Ferguson , Missouri ( CNN ) -- Carol Byrd feels anxious at night when she leaves her home , just a few blocks away from West Florissant Avenue . She fears for her life . She lives near the epicenter of protests that erupted after the killing of Michael Brown in this St. Louis suburb last August . Byrd sought solace Sunday at her church . `` I feel calmer , but I 'm still deeply disturbed , '' said Byrd , 49 , after service was over at Greater St. Mark Family Church , which has served as a sanctuary for protesters and will be a haven again if things get rough . Byrd said someone in her apartment complex was shot a few weeks ago during protests . She fears that demonstrations could turn violent again . `` I do n't know what the verdict will be , '' she said about the grand jury investigating Brown 's death . `` I do n't know when it will come . '' That 's a question that hangs heavily over Ferguson , a city that remains on edge as word spreads that a grand jury looking into whether to indict police Officer Darren Wilson has yet to make a decision . Jurors are set to reconvene Monday . Amina Stevenson , 26 , said everyone is doing their best to deal with this period of extreme anxiety . `` I know God is protecting me and my family , '' she said . Stevenson says she believes the grand jury decision on whether to indict Wilson may be postponed because no one wants trouble during Thanksgiving . `` But they 've already ruined it , '' she said . Voices of Ferguson : What do you want the world to know ? The Rev . Tommie L. Pierson Sr. , pastor at Greater St. Mark , knew he would have to soothe troubled souls on this Sunday . He was also keenly aware that reporters were in the house of God . `` I hope that I wo n't disappoint you , '' he said before starting his sermon . `` I 'm going to try my best not to say something juicy that for the rest of my life I regret . '' Pierson has hardly been guarded on what he deems as injustice and extreme police brutality in Brown 's killing . He said that if there is no indictment against Wilson , authorities will be sending a message that black lives do n't matter . He asked his flock to rely on their faith to get them through turbulent times . `` The path to moving forward is not always smooth , '' he told CNN . `` We must do it by faith . '' A tale of two streets in Ferguson . But , he said , it was n't enough for African-Americans to show their anger on the streets . He preached that black people must turn tragedy into empowerment . His sermon focused on every person 's obligation to vote and participate in the community . Lack of African-American civic engagement in Ferguson , which is 68 % black , has been a key theme in discussions about reforming aspects of how the city operates . `` The power to get what you need is already in our hands . We are part of the people , and we must participate , '' Pierson said from the pulpit . `` Pain will force us to do something . '' Pierson , like other community leaders , appealed for calm from protesters and relief from God . `` You alone know what the grand jury will do , '' Pierson said , looking up . `` You alone know what the marchers and demonstrators will do . We ask , oh God , for your protection . '' Complete coverage of what 's happening in Ferguson . Follow CNN 's Moni Basu on Twitter .
At Greater St. Mark Family Church , parishioners wonder what 's next . `` I do n't know what the verdict will be , '' one worried woman says . Another speculates the grand jury could postpone its decision . The Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Mark's said he was not surprised by the indictment.