Our friends and neighbors in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean have been hit hard by the recent hurricanes. Even though the full extent of the damage is not yet known, we have established a Hurricane Relief Fund. Between today and the end of 2017, you can make your financial donations. Please make your checks out to New Philadelphia Moravian Church and indicate “Hurricane Relief” on the memo line. This is a special offering that is made in addition to your regular tithes and offerings to the church. We are providing $1,000 from our Benevolence Fund to start the Hurricane Relief fund. 

After all the funds have been received, we will send them to the Moravian Board of World Mission for their disaster relief efforts. We will also share any information about work teams and other relief efforts that will be going to the Gulf Coast, Florida, or the Caribbean.

From the Prayer of Intercession in Time of Crisis:

God of mercy, God of comfort, we come before you in this time of difficulty, mindful of human frailty and need, confused and struggling to find meaning in the face of suffering.

We are grateful the even as we share in the joy of Christ Jesus, we can also share abundantly in comfort in the midst of suffering.

For victims of fire or flood, storm or earthquake, famine of disease; for those whom disaster has left homeless, injured or bereaved; for refugees and those separated from loved ones; for all who are in danger, trouble, or anguish,

We ask the presence and strength of your Spirit.

Give all who suffer the love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

We know that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because your love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Amen