I have a choice of topics to discuss this morning, but nothing is more significant than the disaster that hurricane Harvey brought to Texas.
It was my privilege to represent the Lutheran church in New Orleans immediately following Katrina 12 years ago. Witnessing the misery that so many people experienced stays fresh in my memory. As I see the videos from Houston and listen to the victims, I can empathize with their misery.
The winds of Katrina destroyed entire communities while the storm surge lifted cars into trees, moved railroad tracks and flooded the homes and churches I visited. However, after a day or two, much of the flood water drained back into the Gulf leaving mold, sludge, snakes, and a mess beyond description. I recall paddling a canoe inside a church along the coast and pushing the church organ and copier out the door as they floated along.
As bad as Katrina was, it did not have the unbelievable rains of Harvey. When your home, business, or even your church floods, the damage is often so devastating, your only recourse is to rebuild and start over. Water wreaks havoc on building structure, your personal belongings, and the health of the inside environment. Just an inch of water can destroy a carpet, appliances, and furniture, so imagine the damage caused when your home floods to the attic. Your furnace, air conditioner, roof, foundation, and utilities will all be damaged and more than likely destroyed.
Please take a moment and think of the millions of people experiencing such extreme stress in their lives. Pray for those who have lost their home, car, and all of their possessions…and simply do not know what to do next. Pray for those who are unselfishly rescuing people trapped, giving shelter and food for the homeless, and for the countless volunteers who simply see people in need and help. Please pray for all the agencies (both government and private) who are dedicated to helping people now and in the years to come as Houston and the surrounding area rebuilds. So, please pray for the people of Texas.
And if you can donate money for relief efforts, I recommend these agencies who will use your gift to help the people who need it the most:
God is our protection and source of strength.
He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.
So we are not afraid when the earth quakes
and the mountains fall into the sea.
We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark
and the mountains tremble. Psalm 46:1-3 (Easy-to-Read Version)
See you in church,
Pastor Tom
Area high school students begin school today. I’d like to share a prayer for them again this year…
It’s summer. The days may be longer, but the season is speeding by. And as July concludes, Pastor Warren is wrapping up his summer sermon series: 
and the book 
The child-sized tables and chairs may seem out-of-place. They are now filling the space once occupied by the pastors and acolytes in worship. Children are working on crafts, and exploring Bible-based activities during church. At first glance, it seems it seems to go against everything we expect in worship. But we are not going to let an outdated cliché stop us. The old adage “Children should be in the back of the church, in the nursery or cry room, not in the front of the church within reach of the pulpit” no longer applies.
It’s “Maundy Thursday” and I’d like to take a moment to offer a prayer and an invitation to join us tonight at 7:00 p.m. for Maundy Thursday worship. We’re seeking answers this Holy Week and Maundy Thursday is all about being deceived. It is what happens when you invest time and energy and love in someone and then you find they have deceived you. And it hurts. You want an answer but it doesn’t seem to come.
Pastor Tom's Blog 