BLESSINGS OF THE LONG HAUL!
David sang in Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." I love this time of the year when the air is crisp and clean in the mornings. The days are filled with the caressing warmth of the sun. And the clear cool nights allow one to view the spectacular beauty of the original light show as the stars twinkle in the heavens. The fall foliage begins to change into a beautiful canopy of color. And the autumn harvest of pumpkins and mums decorate front porches and flower beds. It is beautiful. A natural, gentle, gorgeous, reminder of God's creation, His glory, and most of all HIs incredible love for us. Just Spectacular!
Sadly, one of the most beautiful areas during this time, the beautiful mountain areas of East Tennessee, Western Carolina, and Northeast Georgia suffered one of the most unusual, devastating storms in our lifetime - Hurricane Helene. We have all seen the pictures of the loss and devastating destruction. For me personally, this is the area that I visited often as a child. The area where I went to college, worked during college and seminary. An area where I experienced, first hand, the love and direction of God. An area that significantly molded and made me who I am. I am heartbroken for those who are suffering. But I am encouraged by the resilience, the determination, the outpouring of genuine love and care of locals and of folks from all around the country.
Ironically, I personally can relate to losing everything years ago when we lost our house and belongings in a fire. And I see, years later, how that destructive act of nature, led to incredible blessings that I would have never experienced otherwise. Our Church Family experienced the same when on February 5, 2008, an act of nature, a tornado, ripped through "the Vale", totally destroying our historical long standing Church building built in 1885. Nothing was left but the steps. However, just a few months later, on December 6, 2009, our current Church facility was opened with its first Worship service in the new beautiful building. Again, beauty that came from destruction. During those days and months between the disaster and the celebration of the new facility, people continued to help, to encourage, to do whatever needed to be done. And God was there. And look at all of the blessings since that storm, blessings that continue to flow.
God is with the folks who are going through the disaster now. He was with them before and will be with them after. And we have the opportunity to be encouragers, helpers, basically the hands and feet of God with our neighbors, east and next door. One of my closest friends lives in Boone, NC, an area hit hard. Please be in prayer for Lloyd and Jodi Blackwell. Lloyd worked for years with Samaritan's Purse and is extremely knowledgeable about disaster relief with years of international first hand experience. I have asked Lloyd to let us know of a small Church, similar to ours, that we can embrace and help. As mentioned before, we can definitely relate, firsthand, to what they are experiencing. I am looking for a Body of Believers that we can go alongside for the long haul.
In the meantime, there are many ways that folks can help make a difference. The Red Cross. Other organizations that you can give financially to. And even more local, our Fairview Ministers Association is collecting donations of food, water, clothes, tarps, and even pump sprayers (used for "showers"), and will be taking the donations to Mills River, NC. This is actually the second trailer taken. If you would like to donate to this cause, feel free to bring items to the Church and we will get them to the trailer to be delivered. (The trailer will leave on Wednesday.)
There are a lot of exciting things going on at FCC. Can you believe that Music in the Vale was last week. What a fun evening of incredible music, good food, and lots of fellowship. Though the weather was wet, the show went on - indoors and was awesome. Our crowd was smaller than usual but we still had several first time guest who came and enjoyed the evening. Thank you to everyone who helped make MIV so special. And a big shout out to Steve Turner, the rock that keeps this annual event a reality. By the way please keep Steve in your prayers. He is in Florida with his family. This was another area that was hit significantly by Helene.
Please keep Patti Morena in your prayers as she is doing the MS Bike to Jack and Back the next couple of days. MIchael Card continues the Wednesday night Bible Study of Job. (You should check it out. It is awesome.) Next Sunday plan on joining us for our monthly Potluck. We are having a Potluck Pizza Party. The pizza is being provided, so come and enjoy this time of food and fellowship. Also, on Tuesday evening, October 15, we are hosting an informative seminar on Medicare and the upcoming changes. Our own Missy Davidson, a Medicare Specialist, will be leading this time of information and learning. Please feel free to invite anyone who could benefit from this seminar. And as the Holidays draw closer, there is more and more to come...
This Sunday we will continue the study of Proverbs in Bible Study, and in worship we will continue in Ephesians and to be unified in Christ by "Breaking Down the Walls". Finally, I hope that you will take time this weekend just to pause, pray, and thank God for His continued love and goodness. David closes out his song of praise in Psalm 19, verse 14, with "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." May this be our prayer, our song, as well. I hope to see you Sunday and...
Always Remember...
You ARE Loved!
Pastor Lonnie
"More in '24"
(You can reach Pastor Lonnie by calling or texting 615-496-2502 or send an email to lonniecastle@gmail.com)