EVER THINK OF TRAVELING TO A FAR-OFF GALAXY SOMEDAY? Well, unless you have lots of time on your hands, or intend to live a v-e-r-y long life … you might want to think again!!! It seems that scientists are talking about the discovery of a new galaxy that is very far away. You want to ask HOW far away? We just heard someone speak about it and were so fascinated that we did some further research on the speed of light and just how long they reported that it would take to get there! What we learned was astounding, to say the least! It’s a scientific fact that the speed of light travels at 300.000 kilometers per second. That is a million times faster than the speed of sound travels. Just how fast is it? Well, what all this means is that the speed of light travels fast enough that it could circle the earth SEVEN TIMES EVERY SECOND!!! And if THAT isn’t mind-boggling enough, than THIS fact is: traveling at the speed of light, it would take THIRTEEN BILLION YEARS to get to this galaxy that they are just now discovering!!! Hearing all these facts about a galaxy that our God has created – and grasping at the facts as I attempted to comprehend them, tears began streaming down my face. IS OUR GOD NOT HUGE?! Somehow in light of these facts, any of the “huge” challenges or circumstances or complications in our lives – diminish greatly in the biblical fact that the same God who created this universe and all that goes along with it, is the God who can take care of any needs we might have today, tomorrow, or any day thereafter!!! That a God THIS huge would create us, choose us, love us, care for us, send His Son to die for us – is almost beyond our finite understanding. What we should grasp is that we never have to wonder if God is up to taking care of us and bringing the answers and solutions that we personally need! Our greatest need does not drain Him or strain Him … it is His pleasure to do His best for us! If He was here on earth in physical form this day in July, 2009, He would come and stand beside us and hold our face in His hands like a loving parent does. Then He would make us look Him straight in the eyes, and He would tell us not to worry, not to wonder, not to fear ~ because He is taking care of it all. Would that not calm us? Reassure us? Encourage us? He would tell us to stand on His Word, to claim His promises, and to step forward in faith! So, while we may not ever travel to a far off galaxy before our split-second trip to Heaven … we can be assured every day of a HUGE God who loves us and wants us to know Him intimately!
WE LOVE AND HONOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL! We want them to know how deeply grateful we are as we celebrate America this July 4th weekend, for their sacrificial service on behalf of the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation of ours! We do not take for granted the way they have shared their lives, even to the point of death, so that we could live brave and free. We do not take for granted that our flag still waves majestically in the breezes, speaking of life and liberty, in a nation under God. We seek to honor the men and women, young and old, who make up our military forces. They are so deserving of our highest regard, our deepest respect, and our unending gratitude for all they have done and for all they have given in the quest to preserve our nation’s freedoms. Today and every day, Elevation North honors the military people in every branch of service to our country! We humbly thank you and ask God’s blessings of love and strength and protection to be yours as you serve!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS are with the Clint Bucholz family in the recent loss of his dad in Wyoming; may God’s comfort fill your hearts and lives now and in all the days to come!
- OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Ron Flack who ministered to our congregation in the absence of Pastor D while he was in Michigan for the funeral of a close friend. Please continue to uphold Ron’s outreach ministry to those who need God’s light shed abroad in their hearts! And continue to pray for comfort for Mike’s family in Michigan; around 700 people were at the funeral as Pastor D celebrated Mike’s life in the service and then presented the message of Christ and the hope of seeing Mike again someday!
- ATTENTION! The Youth Bake Sale that was scheduled at Wal-Mart for this Saturday on July 4th has been changed due to several conflicts with our church families’ schedules; we are working on a different date with the possibility of doing a Cash-Wise food-stand. We will keep you posted, so enjoy the 4th with your family and celebrate our freedom!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- TWIN’S GAME OUTING for dads and sons; check out the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Table!
- SUNDAY, JULY 5TH: “I LOVE AMERICA” worship/celebration at the Park Pavilion in Medford at 10 a.m. Don’t miss this special service as we honor our nation, our military and our freedoms!
- SUNDAY, JULY 5th: RELAY FOR LIFE contributions are due; see Tina and turn in your collected donations! We thank you for your participation, and remember there is more to come as we approach the “Walk” coming up on Friday/Saturday, JULY 17-18 at the Steele County Fairgrounds! Ask Tina how you can help our group at this event!
- TUESDAY, JULY 7th: JR/SR HI OUTING TO Valley Fair; invite your friends and call for the cost of tickets! It promises to be a great day – ALL day from the opening of the park to the moment it closes down!
- MID-SUMMER ALL-OUT EVANGELISM BLITZ – sharing God’s love through our personal invitation, church brochures, and Invitation CD’s! Plan to be a part of this exciting event that is coming SOON!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- Continue to pray for healing for Justin, Merv, and Chuck; for Ally, for the 22 year old with cancer, for Tina’s medical procedure this Thursday; for comfort for the Bucholz family and the Pettigrew family; for abundant provision for the Seykora’s needs and for safe travels as they return to Perth, Australia; for several unspoken needs, and for God’s hand of blessing upon Elevation North as we seek to minister the gospel of Christ and reach out beyond the walls of our church! God is Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider; praise His Name!
- THIS WEEK – Remember how HUGE your God is! Billy Graham once said, “We do not understand the intricate pattern of the stars in their courses, but we know that He who created them does, and that just as surely as He guides them, He is charting a safe course for us.” That reminder should give us hope and assurance for each new day! And we want you to know that you matter to us … we look forward to seeing you at the park pavilion on Sunday!
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
