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As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalm 42:1

I hope you were able to find some moments of rest in Jesus the past few weeks and that you adopted the Creed of Rest into your consciousness. Finding peace and rest in Jesus can be difficult, and it’s something I continue to challenge us to seek.  

While in Flagstaff, I caught sight of a deer grazing in the woods by the road. As a Wisconsinite used to seeing deer on the daily, this was the first deer I’ve seen in Arizona. We had to pull over so I could watch and take a picture (it was a quiet, lonely road). As you can see, I snapped the photo and missed the deer! It was very peacefully grazing and wandering in the woods but was suddenly gone in a flash. This experience reminded me of the peace we seek that is so beautiful but also fleeting.  

Psalm 42 expresses the desire for peace and help from God in times of distress and uses the peaceful image of a deer and streams of water. Times of distress seem to be closing in as the virus surges across the country after a time of refuge. Because our region is in an area of high transmission wearing a mask indoors in public settings like worship is recommended. Those who are unvaccinated are still required to mask on the honor system.

As a faith community, we continue to focus on sharing, loving, and serving all of God’s people in these difficult days. We are in uncertain times which call for courage, strength, and time to reflect. Seek God’s peace and as Psalm 42 tells us: Hope in God. Take a moment of rest and watch this video of “As the Deer:”

Peace, Pastor Andrea