Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ,

Phillipians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4 has a special place in my heart.  This is the text that my grandmother highlighted in her Bible on the day my grandfather lost his arm in a farming accident.  A mother of 3 young children, on a farm raising hogs and crops in the field  - she highlighted the verse “rejoice in the lord always”  At first glance this seems to be an odd verse to highlight but if you read further… These words became direction for her life in uncertain and even unsettling times. 

Throughout this election season, we have been bombarded by rhetoric that instilled and stirred many emotions: fear, anger, distrust and unrest.  People of God, we have a responsibility in the days ahead… the have the responsibility to remember who we are … we are children of God… workers in the kingdom of God… regardless of what happens on November 8th.  People will be disappointed, disheartened, fearful, and even angry.  How are you going to respond?  We have a choice we can respond with fear or faith.  I know that as my grandmother’s world was shaken… she had all these emotions but as I read her journal - they were met within the framework of Phillipians 4:4-9. 

So I invite you to join me this November keep this text handy.  Post it where you can see it each day.  What could happen if we center each of our days on the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus?  What could happen if we heeded the words of Paul to the people of Phillipi coming to God rejoicing … letting our gentleness be known… taking our worries to God in prayer and thanksgiving… and experiencing the peace of God with us…

It is my prayer that in the coming days and weeks ahead… We all may experience the God of peace active in our lives, families, communities and world.

Pastor Krista