Being Present in the Pause, Psalm 46

8-28-22Sermon Notes“Being Present in the Pause”
Rev. Monica Harbarger, Executive Director of United Counseling in Birmingham, will be our guest preacher at both services this coming Sunday. Here is a brief bio on Monica:
Monica earned her Bachelor’s as well as her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Alabama. She worked in the field of mental health including a mental health center as well as psychiatric units in a local hospital for a number of years. She entered ministry as full time youth pastor in 2004 where she accepted her call into ordained ministry. She did her graduate theological work through Asbury Seminary and was the associate pastor at Pleasant Hill UMC in McCalla while serving as a contract counselor for United Counseling. Monica was ordained as a Deacon in the North Alabama Conference in 2011.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as well as clergy, Monica is able to offer a unique perspective to faith in mental health issues.
Rev. Harbarger will be preaching from Psalm 46, one of the most influential psalms in the church’s history. It is a hymn of praise of the presence of God. Reading it, you will notice two stanzas with a refrain: “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (vv. 7, 11).
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice; the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations;
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Join us Sunday!
Pastor Sam