Yes, But . . .
2 October 2024
YES, periodic flooding yields many positive effects for our wonderful planet:
- Floods promote aquifer recharges.
- Floods spread nutrients and sediments that enrich floodplain soils, making them fertile for agriculture and forestry.
- Flooding provides suitable breeding conditions for many bird and fish species, such as sturgeon and willow trees.
- Flooding at the right time can provide irrigation for crops.
- Floods deposit sediment on deltas, which are productive regions that protect the coast from storms and waves.
- Flooding replenishes wetlands, providing periodic lush oases in deserts.
- Floodplains provide habitats for many species of plants and animals, including endangered species.
YES, apparently our ecological heath and planetary wonder depend on floods and storms.
BUT, why are the wonders of flooding bound to the woes of human suffering, the likes of which we’ve grimaced to watch this past week as Storm Helene rampaged through our country? These are questions we lift to the Lord. Why God?! Add floods and storms to our list of perplexing puzzles for God.
Amid our questions when tragedy strikes, however, there is always one answer abundantly clear: “now” is always a great time to love your neighbor.
At our 9:45 services, our Second Sunday periodically leads a Paul Thorn song which summarizes a “Christian loving God by loving neighbor” attitude.
What have you done to lift somebody up?
How have you helped when someone’s got it rough?
Well, we can change the world with a little bit of love!
What have you done to lift somebody up?
I’m so proud of COS with the way you rallied into a helpful spirit last week. We thought Storm Helene was bearing down on Atlanta so on Thursday, many of you accepted the “caring challenge” and immediately called friends at church to let them know we’re praying for them and ready to help if need be. Well, we woke up Friday morning with power, air, and internet. Grateful! So, while we didn’t need to activate our “Golden Hammers” helping teams, we took positive organizational steps to be ready for next time.
But today, as our staff connects with other Lutheran churches and loved ones in the particularly challenged North Carolina area, we know we can lift up somebody else by lifting our fingers to the computer screen and donating online.
If you want COS to steer your special donation for storm relief, please click this link:
Or if you want to give to Lutheran Disaster Response, this link will do: https://www.elca.org/our-work/relief-and-development/lutheran-disaster-response
Yes, just about every week, there are life challenges causing pain, fear, or sorrow. Sometimes they are just “part of human life on this planet.” Sometimes they seem utterly senseless and cruel.
But each of those moments is an opportunity to show love and support. And that compassion in action makes it a better day and better world for everybody.
God’s Work, Our Hands,
Pastor Fritz
“Our God is our strength and a very present help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46.1
Let us pray:
God, bless each and every person affected by this storm and surround them with your love and light. Be with everyone waiting to be rescued, especially in North Carolina, keep them safe, and bring help to them soon. Offer short-term help of shelter, food, and security; offer long-term help with the stress, loss, and anxiety that might remain for years. Also, be with those caught in the grips of other calamities including war, food insecurity, and situations not covered in the news. Inspire each of us to reflect on what we can do to lift each other up. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This Weekend:
Join us this Sunday (10/6) for an outdoor service located at our Palmetto Road property (411 Palmetto Road, Tyrone, GA) at 10:30am or in the sanctuary at 8:30am. In place of Sunday School this week, families will have the opportunity to gather together in worship.
Save the Date:
Come One, Come All!! The Palmetto Road Family Octoberfest is taking place on Saturday, October 19, from 4-7 pm at 411 Palmetto Road in Tyrone. Think outdoor music festival, old fashioned picnic on the grounds, small night market, and Octoberfest. There will be a Kidzone, hot dogs AND BRATWURST, beer and wine, arts and crafts and live music!
The Kidzone will have an inflatable and all kinds of fun activities for kids, including a scavenger hunt, fall crafts and a hayride!!
Laura Musil, one of our own very talented COS artists, has rounded up a stable of other folks who have already been working on their wares – handmade cards and paper crafts, yummy jams and sauces, jewelry and hand carved ornaments are just some of the things they’ll be offering.
Our Palmetto Road property has never looked better! Every year brings incredible improvements. The new sidewalks make getting around easy for everyone and the beautiful, brand new bathrooms are fully functional!
We hope you’ll come with your entire family for a fabulous time outdoors with your COS friends! And we certainly hope you’ll bring other friends along as we enjoy each other and God’s gorgeous creation through this celebration. All 4-legged friends must be on a leash.
Bring a chair or a blanket, grab a BRAT and a beer, check out the arts and crafts, take a ride on a paddleboat or just sit under the shade at this gorgeous property to enjoy our brilliant Christ Our Shepherd musicians. Either way, you’ll be glad you did!
