Kickoff Sunday and Hurricanes

Yesterday we kicked off our Sunday School year and our Fall worship service series. It was encouraging to see such a good turn out. Sunday School is so important for the development of our young people and adults as well. Yesterday in the sermon on Daniel 1 we saw how Daniel and his friends were firm in their beliefs even though they were being pressured to give in to the world around them. In order to follow Christ, God’s Word needs to be central to the way our thinking is developed. I know that I make this point frequently. I do so because it is so important.

Today we continue to hear the news of Hurricane Irma as it moves up the Florida peninsula. It’s hard to even imagine, but currently the reports are that almost 6 million are without power in that state. We continue to pray for those in its path that they be protected physically and spared loss of property. We have taken up an offering to help with those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Specifically we have worked with two of the missions with which we partner: the Midwest Food Bank and Mennonite Disaster Services.

You can find more information about how you can help the Midwest Food Bank at this website: https://midwestfoodbank.org/hurricane-harvey-relief. There are several ways that we can also help with Mennonite Disaster Service. They are looking for volunteers to work in the Texas clean-up as well as financial donations. You can find the details at their website here: https://www.mds.mennonite.net/current-news/mds-update-september-7-2017/. Let’s continue to pray and look for ways to be salt and light in the world.

Finally, because this is September 11th, I can’t help but be reminded of our feelings 16 years ago today. There was confusion, hurt, and anger over the attacks launched against our country on that day. I also remember how firmly united we became in the days and weeks that followed the 9/11 attacks. Terrible events such as that and natural disasters like hurricanes and even personal difficulties give us the opportunity to rise above our dislikes and divisions and to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

Let’s be salt and light in the world, Christ-followers.

God bless,

Brian