Wednesday Message

November 4, 2026

 

The Day After Election Day

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.” — Psalm 146:3

Today is Tuesday, November 3rd.  Election Day.  I'm writing this devotional before the polls have closed, knowing that you won't be reading it until tomorrow morning.  By then, some election results will be known, although others may still be undecided.  And as I sit here writing, I have no idea how things will turn out.

I certainly have my hopes.  I have strong convictions about the direction our country ought to take, and I cast my vote accordingly.  But by the time this devotional arrives in your inbox, I don't know whether I'll be celebrating the results or agonizing over them.

I don't want to pretend that it doesn't matter.  Elections have consequences.  The people we elect make decisions that affect real lives, especially the lives of those who are poor, vulnerable, or marginalized.  There are political movements that promote justice and compassion, and others that thrive on fear, exclusion, and domination.  These differences matter, and our Christian faith ought to inform how we evaluate them.

But here's something else I know: No political party, no candidate, and no elected official perfectly embodies the Kingdom of God.

That's not to say that all parties or politicians are equally good or equally bad.  Far from it!  But even when the candidates we support win, our work is not finished.  No election victory will suddenly eliminate poverty, end oppression, establish justice, or bring about the peace that God desires for creation.

And that's where today's scripture comes in.

The psalmist warns us not to put our trust in princes, in mortal rulers who cannot ultimately save us.  But Psalm 146 doesn't stop there.  It goes on to describe the God in whom we can place our trust: the God who executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets prisoners free, watches over strangers, and upholds the orphan and widow.

This is what God's Kingdom looks like.  This is the world God is calling us to help build.  And that calling doesn't change with an election.

The outcome of an election may change the world in which we are called to follow Jesus.  But it does not change the Jesus we are called to follow.

Tomorrow's results may change the particular challenges we face, the opportunities before us, or the urgency of the work that needs to be done.  Some of our neighbors may find themselves safer and more secure; others may find themselves more vulnerable.  We must pay attention to those consequences and respond accordingly.

But whether we're celebrating or grieving, whether our preferred candidates won or lost, we remain followers of the Way.  We remain disciples of Jesus Christ, called to join him in his work of redeeming the world.

So, on this day after Election Day, I hope we can remember that our Christian calling is neither fulfilled by electoral victory nor defeated by electoral loss. 

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s election, our task is the same: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.

Prayer: God of justice and compassion, whatever the results of this election, keep us faithful to your Kingdom.  Guard us against both complacency and despair.  Give us courage to stand with the vulnerable, to resist oppression, and to work for a world that more fully reflects your love.  Amen.

 

Sign up in the narthex if you would like to volunteer to serve coffee on Sunday mornings.

Join us upstairs before church and downstairs in the Fellowship Hall following the worship service

on Sunday mornings for coffee and treats, everyone is welcome.

Bible Study, the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month at 3pm with Pastor Dustin, everyone is welcome to join us.

 

Every other Thursday of the month Kimmie Schmieg will have her Girl Scout meeting in the

Fellowship Hall from 6 pm to 7pm.

 

Sunday Coffee: coffee will be started downstairs, treats will be provided.

Coffee Hour, Nov. 8.

Church Council Meeting; Monday, November 9 at 6PM

 

9 am, Nov. 11,  Veteran’s Day Thank you breakfast at Perkins Restaurant with Pastor Dustin. If you plan on attending please sign the sign up sheet in the Narthex.

Wings will meet on Saturday, November 14th at 1:00. We'll make stars from the toilet paper rolls we saved. It takes 12 for each star. Bring extra if you have them! Also bring scissors, hot glue guns, and glue sticks if you can.  Pat Kitterman will have devotions. Pat Kitterman and Charlotte Friese will serve dessert. See you then! Brenda and Allison Foster, and Susan Aamold.

 

 

                                     Money Counter: Sunday, Nov. 8, Kelley Anderson

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​Our church successfully delivered over 100 meals each day from
October 19 to October 23!  With several regular and substitute delivery drivers out of town, ill, or otherwise
unavailable, we had several who rarely deliver or in one case, had never delivered before, to get routes filled. 
A big thank you to Donna & John Opsahl, Cheri Erlandson, Shawn Pugsley, Rose Moehring, John & Mary Larson,
Veronica Nelson & Caryn Isaacson, Dan & Cyndy Voight, Sue & Alan Pearson, Rosanne Dyce-Anderson,
Susan Aamold, Dustin Bartlett, and Misti Heath & Cheri Larson. We had good weather, except for a windy day
on Friday, and we deliver again in December.  ~ Lynne