Newsletter Thoughts January 11, 2025

Dear Friends,

This is a hard week. A tragic week for our region. The fires that started in the midst of a violent windstorm have destroyed so much. This is so close to all of us and our hearts break. If you have not heard, our Bishop Brenda Bos and her wife lost their home in Altadena. As I write this, the crisis continues with firefighters valiantly trying to save homes in Brentwood.

Many of us want to do something to help. I have donated to Lutheran Disaster Relief, but there is so much more that needs to be done. Some of you have made other donations. Once the fires are extinguished, we will know more about what we can do to help.

In times of crisis, I like to go to the psalms for words of comfort. My “go-to” psalm has always been Psalm 121. On an initial read, it’s tough. 

 1I lift up my eyes to the hills —  from where will my help come? 2My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. 6The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

Today, lifting our eyes to the hills, we see flames, smoke, destruction. And maybe with this view we need the reminder that our help does come from the Lord. It’s sometimes hard to fathom though. It’s hard not to be scared and angry. It’s hard to understand such destruction. And yet, in the midst of all the feelings, we are reminded that God is with us in ways we cannot always understand. In this time, as hard as it is, we try to trust and take comfort in the promises of faith. And we pray.

Tomorrow, we work. Our ELCA motto is God’s Work. Our Hands. We will live this motto as we find ways to work together to help our friends, families, and neighbors recover and rebuild. 

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Nancy