Mourning Renee Good

Comments from Pastor Matthew to New Hope Church on Sunday, January 11, 2026, following the shooting of Renee Good on Wed., January 7, 2026.

Whatever question you may ask about the What or the Why, this past Wednesday is an unfathomable tragedy. Blood was shed, lives shattered, a whole community traumatized, the whole world watching.

These cause us to need to Lament, to Grieve. To move past the rhetoric. To move past the narratives. To move toward the raw humanity, and to find solace in Jesus.

I cannot help but think about what the prophet Habakkuk penned so long ago. Maybe it will give you language as you process these things:

“O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, 

   and you will not hear?

Or cry to you, “Violence!” 

   and you will not save.

  Why do you make me see iniquity,

   Why do you idly look at wrong?

Destruction and violence are before me;

   Strife and contention arise.

So the law is paralyzed,

   And justice never goes forth.

For the wicked surround the righteous;

   so justice goes forth perverted.”

I’m grateful for how raw that is, and how real that is.

For those of you who are part of our beautiful and precious immigrant community here at New Hope Church, you are seen, you are known, you are loved.

I know because I have heard from you for many months, and certainly this week; there is a profound measure of anxiety and fear. And I hurt with you. I love you. We love you.

I’m thankful for the promise from God through Isaiah 41:10:

“Fear not, for I am with you.  

Don’t be looking around anxiously for I am your God, 

and I will strengthen you, and I will help you, 

and I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

That’s a promise from God for you, for all of us.

Even beyond our beautiful immigrant community, with members from all over the world, all of us are weary of what has now become years of traumatic, jolting situations in our community. And I know a lot of us are just tired. We’re grieving; we don’t know how to put words to it. We’re exhausted.

Jesus says to all of us, “Come unto me, those of you who are weary and heavy laden. I will give you rest for your souls. Take my yoke upon you. My burden is light, and my yoke is easy” (Matthew 11:28-30).

How thankful we are for this Jesus who sees us, and all the things we feel, all the things we carry, all the things we don’t know what to do with.

We do ask, “What do we do, LORD? What would you have from us?”

The Scriptures tell us to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15), and as much as it is reasonably possible, to be at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).

Jesus tells us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

And the God of heaven and earth, in His Word, when asked the question, “What shall we do?” says, (and please hear): “Do justly; love mercy; walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).”

Jesus, over this beloved community that I love so deeply, Jesus, your name is power. Jesus, your name is healing. Jesus, your name is life.

Jesus, break every stronghold. Jesus, shine through the shadows.

Jesus, may your justice and goodness, your glory and your power, your wisdom and your ability to make all things new, burn like a fire.

Amen.