Trinity & Hurricane Irma

Dear members & attenders,

In light of weather updates this morning (September 8), we are canceling our worship service Sunday morning, September 10th. Some asked if we would consider moving to a Saturday night service, but forecasts now project that high winds could be starting in our county by Saturday night, September 9. So we do not want to endanger anyone, and we are urging you not to venture out un-necessarily.

Be salt & light:

Prepare well so as to not require help. If by preparation, you can minimize the need that later you should require a rescue, then, by all means, do that. NO ONE can prepare for every contingency, but we can address the basics. Prepare well.

Help your neighbors prepare! This is an amazing time when people are more open because they’re vulnerable. By the love of Jesus in your heart, think of your neighbors. Help them put away things that could blow around. Share supplies or tools with them. Or if they should lose power and you don’t, invite them into your air conditioned home, or run an extension cord from your house to theirs.

Check in with your CG leader and group. Find out who’s where and if anyone needs help. Be ready after the storm to help clear tree limbs or worse. Again, share supplies or tools with neighbors.

Have a plan to move to a shelter if it becomes necessary. No weather forecaster can tell us what the winds will be like at 2am Monday, but if it becomes too much, Monday will not be the time to start looking for a shelter. Know where the closest shelter is to your home. And know how to get there by more than one route in case downed trees block your path.

Do not fret - trust the Lord! He is our Sovereign God, Father, Lord, Savior, Comforter and Refuge. Read, reflect and pray through Philippians 4:4-7, 11-13. Paul originally wrote those words to encourage the Philippian believers in how they could comfort others. So having that comfort because of His Grace, then be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever you are.

Things to pray for:

Humility. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand (see 1 Peter 5:5-11). Acknowledge just how much greater HE is than any storm on this planet.
A loving heart. Your family and neighbors need to be loved, so ask the Holy Spirit to bear in you the fruit of love, especially as our character is tested by this (literal) storm.
Peace. Pray through Philippians 4 and ask the Father to work into you His peace that passes any earthly understanding, guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Courage. Ask the Lord to secure you in His love and power – no matter what your circumstances are – so that you could care more about others than you care for yourself.

Tim Rice, Lead Pastor & Director of Church Planting
Trinity Presbyterian Church
301 N. Florida Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801
863-603-7777