This Week: Iraq and More

It has been quite a week.  Monday’s rainstorm caused unprecedented flooding throughout the Detroit area causing trouble for many local homeowners and slowing our work at Cody High School and the surrounding neighborhood with Life Remodeled. (I wish I had saved my Noah sermon for this Sunday.)

At the same time, we watched international news about thousands of Christians in northern Iraq who have been forced out of their homes by militant Islamic groups. The IS (Islamic State) has said that any Christians who do not leave will forced to follow Islam or be killed.

Over the month of August, the Ward Church family has been studying the words of the Apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 12 about being the Body of Christ.  The “Body of Christ” includes our persecuted brothers and sisters in Iraq.  Paul said if one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). Take a moment to read the brief article, “Iraqi Christian Refugees: Where can God’s people go?  What can God’s people do to help them?” and to make a donation through Christian Aid Mission using the dedicated website for EPC Churches. We have chosen to partner with Christian Aid Mission due to their extensive knowledge of the situation, their fiscal integrity, and their proven track record in working with refugees.

This Sunday, we will continue our Body of Christ series in all four worship venues.  If you were in one of the 11:00 a.m. venues last Sunday, you know we experienced an electrical surge that temporarily shut down our equipment and stopped the video feed of the sermon to the sanctuary.  We are working with DTE to discover the source of the problem.  Thanks for your patience and for turning an awkward situation into a sweet worship moment. If you missed Sunday’s sermon, you can watch online.