Iowa River Flood Update 9: The Church United

Today Parkview Church gathered at West High Auditorium for a very meaningful time of family worship. It was beautiful coming together as a community to worship our God and to experience such great unity grounded in our common purpose. There were tears, hugs, and laughter.

Four weeks ago those of us in the Worship Ministry thought it would be good to introduce the song “I Have a Shelter from the Storm”. Here are the lyrics:

I have a shelter in the storm
When troubles pour upon me
Though fears are rising like a flood
My soul can rest securely
O Jesus, I will hide in You
My place of peace and solace
No trial is deeper than Your love
That comforts all my sorrows

I have a shelter in the storm
When all my sins accuse me
Though justice charges me with guilt
Your grace will not refuse me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
Who bore my condemnation
I find my refuge in Your wounds
For there I find salvation

I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You’ll bring me home to heaven

Little did we know that the second week we would sing this song would be days after the tornado decimated the town of Parkersburg, Iowa. As is tradition when we learn a new song we planned to sing it again this weekend long before we knew of the 500 year flood about to hit our community and state. How amazing it was singing these words and realizing that our sovereign God is perfect in His timing. What a great source of truth and encouragement for such a time as this.

Below are a few pictures (thanks Holly) from today’s services followed by a few additional updated pictures of today’s continued flooding.







Here Pastor Jeff is leading in the prayer following his message.



These pictures show us closing our service with the hymn "It Is Well".





These were taken this afternoon at the church. If you look at the basketball hoop and play set you can see that the water has only risen a few more inches since yesterday.













This is a picture below the emergency spillway at the Coralville Reservoir. The water was incredibly violent. The good news is that the reservoir crested today. Though the river is still a few days from its crest, we are anticipating the waters to go down in a matter of days.