Pastor Paula continues her series on the Shepherd Psalm--Psalm 23.  Each week she  takes a portion of the Psalm and connect sit with our lives, as she explores how a Psalm about something like sheep herding, which few of us know much about, has become one of the most beloved texts in all of Scripture.  This week she looks at the words "Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. " She tells the story of responding to the death of a man in a tragic grain elevator accident and how this verse provided comfort and assurance in the face of utter darkness.  God's promises to be with us wherever we are, to pick us up when we fall down and to look for us when we feel lost, because we matter to God.  This episode focuses on a God who will be our light and salvation, even when we feel overwhelmed and reminds us to be aware of when God has been present because that assurance is the hope we have for the future.

"Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."  Psalm 23:4b

Opening; Scriptures-1:46;  Message-5:50;  Song "Be Not Afraid" 18:52;  Community Connection-21:00;  Closing-24:55

Scripture Texts- Isaiah 43:1-5 New Revised Standard Version;  Psalm 27  New Revised Standard Version; John 14:1-4  New Revised Standard Version

Many Thanks to Pastor Dan McKnight, the opening announcer,  Dawn Chisholm who read the Scriptures and permitted me to tell her story, Camy Wenberg, who sang "Be Not Afraid"  and Ruth Skinner who sang  the closing song, "You Shall Go Out with Joy."

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"Be Not Afraid" by Bob Dufford, Copyright 1978 OCP Publications used by permission using  One License # 715833

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