Reflections on Sunday 1/31/2010

Reflections on Sunday:

• Thankful for those who took care of the snow and ice so that we were able to have the Second Service (10:40 am)
• Praise team did a great job -- especially song "Glorious One" pointing to our Glorious Savior!
• Drama Team did a very nice thoughtful presentation on the cross and how "intrusive" is it in our lives.
• Opportunity to have folks from both services together in one service -- though we did miss those who were not able to make it in due to weather. The cross mix is a nice opportunity from time to time.
• We reflected on the importance of the Communion Service and how we remember the work of Christ for us; past, present and future. If you are wondering how Communion is to be practiced, please listen to the audio of the sermon. It will be posted on Sermon Audio which can be downloaded, or you can request a copy from the church office - either tape or CD.
  

"Don't Get Married Until ..." (February Sermon Series)

Marriage is designed by God to be a blessing for both husband and wife. Since God instituted marriage, He has given to us the basis for making it work effectively. The purpose of this series is to look at God's instructions for those considering this most important step in their lives, for parents (and grandparents) to help their children prepare for this event, and for those who are married.

Note: This is adapted from a series that P. Noble preached at his church (permission has been granted to adapt)

Joe & Sharon Strite - New Members

We welcomed Joe and Sharon Strite into the official membership of Valley Grace this past Sunday. Joe & Sharon have been involved in different areas of ministry already, and we look forward to continuing to serve the Lord together. (Note: yes that picture was taken in Myrtle Beach, SC - perhaps to remind us that warm weather will return. )

Haiti - Churches Helping Churches

Please continue to pray for the church of Jesus Christ, our brothers and sisters, in Haiti who are making a difference in the middle of this crisis. You can go HERE to read an account in USA Today by Pastor Mark Driscoll who is on site to record and survey the need. He reports on what he has seen. If you want to see video of some of the need, you can go HERE. If you would like to contribute directly to churches in Haiti who are making a difference in their communities right now, you can go to Churches Helping Churches and contribute online.

I Am A Chair

I am a chair from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.

Don't look at an empty chair in church the same way again.

Help for Haiti - Some Suggestions...

Probably most of us have seen pictures of the devastation in Haiti. Many of these precious people have suffered extreme poverty and now severe loss. If you desire to be able to provide some financial help for these dear people, below are some links to organizations that are legitimate. There will of course be many, who tragically, attempt to take advantage of this disaster for their own financial benefit. The ones listed below are organizations that can be trusted.

Compassion International
Colorado Springs, CO 80997
1-800-336-7676
www.compassion.com

Mercy Ships
P.O. Box 2020
Garden Valley, TX 75771-2020
1-903-939-7000
www.mercyships.org

Samaritan's Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
1-800-567-8121
www.samaritanspurse.org

World Vision
P.O. Box 9716, Dept. W
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
1-888-562-4453
www.worldvision.org

Let's pray that God might use this tragic situation to bring people to himself, pray for the believers working among these devastated people.

Where are YOU Headed?

In order to arrive at one's destination, there are two critical factors. First, an individual needs to decide where they want to go. But that is not enough. There is a second critical factor, and that is direction. Just knowing where you want to go is not enough to get you there. You must choose to follow the proper directions to get there. I would encourage each of us to decide where it is we want to go. Do we have a Life Plan that covers our spiritual journey, family, health, finances, education, profession -- in fact, every dimension of life. This is important for every single person, regardless of age. If you have never thought through a Life Plan, HERE is a good post to help you with that process. Everyone of us needs to work this through, and if we are married, we need to work through some of these areas with our spouse.

But a Life Plan is not enough. We also need to ask the question, when faced with decisions, "where is this decision going to lead?" "Where will this decision take me?" Every decision we make in life moves us in one direction or another.

We see this truth played out around us on a regular basis. People have arrived at places they did not want to be because of decisions (choices) which they have made. We have arrived at places we did not want to be because of choices which we have made. May God grant us His grace to understand that every decision we make is taking us someplace.

Christmas Thoughts Wrap-up

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you who were involved in the Christmas events here at Valley Grace. There was a great deal of time and effort put into the events and outreach. Please continue to pray for God to use these events in the lives of those who attended.

• The Christmas program was well done and good responses to it on December 13.
• Christmas Eve service
  
• Thanks to the choir for their music on December 27 & also for the testimonies for baptism.
  
• Thank you for your involvement in the Christmas project with helping to provide Christmas gifts for some families outside of our church. The tags went very quickly.
• Others of you were involved in some very creative ways of sharing Christ through Christmas with school students, and other families who had needs.
• The shoeboxes were sent earlier, and there was very good participation.
• The special Christmas offering is going to be sent to the Happy Church in Jackson, KY and will be approximately $1,500 -- shhhh, don't tell them, it is on the way.
• Thanks to those who helped with clean up of snow and ice to make it possible to hold the services.
• Thanks to those of you whom I missed! I'm sure there are some.
  

Well done, church!

I read of a creative outreach that a church in Seattle had done which might be food for thought. The ladies of the church selected Christmas gifts and wrapped them, and took them down the prostitutes in a section of their city.