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From the Bible and The Byrds

Posted Feb 4, 2007 by By Adam Emerson

Updated Feb 4, 2007 at 02:29 PM

11:45 a.m.

Howard Roszak begins his sermon with words from Ecclesiastes, made famous by the 1960s anthem “Turn, Turn, Turn”

“... a time to every purpose under heaven, a time to be born, a time to die ...”

“Things like this can make you better, or they can make you bitter,” he says.

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While other congregants worship, Debbie Peters is busy collecting food, clothing and toiletries for those affected by the storm. She considers it God’s work. She says there’s not a single person in the church unaffected by Friday’s storm ... they either were hit themselves or know people who lost everything or were killed.

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Pastor’s wife has message in Paisley

Posted Feb 4, 2007 by By Adam Emerson

Updated Feb 4, 2007 at 12:16 PM

Brenda Roszak, the first lady of First Baptist in Paisley, tells the congregants she feels blessed the church escaped the harm the storm inflicted on others in her community.

She rallies the church to pray for those who lost everything, who today are picking through the rubble of their homes just miles away.

“They have no heat, they have no food, they have no shelter,” she says.

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Crist speaks, clouds send message

Posted Feb 4, 2007 by By Billy Townsend

Updated Feb 4, 2007 at 11:58 AM

Crist’s message to the congregation: congratulating Larry Lynn, pastor, on his leadership. “One thing you said is the church isn’t the building, it’s the people, and I can see how true that is,” Crist says.

Then he steps to the front row for the rest of service.

The clouds form into a cross so clearly that everyone can’t help but notice.

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“Hello from Heather” in Paisley

Posted Feb 4, 2007 by By Adam Emerson

Updated Feb 4, 2007 at 11:53 AM

Pastor Harold Roszak addresses his congregation, opening Sunday’s service at First Baptist Church.

“I’ve never seen such effort as I’ve seen over the last two days,” he says, “just like a colony of bees, everybody just did their job.”

“I just want to say hello from Heather,” referring to Heather Downing, the Lake Mack girl who last her parents and brother in Friday’s storm.

She was in a local hospital this morning.

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Crist at the altar in Lady Lake

Posted Feb 4, 2007 by By Billy Townsend

Updated Feb 4, 2007 at 03:24 PM

After taking questions from reporters and hugging relief workers from the Red Cross, Gov. Charlie Crist enters the makeshift sanctuary at the Lake Lake Church of God to pulsating gospel music with the refrain “I will praise the Lord” going on over and over.

Everybody is standing, waving flags, dancing to the music.

Crist moves through the crowd, talking to church members. He’s now at the altar. The service is about to start.

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