July 24, 2013
FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY
JULY 28
Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us this Sunday for services and a potluck luncheon following services. Our theme for the luncheon is "Mexican" so please bring lots of your favorite Mexican dishes to share. We will have pinatas for the children and will have appetizers to enjoy while you wait in line.
OUR AIR CONDITIONED EARTH
Part Three
Because the Earth is round, sunlight falls more perpendicularly to the surface at the equator than at the poles. The resulting difference in heating at the poles and equator, together with the spinning of our globe, work together to power air and ocean currents that redistribute heat from have to have-not places, and make our world more liveable.
Temperature swings on land are much larger than in the oceans for the same heat absorption. This is due to the much greater specific heat of water than that of land – almost four times as much. This means that the oceans are a colossal heat reservoir that stabilizes temperatures on land – that is, where air currents can carry the heat load across shorelines. In addition to carrying ocean heat and cooling to land, air currents also have a role of their own in carrying heat from the equator to the poles (see our last issue). This multiplex of air and ocean currents is typical of our Creator’s complex designs where many parts must work together in concert.
Ocean Currents
Patterns of ocean currents are similar to those in the atmosphere. There are great flowing rivers, like the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean. In the larger Pacific Ocean, currents such as the Humboldt flow northward along the eastern coastline of South America, and the Kuroshio southward along our north Pacific coastline. There are many others transporting heat.
In addition to these rivers flowing in our oceans, there are eddies that borrow their spin from the spin of the Earth (the Coriolis force) that augment the heat transfer of ocean currents. All of these work together. Recent depth-penetrating satellite pictures of ocean circulations have shown these patterns in great detail.
Climate moderation resulting from these large circulations of ocean water are seen in the coastal northwest of the United States, which is much warmer than would be expected for that latitude. Another famous case is the warming of Northern Ireland and England, associated with the Gulf Stream together with eddy circulations. (The details of the warming are still being debated – see the February 2013 issue of the Scientific American. Understanding God’s design is not easy.)
What About Cold?
If we are insisting here that the Earth has been made more habitable by designs that moderate heat and cold, why do frigid arctic areas exist? And why is not our temperature on Earth more even than it is? My personal preference would be a steady seventy-three degrees F. Why are some areas still uncomfortably cold or hot? That will be the subject of our next writing. God is at work for our good there, too.
-- James Gibbs
Picnic in the Park - July 31 -- Everyone, please come join us in a neighborhood picnic on Wednesday evening, July 31, at Lewis Park at 6:30 p.m. We will be providing the hamburgers, hot dogs and chips. Please bring your side dishes, drinks, lawn chairs, etc. that you want. Please come join us for a fun evening in the park.
James II Pantry Needs -- Our pantry is in need of the following items:
Pancake Mix, Syrup, Jams or Jellies, Peanut Butter, Spaghetti Sauce, Mac and Cheese, and Chili. Any help would be appreciated - thank you for your support.
Coffee Servers Needed -- Coffee servers are needed for the months of October, November and December. If you can help one of these months, please sign up on the list posted in the hallway by the stairs. Thank you for all of your help.
Camp Lost and Found Items -- We have lots of items that were left up at camp - are you missing something???? Please pick up your lost items this week. Thanks!
Recent Weddings --
Russ and Shawna Gann are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Kayleen, to Clay Alumbaugh, on Saturday, July 20th. Kayleen and Clay will be living in Little Rock, Arkansas where Clay is employed and Kayleen will be looking for a teaching job.
Jim and Sandra Cummings are also pleased to announce the marriage of their son, Alex, to Makenna Flippo on Wednesday, July 17th. Alex will be leaving soon for his military training.
We want to wish God’s blessings on these two young couples as they begin their lives together.
Thank You Note --
I want to thank Don Walker, Stephen Liles, and Gerry Flock, for repairing my fence. Also, to Brian and his young crew for painting my fence. Thank you again, Maggie Cushman
Prayer Requests . . . Jackie Riley has been in the hospital with a leg infection - prayers for her healing...For Patty Heffner as she recovers from breast cancer surgery this week - prayers for quick healing...For Nick Morgan as he recovers from an appendectomy - that he will heal quickly...For Lillian Casebier who is in a lot of pain and discomfort and is in the hospital for tests...For Marcie Dixon who has been having a lot of dental pain and that the dentist can find an answer for it...For Jacob Johnson - prayers for his safety and for his family as he is deployed for awhile...Evelyn Bates fell last week and is very sore...For Don Stutzman, an elder at Newberg Church of Christ, as he recovers from surgery (he was a former member at West Main)...For healing and comfort for Frank and Leilla Sparks and Sara Cade...For Jenny Way that she will be more patient with herself...For Alix Spodnik as she spends time with her grandparents this week (this is the first time she has been away from home like this)...For Midge Dean, friend of Peggy Woods, who has a broken arm and hip...For David Mayes to be a Christlike example...Naomi Bigboy asks that her neighbors have a safe and happy move...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Calendar of Events
July 28: Friendship Sunday - Mexican Theme Potluck After Morning
Services
July 31: Picnic at Lewis Park
August 17: Redding Water Slides
August 21: Set Up for the Clothing and School Supplies Giveaway
August 24: Clothing and School Supplies Giveaway, CIA Carnival & BBQ
August 25: Emigrant Lake Encampment
