My Soul Cries Out

My Soul Cries Out
April 30, 2019
Encouragement

Avatar for Joanie Williams Pastor Joanie

Tonight, my soul is crying out.  I am mourning the death of two more at UNC-Charlotte this evening.  My soul aches, my brain is confused, and my whole body is scared.  When we lived in Charlotte, we saw young people that we worked closely with and loved fall victim to gun violence.  We walked beside families in picking up the broken pieces and their confusion.  So the news of more gun violence strikes a nerve.  The past few weeks have brought too many shootings.  My soul is wondering how can I turn my prayers into change?  Where is God’s Shalom (peace)?
I simply share the words of contemporary hymn writer Carolyn Gillette.  As I began to fashion my own thoughts into prayers, it became helpful to turn to another church leader who has crafted her prayers into hymns. Carolyn Gillette writes hymns based on scripture, usually set to familiar tunes, that speak to our times.  This one she wrote in 2015 following another act of gun violence.
335,609 (I Cried to God)
Sung to the tune: FINLANDIA, “Be Still, My Soul”

I cried to God, “Three hundred thirty thousand!
Five thousand more, six hundred more, and nine!”
In just ten years, a truth we can’t imagine:
All died from guns, one loved one at a time!
And then I heard … “Whom shall I send to grieve them?
Go tell the world: ‘I love them! They are mine!'”

I asked the Lord, “Why is there so much violence?
If you are God, why don’t you stop the pain?
God, won’t you speak? For all around is madness!
Just say the word and make us whole again!”
And then I heard … “Whom shall I send as prophets?
Speak out my truth! Shout till the killings end!”

I knelt and prayed, and wept for all the fallen;
So many lives, so many dreams now gone.
More than a name — each one was someone’s cousin,
Or someone’s child, or someone counted on.
And then I heard … “Whom shall I send, who knew them,
To work for peace, to labor till the dawn?

Lord, here am I! And here are we, together!
No one alone can end this killing spree.
The powers of death pit one against another,
Yet you are God and you desire peace.
As mourners, prophets, laborers together,
Give us the strength to make the killings cease.

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast – Thursday, May 2, 7:00 am

Thursday, May 2 is National Day of Prayer and each year in Dunn we have our annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at 7:00 am. Please join churches from our area for a full breakfast at 7:00 am followed by a Service of Prayer for our community, state, and nation. This year, our focus is on the many organizations and agencies that serve people throughout our community.

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

If you know that you have not yet taken our church Spiritual Gifts Inventory or completed your church profile information, please contact Pastor Jason at (919) 417-0179 (call or text) to schedule a time to do so.

Church Community Garden Update

The garden has been tilled! We are preparing to plant it over the next two weeks. Please join Pastor Jason and Joanie for a brief planning meeting this Wednesday at 1:00 pm in the church History/Conference Room. During this 30 minute meeting we will determine what to plant and when to plant. 90% of the produce goes to the DUMA Food Pantry. A small portion of the produce is available for you to enjoy at home….if you come to help!!

Garden Planning Meeting
Wednesday, May 1, 1:00 pm
Church History/Conference Room

 

Did you miss Sunday’s Sermon?

Listen to the Message from John Johnson and Jackie Gonzalez

This Week at Hood MCC…

Tuesday, April 30, 6:15 pm – Small group
Wednesday, May 1, 1:00 pm – Garden Planning Meeting
Wednesday, May 1, 1:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, May 1, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, May 2, 7:00 am – Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Gospel Tabernacle
Thursday, May 2 – Pastor Jason will NOT be at the Cellar for Drop-In Coffee & Conversation this week
Thursday, May 2, 3:00 pm – Ladles of Love Meal Preparation & Delivery
Sunday, May 5, 11:00 am – Worship