I imagine most of us have been fearful at some time in our lives because of scary weather predictions or actual events.

Dear Congregation,

 Well, we were blessed to be spared by Hurricane Isaias last week-end after we cancelled worship out of concern for its predicted arrival. Please keep those further north who weren’t so fortunate in your prayers. I imagine most of us have been fearful at some time in our lives because of scary weather predictions or actual events. In Florida, it’s hurricanes; in Ohio, it was tornados or blizzards for me. Everywhere has something to be feared weather-wise, I believe.

 Sunday in worship our focus scripture lesson will be Matthew 14:22-33, the miracle story of Jesus walking on water toward his disciples who are in a boat battered by waves on a stormy sea. Peter, at Jesus’ command, walks on water himself toward Jesus until, frightened by the strong wind, he begins to sink. “Lord, save me!” he cries out, and Jesus does.

In my sermon I’ll be sharing with you a poem/prayer that is special to me. I thought I’d share it with you in print as something that you might find helpful when you’re afraid, whether because of frightening weather or for other reasons.

May God Bless You and keep you safe. See you Sunday on Facebook.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Candy

“Be My Captain and My Boat”

“Lift me up when my shadow weighs me down and blackness moves in for the kill.

Teach me that my fear is only the fear of being afraid and that you are the Lord of the fear.

Help me to tear my eyes away from the hypnotic detail that steals my overview.

And fill the emptiness with your evidence: A serenity in the midst of fear.

Be my captain and my boat, my oars and my sail, and the water into which I fall!”