ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS
PARTY

West Valley Community Church receives numerous requests for financial assistance - on average two or three each week. Even if it were possible, it simply isn't wise for any church to give money to everyone that requests it. However, there are times when members of our own congregation face hardship and we need to respond. The Jubilee Fund was established so that when a church family is hit by financial crisis, we can help. Typically, a member of the Jubilee Fund committee becomes aware of the need and discusses it with the other two members. The members then determine how to respond.

 

This committee tries to reflect the concern and compassion of the entire congregation. However, out of respect for each other's privacy, none of the details regarding the individual needs are shared with the church body. Only the three committee members and the treasurer know who has received funds and the amounts.  This fund, as part of all WVCC finances, is subject to an annual independent audit. Currently the Jubilee Committee consists of Board Chairman Sandy Tonseth, Pastor Keith Wheaton and Pastor Brandon Tonseth. Support for the Jubilee Fund comes from designated gifts and occasional special collections. As we approach year's end, these resources are almost depleted. If you would like to give to this fund, please designate your gift "Jubilee Fund" as you give your check to the treasurer.

What a wonderful weekend we had here in Sedro Woolley!  I want to thank all of you that helped out with the Christmas Parade. The crew that was here managed to give out 300 cupcakes, cocoa, hot cider and of course coffee!!! I sure hope they were able to watch some of the parade. Pastor Rick and I did indeed have the best seats in the house as we directed the parade traffic on one corner. The big surprise for me came when our two elves (Taylor and Cheyenne) were leading the parade and I saw Elizabeth walking with them (my shy quiet wife?)!!

A great big thank you goes out to those of you that made and frosted all of those cupcakes they looked delicious!!!!!

I want to thank Brian Collins as well for getting our website up and running. It is not quite finished yet, we will get it done soon!  Check it out......   www.swcfwa.org.

For those of you that have not heard, we have started a Bible study on Tuesday night in our home and are really enjoying it. We start at 7pm and there is always coffee!  Everyone is welcome!!!

Please continue to pray for.......

Our parking situation and a quick answer to that so that we can get back to building!!!

Jim and Terri Cannon and the rest of the family as they prepare to depart to Africa on the 27 of this month.
 
Thank you so much for all you do for SWCF and the Kingdom!!!

Ryan Riley

Last month Becca and I were able to attend the National Youth Workers Convention in Nashville, TN.  We had a great time and were able to bring back valuable ideas and tools for youth ministry. The atmosphere of the convention allows for youth workers to be encouraged and equipped. I know we both came home excited and ready to implement what we learned.

Thank you!
Becca and I would like the church for making it possible for us to attend the convention.  The church as well as individual donations combined with WWBC to make our trip possible. Thank you to all you donated and made it possible for us to attend.

Brandon and Becca Tonseth

Downtown Nashville

Brandon & Dan

Our High School and Middle School youth enjoyed a great retreat to the Oregon Coast in November.  There was a great group of students and leaders from 4 AC churches.  The teaching was on how God can speak through us using the elements and ultimately through Jesus.  We had a great weekend and enjoyed a quick afternoon at Cannon Beach.

 

 

Clio and Kathleen would like to thank our church family for their prayers and concern during Clio's hospitalization and recovery. Clio told the infectious disease doctor that people all over the world were praying for him. He responded, "Well, there is plenty of clinical evidence for the power of prayer in healing." Again, thank you!

Clio and Kathleen Thomas

January 15th "Women Together" Kick off
We are going to have once a month "Women Together" group starting in January: a women's breakfast prayer group every 3rd Saturday from January through May. We will meet at the church fellowship hall for a light breakfast, devotions, words of testimonies and prayer with the focus being on our Missionaries around the world. Mark your calendars and come join us January 15 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

May 2011
Planning has begun for the Spring Retreat. It will be the weekend after Mother's Day this year. We will not be going to Oak Harbor as in the past and the cost will be a little more this year. I am trying to get the word out so we can save our money and find ways to get the ladies to this retreat. It has been a real blessing in my life and would encourage you to consider this retreat. The cost this year will be approximately $90.00. If you have questions come see me.

-- Pami Hanson

Christmas books for children and adults are out.  Let the many stories related to Christmas inspire and fill your hearts with comfort and peace. There are a number of children's books that are appropriate for family reading together. Enjoy!

Pastor Clio Thomas serves as "Area Director" for the Asia/Pacific mission field of the Advent Christian Denomination. One of his duties is to encourage mission workers in a variety of settings throughout Asia. The following is a weekly installment of his letter, sent literally around the world to those in his charge.

Dear Ones in Jesus,

I write to you in the Name of our wonderful Lord!  I am on the mend with thanks to good doctors and nurses, antibiotics, and prayer from all of you.  While at the hospital I mentioned to the Infectious Disease specialist that I was blessed with having people all over the world praying for me.  He replied, "Well, there is good clinical evidence that prayer makes a difference in healing."  Praise the Lord.

Well, Christmas is almost here again.  What a wonderful opportunity for us to contemplate anew what God has done, and is doing, because of the coming of Jesus.  In Isaiah 9 we read that the people walking in darkness have seen a great light.  Deliverance is coming and the oppressors will be pushed aside.  Then comes this:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:6,7)

Then in John's Gospel we read:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made; and without Him was nothing was made that has been made.  In Him was life and that life was the light of men.  That light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.........The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-5, 14)

There we have the really Good News that we celebrate at Christmas!  The light that shines in the darkness is none other than the Word that became flesh.  The eternal God  came to us in person in Jesus.  God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.....Jesus. (John 3:16)

Christmas is not about an ideology or a religion.  It is all about Jesus and what has been done through Him.  The only light I see in our world today is that which Jesus brings.  He is the light of the world.  It certainly is not the politicians, the economists, the military leaders, the entertainers, the bankers, or the corporate tycoons of our day.

It is really all quite simple if people would only recognize it.  It is Jesus, the Word become flesh. A poem by George MacDonald gets to the point:

"They all were looking for a king

to slay their foes and lift them high.

Thou cam'st, a little baby thing

that made a woman cry."

 
That is really good news for a hurting world!

God bless you and keep you!!
 
Love in Jesus,

Pastor Clio 

The next men's breakfast is on Friday, December 17. We are doing a study of Proverbs - please join us!

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