Pastor Paul Hutchison opened a storm shelter this morning at Community Grace Church, 17 N. Washington St., Greencastle. Meals will be provided by Salvation Army and the shelter is equipped with other storm supplies. (Public Opinion, Markell DeLoatch)

Up and down the east coast, Grace Brethren congregations are preparing for the effects of an epic storm that is predicted to wreck havoc on the eastern seaboard. Keep these churches in your prayers in the next few days. Here are a few reports from pastors, churches, or ministries:

Greencastle, Pa., Grace Brethren Church (Paul Hutchison, pastor) has opened their storm shelter. Posted on their Facebook wall this morning: “What’s all the HYPE.? Some foolish people are asking. Safety, water is rising, and Community Grace Church is still here serving our community through the EMERGENCY SHELTER along with Franklin County Emergency Services, Salvation Army, FASTSIGNS, Echo Piolet, The Public Opionion, Camp JoyEl, Oliver Water Group, Greencastle Coffee Roasters all partnering together to get the word out along with the Community Grace church family .. hoping others are more wise and making good decisions. Cots, water, hot food deliverd by Salvation Army.. come be safe.”

CPR-3 (Dan O’Deens, executive director):  “The BIG STORM is here. Dan O is Shelter Manager at Lionville, PA.  215 cots for clients.  The rain is heavy, the wind is picking up.

Thanks for your prayers and support.   The damage will be significant.”

Shelter manager Dan O'Deens (center) meets with Janet Zeis of the Chester County Animal Response Team (CCART), Officer Tim Fortmann and Chief Joseph Pontarelli of the Uwchlan Township Police Department at the Lionville Middle School Shelter office. (Philadelphia Red Cross photo)

Frederick, Md., Grace Community Church (R Greene, pastor): “I am sitting here at home and the wind is beginning to become very strong and we are not even into the major part.  They are saying that this storm because of the magnitude is the biggest ever in the US. … thanks for praying as we go into the night of the heaviest part of the
storm.” — Verlyn Mahaffey, executive secretary at GCC

Essex, Mass., North Shore Bible Church (Jack Brown, pastor): “So far we’ve been spared much of the brunt of this storm… we’ve had some high winds and heavy surf but no real problems as of yet… we’re really moving into the heaviest part for us this evening and into the night… our friends to the south are getting it much worse… praying for them!”