photo credit: NASA Grace and Peace, everyone!
Last week started with a solar eclipse and our nation watching. And it ended with us watching Southeast Texas underwater. Quite a few prayers came up in worship on Sunday, as some of us have loved ones in the Houston region:
Ryan's cousin
Elmer's brother
My cousin
Marie's family
And maybe more, as Houston is one of the largest cities in the country.
The Psalm last Sunday was #124, a psalm of remembrance of God's salvation from the floods and from enemies chasing Israel. It's not specific in description, but it may have been about Israel's escape from Egypt. It was not selected for our worship on Sunday because of the flooding in Houston, but just happened to be a part of the Lectionary texts for the day. Click here to read it again.
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is standing by to help the people in Texas as soon as the flood waters recede and they are invited to join in relief and rebuilding efforts. They receive a portion of their funding from our Easter-time One Great Hour of Sharing offering (those fish boxes). You can make a donation to their work by giving online here, or by writing a check to "Presbyterian Church (USA)" with the memo line "Disaster Relief-US Hurricane Response" We can mail them to the PDA office for you, or if you want to send it yourself, you can send it to:
Presbyterian Church (USA)
PO Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Update on the Roof
The Session had an "emergency" meeting on Sunday after worship to make additional decisions concerning the new roof. Due to the disaster in Texas, it was felt that we should probably firm up our contract with Mr. Sanders right away, in order to secure the necessary supplies before building materials go to Texas. The Congregation was invited to stay and listen. It was unanimous that we go ahead and get a partial payment to Mr. Sanders right away, so he can start the process. David Goldston was designated Project Manager. We also collected shingle color suggestions from the people who were there. Thanks to those who could stay and hear the Session business. It is an expensive project which will affect our lives, but will certainly save money in utilities, patchwork and other costs. It feels right.
Several announcements:
Yoga is today at noon - we have a new person coming!
Exercise, Eat and Pray meets tomorrow at 9:00AM
Men's Breakfast will NOT meet this Saturday because of the Labor Day Holiday; it has been moved to September 9th at 8:00AM.
I will be out of town for the weekend; Commissioned Ruling Elder Patti Dobson will be here to preach and preside at the communion table.
Christmas Cantata practice will start up in just a couple of weeks. If you want to sing in the cantata this year, please let me know quickly so Harold knows how many books to order.
Friends, we can count our blessings, one by one. Keep praying for Texas. But here are a couple of other prayer requests:
Kenna's arm, injured badly from an animal bite
Suella Barnett (LoVone's aunt) - fell
Franklin Jackson - injured leg
Don Wellborn - preparing for cardiac surgery
East Coast Tropical Storm (as if we need any more disasters!)
Thanksgiving (and prayers for financing) that Wayne and Sharon are looking to get a new home!
I hope that all of you have a blessed week.
Many hugs,
Pastor Amy
Remember the promise!
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