‘We gather today with heavy hearts, but not without hope’

LOUISVILLE — Mission Presbytery paused amidst grief and the enormous work that lies ahead following Friday morning’s devastating flooding in Texas’ Hill Country to hold a Sunday evening online prayer service.

The floodwaters killed at least one Presbyterian: Jane Ragsdale, a ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville.

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The Rev. Bobby Musengwa, the presbytery’s transitional general presbyter, and the Rev. Laurie Palmer, Mission Presbytery’s stated clerk, led the beautiful and pastoral 20-minute service, which included music, scripture, a reflection and different forms of prayer. Watch the service here.

On Sunday morning, Musengwa, who began his call leading Mission Presbytery on June 1, worshiped at San Pedro Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, where he recorded the Rev. Tobias Green singing “Be Still and Know,” which served as the opening hymn Sunday evening.

Palmer opened by reminding those in worship that “we gather today with heavy hearts, yet not without hope. The catastrophic floods that have swept through our communities have brough devastation and loss that words cannot fully capture.” We have “witnessed the fragility of life itself,” Palmer said.

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Those gathered read Psalm 46 responsively, a psalm that includes these words of comfort: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. … Be still, and know that I am God!”

Musengwa led a prayer of lament, which included these words: “The floodwaters have risen beyond our control, and we have been reminded of our fragility and our need for [God]. … We mourn with those who have lost loved ones in these floods. … We grieve with those who have lost homes, possessions and the familiar places that held their memories. Help them to find security in you when all else seem uncertain. … Be our refuge when we are afraid, our strength when we are weak, and our hope when despair threatens to overwhelm us. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.”

During a time of intercessory prayer, those gathered prayed for the displaced and for unhoused people, for first responders and relief workers, for affected communities and for their leaders and public officials.

Musengwa offered a brief reflection on “Finding God in the Storm.”

“In times of devastation, we often ask, ‘Where is God?’ The answer is not that God prevents all suffering, but that God is present in the midst of our suffering,” he said. “We have seen God’s presence in the heroic actions of neighbors helping neighbors, in the generosity of those who have given sacrificially to help victims, and in the quiet strength of those who continue to hope when hope seems foolish.”

“God does not promise us immunity from life’s storms, but God does promise to be our refuge and strength,” Musengwa said. “In the waters that threaten to overwhelm us, God is there. In the darkness of our grief, God’s light still shines. In the uncertainty of our future, God’s faithfulness remains constant.”

“Our trust is not in our ability to control the forces of nature or to prevent tragedy,” he said. “Our trust is in the God who conquered death itself, who promises that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all Creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Then those in worship recited a prayer of commitment: “Loving God, we commit ourselves to being your hands and feet in this time of recovery. Help us to be generous with our resources, patient with the process and compassionate toward all who suffer. May our actions reflect your love and may our communities be rebuilt — not just with concrete and steel, but with justice, mercy and hope.”

“Give us courage to face the days ahead, knowing that you are with us. Help us to support one another, to share our burdens and to be a source of strength for those who are weak. May we emerge from this tragedy not bitter or defeated, but deeper in faith and stronger in love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who calms the storms and stills the waves …”

After offering a benediction, Musengwa urged Presbyterians to “continue to pray for our siblings who are suffering greatly.”

“We give thanks to God for your generous spirits,” he told those gathered. “Be kind to yourselves and to one another. Thank you for being here today.”

Go here to donate to disaster relief for U.S. flooding. Funds in this account will help communities’ overall relief and recovery efforts associated with flooding to include assessments, clean-up efforts, and rebuilding. Your prayers and faithful giving are deeply appreciated.