4 Esdras 2:27-32  ²⁷ Do not be anxious, for when the day of tribulation and anguish comes, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but you shall rejoice and have abundance.  ²⁸ The nations shall envy you, but they shall not be able to do anything against you, says the Lord.  ²⁹ My power will protect you, so that your children may not see hell.  ³⁰ "Rejoice, O mother, with your children, because I will deliver you, says the Lord.  ³¹ Remember your children that sleep, because I will bring them out of the hiding places of the earth, and will show mercy to them; for I am merciful, says the Lord Almighty.  ³² Embrace your children until I come, and proclaim mercy to them; because my springs run over, and my grace will not fail."

            Well, September is almost here.  With the arrival of this month come many new things for us to be anxious about.  Not only has school recently started back, but now all the “normal” things at the church are also starting back.  This means our calendar’s get fuller quicker, and we find ourselves running from one appointment to the next.  This means more stress, more anxiety, and more tiredness. 

            As I talked with people at church yesterday, I realized just how much has been going on in your lives.  Many of you have had a lot of anxiety about recent events in your lives, including sickness in your family, stress about friends, etc.  A question that I have used a lot recently with stressful situations is this:  “How much control do I have over this situation?”  Answering that question can put things in perspective for you, and can alleviate some of that built up stress and anxiety.  Realizing that you are not in control brings about the realization that you don’t have to be in control.  You instead can turn that situation over to God, who is the provider of abundance, mercy, and grace.  Through God’s gifts, you can find peace and comfort that God is indeed in control, and therefore can help you through it. 

In our prayers this week: Ann, Daniel (Jane’s dad), David S. (Mary’s son), Brianna (Andrea H.’s friend), Woody B. (Pat’s brother), and Anna (Laurie S.’s mom)

Also, many of you may remember Becky Gault.  She was friends with Alice Smith, and had attended SoG several times.  Becky passed away unexpectedly last week.  She and her husband had not found a permanent church home, but because she had visited several times I was asked to do a graveside service for the family.  The service will be Wednesday morning, so I will not be in the office.   Please keep Becky’s husband, Allen, and his family in your prayers this week.

God’s Peace,