By The Rev. Janna Preston

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.  Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.  Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: God’s greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall extol your works to another and shall declare your mighty act.  They will recount the glorious splendor of your majesty and on your wondrous works I will meditate.  They will proclaim the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.  They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.  Psalm 145:1-7.

This Psalm has given me comfort this week, as so many things in the world seem to be so out of my control.  I have been attending the 2026 POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network) Conference this week here in Knoxville.  Our keynote speaker this year spoke about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its impact on all of us, especially those who are of mature age.  He talked about a word (he may have made up), “amokness.”  He was referring to things like AI that can cause us to feel like everything is amok, chaotic.  But he pointed out that even when things happen that feel chaotic, and out of our control, we must remember we have been in similar situations before.  The hope that God brings, and realizing God’s amazing powerful love, greatness, and majesty, has seen us through in the past.  And it will again.  One of God’s steppingstones for me, and I know for all of you is that hope, and the beauty of praising God that can cause us to feel empowered through all the unknowing.  This week, let us count on that steppingstone to help us navigate any new path on our journey as a church.

Take care.  I pray you have a good week and hope to see you in church this Sunday!

Blessings and peace,

Janna