A Sunday morning visit to Peace
BY GAIL ERNST, PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN, SPRINGFIELD, MO.
Recently Sue Fusselman, Heather and Joel Elliot, Bill and I visited Joplin to worship with
Peace Lutheran Church in their temporary home at Bethany Presbyterian Church. When
we drove down Interstate 44 there didn't look like there was much damage, but once we
turned onto Virginia and 20th Street it looked like a war zone. It was enough to send chills
down your spine and make your heart sink. We arrived at 9:15; church began at 9:30. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. It was a very nice service and about 17 or 18 families
attended. We were told that was about half of their members before the tornado. After the
service they had a short fellowship downstairs and invited us to join them. Lots of goodies
awaited us and we split up and talked to different people. They were all willing to share
their stories. It is still a very emotional memory and sometimes a difficult one to listen to as
you look into their eyes as they play out the events of that day and those following. We
were told of one family who had just sold their house and closed on their new house and
lost both on that day. Others with roof damage and some total losses. Another gentleman
remarked that 5000 to 7000 homes had been lost. Their church was completely lost except
for the recovery of a cross, some communion ware, a few chairs, and a dishwasher full of
clean untouched dishes (God must have known Lutherans still need their pot-lucks).
When I asked what their immediate needs for their congregation might be, several responded, "A home!" But their biggest concerns in all their losses were helping others who
had losses. What a showing of what it means to be one of His disciples.
If you get the chance, please go and worship with them. They will welcome you with open
arms and they are grateful for all our support.
Rev. Linda Anderson-Little
St. Mark's Lutheran Church6325 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63117
314.721.6974 (w)
314.581.6365 (cell)
www.stmarkselca.com
What is God up to in your life? What is your God-sighting today?
Creating Christian community, living God's love, serving our neighbors.
