Two local pastors and a rabbi shared similar messages about braving Hurricane Milton. “Fear and panic are paralyzing,” said Rabbi Sholom Schmerling, of Chabad of Venice . “In the Bible, the words ‘do not fear’ are prominent.
” The Rev. Demetrius Thomas, of St. Mary Baptist Church in Punta Gorda, said Philippians 4 is a verse that can be recited repeatedly before, during and after a storm.
“The verse says, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,’” he said. “The rest of the passage says, ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” He said humans do have emotions.
That’s a part of it. “As Christians, we are in God. And we know He is going to cover us,” he said.
“God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” Frank Vargo, a Freedom Bible Church pastor, agrees with Thomas. “We met for years at the Cultural Center in Port Charlotte,” he said.
“Hurricane Ian wrecked it. Then we came to North Port. We rebuilt a church that was flooded by Ian.
Then we met the pastor of Revelation of Grace Bible Church, a Russian church made up of members who are also Ukrainian.” He said they worship together, “despite the war in Ukraine.” “They needed a place to meet.
We offered them our church. It’s something we would have never d.
