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At least five people are dead and eight are injured after a shooting and fire at a worship service yesterday.

During the gathering of over one hundred people at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan (~60 miles northwest of Detroit), a man drove his truck into the building and opened fire. The 40-year-old suspect allegedly set the building on fire before he was killed in a gunfire exchange with police. 

The blaze caused part of the building to collapse before first responders could contain it. Their search for victims in the rubble was ongoing last night, while officials searched the suspect’s phone and residence for a motive. 

The FBI is investigating the attack, including whether it’s connected to Saturday’s death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the LDS Church.

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PRAY WITH US
Lifter of Our Heads, we grieve the grip of evil on our world. We mourn the loss of innocent life, the scars that Grand Blanc will bear, and the fear that will linger among worshipers. Heal those who are wounded. Comfort those who mourn with the hope of Jesus and His coming justice. 

“You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain… You strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; may your blessing be on your people.”
Psalm 3:3-8 (CSB) (read full passage)

James Comey was indicted by the Department of Justice late on Thursday.

A grand jury charged the former FBI director with lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding in his 2020 testimony, claiming collusion between Russia and then-candidate Trump’s 2016 campaign. Prosecutors allege that Comey lied when he said he didn’t authorize an FBI leak to the media (read more background).

The move came days after President Trump urged the DOJ to prosecute Comey and others; the prosecutor who brought Comey’s charges replaced Erik S. Siebert, who recently resigned under pressure to bring mortgage fraud charges against NY AG (and Trump critic) Letitia James.

Comey maintains his innocence, saying “there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump” and expressing confidence in the judicial system. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
In this divisive political climate, followers of Christ have an opportunity to show that our ultimate allegiance is to Him. Imitating our just and merciful Father, root for justice while retaining love for all parties—both the accused and the accusers—desiring restoration, not revenge. 

“The LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.”
Isaiah 30:18 (CSB) (read full passage)

Research suggests that by 2030, 512 million people in the world will not have enough to eat, with nearly 60% of those people being in Africa.  

One of the hardest-hit places? South Sudan. 

In the East-African country, more than 2 million children face acute malnutrition. Famine looms as conflict within the region rises—threatening an even more dire situation for the families and children who call South Sudan home. Food shortages, unsafe water, ongoing conflicts, and decimated farms threaten daily survival.

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BE DOERS 
We’re asking the TPO Community to join us in partnering with World Concern—a Christian relief and development organization that is urgently rushing Nutripackets (life-saving emergency nutrition supplements) directly to starving children in South Sudan. 

For every $12 you give, you’ll provide a child with an entire month’s worth of the emergency nutrition they desperately need for survival. TPO is matching the first $4K given through this link.  

“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”  
James 2:15-16 (CSB) (read full passage)

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President Trump said he’s sending troops to Portland.

In a Truth Social post Saturday, he ordered Defense Secretary Hegseth to deploy “all necessary troops” to the city and authorized “full force, if necessary” to protect any ICE facilities that are “under siege” by Antifa and “other domestic terrorists.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) pushed back, saying that Portland is “doing just fine” and reinforcements aren’t needed. Last night, Oregon filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the president lacks authority to federalize the National Guard. While not unprecedented, federal law generally bars the president from using the military for domestic law enforcement.

Trump made similar moves by deploying Guard and Marine units to L.A. despite California Gov. Newsom’s (D) opposition, and the federal government is currently appealing a judge’s ruling that the deployment was illegal.

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Verse to consider whether you’re critical of your government or think it’s being unfairly criticized… “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” 
James 1:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

SCOTUS handed the White House a W on Friday. The Court paused a lower court ruling, allowing the Trump admin to withhold ~$4B in foreign aid that Congress had already approved, saying the nonprofits suing didn’t have legal standing under the law they cited. Critics say the decision weakens checks and balances, putting humanitarian aid for vulnerable communities at risk.

The U.S. has a 21-point plan for ending the Gaza war. The proposal, discussed positively with some Middle Eastern countries during last week’s U.N. meeting, envisions all hostages immediately released, Hamas disarming, and Palestinians remaining in Gaza; it also leaves open a pathway for a future Palestinian state (read all 21 points here). President Trump meets with PM Netanyahu today.

A top Iowa educator is in hot water with ICE. Ian Roberts, Des Moines Public Schools’ superintendent, was arrested Friday for overstaying his visa—which expired in 2020—and illegal possession of a firearm. School officials say Roberts, originally from Guyana, is an “integral part of the community”; authorities say Roberts had a previous weapons charge and claim he’s a “public safety threat.”

Uncle Sam’s economy just got a solid confidence boost. Second-quarter GDP growth was revised up from 3.3% to 3.8%—the economy's fastest pace in nearly two years—thanks mostly to stronger-than-expected consumer spending. Economists say momentum likely carried into Q3 (now estimated to land at 3.9%). Bottom line: Americans haven’t stopped swiping their cards.

Team Europe took home its 13th Ryder Cup yesterday. Led by Rory McIlroy, Europe out-putted Team USA on American soil grass in the biggest team golf tourney of the year. Meanwhile, on the diamond, the MLB playoff bracket was announced yesterday. Teams will hit the road to the World Series tomorrow with the first games of Wild Card play.

When your Sunday afternoon nap is rudely interrupted…

Where We’re Getting a Gift That Keeps on Sizzling
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How We’re Paying 0% APR through 2027
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Offers this good don’t last forever, so take advantage of the chance to get some breathing room while you can. Check out what all the hype is about!