We pray that you have weathered this storm safely.
Please keep in prayer today our neighbors who have sustained damage or are in flooded conditions, along the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers and the many swollen creeks in our region. Media attention has show severe flooding in Darby. There are many areas in Bucks County as well where flooding has been reported. I am sure you know of local areas where homes and businesses are underwater. Please keep Lutheran Disaster Response informed of areas where assistance will be needed after emergency response and evacuation is completed and the waters recede. Contact us at or by replying to this email and Julia Menzo of LDR at . Please keep in mind that many streams/rivers will not crest until later today, so be safe.
Synod emails are up and running on a backup system, although the address is still being monitored.
TV reports, emails and facebook indicate that a number of congregations have canceled services this morning, but we invite you to an attitude of worship and a spirit of prayer this day after the storm. As you can (safely) today or in the coming days, be in touch with your neighbors and community and see how you can be of service.
In today's second lesson St. Paul writes about what community looks like through the lens of the cross. This is not easy friendliness or niceness, but bonds that are hopeful, rooted in prayer and self-sacrificing:
Romans 12:9-21
9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It's in times like these that we see the value of our interconnectedness with one another and with the neighborhoods and towns in which we serve. Today and in the coming days -- and every day, really -- we are blessed to be beacons of that kind of community. Showing genuine, costly love after Christ's model. Maintaining hope. Being patient in times of suffering (which some of us endure today) while staying constantly in prayer. Extending hospitality and giving to help saints and neighbors in need. Irene reminds us to be who we truly are -- a people sent on God's mission to love and bless the world.
So whether or not you go to church today, take time to worship God today and in coming days: Check on your neighbors (if you can safely). Show hospitality to strangers and to the police, firefighters, paramedics, electric workers, road crews and others who are working for you. Connect with your local officials to see how you and your church can help -- as a shelter, or feeding station, or whatever is needed in your community. Check with each other to see how congregations can assist neighboring communities. Watch this communications channel to see how you can help the new work Lutheran Disaster Response and other agencies will start in our midst.
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." Could there be a better message for this day?
God bless you as you dig out from Irene and as you serve your neighbors in need.
Bob Fisher
Assistant to the Bishop
