Faith, Peace, and Gratitude

“… He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

Isaiah 61:1

Dear Friends,

Today is a day of gratitude and celebration for the Israeli families of the hostages that have been released. It is also a day for us to be reminded of the brokenhearted, the families whose loved ones won’t be coming home alive.

As a pastor, I spend much of my life reflecting on Faith. I suspect it was faith that kept the hostages and their families going the last two years. Watching the news and seeing the Palestinians who are heading home to find everything in ruins, they too will need faith to carry on. As our own country continues to be divided, and we are overwhelmed with “culture wars,” I am grateful that we are not living in the midst of a literal war that causes so much destruction.

Let us offer prayers of gratitude for ourselves and prayers of intercession for the people of the middle east.

Grace and peace,

Mike

*The session will meet this Sunday after worship

*Laura and Charles Riley will be our hosts this Sunday for refreshments on the lawn

*”Samaritans purse” shoe box info will be handed out this Sunday

*There will be a congregational meeting in November (date TBA) concerning the proposed pavilion on our church property