Revealing the Artificial Standard

Our culture puts a great deal pressure on the external appearance as revealed through the media (magazines, websites, etc.). As a result there is a great deal of comparison taking place by young ladies as to what they ought to look like, and young men who often get caught up in comparisons. We need to understand that there is a tremendous amount of image "enhancement" which is being done. An artificial standard has been created which is impossible to achieve.

It is for us to be reminded that what we see is most often not the real thing. We used to hear that "pictures don't lie." Now they can. This is also a good opportunity to have a discussion with your daughter or son about artificial standards. The Scripture is right when it says that "charm is deceitful and beauty is vain" (Proverbs 31:30) but the quality of character which comes from a growing walk with Christ, is something that doesn't fade, but in fact, can become even more attractive as we mature in years.

HERE is a link to be able to click on "Before" and "After" to see the immediate affects of photo retouching.

HERE is a link to a youtube video which includes a professional photographer revealing that it is almost unheard of to release a photo that has not been retouched.

Urban Hope Work Weekend - Thanks for your prayers and support to make this possible. Great to hear again what God is doing in downtown Philadelphia. We are planning to return for the Street Carnival April 20-22 which is an opportunity to make connections for Christ. This is open for youth through adults. More information to come. A link to additional pictures from the Urban Hope Work Weekend is HERE.

The team repaired the ceiling and lighting in the youth center, worked on repairing leaks in the youth center basement, painting, patching walls and  electrical and plumbing repairs throughout the church, youth center, and housing facilities.

4 Message Sermon Series

We will take four weeks beginning on January 29, 2012 to study together "Marriage Matters." This will be a reminder of God's design for marriage. The topics and dates are listed in the above slide. We plan to return to our Galatians study "Grace-Filled Living" on March 4th.

Thanks to all for a Great Christmas Season @ Valley Grace!

The Christmas Eve service was a special time for pausing and reflecting on Jesus' birth. Thank you to all who participated to in the service as well as the planning and preparation including decorating for the event.

So grateful also for those who came to share in the Christmas Sunday service. The choir, and all the special music was truly appreciated. The Praise Team did a great job in leading us in music. Thank you for taking the extra time to rehearse to make it a great day. Well done, Valley Grace!

Christmas Letter to Valley Grace Church Family

Pam and I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you our Christmas letter to the Valley Grace Church family. In order to read a full PDF please click HERE. (Note: we wish we could continue the tradition of the past in sending a personal card to each family who has made Valley Grace their home church. But it has just become impossible and so following the suggestion of some individuals, we have made available a letter which was inserted in the bulletin this past week.)

Reflection and Celebration of a Job Well Done!

Just wanted to celebrate a job well done, Valley Grace! Thanks to all who made Sunday's Services so special. The extra space for the Second Service was truly a blessing, both for seating and also for being able to spend some time in talking with folks and people movement. (photo: Elizabeth Draper)

Behind the scenes, special gift baskets were prepared for some individuals whom Valley Grace has been impacting. Included were homemade selections.

Thanks also for your generosity in providing Christmas gifts to two families at Hickory Elementary School and also Lincolnshire. The contacts from those schools who picked up the items were impressed by what you have done.

Thank you for your investment in the lives of people to introduce them to the Jesus who gave everything that we might experience His life in us!

Construction Celebration & Dedication Phase 1A

On Sunday evening, November 20, during our All Church Prayer & Praise Event, we had the opportunity to thank God for His provision through you, His people, for our additional facilities. Thank you to the Expansion Committee, the Decorating Committee (who found unbelievable bargains through their meticulous research), our sub-contractors, and many who worked so hard to make it possible. Thank you for your faithful giving to make this added space available for continued ministry opportunities. Willie Marker offered a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication on behalf of the Valley Grace family to the Lord. 


The purpose of this expansion was to provide: additional nursery space, additional meeting space, better people flow in and out of the building, handicapped/family bathroom, a place to gather, and to upgrade our electrical capacity which we had maxed out. 


Local contractors were: Larry & Sons Plumbing & Heating, Ellsworth Electric, Jeter Paving, Crown Painting, Dorsey Brothers. 


Thank you for your faithful support which allows us to serve and minister more effectively!