Just taking a minute to write and let you know I am praying for you and our community as I watch the Weather Channel.
Dearest Wintergarden Faith Community-
Peace of Christ be with you this day and in the days to come.
Friends, I went to bed wondering what was going to happen overnight with the “cyclone” and woke up to a “cyclone” that would turn into a tropical storm by the afternoon and a hurricane in the next 24 hours.
I feel many of us are watching the weather channel and wondering about the different spaghetti models that are out there for Tropical Storm Helene. I mean, seriously, last year we were watching anxiously as Hurricane Idalia went through and the year before watching with great trepidation as Hurricane Ian was growing in intensity. This morning, Charlotte County schools announced they are closing Thursday and Friday and Sarasota County schools are closing on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Friends, we have been here before. And we will be here again. It is the hard part of living in Florida. Yet, storms will come and they will go. The wind will be real and the trees could bend. The rain will come and a storm surge will most likely happen. And, then, things could be really minimal; the storm could turn further north, and that is when we pray for the rest of our state and see how we can support them as they have supported us. It is also my prayer that those who haven’t been able to protect their homes since Hurricane Ian are able to do so with tarps or get to a safe place to “ride out the storm”.
Here are some updates to our schedule this week and important information:
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Office is closed Wednesday through Friday. We will gather for worship on Sunday.
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We are postponing our “Legacy Preparation” with Tidewell to October 30, 2024.
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We are cancelling our gathering and bible study for The Chosen on 9/25/24.
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The Food pantry is CLOSED on Thursday.
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Visit our website: www.wintergardenpres.org/disaster-preparedness for lots of great information so you are as prepared as possible. And if you want to receive text alert messages about storms, please sign up here: www.alertcharlotte.com.
I just wanted to share these words of comfort. The first thing that crosses my mind is for everyone to be kind to themselves, kind to one another, and remember that everyone is facing a different storm. That Helene will bring up much trauma from Ian and ongoing flooding. Be patient with one another as well. As people grab “essentials” just in case Helene impacts our community, be patient in gas lines, at the grocery store, or while driving. Remember that you are loved and you are called to love one another through every storm of life. And prepare. Just get prepared! And I wanted to share these words of scripture, a place where I find my hope and peace in during hard times. I hope they provide peace for you as well.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a help always near in times of great trouble.
That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
when its waters roar and rage,
when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah
There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city,
the holiest dwelling of the Most High.
God is in that city. It will never crumble.
God will help it when morning dawns.
Nations roar; kingdoms crumble.
God utters his voice; the earth melts.
The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah
Come, see the Lord’s deeds,
what devastation he has imposed on the earth—
bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world,
breaking the bow and shattering the spear,
burning chariots with fire.
“That’s enough! Now know that I am God!
I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted throughout the world!”
The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah
May we feel the Lord of heavenly forces is with us…every second, minute, hour, and day of the storms that come our way. Praying for you all.
In Christ and much love,
Pastor Devon
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