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Valley News
September 22, 2018
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
~ 1 Peter 1.1-2
     Sentences are a bit like boats. They can only carry so much weight before they begin to take on water. I was planning to preach on 1 Peter 1.1-12 this Sunday, but as I read and studied the passage, I became keenly aware of how overloaded these sentences are (and verses 3 through 12 are actually one sentence in the Greek!). Peter has packed a lot of theological weight (election, exile, dispersion, God's foreknowledge, sanctification, obedience and sacrifice, along with the three persons of the Trinity) into a very small space in just the first two verses. (Actually, what Peter has done reminds me of my task of packing the minivan before our family's vacations, always needing to pack the proverbial two pounds of stuff into the one pound space.) But all of this means that we need to paddle slowly and carefully here. If we don't, we'll begin to take on water and go down! So, we will slow down and hear only the first two verses of 1 Peter tomorrow morning. I encourage you to read, slowly re-read, and reflect on those verses (printed in their entirety above) prior to out time together tomorrow morning.
     We will also be commissioning our teachers and students and welcoming new members (Michael and Charlyn Corgan) tomorrow morning.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities:
Sunday School Kick-Off:
     We will have our first Sunday School classes tomorrow (September 23) for children ages pre-K through 5th grade. They will go upstairs for Sunday School directly following the time of confession and assurance of pardon. Tomorrow morning we will also commission all teachers and students (including the K-12 and college teachers in the congregation) for their work of ministry in their places of study and teaching prior to sending the young ones to Sunday School.
 
Congregational Meeting
and Potluck Lunch:
     We will have our congregational meeting to elect new elders and deacons on September 30 following the service of worship. Following the meeting we will gather upstairs for a potluck lunch.
     As communicated last Sunday, the elder nominations are: Tim Brown for a three year term (if the slate is accepted he will be automatically accepted to his term); Leslie Vermaat and Charlie Huizinga for one year terms (if the slate is accepted we will draw out of a hat for the one year term elder). The deacon nominations are: Beth Blake and Michael Corgan (if the slate is accepted, both Beth and Mike will be accepted as deacons).
 
Faith Formation Opportunities:
     Beginning in October we will have regular faith formation opportunities on Sunday evenings.
  • On the evening of the first and third Sundays of the month during the school year the high school youth will meet. On October 7 teens and their parents are encouraged to meet to discuss plans for the year at 6:00 at the church building. Everyone is invited to bring ideas for curriculum and study.
  • On the evening of the second and fourth Sunday of the month during the school year we will gather for an inter-generational faith formation opportunity. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

National Good Neighbor Day:
     We shouldn't need a special day for it, but we do; this coming Friday, September 28 is "National Good Neighbor Day." For those of us who are in Christ Jesus (the Savior and King who told the parable of the good Samaritan when asked "who is my neighbor?"), every day should be good neighbor day. But let's be honest, most of us can always do with a bit of encouragement, can't we?
     For more reflection on this national holiday that no one seems to know about, I encourage you to read Brian Keepers' blog here (Brian is pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa). You can also find more encouragement and inspiration to think about the (lost) art of neighboring as Christian witness by watching this video, poking around this website, and thinking about borrowing the book mentioned therein from Pastor Kurt next week. (If you like reading on an electronic device, the kindle version is very inexpensive). As witnesses to God's love and faithfulness to us through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit let's turn every day into "Good Neighbor Day"!
     And don't forget, if you're inspired to throw a block party for your neighbors, Valley has a bounce house you can borrow!
World Renew Preparing for
Hurricane Florence
and Typhoon Mangkhut Aid:
     In addition to praying for the victims of hurricane Florence and typhoon Mangkhut, we can also give aid. You can read about World Renew's work in the aftermath of Florence here and Mangkhut here. (Those links have links to give to World Renew online.)

Valley Church

Gathered as God's family, we are sent into the world as agents of God's mission of renewal.
 
This Sunday:
  • Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
  • Children pre-K through 5th grade will go to Sunday School following the time of confession and assurance of pardon
That we might better pray for one another and God's world:
 
     We give thanks for a beautiful day and wonderful Fall Festival this past Sunday, and for the leadership of Ron Crawford and the joyful work of all those who contributed to the festivities for our neighbors and friends. We pray that the hospitality and joy offered to our neighbors would be a witness to the love and faithfulness of God.

     We continue to pray for healing and health for: Peter DeYoung, Beth Blake, Amy Beardsley, and Frank Lockwood.

     We pray for those who have lost loved ones and property in hurricane Florence in the American south and in typhoon Mangkhut in Asia.

     During this National Suicide Prevention Month we pray for those who suffer the darkness of depression and mental illness and are at greater suicide risk, along with their family and friends. We also pray for continued healing for the family and friends of those who have taken their own lives.
We pray for the ongoing needs of friends and family of Valley members:
     we pray for healing for Daryl Whitacre and for wisdom and guidance for her doctors as she prepares for treatment for breast cancer; for healing for the Huizingas' cousin's infant twins in NICU; for healing for the de Jagers’ grand-nephew, Cole, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia; for Martheen Griffioen as she continues to recover from her surgery and prepares for chemo and radiation; for healing for Jim and Becky Stocum's friend Eric who is battling brain cancer; for continued healing for the Monroes’ nephew, Joshua, and for peace for their extended family in Colorado; for Adam Derzanovich; for Alistair Krempel.
Sunday Morning Ministries
for September 23, 2018:

Greeter: Terry Woodnorth

Ushers: Charlie Huizinga and George de Jager

Intercessory Prayer: Doug Aukema

Scripture Reader (1 Peter 1.1-2): Luci Huizinga

Nursery: Jim & Sue Comfort
Church Telephone: 607.648.8224

Church email: valleychurchny@gmail.com

Church website: valleychurchny.org