Dear brothers and sisters at Messiah,
On Tuesday July 8th, the Michigan District-LCMS shared this update from our Texas District's newly elected President Jonathan Braunersreuther:
As this communication is being written, sixty-eight people are known to have died in the terrible flooding that hit central Texas. I fear that by the time you see this, the number will be even higher. Our hearts go out to those affected by the loss of life and property and I know you join me in prayer that God’s grace and peace would be with all who have experienced those losses.
The Texas District’s Emergency Management Director, Julie Tucker, has been monitoring the disaster from the very beginning and has been in touch with state and local officials, the leadership of LCMS congregations in the affected area, and with disaster relief agencies outside of the state, including LCMS Disaster Relief. Should you wish to help with the recovery efforts, I strongly suggest that you contact her before deploying. She will be able to advise you about how you can best be of help. Her email address is juliet@txlcms.org and her cell phone number is 210.324.8845. Please consider this: it is believed that there will be the need for assistance in recovery for weeks, perhaps months; there will be plenty of opportunity to be of help. Vacancy pastor Rev. Dan Mueller from Hosanna Lutheran Church, Kerrville has indicated that they are currently providing meals for first responders and others in need of food.
Due to the enormity of the devastation, the Texas District is now being overwhelmed with individual donations. In order to help, the Michigan District is now collecting donations and will send one check for the total to the Texas District office. You can donate in any of the following three ways:
Send a check to Michigan District, LCMS, 3773 Geddes Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48105
Call 734.665.3791 ext. 236
Give online at www.michigandistrict.org/donate.
We also encourage you to lift up those in need in prayer. The following prayer from Lutheran Service Book may be useful:
Almighty God, merciful Father, Your thoughts are not our thoughts, Your ways are not our ways. In Your wisdom You have permitted this disastrous flood to befall those in central Texas. We implore You, let not the hearts of Your people despair nor their faith fail them, but sustain and comfort them. Direct all efforts to attend the injured, console the bereaved, and protect the helpless. Bring hope and healing that they may find relief and restoration; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Yours in Him,
Pastor Eric Black & Rick Krueger
Messiah Lutheran Church
