God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

~Psalm 46:1-3~

I have often turned to Psalm 46 in the midst of struggle and suffering. Whether my own or that of others. It’s a psalm that reminds us of God’s presence amidst the storms of life and the refuge that God provides when all seems lost. But if I’m honest, Psalm 46 hits differently this week. Not only have I learned of the hardship and grief that so many church members and friends of the church are living through, but we have also seen the images of unimaginable devastation in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Images that bring to life the psalmist’s words in wildly new ways: “though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea…” 

For much of the weekend, my attention was absorbed by the images and information coming out of western North Carolina, as Black Mountain, NC, is home to my parents and my sister and her family. By God’s grace, they are safe, as are their homes, but after several days with no power, water, or connection to the outside world, they made the difficult decision to evacuate on Monday morning and will be staying with us for an indefinite period. But their story is only one of the thousands of stories that are emerging in the wake of this disaster. 

People are still missing or cannot be reached. Families have lost everything. Water and supplies are still scarce or non-existent in some areas due to the impassability of roads and the overwhelming need. Therefore, as the church, it is our charge and our responsibility to pray fervently to God, who is our refuge and our strength. Even when the earth changes and the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, even then, we pray to our God, who is a very present help in trouble. And when the time comes to act and to be the hands and feet of Jesus for these broken and devastated communities, we will be ready. May God continue to bless us and sustain us so that we might be a blessing to the world. 

With Gratitude for our Life Together,

Rachel

We plan, we set up, we communicate, and we do all manner of things to get ready for special moments in our lives. Such is life. Things never really go as planned; sometimes, they go better than planned! There are plans in the making to hold our church birthday celebration later this month. Some of the choir and instrumentalists were stuck in other places last Sunday, so they should all be back by the rescheduled date for Birthday Sunday (October 20). In our corner of the world, we’ve suffered just a little bit compared to those north and south of us. There are stories of people hiking through the mountains to get to safer areas to get in contact with their families. There was a recommendation on a post that I saw that you should have the ten essentials while hiking. Actually, the National Park Service has this list on their website with details for each category: NAVIGATION, SUN PROTECTION, INSULATION, ILLUMINATION, FIRST-AID SUPPLIES, FIRE, REPAIR KIT & TOOLS, NUTRITION, HYDRATION, AND EMERGENCY SHELTER. All these things can be packed in a backpack. It might not be a bad idea to have all these things in a hurricane survival kit. In devastated areas, the situation is extreme and there wasn’t even time to gather or grab any of these things. Ours is different here, but there are essentials that we all need to have to deal with the aftermath of a storm: PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, DISCERNMENT, ENCOURAGEMENT, COURAGE, AND INNER PEACE are just ten that I can think of right now –like the Gifts of the Spirit. Many of you have displayed these gifts during this time and in other times of crisis. Stay safe!  

This Sunday, we will celebrate World Communion. Our children are baking bread this week to display on the chancel with a setting of textiles and breads of the world designed by Suzanne Morrison. Some of our Youth will process in with the elements to “Amen, Siakudumisa,” a South African song accompanied by djembe drums played by the Hollands, Graham and Liam. The Chancel Choir will sing “Come Before the Table” by Karen Marrolli, a rhythmic piece with international flavor. Come and join us for communion. As we “come before the table” we will sing “It is Well with My Soul” as a communion hymn. I hope that you will find yourself humming or singing along as you wait your turn in line to receive communion. The next week, Rev. Jim Jackson is back in the pulpit. The Chancel Choir will sing Allen Pote’s Many Gifts, One Spirit.  

Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda 

What a storm! Thank you all for showing up to the church to still serve for our Fall Day of Service. I know that it looked different for us and our community partners, but the Spirit was all around through the fellowship on the church grounds. Whether you helped service lunch, raked the front lawn, or started up a chainsaw, it was a happy Saturday to be together. While our community is lending helping hands where it can, we are praying with those in South Carolina and North Carolina who have suffered far worse damage. Please keep an eye on the newsletter for upcoming ways to serve. 

Blessings of peace and health,

Madelynne

Sunday, October 6

8:30 am Early Worship - Sanctuary

9:30 am Sunday School - Various Locations

10:30 am Late Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 am Christian Education Meeting - Youth Suite

5:00 pm Youth Ensemble - Music Attic

6:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Suite

Monday, October 7

9:00 am Manna House - 1408 G Street

3:00 pm Congregation Life Meeting - John Law

3:30 pm Kidz Book Club - Righton Bookstore

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, October 8

7:00 am Youth Chick-fil-A Breakfast - SSI Chick-fil-A

9:30 am Staff Meeting - John Law

10:00 am PW Morning Glories - Upper Room

12:00 pm PW Lunch Bunch - Upper Room

4:00 pm PW Ladies of the Night - Upper Room

8:00 pm Codependents Anon - John Law

Wednesday, October 9

10:00 am Men's Bible Study - Upper Room

11:00 am Early Music Ensemble - Rhonda's Office

3:00 pm Chancel Ensemble - Sanctuary

3:30 pm Faith and Films - Upper Room

4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda

5:00 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

6:00 pm Wednesday Night Supper - Social Hall

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, October 10

9:00 am Congregational Care Team - John Law

10:00 Women's Bible Study - Upper Room

4:00 pm Buildings and Grounds Committee - John Law

5:30 pm ODD Book Group - John Law

Friday, October 11

11:00 am Bill Lueckel Memorial Service - Sanctuary