special time of consecration in November as we lift our pledges to the Lord.
In all these things we give thanks to God!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda