August 28 7:00 PM Service of Lament and Healing
Loss of any kind can generate feelings of grief. A year ago, our community suffered tremendous loss; of homes, relationships, work, etc.
There are stages of grief that a person passes through. 1month, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, as each month takes us further away from the loss, we begin to cope better.
Then the year anniversary rolls around and for many, the grief can be almost as overwhelming as the initial loss. Many in our church and Dickinson community might be feeling a renewal of loss as we approach “Hurricane Harvey – One Year Later”.
On Tuesday, August 28th at 7PM, we will have a special service of Remembrance and Healing. Please join with us as we remember the disaster, lament its toll and participate in healing prayer and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness.
For this night we will be hosting 3 teams of Therapy Dogs to provide love and comfort to young and old. Please invite your friends and neighbors.
Sept 2 10:00 AM Hurricane Harvey-One Year Later Special Service on Lawn, Luncheon to follow Communion Service on the Lawn One year ago, we experienced the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Many of our congregation were evacuated, fled homes to be taken in by strangers or watched from afar as the TV brought scenes of destruction to the Houston/Dickinson area.
We watched as Channel 13 showed boats motoring by our Sanctuary stain glass window, and we wondered if our church would survive.
Days later, we were met at the front doors by a boat and a large industrial ice chest. Forcing the doors open, we encountered fish and snakes escaping our Narthex. The damage was overwhelming, but God wasn’t through with Dickinson First Presbyterian Church. The next day over 60 volunteers from, Clear Lake, Texas City, Webster as well as stranded visitors from other states, came to help muck out the debris.
The next Sunday was Communion Sunday. As offers came to worship with others in undamaged churches, we made the decision to worship on the grass. Surrounded by the debris of pews, carpet, piano, organ, bibles, hymnbooks and rotting food from the food bank, we worshipped. We praised God for bringing us through the storm, for we the people are the church, not the pews or the organ.
We met each other with tears and hugs and prayed for each other. We provided prayer to strangers, strangers in need of comfort, drawn to us as they witnessed our worship on the grass.
This last year has been filled with many miracles of renewal; donations from around the country of material and financial help. Renewal of spirit as we became the hands and feet of Jesus, supporting our community with Hurricane relief, SAS shoe giveaway and Cheery Cheek Diaper Ministry. The gift of a website, contractor, building grants and ministry grants. The gift of growth as we welcomed 6 new members and an adult baptism.
How do we commemorate the passing of a year full of loss, change, promise and renewal? By once again coming together on the grass. Sunday, September 2 at 10AM we will look back on where we were a year ago with a Communion Service and fellowship lunch. Join us as we celebrate God’s restorative love as we remember our joyful and prayerful reunion when we came together under God’s sky.
Sept 3 Labor Day
Bible Study: To begin October 2018