Pastor Jack's Weekly Chimings Message
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Weekly Inspirational Message & Church Happenings for the Upcoming Week
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Happy Independence Day, Friends! As I am writing this early in the week, I hope the weather cooperates and you have the chance to celebrate the great nation we live in! Hear these words from the Acts of the Apostles...
"And the believers from among the circumcised (the Jews) who came with Peter were surprised and amazed, because the free gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed and poured out largely even on the Gentiles." (Acts 10:45 AMPC) This Independence Day, we celebrate the freedom that was gained through the blood and tears of those who went before us. Without their sacrifice, America as we know it may have never come to fruition, and the unique form of liberation we enjoy today would have remained just a dream. But today's verse describes another type of freedom. In it, the cage that locked the world away and prevented it from reaching God was suddenly shattered, opening the floodgates for a global spiritual awakening. The Holy Spirit had fallen not just on the Jews but on the Gentiles -- people who were once believed to be outside the reach of God's salvation. On this day, Peter realized that the gospel wasn't a message for the elite -- it was freedom for the masses. All who heard it could leave behind sin's shackles and pursue a relationship with God. The phrase "God's people" suddenly became synonymous with "everyone who believes." Today, as you dwell on the sacrifices of our ancestors that set this nation free, meditate also on Jesus' sacrifice that brought freedom to our souls. Lord God, please strengthen my understanding of just how revolutionary Your grace is. Teach me to appreciate Your salvation more each day. May I never squander this amazing freedom. Amen. +++ We continue on our summer worship schedule this week when we gather at 9:00am in the Sanctuary. This week we will hear Paul's thoughts about suffering from Romans 5 and my message, "What Good Is Suffering?", will have me trying to come up with how suffering can enhance our character and our relationship with God. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion this week and you can look for our "live stream" on the church's Facebook page at 9:00am. Following the completion of our worship service, the recorded version will be "uploaded" to our YouTube channel, as well. We hope to see you in worship on Sunday in our beautiful, air-conditioned Sanctuary! +++ On Sunday you should look for a decoration that returns to our Sanctuary as we start our July mission project for St. Joseph's food pantry! +++ On Wednesday morning, I will be offering worship at Camillus Ridge at 11:00am. +++ Interested in being God's hands and feet in the world? Plan to attend the next organizing meeting for an August mission trip to Vermont to help with rebuilding from flooding damage. The meeting is on July 15th at 7:00pm in the Fireside Room and the mission trip is planned for August 3 - August 8th. See Mike Block for more information, please! +++ Make sure you have the following dates on your calendars, please!
Make this day a great day and pause to give thanks for our freedom and those who gave so much to secure it for us! Pastor Jack Comments are closed.
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November 2025
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