God and Suffering

Death and suffering always bring up a lot of good questions about God and why bad things happen. Pastor Adam Hamilton of Church of the Resurrection recently did a sermon entitled "God and Suffering". If you are a podcast person you can go to the podcast area of iTunes and do a search on Church of the Resurrection or Adam Hamilton and find it. If you want to watch it on your computer you can go to the following web link to watch/listen immediately: http://www.cor.org/worship-sermons/sermonarchives/show/sermons/God-and-Suffering-1/. I listened to the podcast and found it profoundly helpful. Of course, when you are experiencing immense suffering and loss there are no appropriate answers that will remove your pain and make all things well. But with time comes opportunity to think and feel and heal. When you are in that place, Adam's sermon may be helpful to you.

Abby Cockrill Funeral Service Information

Abby Cockrill was killed in a car accident Sunday morning at 1:30am around the area of I-29 and 152 highway. Her friend, who was driving, escaped the accident with no injuries and they were both wearing their seat belts. The man who hit them did have a blood alcohol content well above the legal amount. Abby is the granddaughter of WUMC members Robert and Earlene Fulk and the niece of Dennis and Barbara Fulk. Abby’s parents, Diana and Pat, are members of the 1^st Christian Church in Platte City.

Abby’s visitation will be at 1^st Christian Church (708 3^rd Street) in Platte City tomorrow, Wednesday the 25^th from 6:30-8pm. Her funeral will be Thursday the 26^th, 10:30am at 1^st Christian Church. A grave side service will follow the funeral at Platte City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to the 1^st Christian Church Youth Group or the Missouri Special Olympics. Please keep the Cockrill and Fulk families in your prayers.

Prayer Group

Kim Kirby, our Council Chair, has invited anyone to come pray at the church every Wednesday at 12:05pm. This last Wednesday, Kim, Betty and I prayed about the following things (and invite you to pray with us now):

Brook Stokes- motorcycle accident

Mike Walsh- hospitalized over reaction to medicine

Taloff Family

Eskridge family and friends

Pastor Jim, his family their vacation to work out and also for you mission, vision, service and leadership

Ben Taylor- friend of Voigt's in hospital

Jolie’s father- Paul Norman's sister

Dick Emery- hip surgery recovery

Hayworth family including Mary and Lynn

Our community and those that are in financial trouble and need help

Divorce – couples, kids & their property problems

VBS – planners, kids

Our body of Christ – our missions, service, small groups and the garden to be abundant to feed anyone that needs it

Our city government – including the Mayor, Aldermen and workers

Kyle Torster – his safety, his return and Jen and the kids

Joe Taloff update

I just got off the phone with a member of Joe’s family. After over a week Joe is still unresponsive and his health has not improved. Tomorrow Joe will be taken off life support as he requested in his living will. He will move to a care facility tomorrow as well. Joe’s feeding tube was removed and he has also contracted pneumonia. The doctors have projected that Joe has days to weeks to live as a result of removing the feeding tube and the pneumonia. Please pray for Joe, Joan and all of Joe’s family during this very difficult time.

Sue Norman's Services

Here is some pertinent information concerning Sue’s Services and who is in charge of the varying opportunities to help so far:

Visitation

This Wednesday the 24th from 6:30pm-8pm at Vaughn Funeral Home.

Funeral

This Thursday the 25^th at 10:30am at Weston UMC; followed by a Graveside Service at Laurel Hill Cemetery and an open community lunch back at Weston UMC.

The meal after the Funeral Service is coordinated by Julie Pasley. She has already taken care of most of the arrangements. Her number is 816-386-0120.

Meals to the Norman Family are coordinated through Suzanne Clizer. Her phone has been very busy. If you are able, please email her at sclizer@hughes.net. Suzanne’s home phone number is 816-640-2611.

Susan Norman

Faith Community,

It’s with a very heavy heart that I announce Sue Norman’s death at 8:30am this morning. Paul and Sue’s sister in law, Joley, were by her side as she passed away in her home. The girls were also home and were able to give her a kiss this morning before she died. The Service date and time for Sue will be announced within the next several days. Please pray for the extended family as they travel to Weston today and tomorrow. Please also pray for Paul, Emily and Tori as they grieve heavily over the loss of an incredible wife and mother.

In Christ,