Lutheran Hurricane Disaster Response!

Dear Friends in Christ:

Once again, the news report and pictures bring great sorrow to my spirit for those who are suffering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike!

A message from Reverend Mark Hanson the Presiding Bishop of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America shares this concern:
“...Yet another hurricane… is only the latest of seemingly endless series of storms that have brought hardship, destruction, fear and even death to brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean… The relentless destruction reminds us that the rebuilding of lives continues in other areas that have been affected by floods, tornadoes, fires and other disasters.
I call you to respond in the midst of danger and loss… I ask you to respond with your prayers, your generous gifts… and your commitment to a sustaining presence for the long haul… These expressions of our faith remind us that we are… bound together… with those who suffer… God’s work! Our hands!”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You may give through our congregation, send your check directly to ELCA Disaster Response, or give a credit card donation by phone or online. When designating your gift for a specific disaster, 100 percent of that gift is used for immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts following that disaster.

How to contribute to relief efforts related to 2008 Hurricane Season...

By mail: Make you check or money order out to:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
To designate your giving to this disaster, write “2008 Hurricane Season” on your check’s memo line.
By phone (with a major credit card) 1-800-638-3522
To designate your giving to this disaster, mention “2008 Hurricane Season” when you call.
On the Web (with a major credit card over a secure connection):
www.ELCA.org/disaster
For more information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org,
www.elca.org/news or www.elca/org/new/blog

In Texas, Lutheran Social Services, with headquarters here in Austin, are also coordinating disaster response efforts. You may call for information at 965-6720 or 1-800-938-5777, and over the Internet at heather.gatlin@lsss.org Heather writes: “The recovery phase of disaster response is many times the most difficult… as emotions run high and change daily, sometimes hourly… May God calm our minds and our hearts so that we may be of service to those who are in need.”

“God has a Word for times like this: “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you… Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and… they shall not overwhelm you… Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you…” (Isaiah 43:1-2, 4a)

God’s promises and our prayers will give strength to God’s people in every time of need! Your prayers are especially requested for Paul Schattenberg, a second year student at Texas A&M University in Galveston. He evacuated safely and is here in Austin.

This past Sunday, I offered the following prayer:
“O God, our refuge and strength in times of danger and trouble, comfort all those who are in distress following the disastrous fury of Hurricane Ike!
Give courage, strength, and hope to face the future to all who are affected. We thank you for all who are involved in the rescue and relief efforts. Give them your aid. Open our hearts so that your compassion for all who suffer might be made known. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.”

—Pastor David Fetter

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