Pastor's Weekly Word

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

As I watched the events of last week unfold, I found myself wanting something to happen that everyone could agree on. It was a naïve thought. There was not nor will there likely be agreement. All I saw instead was pain, pain on all fronts. It was everywhere. My heart breaks because of it.

I believe God is with us when we suffer and are in pain. No one captures that theological truth about the presence of God better than the psalmist. “Even in the darkest valley, you are with me.” Where there is pain, God is also, even when we struggle to see it. I believe that.

As a pastor who cares deeply about people, my earnest hope is for you to know that, if you have been abused, you do not have to remain silent. Come to the church. I hope you can find the momentary courage to share it with someone you trust who will not question it. Come to the church. I know I speak for myself and Chris and Ellen and the staff when I say that our doors are wide open. We will listen and pray and get help and make sure you know how treasured you are in the eyes of God.

I have many hopes in all of this, but the one thing I hope for most is that people don’t feel silenced because of it, believing they have no safety in voicing what has happened to them. If that person is you, hear me when I say this. We are here. We are all ears. You are not alone. You can come to the church.