Sunday Highlights (2013.08.18)

Our youth did a great job in leading us in praise and sharing the impact that Momentum 2013 (Youth Conference) made on each of them. The reports from Guatemala missions trip was insightful. Patrick gave us a good challenge and reminder of the importance of unity in the body of Christ from 1 Corinthians. This applies not only to relationships within a body of believers, but should be a characteristic of all of our lives as much as we are able (Romans 12:18).

It was great to see five babies present  in the lounge area for second service (pictured above - though not all 5 in the picture). Neat to see the baby carriers in both services as we celebrate God's special blessings to families of Valley Grace!

Sunday Reflection ~ 2013.08.11

It was good to participate in  the church "gathered" again and serving one another. Thanks to all who served - teaching, leading in praise through music, hands-on-ministry, greeting people, and meeting people - and the list goes on.

Passage of study together was Luke 9:37-45 and seeing that even the disciples of Jesus experienced a "Spiritual Power Failure" in their lives. We looked together at the signs, the causes and the means of staying connected to the spiritual power source who is Jesus. One of the things that really struck me in thinking through this passage was that the spiritual power failure in the lives of at least the nine disciples, affected other people around them. They were unable to help a father whose son had a spiritual need. It was a reminder that if we don't stay daily connected to Jesus, others will be impacted - our spouse, our children, our relationship with other people at work. It could prevent an effective witness for Jesus in a world needy for Jesus. (Message link HERE). If you have other take aways or comments, please leave them in the comment section below.

The Second Service was capped off in baptism with a testimony of God's continued pursuit of people to follow Him. It was a great story and emphasized also how other people play a part in the ongoing story of God's grace. As individuals are obedient to Jesus, others are prompted to be obedient as well. If you missed the testimony or want to listen to it again, the link is HERE.

What's In YOUR Hand?

Sunday's message was from Luke 9:10-17 and the question was asked, "What's in your hand that God wants to use to build His kingdom?" (Link to audio message: here) The point being that God can use ordinary, every day things that we find in our hands to help build His kingdom. He used the five loaves and two fish of a boy in the audience. It is also interesting to consider that God had prepared this before hand to be used by Jesus. When the boy left home that morning with his lunch, he had no idea that it was going to be used for God's kingdom. God often prepares us, even when we don't know it, to be part of something that he wants to do using ordinary gifts, abilities, "random events" for His kingdom. This miracle of Jesus pointed people to the fact that Jesus was truly the Bread of Life.

I was really impressed to hear that a family took the challenge literally, and decided to hand out "muffins" to people in the Williamsport area with the words of Jesus being the Bread of Life.

What have you seen or been a part of, that God has used -- common, ordinary events, for His kingdom? Leave a comment below if you wish:

Youth Spaghetti Dinner ~ Well Done!

I wanted to thank all of those who were involved in the Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday evening. It was a great event. Thanks to Chuck & Erika Osborne for working with the youth on the different activities. Thanks to Wendy and company on the excellent meal. The youth did an excellent job on the drama, music and serving. Thanks also to those of you who came and supported the event. There were certainly many more individuals involved in supporting roles to make it happen all happen. Well done and thank you! (Here is a link to a couple more pictures: LINK)

Easter Sunday Reflections

Thanks to all of you who had a part in making our Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday) a great event of celebration for a risen Savior! Thanks to the choir, the Praise Team, the ushers, greeters, refreshment folks, parking lot people, nursery, Children's Church, and many others.

It was really nice to have a good number of local folks be our guests for this Sunday. Some of our guests were family members to individuals who have recently begun attending.

Thanks also to those who worked hard on the Palm Sunday events. The children did an excellent job in their readings and presentation of the Great Story!

Please be in prayer for those who do not yet have a church home, and some who are still in need of understanding the work of Jesus for us. Thank you so much to all of you faithful people who pray, love, give and serve!

Moving into the Deep

Luke 5:1-11 we see Jesus giving professional fishermen instruction about fishing. They were instructed to go out during the day into the deep and Jesus said "catch fish." There were two problems with that instruction in that it involved the wrong time (day) and the wrong place (deep). The professionals had fished all night and not caught anything. Yet, Peter was willing to be obedient and as a result of his obedience, he received a record catch. Jesus did not say "and try to catch fish," He said you will catch fish.

That is really the way that God works - He moves us from the safety of the shallows and routines and moves us out into the deep so that we can experience His greater work in our lives. That is true for us individually and as a church.

Individually, that can mean God stretching us through job challenges, family challenges, business challenges. We like the safety of familiarity and the shallows. Yet God desires to see us respond with greater spiritual growth as we are also called to be fishers of men and women. But it is also possible that we might not respond in obedience and miss out on seeing God at work through us. Where in your life have you moved into deeper water this week?

As a church, I think we have moved deeper ministry than we have ever been before. Thank you to those who have helped to pull us out deeper. It is out of the comfort zone, but it is exciting to see God doing a greater work in our church body because of this for His glory and His kingdom. Thanks also to many of you who are responding to these greater opportunities but there are greater needs!

Reflections on Elections

We enjoy a great privilege where we live in a country and under a political system that allows us to be engaged in the peaceful selection of our leaders. America went to vote on Tuesday, and the people have spoken. Your selection of leaders may have been elected or perhaps they were defeated. Your referendum issues may have passed, or they may not have passed. So how should we respond? 

Some very straightforward reminders from Scripture:

"Remind them to be submissive to rulers & authorities, to be obedient...to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling... "Titus 3:1-2

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:1-4

Notice in the 1 Timothy passage that the reason for praying for our leaders (kings in that setting) is so that we can live a "tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" so that we may be able to introduce people to our God and Savior. It is not so that we have it easy. (Have you prayed for our President today? How about our other leaders?)

Isn't it good to know, that regardless of one's political affiliation, there is coming a day when the King of kings will rule  His kingdom with justice and righteousness. He will not "run for office" or get in through popular vote. It will be the radical overthrow of all human nations. He will be a "benevolent dictator." His kingdom will have no end.

I read a great quote, which was rather convicting which said, "if you spent more time telling people who to vote for, instead of telling them about Jesus, you have your trust in the wrong person."

Let's look for Divine Appointments today to tell people about a Savior and King who died for us, so that we might be part of His kingdom, which will never end. For those of us who believe this, nothing has changed (though some interesting dynamics culturally that we must consider). Our mission remains the same.

Have a Blessed Day!