A Letter from Pastor Mark June 2013


Dear Friends,

As I am writing this letter, I am still reeling from the news of the terrible tragedy that continues to unfold in Oklahoma.  I am sure that all of you know that an F5 tornado devastated Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City.  At the time of my writing this communication, we still do not have complete information on the total number of fatalities and injuries.  We do know that the damage can only be described as complete and total devastation.

As I have watched the news reports over the past several days, I have heard people tell their stories.  Over and over again I heard people say, “All I could do was pray.”  “I prayed that God would keep me and my family safe.”  On one report I saw a video clip that had been filmed by a person that was a safe distance away from the storm.  As he taped the scene he witnessed the incredible power and destruction that was happening right before his eyes.  The person audibly offered this prayer.  “This is terrible.  Oh, God keep those people safe.”  This kind of sentiment was expressed multiple times.

Why do we seem to turn to God in prayer automatically when we find ourselves in those life and death situations?  We do that is because we have been created by God to naturally reach out to God.  Many of us do everything we can to live life out of our own power and strength, but when we face something that is so far out of our control, such as a raging tornado, we find ourselves turning to God and asking for his mercy, grace and protection.

This says to me that people instinctively need God.  If that is the case, and I believe it is, then it is imperative for the church of Jesus Christ to be doing all we can to offer people the opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with the God who has created us.  We shouldn't wait until people turn to God because of some great tragedy.  We should be and we must be a living witness to the reality of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ.


 How can we do that?  By being God’s people wherever we are and through whatever we are doing.  Recently, the church provided some furniture and other items to a family who needed them in the worst way.  A group of men and boys from the church gave of their time to deliver these items, connect with the family and offer to help assemble the furniture when it was time to do so.  That is an example of being God’s people wherever we are and through whatever we are doing. 

The world is hungering for a meaningful connection with God.  We can offer that and we are offering that.  Let us never cease to do that which we are called to do.

In Christ’s Abundant Love,
Pastor Mark

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