Fellow Saints,

Hurricane Melissa has left devastation in its wake: houses flattened, churches destroyed, families displaced, and hearts heavy with grief.  We are bruised and in sorrow, but not broken.  Though the storm has shaken our homes and hearts, we are together in worship, together in hope. We are reminded that God is our refuge and strength.

The prophet Isaiah speaks of a God who exchanges ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and despair for praise. This is not poetic comfort - it is a divine promise.  We serve a God who specializes in restoration.  The same God who calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee still speaks peace into our chaos today: “Peace, be still.”

Brothers and sisters, let us not underestimate the power and importance of our gathering today.  Our worship is an act of resistance against despair.  It is a declaration that love still reigns, that we walk by faith, and that God is with us.  In these distressing times, remember, the Church is more than a building and, amid a disaster, it becomes a refuge, a rallying point, a lighthouse.  As we sing, pray and reflect, may we also commit ourselves to action.  Let our hands be extensions of Christ’s compassion and love.  Let our voices speak comfort to the weary.  Let's share our resources with those in need.  And let our churches rise again - not just in sand and cement but in spirit and service.

As the Body of Christ, we grieve with those who have experienced loss and should commit ourselves to helping them.  Now is the time to show empathy and give sacrificially to relieve the burden of our brothers and sisters.

So today, we worship not in denial of our pain, but in defiance of hopelessness.  We lift our eyes to the hills; from where is our help to come? Our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. And we trust that the God who brought us through the storm will also lead us into a season of rebuilding, renewal, and resurrection.

As you are aware, many churches have been destroyed with little hope of rebuilding them. But we will not despair because God does not reside in buildings but in the hearts of his people. So, the building may be down, but the body of Christ is alive and well, so we will rise.

“Faith is a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain.” Dave Willis

Have a blessed week.

Patrick+