9.16.2025 PBPC Family Bulletin
PBPC Family,
I missed being with you all on Sunday - we had a great time camping with friends in the Santa Cruz Mountains and it was also a weekend where I felt the need for church. Last week was a heavy, grief filled week for our country. Charlie Kirk's assassination. The release of the brutal video of Iryna Zarutska's murder. Another school shooting in Colorado. And this week, Israel's ground invasion of Gaza which will further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis there.
I'm turning to a prayer written by Douglas McKelvey while holding all that is happening in our country and world.
Grieving a National Tragedy
O God who gathers what has been scattered. Shelter us now in the shadow of your wings. O Christ who binds our wounds, be our great healer. O Spirit who enters our every grief, intercede now for hurting people, throughout this broken land.
Be present in the midst of this far-reaching pain, O Lord, for we are reeling again, at news of another loss of life that touches us all; news of flourishing diminished; of individuals harmed; of pain imposed, not only upon victims and their families who bear now the immediate brunt of it - but also upon our nation. For we are connected as a people, and this hurt, this grief, touches us all.
Engage our imaginations and move our hearts to compassion, O Lord, that we would interact with these casualties, not as news stories or statistics, but as our own sisters and brothers, flesh and blood, divine image-bearers, irreplaceable individuals whose losses will leave gaping holes in homes, friendships, workplaces, churches, schools, organizations, and neighborhoods.
Be merciful to those now wounded. Be present with those now bereaved. You do not run from our brokenness, O God. You move toward those in need. Your heart is always inclined toward those who suffer. Now let your mercies be active through the hands, the words, and the compassionate care of those who willingly enter this sadness to console and to serve.
You onced brooded over the formless chaos of ancient waters and brought forth the order and flourishing of creation. Do so again, O Spirit of God. From the chaos of these tragedies call forth new life and order and flourishing. Take even what our adversary might have meant for evil, and from it bring forth eternal good.
You alone have strength to carry all people. Carry us now, Lord. You alone have wisdom and power to heal the wounds of a nation. Heal us, O Lord. You alone have compassion enough to enter our widespread grief and turn it to hope. Be merciful, O Christ! Amen.
Looking forward to worshipping with you all on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Calvin
"In This Place"
Genesis 28:10-22
Calvin Sodestrom
Pre-Service prayer in the Cafe from 9:30-9:45
