Pastor’s weekly newsletter | 07-10-2020

Good morning Church Family and Friends,

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:14

This is a beautiful verse and I love the word ‘shield’ here. The Hebrew word for shield is magen which comes from the root word, ganan. Ganan is a verb meaning to defend, cover, or surround. I love the picture of God covering us when we are under stress and surrounding us with God’s awesome power and presence. Know that God is there for you today and every day!

This Sunday Dr. Randy Becker will be preaching on the Handwriting on the Wall from Daniel 5. Dr. Becker is preaching for me as I am currently on a Study Leave approved by our Session back in January.

This week I have been focusing on the depths of stress and trauma on people dealing with circumstances out of their control. I am looking at the effects of Coronavirus and the economic impact on people who had no idea these events would occur. I have gone back to the Old Testament to see how God responded and how the Children of Israel handled these untimely events.

Last Sunday we had our first congregational fellowship Zoom and it went very well but was cut short due to a power outage here in the Keys. We will reschedule for Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m. for our next Zoom meeting.

Our Session will meet next Sunday at 2 p.m. for a virtual meeting to continue to review a timetable for reopening as well as any business to come before our Session.

Please keep in your prayers Barry Gibson and Beth Childress as they continue treatments. May God cover them this day with the power of love!

Have a blessed and safe day,

Pastor Daniel