1God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 ‘Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.’
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46)

In Psalm 46, we are reminded that God is with us, and especially present in times of pain and peril.

So many of our fellow citizens continue to struggle to rebuild their homes and their lives in the Southeast following two major hurricanes in the past month. Though my parents were in Michigan, and not in Florida at the time of Hurricane Helene, their home and the homes of their neighbors were flooded by the storm surge that accompanied that hurricane. We are grateful for the help of neighbors and volunteers.

Once again, I invite and encourage you and the people of God in your faith community to reach out to help those who are in need through Lutheran Disaster Response. Please click below for the information and resources to help you to be fully informed and deeply generous

Lutheran Disaster Response: Giving and Resources

Through the promise of God and through the gathered community, we know that “The Lord of hosts is truly with us”.