News and Update
Grace Family,

I am writing regarding the tragedy that occurred last night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport--the mid-air collision of an American Airlines commercial passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter.

As we process this occurrence, we may find ourselves experiencing a wide range of emotions: shock that this has happened at one of our "community" airports; sadness over the loss of so many human lives; compassion for those who suddenly and tragically lost family members, close friends, business colleagues; appreciation for the quick and selfless efforts of so many first responders; questions about how this incident happened; questions about the safety of air travel; and perhaps other feelings and thoughts.

How do we deal with what has happened--and the emotions, thoughts, and questions associated with it? First and foremost, we remember who we are--Christians. As Christ-followers we have a number of helpful resources for a time such as this:

God. We believe in the God of amazing love and almighty power. God's love is a source of available comfort and strength for you, me, and everyone. Let us not forget that God loves us in the best of times and in the most difficult of times. This love-us-no-matter-what love of God is called "grace." Let us dwell deeply in God's gracious love and encourage others to do the same. Additionally, let us remember that God's almighty power hasn't gone anywhere. It hasn't left. God continually uses his almighty power for our good. God has been doing that and God will continue to do that.

God's Word (the Bible). Several Scripture verses speak to this time. Here are some:

Psalm 31:15a: "My times are in your hand."

1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Matthew 28:20b: "I (Jesus) am with you always."

Romans 8:31b-39: "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

People. Let us remember, and make us of, the helpful resource that we are for one another. Offer a caring heart and a listening ear to someone who is struggling with this tragedy. If that "someone" is you, I encourage you to reach out to someone. Our congregation of brothers and sisters in the faith is a wonderful resource for that. If you don't feel like you have anyone whom you can talk to about this, please know that you are always welcome to speak with Pastor Tim Satorius or me about this (or anything). If you are struggling with this or something else, I encourage you not to keep it "inside." That approach often does not lead to helpful or healthy outcomes.

Action. Many times throughout Scripture we read of God calling his people to action. In terms of what happened last night, a good course of action for us to follow is prayer. Prayer for those who lost loved ones. Prayer for those who are responding to the accident in an "official" capacity. Prayer for safety in air travel. Another type of action can be something as simple as "doing something else" to "clear one's mind" if you find that thoughts of last night are troubling you. One more type of action can be participating in a financial relief fund(s) that may be established for victims' families. And as previously mentioned, another kind of action can be making yourself available to talk with a family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker who may be struggling to handle what occurred last night.

May an extra measure of God's peace be with all of us,

Pastor Kevin Wattles