A word from Pastor JT
The "Dog Days" of summer have arrived. I've always heard that saying and it makes me think of long, hot and humid summer days, but have you ever wondered where that term comes from? I wondered if it had to do with the fact that my dog looks lazy during the summer because he lies down in shady places in the heat of the day. Well, I did a little research and I found the answer to my "burning question." It seems that long ago people would look up into the night sky, see the stars and connect the dots thus creating what we call constellations. Their names are derived from the European origen of our civilization, hence the names Gemini, Taurus, Canis Major, Canis Minor, etc. Canis Major was called the "Big "Dawg" and the bright star that rises with the sun in the summer was called the "Dog Star." People believed that the bright constellation of Canis Major provided extra heart during the summer, thus explaining the hot, sultry weather. We know today that it is the tilt of the earth that causes greater exposure to the sin which in turn causes higher temperatures in the summer. Now we know why it's called the "Dog Days" of summer...and it has nothing to do with my Labrador Retreiver!
Well, now that the Dog Days of summer have arrived we need something to cool us off. Here at First united Methodist Church we have just the right thing. You're invited inside the air conditioned facility of our church to enjoy the movie, "Fireproof" on sunday evening, August 9th at 6:30. Whether you've been married 3 months or 30 years this movie will inspire you and strengthen your marriage. I hope you will take the opportunity to enjoy this incredible film. After the movie you'll be given an opportunity to participate in an 8 week study designed to make a good marriage great and a great marriages even greater. Traditional marriage and the family are under tremendous attack today and we must do everyhting we can to place our marriages on a solid foundation. I hope you'll invite a friend or a couple to watch "Fireproof."
We have a big night of Blugrass Gospel music planned for Sunday night, August 16th here at First Church. Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike will be here at 6PM. It's a free concert you won't want to miss! And finally we will be welcoming Jennifer Smith, the director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Southern Florida on August 23rd. She will be speaking during the morning worship service about the ministry taking place at USF and how we can partner with them.
Pastor JT
