Sunday Extra – October 6th, 2024
Helping the Brokenhearted
Most of us have seen pictures and videos of the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Close to home for LFM, the unprecedented levels of rainfall, high winds, flooding, and power outages ransacked much of Western North Carolina. It has been called the worst natural disaster in this area in 1000 years.
Kevin Ford recorded the introduction to today’s Sunday Extra in Linville, North Carolina, one of many towns in the state affected by the storm. Kevin and Caroline’s daughter Anabel planned to be married on October 12 at Grandfather Mountain, NC. Because that area was severely damaged by Helene, they have changed plans to another location.
Some of Kevin’s cousins founded Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone, where Anabel’s fiancé Chase Riddell plays drums on the worship team. The church is coordinating relief efforts in the area. Today, Pastor Scott Andrews shares a message with us including a powerful text, Luke 4:11-21. In that passage, Jesus reminded His listeners that He identifies with the broken and bruised. God anointed Him to “bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released” (4:18 NLT).
LFM invites you to partner with others in praying and giving to provide relief to those directly affected by the storm. Samaritan’s Purse (SP), located in Boone, North Carolina, mobilizes staff and equipment and enlists thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to hurricane victims. SP often stays behind after their initial response to rebuild or restore houses for needy families. Another worthy institution to donate money towards hurricane relief is the Grandfather Community Foundation (GCF). The GCF helps Avery County, one of the poorest, most economically-challenged regions in North Carolina.
You can click here to discover more about SP’s response to Hurricane Helene, and you can donate directly to them by clicking here. Or find out more about The Grandfather Community Foundation here. And you can donate to GCF by clicking here.Let’s pray for the many volunteers and first responders assisting people in the storm’s path. May the Lord equip them with strength, peace, and wisdom. And let’s pray for the storm’s victims, for God to wrap His presence around them, providing comfort, direction, and sustenance: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV).
