November 20, 2013
GRAVITY AT WORK -- PART 2
Dives to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Eastern Pacific has carried explorers to some 35,800 feet below the surface. Pressures at this depth on the spherical steel balls housing the pilots were more than seven tons per square inch. Since their dives were less than a five-hundredth of the distance to the center of the Earth, consider the enormous pressures that occur at that inaccessible place!
Now, think of a star and our pea-sized Earth in comparison. The heat of compression at the center of these giants produces temperatures high enough to fuse atoms into their larger cousins. The first stage of this chain of fusion takes place in our Sun with the morphing of hydrogen into helium. But two hydrogen atoms that fuse to form one helium atom have leftover mass that in turn becomes heat energy. The eventual outflow of this energy is in the form of light that bathes the Earth and her sister planets. In addition, giant magnetic storms hurl winds of charged particles into space. All of this can be attributed to the crush of gravity.
We may think of this outflow of energy by stars as being another phase of matter when it is compressed by gravity so as to trigger fusion. We are therefore grateful to our Creator for the temperature level required for nuclear fusion – just as we are grateful for the height of kindling temperatures for ordinary fires on Earth. Our welfare is obviously a concern of our Creator. Dangers to us have been mitigated by his designs.
In my lifetime another phase of star-matter has been discovered. It partly was in answer to the “why” stars cluster in galaxies. The outflow of particle winds and radiation combine to push stars apart, and are a counterforce to gravity. Why then do stars cluster? Is it simply that their mutual gravitational attraction wins out over opposing forces?
The structure of star formation in a galaxy demands a central adhesive force that cannot be seen. Hence the concept of a “black hole” with such a large body that nothing nearby can escape its gravitational pull. This containment includes light. As a result, a black hole is invisible, with only the gravitational pull on galaxy members as evidence of its presence.
Possibly because of the spin of matter in a black hole, jets of x-ray radiation have been detected. Cosmologists have in recent years also focused more attention on stars near the center of galaxies, observing their orbits to account for unseen pull.
Perhaps some day we will understand gravity, and its relation to its sister forces. In the meantime we bow to our benevolent Father, and marvel at his many wonderful works.
It is ironic that the scientific world has accepted unseen black holes by indirect evidence, yet cannot recognize God’s existence with the same kind of proof. While black holes are a reality only to an esoteric few, the common man is able to recognize Him clearly in the person of His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ.
– James Gibbs
Elder/Deacon Selections -- We are rapidly approaching the completion of the leadership selection process that was started about six months ago. Since that time we have been studying with the four men who indicated that they have a desire to serve as elders. It is now time to begin the final phase of the selection process. Terry gave an excellent lesson about deacons last week and he will give a lesson addressing elders this Sunday. We are planning on passing out a leader selection timeline next week as well as some other information that will be helpful for you to consider in your deliberations about the future leaders at West Main.
The elders are appreciative of the comments and recommendations that many of you have made over the last few months. We would also like to encourage you to dedicate time specifically for prayer and study for each of the men who will be under consideration for serving as elders or deacons.
For the Elders, Dan Beeks
Winter Wonderland Celebration -- Anyone who would like to participate or help with our Christmas Talent Program on Saturday, December 21, at 6:00 p.m. please contact Christi Olson or Wyndee Thomas. Practice dates are December 8 and 15 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
Toys for Pediatric Unit -- We are beginning to gather toys to go with our blankets that we give to the Pediatric Unit at RRMC during the holidays. Wyndee Thomas will have a list available this Sunday of the needed toys. All toys need to be returned by Sunday, December 8.
Angel Tree -- Our Angel Tree will soon be set up at the back of the auditorium. Please be watching to see how you can help with food and toys.
Wednesday Evening Class Schedule -- Due to the holidays, we want to give you a schedule of the three class nights that we will not be meeting in the next two months. We will not meet on Wednesday, November 27; Wednesday, December 25; and Wednesday, January 1, 2014.
Tuesday Morning Ladies Class -- Ladies Class will not meet on Tuesday, November 26. We will also have our Christmas Break and will not meet on December 24 and December 31. Classes will resume on January 7, 2014, after our Christmas Break.
Thanksgiving Day Dinner will be offered to our Seniors (age 55 and older) at Fountain Plaza on November 28, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Please call 541-772-6005 by November 22 to make your reservation.
Widows Christmas Luncheon -- All Widows are invited to join us at Anna Maria Creekside for a Christmas Luncheon on December 11, at 11:00 a.m. Please check in at the front desk and they will direct you to the dining area. Car- pooling is recommended.
PRAYER REQUESTS . . . Continued prayers for healing for Evelyn Bates, Lillian Casebier, Larry Denn, Patty Heffner, Bob & Dorothy Trimmer, Donna York...For successful surgery and quick healing for Gloria Way who will have hip replacement surgery on November 25...For Glenda Rennels as she recovers from gall bladder surgery...For all of our members who will be traveling this Thanksgiving holiday - prayers for their safety...Bruce and Linda Farris request prayers for Josh Mak who has been assigned to a sensitive military area...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
October Financial Statement
INCOME:
|
General Fund Contributions |
|
$ 21,541.00 |
|
Non-Budgeted Contributions |
|
$ 214.00 |
|
Development Funds & Rents |
|
$ 1,948.00 |
|
Interest/Other Income |
|
$ 1.14 |
|
Total Income for Month |
|
$ 23,704.14 |
EXPENSES:
|
Administration and Payroll |
|
$12,383.21 |
|
Youth on Fire |
|
$795.07 |
|
Vision Ministries |
|
$741.29 |
|
Office |
|
$1,665.75 |
|
Nurturing Brethren |
|
$692.50 |
|
Operational Ministries |
|
$3,047.51 |
|
Worship & Facilities |
|
$1,596.25 |
|
Non-Budgeted Mission |
|
$1,588.50 |
|
Development & Kings Hwy |
|
$4,665.14 |
|
Total Monthly Expenses |
|
$27,175.22 |
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December Servers
Coffee Servers: Needed Dec 1, 22, & 29
Dec 8: Rick Dauphin
Dec 15: Mandy Breithaupt & Barbara Logsdon
Nursery: Diane Liles and girls
Greeters: Dave & Wyndee Thomas
Don and Zana Walker
Children’s Worship Servers:
Wyndee Thomas and Jennielle Denn
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP SERVERS NEEDED FOR JANUARY.
See Dave or Wyndee Thomas or Jennielle Denn to sign up.
November Attendance
1st Sunday 265
2nd Sunday 249
3rd Sunday 247
4th Sunday n/a
Calendar of Events
Nov 27: No Bulletin Published This Week –
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 6-7: Confident Speaking Workshop;
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; FSR
Dec 8 & 15: Rehearsal Dates for our Winter Wonderland Celebration;
5:30-7:00 p.m.; Auditorium
Dec 11: Widows Luncheon; 11:00 a.m.; Anna Maria Creekside
Dec 21: Winter Wonderland Celebration;
6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium
