“Eternal God, You are our refuge and strength,
a very present help in time of trouble.
Therefore we shall not fear,
Through the earth should change
And the mountains shake in the depth of the sea.
O God, you are in our midst.
You will help us when morning dawns.
We pause and become still, remembering, and know that You are with us.”
Some years ago, a television station asked clergy to share a one minute word of comfort in the wake of a massive hurricane. I asked an experienced leader in United Methodist disaster response what text she turned to after hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods. She answered without thinking, “Psalm 46.”
The earth does shake, the seas roar, yet God is with all who suffer.
As we gather for worship, let us generously give so that we might meet the needs of those impacted in Haiti, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
With gratitude for your generosity to those in need,
Hope Morgan Ward