Wow! Sunday was such a Spirit-filled day as Jack Hawkins (8:30), Luke Boe, and Kiara Gowdy all made professions of faith! Also, Rhys shared a little about a wonderful youth Centrifuge camp experience. He will give a more detailed report after VBS.

This Sunday will be a special time of worship as we celebrate our nation’s 247^th birthday, and dedicate our new gym to the Lord. We will have Sunday School at 9:15 – 10:15, and only one worship service at 10:30 in the gym. Following the service, we will enjoy a great meal together in the Fellowship Hall. The church is providing the food, so all you have to do is bring your appetite!

Independence Day, most often called the Fourth of July, commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, officially establishing the United States of America. We can all celebrate this holiday in our own way and with our own family traditions. However, as we as a church acknowledge our nation’s birthday, we are really acknowledging God’s miraculous work in establishing a nation with freedoms that enable us to worship Him openly, and without fear of governmental reprisals. In many ways it sometimes seems as if we are losing those freedoms, along with other “certain unalienable Rights” endowed by our Creator, ”that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” However, may we never forget that He is worthy of our praise in every circumstance of life. And, may we be reminded daily, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV.