Friday, August 8, 2025

This morning it sounds like the air quality is improving while the temperature prepares for another climb! And as much as I am tempted to complain, I keep remembering that I usually complain pretty good when winter hits... so maybe God only can endure my weather complaints for about 6 months of the year! Here are some words about the wonders of creation for us to consider...

            "Yet he has not left himself without testimony."    (Acts 14:17   NIV)

This marvelous universe is so familiar to us that we often take it for granted. How often do we notice the gravity that keeps us glued to the earth? The oxygen that fills our lungs? The steady stream of light that enters our eyes and finds its way to the supercomputer that is our brain?    
   
Scientists are gradually discovering just how fine-tuned this physical reality is for sustaining life. Existence as we know it balances on a knife's edge of just-right natural laws and conditions. If only one of them was altered by the tiniest sliver of the smallest fraction imaginable (physicists estimate that one of these conditions is finely tuned to an order of one part in 10 to the 120th power), life would become impossible and reality would collapse into unstructured chaos. Such extreme levels of design led one atheist to say, "A commonsense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super-intellect has monkeyed with physics."
   
God built this reality as a well-oiled machine, and the more we discover the innumerable gears that keep it running, the more gratitude we ought to show to the Creator. Meditating on this amazing but fragile world is one way to grow our faith in the one who made and sustains it all.  

            Thank You, God, for giving us a small glimpse of Your infinite power in the form of Your creation. I want to study this amazing testimony You've left for us. Amen. 

+++ Tomorrow is our Mini Golf for Missions Tournament at Fairmount Glen! Registration starts at 8:30am and we begin with a Shotgun start at 9:00am! Hopefully your team is ready and has been practicing! And if not, don't worry.... we have plenty of mulligans for sale to help you out! After the tournament we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a delicious brunch and the awarding of prizes. We can't wait to see you tomorrow morning as we celebrate this 16th edition of this annual event to raise money to support disaster recovery and other church mission projects.  

+++ We worship on Sunday morning at 9:00am and this week we will hear from Paul's letter to the Philippians and I am thinking about "How to Handle Criticism and Complaints". Most of us are used to these challenges but hearing once again about how God calls us to deal with them will be a great reminder. We will also be asking you to let us know your 3 favorite hymns as we prepare for a good, old fashioned Summer Hymn Sing service on August 17th! If you can't be in the Sanctuary with us, look for us in our "live-stream" on the church's Facebook page at 9:00am and then on our YouTube channel after the live worship service is completed.   

+++ I will be offering worship at the Camillus Ridge Terrace at 11:00am on Wednesday morning if you'd like to join me.

+++ Our summer Vacation Bible School started on Wednesday night and the kids (and adults) had a great time! Our guide Jeff and his trusty dog, Scout are leading the adventure as we enjoy a ROAD TRIP: ON THE GO WITH GOD. It's not too late to get involved. Speak to Lorlie on Sunday to find out about next week's installment of our travel itinerary!  

+++ Team leaders... don't forget the upcoming deadline for the September/October edition of our church newsletter. All articles need to be in the office by August 20th to help us meet our publishing schedule! Thanks! 

Make this day a great day and pause to marvel at the beauty of God's creation!   
​Pastor Jack