Dear members and friends of Christ Church,

The session has decided to cancel all activities of the church during this coming weekend with the approaching of Hurricane Ike.  This includes:

1.       The Men’s Breakfast scheduled for Saturday morning at the Davisons’  is cancelled and will not be rescheduled.  The men’s breakfast will meet again on October 11 at the home of the Dodds.

2.       Sunday morning worship and Christian Education classes at Taylor High School will not meet.

3.       Sunday evening worship at Cornerstone Church will not meet.

There are a number of factors which the session took into consideration.  Katy ISD will close all facilities beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend, thus, we could not meet at Taylor on Sunday.  We do not want to risk endangering any of our congregation as they try to make it to the previously scheduled activities.  There was a need to make a decision well in advance of the storm as it may be difficult or impossible to communicate if we lose power as a result of the hurricane.  Gas will be at a premium if power is lost.  For all these reasons we have cancelled these events on our calendar.  Any additional information we have will be posted on the website.  There will also be information on the office phone this weekend.

Depending on the weather you may want to worship with another nearby congregation this Sunday.  For example, Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church (1351 S. Mason Rd. Katy 77450) plans to have services on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM.  If Sunday school teachers wish to get information to their students (such as memory verses, etc.) you can email Fred or me and we will distribute it.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Fred or me or one of the elders.  May the Lord graciously watch over us all through the weekend ahead.

With this storm headed our way, I trust everyone has or will be making preparations to sustain your families for at least 5 days. Things you should think about:

• We will likely loose electrical power for several days - for those who have generators - READ your safety section of the manual - know what you can and cannot plug into that generator based on it KV size. For the rest of us, batteries for flashlight, radio’s, etc…
• For those living around overhead electric lines - falling trees will likely knock these lines down. Please do not go out riding or walking to see damage, as you could put yourself in danger from fallen trees and power lines - A wooden limb can conduct electricity, so in no way use a stick broom handle, etc.. to try and move a downed power line. Leave it to the professionals!
• Use your ice chest or any big containers (bathtubs) to store water. Used to flush toilets, if you have camping stoves, used for cooking if needed.
• Charcoal & lighter fluid for BBQ grills if you should need to cook meats that maybe in your freezers. (NOTE: if you limit opening freezers doors, they will maintain coolness for several days)
• Those who have homes should store large tarps, 1×4 boards and nails to patch any holes in roofs that could be damaged. (Please do not climb on your roof while it is still storming - wait till it passes and do this only if you have experience and are able)
• If you were able to purchase plywood for doors and windows, know how your home is oriented (North, S, E, W) to put protected where needed the most. EX: My front door faces East. At the current path of Ike, the east and north sides will likely be the hardest hit, so cover those areas where you could see the potential for most damage.
• Likely most will struggle to get a cell phone call through. What most people don’t realize is that a cell text message will sit in cue and whenever a signal opens it will drop the text to your cell phone designation. During Katrina, I worked on the BP Emergency Team and this is how I communicated and found all BP employees who had not checked in before the storm hit. So if you need to reach someone and can’t get a call thru, text them over your cell phone.

NOW - Once this storm passes, I will be available to help anyone in need. I have tools and some supplies if you need a roof patched, window covered, etc… You can call me on my cell or text me and I’ll get back to you. If there are those who make it through the storm OK and are able to assist me, then please let me know.

Daryl Brister

As Hurricane Ike approaches the Texas Gulf Coast,  we have a golden opportunity to apply Pastor Greco’s sermon from last Sunday: “Can God Take Care of Me? Anxiety” based on Matthew 6.25-34.  Our prayer is that you will be kept safe in His providential care and grow strong in faith as you trust Him.  There is an appropriate level of concern and we should prepare wisely for what appears to be a severe storm but may that concern not turn into sinful, debilitating worry that fails to remain peaceful in the midst of trials.

The session of Christ Church is seeking to make contact with our member families.  Ruling elder Daryl Brister has offered to spearhead efforts to assist those who may need help making immediate repairs, clearing debris, etc.  Please call the church office and we will seek to see that you get help (281-392-0002).

Further information may also be found by logging onto the Harris County Office of Emergency Management site by going to

http://www.hcoem.org/

Katy ISD has suspended all activities in their facilities for the entire weekend, so we will not have worship services on Sunday or any other activities through the weekend. Please also note that the church office will be closed Friday and the Men’s Breakfast scheduled for Saturday morning has been cancelled.

An excellent site to track the hurricane on is Stormpulse, and you can see the projected winds on this website.

Mission to North America (an agency of the Presbyterian Church in America) has resources available for those affected by hurricanes and other storms. If you would like to know more about how their work, please go to:

http://www.pca-mna.org/

Please be praying for God’s protection.