Honor your father and mother.

As we continue our study on the 10 commandments, we move from our relationship with God, to our relationships with one another. And we start in our own homes – the people who raise us and take care of us, and the people we are called to care for later in life.

What does honor mean in the biblical context? Do all parents deserve honor – even abusive relationships? And how might we live out this command both as parents and children? Join us on Sunday as we explore what it means to honor our parents. 

Read Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-4

We give thanks for the life of Helen Probst, who died and resurrected on July 6. A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, July 11 at 10:00am at Peace. All are welcome as we remember Helen, give thanks to God for her life, and commend her to God’s eternal care. Please keep her family and loved ones in your prayers during this time of grief and remembrance and rejoicing in God’s healing promise.

Dear People of God in the Southwestern Texas Synod: 

God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 

One of our commitments as things unfold with the Hill Country Floods is to keep you up-to-date with factual information, and ways you can respond.

 Brother Chris Markert participated in today’s daily update from VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), and this is what was shared:

Current Conditions:

• Many roads are still blocked by debris and fallen trees. Travel to and from some areas is not possible.
• A No-Fly Zone is in effect due to heavy helicopter activity for search and rescue. Drones are prohibited.
• AT&T is providing emergency cell tower service to restore limited communications in affected areas.

 Search and Rescue Efforts:

• Teams have been operating since early Friday morning and are still active.
• 80 deaths have been confirmed as of Monday morning. This number is expected to rise.
• Additional rainfall last night caused alerts to sound across the region. In some communities, such as Hunt, evacuation was impossible due to road congestion.
• Highway Patrol has set up a roadblock near Ingram, TX to prevent disaster tourism and ensure first responders have clear access.

 Ministry & Congregational Needs:

• Many families have lost homes, belongings, and livelihoods. Local congregations may have members in need of immediate assistance.
• Groundwater is currently unavailable in several communities, especially rural ones dependent on wells.
• Local churches may need to re-evaluate plans for in-person worship or community events, especially if buildings are inaccessible or unsafe.
• Several response organizations and NGOs are active in the region, and some may be looking for pastoral support or volunteers for shelter coordination and spiritual care.

 From our Synod:

• We continue to receive reports from synod congregations and rostered ministers that there was no significant damage church properties. We’ll keep you posted if we hear any changes.
• We are grateful that Camp Chrysalis was spared damage to property, and that our campers and staff were safe. We want to clarify from the last update that all campers were able to be safely picked up by their families by Friday evening.

 What You Can Do:

• We are currently working with ecumenical partners and with Lutheran Disaster Response in how best to respond this early. We will continue to share information and ways you can assist as they are made known.
• Please avoid traveling into disaster zones unless authorized or assisting officially.
• Hold space for prayer, lament, and care. Consider holding a joint and/or ecumenical vigil or service of lament. Please let the Synod Office know if you are planning to host or participate in such a worship experience.
• The best and most important way to have an major impact now is by giving to the Southwestern Texas Synod Disaster Fund(which provides immediate relief) or our ELCA’s Lutheran Disaster Response (which provides long-term response and recovery).

Kyrie eleison, 

Bishop Sue Briner 

Following the devastating flooding across the Texas Hill Country, the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church has extended a generous invitation to our Lutheran congregations and members to join in a shared witness of compassion and care.

They are offering a Hybrid ERT (Early Response Team) Basic Training and Certification to equip individuals to serve effectively in the aftermath of disaster- providing not just physical help, but a faithful, calming presence in the midst of crisis. The cost for certification is $30.

Training Details:

Part One (Online via Zoom):

 Wednesday, July 9
 6:00–9:00 PM

Part Two (In-Person, Hands-On):

 Saturday, July 12
 Location TBD – likely in one of the impacted Hill Country communities

Early Response Team (ERT) members are trained to:

• Be a Christian presencein times of crisis
• Prevent further damage (e.g., tarping roofs, clearing debris)
• Serve with compassion, teamwork, and readiness

Participation in both sessions is required for ERT certification and participation with UMCOR.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (ERT Hybrid Training)

For more information, contact Brother Chris at dem@swtsynod.org.