Valley News - March 22, 2019

~ The Third Sunday of Lent ~

"I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
~ Luke 13.5

The season of Lent is a season of repentance. This Sunday's lessons are centered on that theme. The gospel lesson is one of Jesus' teachings that causes us to check ourselves if we've got Jesus pegged as the Great Teacher who walks about always meek and mild. We are reminded again that the first word out of his mouth as he announces the arrival of the kingdom of God in him is "repent," and that we fail to heed that one word to our own destruction. I encourage you to read and reflect on this Sunday's lessons prior to our time together:

Isaiah 55.1-9
Psalm 63
1 Corinthians 10.1-13
Luke 13.1-9

Pastor Kurt's Reflections on Call:

If you were not present at the worship service this past Sunday, you can listen to the reflections about his discernment of the call to First CRC, Sioux Center (and the call process in the CRC) that Pastor Kurt shared with the congregation here.

You will find Jennifer's reflections on the Third Sunday of Lent and the week to follow below.

The Third Sunday of Lent
~ March 24, 2019

One of the benefits of observing Lent is the reminder that it is in the ordinary, everyday movements of our lives that we will come to know Christ, if we are to know him at all. One of the most ordinary experiences of the human condition, being hungry and thirsty, is woven through three of our readings this week. If you've chosen a Lenten practice that includes fasting from some kind of food or drink, then you may be beginning to understand the poignancy of the question and the beauty of the answer repeated in Isaiah: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food” (Isaiah 55:2). How often do we find ourselves spending our money on junk food, or our time in junk entertainment, or our emotional energy on cheap, trivial, junk worries and conflicts, rather than on real, satisfying, nourishing bread? If we can say with the Psalmist that our soul really does long for God and that we have drunk from the rock that is Christ, we can be sure that we really will be satisfied, as with the richest of feasts.

This Week: In some traditions, March 25th (nine months before December 25th) is celebrated as the Feast of the Annunciation -- the day on which the Angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she would become the mother of the Christ child. It might seem strange to have this hint of Christmas in the midst of Lent, but it’s always good to be reminded that without the glorious mystery of the incarnation, (God embracing our human form, getting hungry and thirsty, being tempted and tried in every way) there would be no triumph of resurrection. It was Christ’s real, flesh and blood body, after all, that walked out of the tomb on Easter morning. Also, Mary’s simple, obedient and faithful response to the angel’s news, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” is the perfect theme for our own Lenten practices. Indeed Lord, we are all your servants. May it be to us according to your word and will.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities:

Change for Life - Life Choices Center Bottles:

Bottles that you can fill with change, bills, or a check to support the work of Life Choices center are available in the foyer. When you take a bottle, please sign the sheet. We will collect the bottles on April 28. For more information please see here.

Council Meeting:

The council will meet on Wednesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Faith Formation:

This Sunday, March 24, we will explore the second Lord's Day of the Heidelberg Catechism at 6:00 p.m.

Care Boxes for College and Military Young Adults:

We will be sending care boxes to college and military young adults in April. Boxes will be displayed April 7 through April 21. A list of the young adults’ favorite things is available in the foyer.

Green High School Production of Bye Bye Birdie:

You are invited and encouraged to support Daniella Doller in her performance in Green High School's production of Bye Bye Birdie. The production runs from March 29 through 31. For more information please talk to one of the Dollers.

Special Coffee Hour Celebrating the Nicolas' United States Citizenship:

Please join us after the service of worship on March 31 for a special coffee hour to celebrate the completion of the Nicolas family's journey to United State citizenship!

Bronzissimo Community Bell Choir Concert:

Mark your calendars: you are invited to attend a concert by the Bronzissimo Community Bell Choir at Valley Church on Saturday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Resources and Opportunities from the CRC:

Faith Formation Ministries Tip of the Week:

Tip: As another exercise in self-examination, read Galatians 5:22-23 as a family this week. Talk about which fruits of the Spirit are easier for each of you to practice, and which are harder. Then pray for each other, asking the Spirit to grow those fruits in your family. (crcna.org/FaithFormation)

This Sunday ~ the Third Sunday of Lent:

Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.

Pre-K children will go to Sunday School following confession and assurance of pardon. Kindergarten through 5th grade Sunday School is finished for the year.

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 2 at 6:00 p.m.

That we might better pray for one another and God's world:

We celebrate and give thanks with Charlie Huizinga and his family for 80 wonderful years of life for Charlie and for the recent time of joyful celebration of his birthday.
We pray for Lor Recker-Woodnorth and her extended family as they mourn the passing of Lor's mother.
We pray for healing, recovery, and strength for Jerry Krempel (still recovering at Wilson Hospital), Jim Comfort, Jan Vermaat, Luci Huizinga, Ann de Jager, Doris Pitcher, Jerry Krempel, Daryl Whitacre, Frank Lockwood, Peter DeYoung, Beth Blake, Amy Beardsley, Lily Beardsley, and Sarah Peterson.
We celebrate with the Nicolas family as the prepare for Wilner's citizenship ceremony next week.
We pray for wisdom and guidance for Annette Vernon as she discerns Ph.D. programs.
We pray for safety for our teens who are traveling for spring break, and especially for God's presence and guidance for Natalie Doller as she does relief and witnessing work with Cru.

We continue to ask for God's blessing on this season of transition for Valley Church, the Monroes, and First CRC, Sioux Center, that God might bless this time to be a season of growth into loving unity in Christ.

and family of Valley members:

we give thanks for the healing that Hunter Vernon's girlfriend, Dee, has experienced and pray for complete recovery for her; we pray for healing for Mike Corgan's mother; for healing for Leslie Vermaat's father and patience as he awaits surgery; for healing for Mike Flynn's mother and for peace as she awaits her liver transplant; for healing for the Monroes' nephew Joshua; for healing for the de Jager's grand-nephew Cole as he continues his treatments for cancer; for Martheen Griffioen as she battles cancer; for healing for Jim and Becky Stocum's friend Eric who is battling brain cancer; for strength and healing for Alistair Krempel.

Sunday Morning Ministries
for March 24, 2019:

Greeter: Barb Lockwood

Ushers: David Derzanovich and George de Jager

Congregational Prayer: Ron Crawford

Scripture Readers:
1st Lesson (Isaiah 55.1-9): Paul Peterson
2nd Lesson (1 Corinthians 10.1-13): Leslie Vermaat
3rd Lesson (Luke 13.1-9): Luci Huizinga

Nursery: Jim & Sue Comfort

Church Telephone: 607.648.8224

Church email: valleychurchny@gmail.com

Church website: valleychurchny.org