09/12/2026
A message from Pastor Joe:
Dear Church Family,
It has been a very difficult time since the recent storm caused major damage to our church basement. Our church building is still closed, and we do not yet know when we will be able to return.
This really aches our hearts. In many ways, it brings back memories of the COVID-19 days, when our church doors were closed and we felt physically and emotionally “locked down.” I know those days left some kind of trauma in many of us. Now, once again, we find ourselves unable to gather in our own church building, and I know how difficult and frustrating that can feel.
Since the flooding, we have been doing everything we can. We have contacted our insurance company and hired ServePro, which is currently working to dry out and clean the basement. Right now, one of the hardest things is simply waiting. We have to wait until the basement floor is completely dry and properly sealed before we know what we can do next. And as we all know, waiting is often the hardest part.
But in the middle of this difficult time, God has given us a beautiful reminder that we are not alone.
This past Wednesday, we held a Prayer Vigil. It was a beautiful and meaningful time as people from our church and our community gathered together to pray for our church, our community, and one another.
After the vigil, a woman from the community came up to me and said, “Pastor, did you see that? A bird came and sat on top of the church cross just before the prayer service began. It stayed there until the service ended, almost as if it were watching over us. Look at it! Isn’t that amazing?”
It truly was an amazing moment. She and I both felt that it was a beautiful sign from God—a reminder that we are not alone. God is with us, especially in painful and difficult times.
As I thought about that bird resting on our cross and watching over us, I was reminded of the words of Isaiah: “Do not fear, for I am with you.” In that moment, I felt again that God was reminding us: “I AM HERE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.” God has not left us. And with God, we will find a way forward.
But trusting God does not mean that we simply sit back and wait for God to solve all our problems. That is not what God calls us to do. Even in this difficult season, God continues to call us to be the church.
God calls us to continue to worship, to share fellowship, and to serve others. Yes, we are called to continue to stay in love with God, who is always reaching out to us, and to continue sharing His love with one another and with our neighbors in whatever ways we can.
And one way we can continue to be the church is by gathering together for worship. So this Sunday, we will have our worship service at 10:45 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 Main St., Irwin.
Holy Trinity will have their regular 8:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday, followed by their church picnic. Because they will be having their picnic, their sanctuary will be available for us at 10:45. They have been very generous and kind to open their doors to us so that we can worship together. You see, God provides what we need through His people.
For those who normally attend our 8:15 a.m. service, I encourage you to join us for our worship service at 10:45 at Holy Trinity. If you are not able to attend at 10:45, you are also welcome to attend Holy Trinity’s 8:15 worship service. I will be attending their 8:15 service as well.
My friends, as I shared in the prayer vigil, our building may be closed for a time, but the church is not closed. We are still the church. We are still God’s people. And we can continue to live out our calling wherever we are.
Let us continue to be His church—no matter what. Please know that I am praying for you every day.
With love and prayers,
Pastor Joe
