Friday, February 13, 2026

Happy Friday, Friends!   Today's scripture reading is from the Book of Psalms...
 
             "When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  
                                              (Psalm 11:3  NIV)
 
What can I do? 
   
In recent years, many --- possibly most --- committed Christians have asked questions just like that! When the foundations of civil governments seem to be crumbling, what can the righteous do? When the foundations of churches and denominations seem to be dissolving into mush, what can the righteous do? When the very foundations of basic reality are jackhammered by obvious falsehoods, what can the righteous do?
   
On their own, very little. But the righteous are never really "on their own." They have God on their side, and that changes everything.
   
Notice the quotation marks around today's scripture. They indicate that these words were spoken by someone other than the psalmist. The question was posed by fearful people who couldn't accept the writer's declaration: "in the Lord I take refuge" (verse 1). The writer, possibly David, strongly believed in God's protection, so he asked, "How then can you say to me...' When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?'" (verses 1,3).
   
Sure, bad things were happening then; and they still do today. But "the Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne" (Psalm 11:4). And "on the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur" (verse 6).  
   
What can the righteous do? Trust God for protection and ultimate justice. Don't worry... God will surely come through! 
 
              You are my refuge, Lord. Thank You for standing strong in this crumbling world.  Amen.  
 
+++ We worship on Sunday at 8:30am and 10:00am. This week we will welcome Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood, our District Superintendent, who will be leading worship with me and bringing the message to us. We will be celebrating Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus' appearance was transfigured (changed) on the mountainside with some of his closest disciple friends. The choir will be back at our 10:00am worship service and then we will have some great fellowship with Rev. Rood after each worship service. If you can't be in the sanctuary with us, check out our Facebook page for the "live stream" at 10:00am or the recorded worship service on YouTube after it is completed.  

+++ Just a couple of reminders... the deadline for articles for our March/April newsletter is on Friday, 2/20. Team leaders please make sure your articles are in by this date so we can get the newsletter published on a timely basis! Thanks! And... you'll find copies of our 2025 Annual Report on the back table in the Narthex. Please pick up one per household so you'll know about all the important ministry work we did in 2025!  

+++ The church office is closed on Monday, 2/16 for the observance of President's Day and will reopen on Tuesday morning at 9:00am. 

+++ Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th! We will worship at 7:00pm on Ash Wednesday and offer the Imposition of Ashes during the worship service. Please plan to join us as we begin our Lenten theme, "Dying His Death, Living His Life". We will offer a Lenten Bible Study each Monday at 12:00noon in the Fireside Room as we take a closer look at our weekly installment of lectionary scripture readings. The study begins on Monday February 23rd and you can sign up outside the Fireside Room. Plan to bring your lunch and enjoy a bowl of soup, as well!  

+++ One last reminder... in order to plan accordingly, please make sure any requests for PowerPoint screens are into the church office by Wednesday for the following Sunday. This helps us be thoroughly prepared and keep up the publishing parameters we have established for everyone's ease of viewing. Thanks!  
 
Make this day a great day and plan to rely fully on God for ultimate justice in our world! See you Sunday as we welcome Rev. Rood!      
                                                                                                                                                         Pastor Jack