It’s almost fall. Labor Day, the official end of summer is here. Kids are already back in school. Soon we’ll be drinking pumpkin spice, talking about Halloween, Turkey Shoots, and then Christmas. This year is going very fast. We had all hoped that 2021 would be better than 2020, and maybe it has, and maybe it hasn’t. Depends on who you ask. Whether one is worse then the other doesn’t really matter. It’s rough right now. The last Sunday of August we prayed about Covid, Afghanistan, the devastating floods in Waverly, Hurricane Ida and a host of other local concerns. I sometimes feel at a loss to know how to pray. I feel ineffective. As I prayerfully considered this writing for the Pastor’s Pen, I considered all these things that we as a country are dealing with and I watched the whipping winds of Ida tearing through Louisiana. I feel overwhelmed as a pastor for all the needs we have in front of us. Then I remembered an old gospel song. Well, it’s not that
Romans 5:4-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Tomorrow we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. How glorious Easter is – Alleluia, HE IS RISEN!! We are people who have hope because death was defeated. The resurrection of our Lord is the most important element of our faith. I know that all of us experience tragedy and loss. I have hopefully been able to provide some comfort to some of you who have experienced grief and loss over the years I have served you as pastor. It is no secret that our family has suffered another terrible tragedy. You have been with me through the death of my great granddaughter, the death of my grandson three years ago, and now, another grandson has died. We are devastated. Our church