DISCLAIMER: This text is not a verbatim transcript. Communication Access Real Time Translation (CART) is provided in order to facilitate communication credibility and may not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings. >> Thank you for joining us today. We want to let you know about a few items of interest. First, go to our website, firstcolonychurch.org, and go there often. You'll find links to our worship services; Bible study options; online giving; and our podcast, Anchor Point. You can also download our church app. Just search for "First Colony Church of Christ" in the App Store or on Google Play. The a pp is a great resource where you can stay connected to First Colony Church. Thank you for joining us today. We're glad you're here. >> Richard: Good morning! How is everybody doing today? >> Great. >> Richard: Hey, let's all stand up. You are in for a treat today at the First Colony Church of Christ! (house of the Lord" playing) ♫ Oh, whoa, we shout out Your praise ♫ >> Richard: Yes, church, give Him praise! There is no One like our Lord Jesus! One of a kind! ("Who You Say I Am" playing) >> Richard: Amen. Church, you may be seated as we focus on taking communion together. >> Darrell: Good morning, church. My name is Darrell, this is my wife Bridget, and we're delighted in celebrating and leading you in the Lord's Supper this morning. Would you pray with me? Father, on the night Jesus was betrayed, He took the bread; gave thanks; broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way after supper, Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of Me." "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again." "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord." "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks the cup." Father, help each of us to examine ourselves before we take part in this communion meal today and as we take this bread which represents Jesus' body and this cup that represents His blood that was shed for us, we remember His great Sacrifice. We take this communion meal and boldly proclaim the Lord's death and resurrection and look forward to His return. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen. Let's partake together. >> Bridget: I will read Hebrews 13:12-16. (reading) ("You Say" playing) >> Shane: Amen, church? What a wonderful song. (Applause) yes, amen! before we pray over our offering, I just want you to know you can give online. It's safe, secure, and simple to set up. You can give at the offering boxes in the back. Let's pray over this offering time now, shall we? Our Father in heaven, we commit these offerings to You; and we ask for Your wisdom; Your guidance, God, as we use these resources to glorify You; to make the Name of Jesus known and to help people know Jesus better. God, we pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen. >> Joel: Amen! Well, good morning, everyone. It is so good to see you all here again this Sunday on Bring a Friend Sunday. If you're a friend, glad to see you. Welcome! My challenge this morning is obviously in the kids' spot -- this is where we have the kids' message in our service because we care about our kids -- is to focus on Jesus, which we want to do every Sunday. I promised during the month of February we would add fire so we have to add fire; and then because we have a special guest astronaut speaking, we have to somehow incorporate that if we can. So I have the tea bag Gospel. I have a Bible verse that is sort of incorporating all that listen intently. Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was crucified once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time not to bear sins but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." So I have a tea bag here. I'm going to open it up, and you notice it says "Christ was sacrificed to take away the sins of many; He will appear a second time not to bear sins." Four elements. So the first one is that He was sacrificed to take away the sins of many. You knows sin is basically an anchor that holds us down. We are restricted with sin. You try to go somewhere; you're anchored; you're held. The first thing He does is take away the sin. He was sacrificed. It also says when He was sacrificed that He bore the sins of us all. Inside the tea bag are tiny tea leave that are different colors so I will dump those out. All right. Now, it said that He was sacrificed -- are you ready? Now, by the way, I have two of these. As any good -- (Laughter) Navy guy would have, just in case -- because last week it wouldn't light. Oh! And then sometimes it falls over. Which would not be good with what we're doing. I know the anticipation is building. Once again, I actually have multiples of these just in case because you never know when you're in space what will happen. All right. I better -- be quiet -- (Laughter) Okay. We're going to the back up. I two pickups. Long story short, I will quit talking. Yes. You know, second service is really special. (Laughter) Did you know that? Because in theory this will shoot up into space and come back down because Christ is coming back for us -- hold on; it will come down if I don't walk off the edge. (Laughter) Thank you. (Laughter) That one is a reminder. (Applause) during the message, bottom line -- thank you -- Christ is returning, and are you ready for that? Think about that in this service. Thank you very much. (Applause) >> Shane: Joel Smith! There are sometimes no words. (Laughter) If you are here with us today and kind of new here or this is your first time, we would love to get to know you better. Everyone can fill out a Connection card in the QR code in front of you. Come by the "New Here? Start Here" room across the lobby. We would love to answer questions and get to know you. You're welcome to do that. If you're watching online, say hi in the chat box because we'd love to talk with you there. Kids, Ms. Danelle is there. If you're grade one through five, Children's Church will meet in the chapel across the across the walkway. Parents, if you have not checked your kid in, it takes just a moment at the kiosk across the lobby so do that. Everybody else, let's stand and greet one another and share your favorite space movie besides "Star Wars," of course. ("Good God Almighty" playing) >> Richard: Thank you, church, for your worship! you may be seated? (cheers and applause) >> Ronnie: Thank you so much, Richard and team. We so appreciate that. Thank you for leading us so well. Good morning, everyone. Glad to see you with us today. To those of you in the room, welcome! And to those of you, to the many of you, who are with us worshiping online, we're so glad to have you with us today as well. Barry, before we get into our conversation here, we do have a couple of new members I'd like to recognize and want you to please stand -- a really fine young couple, Will and Victoria Stanczykiewicz. (Applause) we have the focus up here along with Millie Mae and Molly Sue. Victoria is a nurse, and Will works for NASA. Let's welcome them to our church family. Thank you so much. (Applause) fantastic. And I'm so pleased that Barry "Butch" Wilmore is our guest today for our super Sunday worship services. You did a fantastic job in our first service, just sharing his heart; his perspective; his mind; his faith. Barry and his wife Deanna with us -- would you please stand? We want to recognize you and welcome you to First Colony today. Thank you so much. (Applause) Will and Deanna have two daughters, and they're being raised well in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Parry is a native Tennesseean, as is Deanna. Barry is from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, a Nashville suburb. He has an undergraduate and garage want degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee Tech University. He's on the Board of Trustees now at Tennessee Tech University, and I got to know Barry through the President of Tennessee Tech, good friend of mine, known him for 40 years, Phil Oldham. Through Phil we connected. >> Right. >> Ronnie: Barry has a master's degree from the University of Tennessee in aviation system. He's a retired captain in the U.S. Navy with more than 7800 flight hours. If you know anything about aviation, it's a LOT of flight time. He has 663 aircraft carrier landings and tactical jet aircraft. He was selected as an astronaut in 2000 so he's been with NASA now for over 20 years. He was the pilot for space shuttle "Atlantis" and we have some photos here. He spent -- he has spent 178 days in space. That's a LOT of time. He also had a mission to the ISS, International Space Space station, a 167-day mission -- 5.5 miles. During that time, he did four spacewalks. Here's a photo of him actually doing one of the space walks, and he is the commander for the next NASA manned mission on the Boeing Starliner. What I really like about him is he's such a likable person, he and Deanna both. He is a sold-out Christian, loves the Lord, loves to study the Word of God, loves to teach and preach the Word of God and an inspirational presence -- easy to like. If you get to be in his circle of influence, it's a pretty good place to be. Everybody, let's welcome Barry Wilmore to First Colony. Cheer >> Barry: Thank you. Thank you. >> Ronnie: Now, so today's Super Bowl Sunday. You're a former college football player. Barry was the captain of his college team. He was a linebanker and in the -- linebacker and in the record books. The number two spot for most tackles in a game -- number three for most tackles per season. He's in the Tennessee Tech University Sports Hall of Fame. Here we are, Super Bowl Sunday. >> Barry: You have really been doing your research. (Laughter) >> Ronnie: I have. I have. So Bengals or Rams? >> I'll stick with the Bengals. (cheers) >> Ronnie: Why? >> I lived half of my life in Tennessee and half in Texas. The only team a has a connection to both states is the Oilers, now Titan. They're not in AFC so -- they're not in the Super Bowl but AFC so we'll stick with them. >> Ronnie: Let's start with your faith background. How did you come to faith in Jesus Christ? >> Barry: I tell you, I was raised in the church -- I appreciate the opportunity to come and share here at church. This is the first church I has been in that has a COVID chamber. (Laughter) Anyway. We'll pray for that gentleman that was in there. (Laughter) Anyway, but that's the basis -- I mean, the Lord gave us His church because we need it. We need the instruction; we need the admonition; we need the encouragement; we need the fellowship; we need each other to live lives war think, and the Lord knows that so He gave us the church. It's not we know Him and do whatever. We need continual -- at least I do -- continual fellowship and enrichment from the Word. Church is the only place to get it. Fortunately my parents loved the Lord, had me in church early so I learned the importance of church then and the Lord saved me then. I did come to a point where though I had been reading the Bible and studying the Bible my whole life in my 20s where the Lord enlightened me to the fact that I truly didn't know the depths of Scripture; but I didn't know that I didn't know. I mean, I lived my whole life and didn't realize there was MORE to God's Word than the Gospel -- that's the main thing, right? But there's so much with doctrine and understanding that will enable us to live our lives worthy of Him that I didn't know existed. And He enlightened me to that at one point in my 20s and have been on a hunger drive ever since to learn and study more and grow more and to be more worthy, like I said. >> Ronnie: What a fantastic blessing that was. >> Barry: Amen. Amen. I wouldn't be sitting here right now if it weren't for my parents having me in the Christchurch church from the beginning. I was a miscove k chief you little rascal. I was on the outskirt of everywhere I could get on the outskirts of, but the church kept me stable. >> Ronnie: Barry, I have a lot of questions for you today and even have a little segment here. We had -- we ask our church to submit some questions and so a lot of our kids did so, you know, we'll revisit some of those questions. >> Barry: Great. >> Ronnie: So you were a naval aviator, still fly yourself back and forth between Florida and Texas. >> Barry: Yes, sir. >> Ronnie: Over 663 carrier landings prior to becoming an astronaut. >> Barry: 226 at night. You don't forget those. (Laughter) >> Ronnie: That leads to this question: What's more challenging, a night landing on a carrier or piloting, maneuvering, and docking the space shuttle? >> Barry: Well, I'll tell you, that's a good question. If you're piloting an aircraft landing on an aircraft carrier at night and you mess something up, there's a handful of people that will know; but if you're piloting the space shuttle and you mess something up, there's a WHOLE lot of people gonna know. (Laughter) That's a global thing, right? That's the thing that makes you stick with your procedures, especially on the sidewalk. You know, if I wasn't afraid of anything -- you're in the vacuum of spare, right? But I wasn't fearful of anything. The thing that feared me the most was I knew it was on CNN -- it could be -- at any moment if I messed something up because you don't want to be famous for the wrong wrong reasons, right? >> Ronnie: Mm-hmm. >> Barry: I didn't want to be famous for the wrong reasons but as far as policies -- you're well-trained in both aspects, aboard an aircraft carrier and space -- very, very well-trained. I would say the hardest if you talked about the most difficult thing is definitely landing on an aircraft carrier at night. It is by far. >> Ronnie: Fascinating. Okay, so you're the commander for this first manned mission for the Boeing Starliner. >> Barry: Right. >> Ronnie: Talk to us a little bit about that mission and, first of all, how long does it take to get to the International Space Station? >> Barry: Depends how you do it. So if you launch from the earth when the space station you're launching in plane -- means the orbit has to be exactly in plane with your launch, right? Because the earth is turning underneath the orbit; an orbit is initially stable and pointing at a star way out there so it's always stable and the earth turns underneath the orbit, right? You have to be in plane, first off. If you do it at the right time and space station at the right place, you can launch and be there in four and a half hours. We to that routinely with the Russian Soyuz -- that's how I got there, on the Soyuz. For this test mission because it's the first flight of the spacecraft, there's several objectives we need to go through and make sure everything is going on okay so we will make it where it's such that where the space station's at a certain place in orbit where we get there about 20 hours after we launch. So we have time to do initial tests; take a nap; get up; do some more tests; anding To gently with the space station and dock gently with the space station. >> Ronnie: So you spent five and a half months on the space station. >> Barry: Yes, sir. >> Ronnie: Did you ever get bored? >> Barry: Oh, no, no. Every morning I would get up and we had our little cubicles -- that was our little space -- and I get up. The first thing I do is I do a flip because I could. (Laughter) I can't do that; I've got a 2-inch vertical jump but here could jump forever, right? I just -- those type of things -- it just never gets old at all. I mean, you're zero gravity -- superman, literally flying inside the space station. It's fascinating. It's -- memories, of course, I have of those opportunities -- no, boring? No. Not a word you ever hear on the space station. >> Ronnie: And you spent major holidays at the space station. You were there over Christmas. >> Barry: Over Christmas, yes, sir. >> Ronnie: What did you do Christmas Day? >> Barry: We stuck the Christmas tree on the ceiling -- because we could. (Laughter) Attach it anywhere you want. But it was festive. We tried to maintain that same semblance, obviously birthdays, special days like that, so it was no different than any time here other than obviously we weren't close with our families. But we exchanged gifts; I took some stuff up special. You know, Mach 25 patches. I gave them to crew mates because we had gone Mach 25 getting to the space station and those types of things. >> Ronnie: You told me something earlier about you looked down and were over Israel? >> Barry: Yes, indeed. So the Lord gives us certain gifts in life. So like I was talking about earlier, I didn't say orbital mechanics but the earth is rotating and the orbit of the space station is in a certain orbit so it's rotating. For the timing to work out to be over a certain area on a certain day on a certain time of day, it's just impossible, right? But I'm a morning guy; I get up early, and so I'm up early. I work out in the morning early and on Christmas morning no different. I got up early and worked out. The orbital mechanics worked out perfectly at 4:30:00 a.m. -- nobody is up but me -- where the space station went right over Israel on the clearest day of any day that I was in space. Clear for -- you know, the entire globe as far as what I could see was clear, not a cloud in the skies over the place where our Lord was born; lived; bled; died; paid the price for our sins; buried; rose again; ascended to heaven; was there and me -- we call it the cupula, the window, seven panes, looking down. The most worshipful moment of my life, one of them, just a gift because there was no chance, none, of our space station going over that area on Christmas morning at the time I was awake. All the orbital mechanics had to work out and the Lord in His Providence allowed it to come together. I know it was -- it was a gift. It was a gift. Allowed me to enjoy. Like I said, if you know anything about orbital mechanics -- our NASA man -- I can't say your last name -- our NASA man over there. (Laughter) It's impossible for something like that to happen unless the Lord orchestrates it and He did. It was a bless. >> Ronnie: Here's another space question: What is it like to do a space walk? >> Barry: Space walk. Okay. Like I said, the main thing going through your mind is "I don't want to be famous. I don't want to do something that makes me famous." You know, you could do that and would happen quickly, right? So space walk. So you're -- I did four, as you mentioned. I was outside the space station for a total of almost 26 hour and there's not one single hour -- I mean, you're busy. You're working. You don't enjoy the scenery; you're going out there to work. Occasionally you have to take it in and every single hour I would pause and just look around and go, "I cannot believe we do this." We send humans out in a one-man space capsule shaped like a person, right? Into the vacuum of space. Now, if you're not familiar with the physiology of the human body, I mean, we're at 14.7-pounds per square inch on the earth -- 14.7 PSI. If you're less than 1 PSI, blood will boil. We go in our space suits to 4.3 PS SIbecause if we make it much measure higher PS SI, we won't be able to move the suit because it gets stiff, right? We take it to 4.3 PSI to maneuver the suit and go out into 0 PS SIin the vacuum of space and make it look easy. It is not easy. It's a LOT of people doing a LOT of work -- a lot of smart people doing a lot of hard work to make sure we can make these things look simple because they are not. So anyway, I'm in the space suit and go out -- like I said, not an hour went by that at some point I didn't think, "I can't believe we do this." Thrilling views -- I'm looking by a couple of times and, you know, I'm working and take a moment and there go Hawaii below me. "I would love to go to Hawaii" because at that point I hadn't been there. Just absolutely thrilling. Let me tell a story. >> Ronnie: Yeah. >> Barry: I will share this -- my first moment in space -- I flew the space shuttle. I was like a little kid. I grew up in the Space Age ands me her rised by what took place. It was not something I plotted a course to get to NASA, but the Lord allowed it to flow that way and eventually selected, got selected, assigned to a mission. So you launch, lay on your back for almost three hours but you know you're going to go and that countdown clock goes -- in the space shuttle if it was below 31 seconds, that went all control was handed to the on-board computers be the only thing that would stop you from going if there was a problem with the main engine. So you get below 31 seconds -- 30. 29. I'm like, "We're going." Sure enough, you're laying on your back and feel one times the gravity because you're laying there. As soon as the solid rocket boosters light up, 1.8 -- just immediately you're pushed back in your seat and it's acceleration all the way up because the fuel is burning down; the thrust is the same, 7.7 million pounds of thrust. It is accelerating and the thrust, what you feel, the pressure you feel, is the spacecraft accelerating faster and faster and faster, trying to get to the orbital speed of 17500 miles per hour. Going up and then the solids, you know, they're going to come off -- and at the same time the solids came off they had these little engines on the nose and tail to push them away from the spacecraft. Y'all seen that when would and you see the blast? Well, also the shuttle had some jets on the nose that would fire to keep that residue from those jets flying the solids from getting on the windows and making the windows smudge-y so the jets would fire and it was BOOM! And this jet fired orange blasts out the front and blasts coming this way and -- wow, what a ride. But it ain't over. (Laughter) So we continue on, solids are gone, and the ride smooths out. We finally get our 8.5 minutes in space. We separate from the external tank, and I didn't know -- nobody ever toll me this -- but when you separate from the the external tank, the tank has cryofenic fuels, super sold temperatures like -290-degree Fahrenheit for oxygen, -420 for oxygen -- so that creates some water residue on the outside condensation of the tank and when that jarring happens -- again, another boom and you're jarring. It separates from the tank and the shuttle. Water droplets would come off that tank and float around the shuttle. Right? So we are orbiting in arrishal speed going around the earth and pitch the nose up because we want to take pictures of the external tanks to see if it had any damage. And the sun is setting behind us. So picture this in your mind, if you can. Look out the window; the sun is behind me. I've got thousands of these diamond out in the space, which is these water droplets that turned to ice crystals that are getting illume mayed by the sun behind me. Pictured this -- thousands of them. I'm going wow. Our reaction control system jets to keep us in the attitude we want, you got them in the back of the tail of the shuttle and in the nose. They're firing 870 pounds of thrust at my feet -- (imitating sound) (Laughter) Eventually you switch to the Vernier jets to maintain attitude but that's about two hours into the flight so we're -- the vernier in comparison 870 -- 24 pounds of thrust. You don't feel them. Initially we're on the main reaction control system jets so I just got into space the first time -- first time I experienced -- my arms are floating. I'm strapped in. I'm looking at the black best black I've ever seen because space, on the orbit side -- I mean, it is the blackest black. I'm looking with thousands of diamonds, (imitating sound) Orange blast, explosions at my feet. And I'm like, "Wow. Why me?" THAT was the most humbling moment of my life. "Lord, why me?" Anybody -- I'm sure many of the folks here would love to be sitting in that seat and experiencing this thing that only a few people have had the opportunity to experience, and it was my heinie sitting in that seat. "Lord --" it was the most humbling, one of the most worshipful moments of my life because I knew it was my Lord that allowed me to be in that position. All things worked together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. He had called me. I loved Him -- according to His purpose, not mine. He allowed me to be in that seat, and it was amazing. It was amazing. Just -- like I said, just my first moment in space; that's what it was. It was worshipful. >> Ronnie: I have two reactions to what you just said. First of all, roller coasters have to be very boring for you. (Laughter) After that. >> Barry: They're not the same; true. >> Ronnie: Secondly, I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed you to serve Him in that way and given you a platform for ministry. I was just just sitting here, thinking about the statement in Scripture that says, "Whatever you do in word or in deed, do it all to the glory --" >> Of God. Amen. Amen. >> Ronnie: And to have that mind set. >> Barry: I can tell you that's one I could tell story after story about space flights flight and could sit here for several hours. We don't do that. I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly and can tell you certain aspects the Lord has allowed me to enjoy -- not just space flight but other things -- are more abundant because I understand Him and His Word, and HE deserves the glory; HE deserves the honor. Let me tell you what a lot of your friends don't have because they don't know Christ -- they don't have eternal hope. They don't. You know, most of this world lives in the moment; they live for the present; but as believers, WE got the story. You know, we look at life through the lenses of this Book right here. We have a Biblical world view, right? I mean, you don't find that phrase in Scripture but said to be Christ-like. When you look at the world through the lens of this Scripture, everything is more abundant, more joyful, because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gave eternal hope. People don't have it. That's why do so many decisions people make is "This is all they have. This life is it." They don't have what WE know is true, right? So I'm grateful for that more than anything. >> Ronnie: Barry, what would you say to someone who says that science is incompatible with Christian faith? >> Barry: I've never had anybody say that to me personally. I've heard that a lot. This isn't a science book; we know that. This is sola scriptura, by Scripture alone. It's by faith and practice, the way to salvation and eternal hope, the way to fulfilling the purpose for which we were created, which is to glorify and honor and worship our Lord for all eternity. That's why we're here. That's what this book tells. There's no true science that differ from this book. Now, people say, "I can tell you about theIng by Bang theory. I can tell you about the theory of evolution." But that's what it is; it is -- you know, it's science that includes theory; hypothesis; assumption of some sort; fizzics is physics. We use physics to get to and from space. Two plus two is always four, no matter what you to. It's always four. >> Ronnie: It's not a theory. >> Barry: It's physics. Physical science and theoretical science may differ. The Bible is not a science book but there's nothing the Bible says that contradicts physical science. Now, there's miracles, right? Miracles contradict physical science because they're miracles. Creation was a miracle. You can't repeat it; you can't go back and fix it; you will never prove creation did or did not happen. I mean you can't because the only story we have of creation is from the One that did it -- He's not a guy -- the one who did it was God Hymn and He gave us the story. He says, "I did this. I made." It repeats in various massages that allowed to the topic that HE is the one who did it and spoke these things into existence. There's no science can ever refute that because it's impossible; you can't repeat a miracle like that. >> Ronnie: How has your work in space -- and you have already touched on this a little bit -- how has your work in space and in science enriched your own faith? >> Barry: Well, I did not have to go to space to learn anything about my Lord. >> Ronnie: Say that again. >> Barry: Okay. I did not have to go to space to learn anything about my Lord. The Word is sufficient. Every single thing I need to know about my Lord and Savior about things eternal, faith and hope, is right here. But certainly the memories I have, the experiences I was able to have because they are unique, right? I mean, the days that I was out doing a spacewalks, there was no nobody else in the universe doing that and you know you and the other guy you're out there with, that's it. There's nobody else doing those things. It is such a rare opportunity. For that reason I think -- it's not the ability to understand or ability to glorify -- no, it's a different perspective. I can have a different perspective, a broadened perspective, of which my Lord receives glory they wouldn't have had otherwise. >> Ronnie: This may be a pretty good time to put a couple of scriptures on the screen. First of all, Psalm 8, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers" -- notice not even heavy lifting, not even arms; just God with His fingers can do it -- "The moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in ALL the earth!" And then from Psalm 19 -- Barry, I will give you a question in advance. The question is, what is the overarching message the heavens are declaring about God. You think about that and let's read this Scripture. "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a word or sound; their voice is never heard. And yet their message has gone throughout the earth and their words to all the world." So the heavens are declaring a message about our Great God and King. What is that message? >> Barry: Wow. what comes to my mind is I see a picture of a single piece of the sky -- not the broad sky but just a picture from one of our telescopes of a little small piece of the sky and in that picture you see what appear to be billions of star. You see a speck we know is a galaxy that looks like a single star; but we know that speck way out there includes billions of stars. Genesis 4 when God attaches light to heavenly bodies, He simply says, "And He created the stars also." And that passage read out of Psalms, His majesty." The Creator of All Things -- I also got to look in the microscope and look at molecules and DNA and what forms life. Oh, my, this God that knows all of this works all of this with His fingers speaks things and created the stars also. Space flight is NOTHING. Those things He's allowed me to experience is NOTHING compared to the fact that He loved me -- that God is all of that -- loves ME and called me to an understanding of His truth about His Son that died for me and paid the price for my sin. And that price could only have been paid by Him because if you study this Word and you understand the character of God -- perfectly; holy; righteous; just -- all those characters of God -- for perfect forgiveness because of His character, what He deems He must punish sin. If you done want God to punish sin, His character determines He has to. He must. Sin will be punished. He will either punish us or Vines or He's already punished Jesus Christ. The reason Jesus is worthy for perfect forgiveness and salvation and redemption required a perfect sacrifice. Jesus lived without sin. He was without blemish and therefore worthy to appease the wrath of a Holy, Righteous, Perfect God, took a Holy, Perfect, Sacrifice. Only He is worthy and enlightened us to hear that message of truth and understand the message of truth to embrace that message of truth to be transformed by it for His glory. THAT is what we think of when you mention and you read those passages is that God died for me. Yeah, this space stuff -- yeah, it's pretty exciting; it is and it's pretty amazing -- nothing compared to knowing Christ, my Lord and Savior. >> Ronnie: You know, earlier you said something that sometimes people ask what you do or ask, you know, the essence of who you are, you will not, "I'm an astronaut." >> Barry: You introduce me as an astronaut -- I say it's an occupation. It's my job, yeah. It's a unique job; I give you that. You know, people -- if I give you the definition of who we am because like I said earlier, we live with a Biblical world view and we see life through the lenses of Scripture. This is very clear who I am, a wretched sinner saved by grace. That's who we are, wretched sinners saved by grace; and it's -- you know, it's an easy phrase to state; but if you think about what that means, that God didn't have to do any of this -- you know, we, as Christians and believers, are part of a love gift from the Father to the Son. And to be a part of that that encompasses ETERNAL significance -- you know, I have not seen nor heard or entered into the heart of man the things the Lord has prepared for those who love Him. And how do you love Him? It starts with loving His Son. That's where it starts. If you don't have that, if you leave that part out, you don't truly love Him because He says, "This is how you love Me; believe in My Son." >> Ronnie: So based on what you just said, I got a Scripture I will go to here in just a moment. I need to ask you some of these questions that some of our church kids ask. >> Barry: Sure. It's not how you go to the potty questions, is it? (Laughter) >> Ronnie: We could go there if you want. >> Barry: That one is easy. >> Ronnie: How do you sleep in space? >> Barry: Very nicely. You don't think about this; you don't have the tug of gravity in space because you're in that zero-gravity environment. Your ligaments, your muscles go to a neutral position -- I mean, I sit here now. My hands fall down and if you -- you know, I was aware of this on my first flight and thought we're all in line having a conference with CNN. I'm aware that I got to hold my hand down. That's why in space people put their hand in their pocket. You'll see them do this (crossing arms) Because if not, they will float like this (imitating) (Laughter) And if you go neutral, that's what will happen. I didn't want to be in front of CNN doing this right here. (imitating) (Laughter) I've got my hand like this (crossing arms) One crew make is just like this. (imitating) So you don't think about that. So when you sleep, everything goes to a neutral position. Your ligaments, your knees, waist -- just like I'm sitting, you're kind of like this because it's neutral. And oh, my, how comfortable it is. You're used to pressure so it takes a little time to get used to but it's amaze. I went to sleep once in Not 1 and woke up in the Lab. (Laughter) It's about 100 feet away. Yeah. You don't have the that often. (Laughter) >> Ronnie: You prefer "Star Wars" or "Star Trek?" >> Barry: Rogue One, best movie made. Rogue One. >> Ronnie: does your spacecraft -- and so -- you will be on the Starlineer and have been on the space shuttle. But also you went to and from the space station -- >> Barry: (speaking Russian) I speak a little Russian. That's what I said. You say it fast because if you say it fast, "Oh, he speaks Russian pretty good." I have a decent technical language but that's about it. You know, you're flying a Russian Soyuz -- you have to a little bit. >> Ronnie: So the Soyuz craft or space shuttle -- was your spacecraft get hot on re-entry? >> Barry: There's a thought. If we have time, I have a quick story. Do we have time? >> Ronnie: We do. >> Barry: Coming back on the Soyuz, wow! I mean, wow. I would train for a year for the 20 minutes on the return just to do that part part of it because you're in a bitty capsule. The Soyuz is small and you're laying in a bucket and your knees are almost up in your chin like this. (imitating) That's just small to get your feet inside the capsule. You have to be like that. So you come back and you do your burn that slows you down enough so you get in the atmosphere and as soon as you re-enter the atmosphere, there's a window right next to my head. It starts -- you can see just a flame by by -- not a flame but part of the plasma that builds up because there's friction as you start to enter the atmosphere. A little goes by and before long it's placing at 17,000 miles per hour. As you start to enter the atmosphere you feel yourself press back in the seat a little bit and the gravity gets more and more and more and hear the -- (Sss sound) And then (Sh sound) You can hear that in. The question is it hot in the spacecraft? I'm getting there. But oh, my, what a ride because you feel like your attitude changing as you go from horizontal relative to the earth to when you're following vertical and vestibular, you feel this happening and eventually come down in the atmosphere. The chutes open up and you're flipping and flopping all over the place; eventually the window had charred over but that goes away when the droves come out. There's a panel that goes away so you can' out the window again. And then it slows you down and stabilize a bit and then you fall and then the drove goes away and feel yourself start to fall again and then the parachute comes out and it opens up and then you're flipping and flopping over the place as it settles out. I tell you one of the best feelings I ever had is the parachute that opens successfully. (Laughter) That is a real good feeling. >> Ronnie: I'm sure. >> Barry: Because if it doesn't, oh, well. (Laughter) So then you're flipping and flopping in and the seats would cock up -- let's say the panel is here -- you know, our control panel is here. When you're close to the ground under the parachute, the seats cock and the pad is here because the seats come up because they're on a shock absorber. The Soyuz comes down 10 feet above the ground these soft landing jets fire -- they're not very soft. They fire to slow your rate of decent down. You're coming down at 27 feet per second and then those soft jet landing jets fire 10 feet above the ground and then slows down your descent for the last little bit to about between 10 and 15 feet per second. Then you hit the ground. All of this is taking place -- the seat cocks up and all of a sudden the screen is here and I know we're getting closer. And then those soft planning jets fire. For Aonian second the thought goes through my mind -- "Wow, that was the hardest thing I ever felt." We hit the ground a nanosecond later, no, that was the hardest thing I ever felt. But you're in a bucket. It's molded to your body. They put you in this mold before they launch you and, you know, it's your seat. It's only you would fit in it so anyway -- when I hit I'm like, I cannot believe I didn't get the breath knocked out of me. That's how hard it was. But it didn't. But oh, my, what a wonderful, wonderful -- I forgot your question; what was your question? (Laughter) >> Ronnie: You're good. >> Barry: Does it get hot? So in the whole process, the Soyuz does not have an air-conditioning; it just has a fan that blows ambient air and it DOES heat up. Yeah. It does a little bit because, you know, you're sweating and starts to sweat a little more and the air gets hotter and hotter so it got fairly toasty but that's normal. >> Ronnie: All righty, one more question for you. Just what encouragement and exhortation would you give to us all but especially to our younger people in the room to live a purposeful life for Jesus Christ? >> Barry: Let me say it again in this way. Obviously I would not be your friend today that you brought to church to talk had it not been for the position the Lord has allowed me to do. I understand that. And it is -- like I said, it does have set amazing options and opportunities, and I'm grateful for those things; but like I said, in NO NE of that happened, I might not have the platform the Lord allowed me to share His Blessed Truth, and that's okay. Paul said when he was dealing with and asked the Lord to take the thorn in his side away three times I asked Lord -- He said what ""My grace is sufficient." When you struggle -- and we all do -- we're either in a trial; we know someone in a trial; or we got a trial that's coming, right? That's part of life. That's part of the fallen world in which we live. Take faith and comfort in the fact that His grace sufficient. If you know Him, you've got eternal hope, regardless of what takes place or COVID or regardless of anything. If you don't know Him, you don't have eternal hope. That's the call: Believe on the Truth of this Word. You know, this is the only place in the universe where absolute truth resides. This is it. In the whole universe, it is here is. If you want to know truth, study this Word. Rightly discerned, this is the answer to our questions and our issues that affect us eternally. That's the thing that -- you know, my mother died in March, not quite a year ago; and when the Lord took her, the thing that was so comforting and obvious to me was her contentment. She knew she was going to die, TOTALLY continent, NOT a concern at all for herself. And that's the way we all should feel because why? His grace is sufficient. And that would be the message: Believe in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If He gives you platform to share His Truth, to not waste that opportunity. Why? Because people need to hear the Truth. People don't hear the Truth today. I praise the Lord you have this church here that teaches you, proclaims the Truth in love because what is -- truth equals love. I can tell you; I can say some things and can say any number of things that make you feel better; but if it's not true or doesn't point you to the Lord, what really have I done? I want you to feel good but I also want you to know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That's a hard sell. It's not up to you or me to save someone. That's the work of the Holy Spirit; but He did call us to share it, and that's what we need to do. >> Ronnie: Amen and amen. So I want to close with reading a Scripture here. 1 Peter 3:18, a fantastic summary of the Gospel. "Christ suffered for our sins, once for all time. Christ never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you and me safely home to God." Isn't it good to come home? >> Barry: Amen. Amen. >> Ronnie: Christ suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit. That's the message of the Gospel; do you know the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you run to Him and allowed Him to take you home to God? Are you walking faithfully with the Lord? The Lord stucking at your heart and mine today. Everybody takes first step. Everybody takes a good first step in a good direction. We run to the Lord; sometimes we need to run home to the Lord; sometimes a little distance has been created. My prayer is today that as you listened and been inspired by Parry and what he's had to say, sharing his heart and sharing the truth that the Holy Spirit has worked in your heart and in your spirit. We want to, as a church family here, want to do whatever we can do to help you and Shane will tell you a little more about that here in just a moment. Barry, I tell you what; we will cheer you on on this Starliner mission. >> Barry: Thank you. >> Ronnie: We'll follow that and pray for you and so grateful that you and Deanna chose to come over and spend Sunday morning with us. Let's thank Barry Wilmore. >> Barry: Thank you. Appreciate to be your friend today. (Applause) all righty. Thank you. >> Shane: Amen. You guys have a seat. I will pray for us for a second here. God, we are so grateful. What a joy it's been to gather together this morning, to sing Your praises; for worship together in fellowship. God, we have been so encouraged by Barry's testimony today. We ask that You bless him and every single endeavor You put his feet together and use him as a witness to Your Truth and Grace. Help us to love people extravagantly like You do, God. Help us to lift more people to Jesus so more people are lifted to him and help empower us to the mission wherever Jesus leads like he has led Barry in so many places. God, we believe this because Jesus reigns and because Your love wins every time and because the mission matters, God. We pray this in the Powerful Name of Jesus. Amen. Well, we're blessed today because we have a baptism, Landry Braswell, daughter of John, will be baptized. >> Good morning, church. Landry's mother Amy and I are just proud she has made this decision to come forward and follow Christ. I've asked family, you know, some words to help describe Landry and the words include things like competitive; confidence; creative; artistic; lovable; kind; sweet. As her parents, we affirm all of those words. We love this girl; we're so proud of her. She's been asking for years when she could get baptized and so it's not a newness. It's something that she's given a great deal of thought and we are just extremely proud of her. Landry, we all understand as you become a young woman there will be challenges and obstacles you face. This next step of obedience towards Christ is what you can lean on at all times to help you get through any and all situations. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. We are so proud to be your parents. I will ask you a couple of questions, and then we'll baptize you. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? >> Yes, I do. >> John: Do you believe that He die and rose again three days later for forgiveness of your sins? >> Yes. >> John: Because of the profession of faith, I now baptize you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Applause) that you may be raised in the newness of life. >> Shane: Amen! What a great way to wrap up a great morning. Just for y'all to know, Barry has been so gracious; he will be out in the lobby just out there to do a little meet-and-greet. We do ask that you, if you get and line up, make it really brief, okay? We have a lot more of you guys than Barry. Just quick meet-and-greet. He would love to say hi and shake your hand. Go ahead and do that. For those of you watching online, our online Bible class will meet at 12:30 so stay tuned. That will start shortly, okay? I want to tell you about this First Conversations Bible study booklet we have. If you're new to the faith or want to learn more about Jesus and what this following Jesus is all about, this is a great place to start. Copies are in our "New Here? Start Here" room and Info Desk in the lobby if you want to begin learning about a journey with Jesus. Next sun at 9:a a.m., the hour before this worship hour, we have a new member info session for anyone interested in learning more about our church. It's not that you have to be new members; maybe you have questions or want to learn more. That's in the "New Here? Start Here" room. We have some people that want to introduce you to our church. Ronnie and I will be there next Sunday at 9:45 and would love to have you. Register online or show up, too. We'd be glad to have you there. All right. As we go on our way, let's live the mission, okay? Let's live the mission this week as we go; but before we go out, let's stand and sting one more song together. ("Good God Almighty" playing) >> Richard: Thank you, church, for worshiping with us today! You are dismissed!