God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Do you believe this verse? Now, I’m not asking you to prove that you are a bible believing Christian. I’m not asking if you accept what it says as being true. I’m not asking if you really believe the Bible is God’s Word. Instead, what I mean is this: when you are stuck in trouble, do you really believe that God is nearby and ready to help— “a very present help in trouble?”
Life can throw us all kinds of curveballs and difficulties. And when we face obstacles, troubles, and all sorts of hard situations, it can really feel like we are going through everything alone. It’s easy to get discouraged and to think that God has abandoned you—that he is leaving you on your own to figure things out.
But that’s not what God has promised. His promise is that he is always with us, “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
“Behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) And what God has promised he always does. He keeps His word to us. God is present with you; He sits beside you in suffering and hardship. He knows your pain and your hurt. And He carries all of that hurt to the cross, as He bears on His back the sin of the world. And then He puts it all away, gone forever in His resurrection. Because He is risen you also will be set free from pain and hurt, troubles and tribulations. He has become your refuge and strength, and He will be with you always, until He brings you into the new creation to make good on all His promises.
| Date | Attendance | Offering | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09-01 | 87 | $2,783.00 | |
| 09-08 | 66 | $2,366.00 | |
| 09-15 | 69 | $2,300.00 | |
| 09-22 | 56 | $3,291.00 | |
| Parking Lot | $1,200.00 | ||
| Chapel | $100.00 |
Our sympathy to the family of Loralee ‘Lee’ Wahls who was given Christian burial on September 7, 2024. Lee was born September 20, 1929, was baptized in Pontiac on April 4, 1930. She confirmed her baptismal vows on June 12, 1949.
Our sympathy to the family of Stacie Lynn Hensley who was given Christian burial on September 16, 2024. Stacie was baptized and confirmed on February 19, 2012.
Please notify Joy if anyone could be removed from the Prayer List.
The Ladies Bible study group will be reading “Perseverance: Praying Through Life’s Challenges A Nehemiah Battle Plan” by Donna Pyle.
We will be meeting on Wednesday at 2 p.m. on the following dates:
Book Club – On Thursday, October 10th, we will be discussing Hillbilly Elegy by J D Vance. From a former marine, Yale Law School graduate and now a VP candidate a powerful account of JD’s plight growing up in a poor rust Belt town and culture in crisis. Put the date on your calendars and start reading! If you know of anyone interest in joining our book club please ask them to join us.
Breakfast & blankets: there will be a tie-blanket “party” on Saturday October 19th, starting at 8 am. These blankets will be donated to the food pantry patrons.
We will need the following:
Goal is 20 blankets.
There will be a table in the narthex to place your fleece donations. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation for the fleece, please give to Diane Brandt.
There will be a sign up sheet ln the table if attending so we can have enough breakfast food.
Thank you to those who have donated fleece already!
St. Paul will be having its first Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 27, 4-6 PM. Set up will be at 3:00. I need 2 more trunks, but 4 more are welcome. Please let me know the theme you have chosen so there are not two or more of the same theme. If you want to do a trunk but don’t know what theme to do, let me or Stacey Shrewsbury know and we can help. If you want to help but don’t want to do a trunk, I could use a few people in the fellowship hall serving cider and cookies and socializing with the trunk or treaters and their adults. Please let me know if you’re able to help! Kayla
Christ Lutheran, Normal, will be having a Hall of Tyrannus seminar on Saturday, October 19th, from 10am-4pm. The guest presenter will be Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa and he will present “Faith That Shines In The Culture”, which is one of his books. The cost is $15 and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
You may sign up for the seminar using the QR code on the attached poster or go to https://www.christlutherannormal.org/events-announcements and scroll down the page.
The Chenoa food pantry current needs:
The Chenoa food pantry has continued to express thanks for our support.
Our sincere thanks to those who delivered Peace Meals the month of September. Your efforts were greatly appreciated: Carolyn Shane, Joy Poppe, Lois Pulaski, Cindy Meister, Jim Barnett, Harold Hensley, Angie Brandt, Diane Miller, Fred Rhoda, Diane Brandt, Vicki Roach, Gerald and Ramona Schuler, and Janni Rhoda. Our church is responsible for the month of March next.
My apologies for the omission of a calendar in this newsletter. When one is completed, I will forward it to you in a separate email. Joy
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