Messages

Pastor’s Message

Did you keep up with last month’s Artemis mission by NASA? It was a mission which sent four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon before splashing down safely in the Pacific. It was the first crewed flight of the Artemis program and the first human lunar flyby in 50 years. NASA said its purpose was not to land on the moon, but to test the spacecraft, rocket and ground systems needed for future lunar missions. I couldn’t help but keep my eyes glued to the tv as they made their way home, safely splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean on April 10^th.

During the mission, the crew travelled around the far side of the Moon, spent about 40 minutes out of contact with Earth, and reached a distance farther from Earth than any humans have travelled before. They also captured remarkable images of Earth from the lunar far side. For many Christians, moments like these remind us of the vastness of God’s creation and the place we as humans hold within it.

The Bible captures this same sense of wonder long before space travel existed. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them?” (Psalm 8:3–4) The more we discover, the more we are reminded that creation is not random, but speaks of intention, order, and a Creator who holds it all together. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1) The moon, the earth, the stars and planets are not just objects to study, but are part of a creation that reflects God’s glory. Each new image and each new milestone can become a reminder not just of what we can do, but of who God is.

Science helps us understand how things work. Faith helps us understand why they matter and who stands behind it all. The stars and galaxies aren’t the most impressive item of God’s creative work. Genesis tells us that without question, people are God’s greatest creation. We are His crowning achievement. After everything else was created, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Genesis 1:27 goes on to say, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Friend, God loves you and values you more than you could possibly imagine.

I hope to see you and your family in church this coming Sunday. Don’t forget to let your light shine for Jesus!

Pastor Rick

Message From Andy (Student Minister)

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

The month of May marks a changing of seasons. It marks the end of another school year for myself, Kristy, Luke, and all our students. For some, it marks the end of elementary school, middle school, high school, or college, and along with it the beginning of something new. And it marks the beginning of summer, an exciting time for our student ministry and our church!

King Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that we should never miss the fact that God has purposed each season in our lives. We remind our students regularly that they have a purpose as Christians to grow in their faith as disciples and to share The Gospel where God has placed them in this season of life – specifically, their schools. As this school year comes to an end, though, I’m excited for the summer season when we have so many opportunities to grow as disciples of Christ!

A friend of mine recently preached a sermon reminding us that, if we ever stop putting Jesus first in everything we do as a church, then it is time to close the doors. My prayer for us as we go into summer is that we put Jesus first – at the very front and as most important – in VBS, FUGE, J.A.M., Summer Sunday Nights, Fantastic Fridays … EVERYTHING!

Andy