For the past few weeks we've been making piñatas in our Sunday morning family hour. We learned that piñatas were a Mexican Christmas tradition and thought it would be fun to make some. Then, we got a chance to "test" our handiwork during our Christmas party. Four different piñatas were made: a star, an angel, a camel and a sheep. The sheep won the beauty contest ("hooves down!") but we're sad to report none of the piñatas survived the festivities. Other highlights of the Christmas party include a baked potato bar, a gift exchange and Pastor Brandon modeling a Snuggie!

Click the pictures below to view more pictures!

Christmas is a beautiful season with its many lights. We gaze at the brilliantly-lit Christmas trees and relax in the soft glow of the candles. The moon, stars and sun were created to give light to the earth.

Our lives are to be shining lights for the Lord, reflecting His glory upon the earth. The Bible calls us candles. We read about this in "the Saws* of David;" here is our prayer from that source:

Dear God,

You light my candle. You turn my darkness into light. Suddenly you floodlight my life. I'm ablaze with glory - Your glory. You are my light and salvation.

By Your words I can see where I am going. They throw a beam of light on my dark path. Break open your words, let the light shine out.

Every word You give me is a miracle word - how can I help but obey? What you say goes, God, and stays permanent as the heavens.  Thank you, God.

* "Saws" means sayings

The deadline for getting 2010 reimbursement requests and Gifts in Kind into the church office is Monday, December 27. Any questions? Please call or e-mail Pat Hogan (bphogan1@aol.com).

Click here to access the reimbursement form.

If you have any interest in being baptized, or in joining West Valley Community Church, please let Pastor Keith or Pastor Brandon know. If anyone needs to be baptized, we will have a baptismal service the first Sunday in January. For those interested in becoming members of our congregation, a membership class will be scheduled whenever it is most convenient. Candidates for membership must be approved by the CLT, which  is scheduled to meet January 10. Any new member wishing to participate in the annual business meeting (January 30) needs to be approved at this meeting. For more information contact Pastor Keith: keith@acgc.us; 253-653-1915.

Good morning all!!!

Wow is all I can say about the happenings here in SW. As most of you know we helped to organize the Christmas parade and served refreshments as well. However, another big moment for us was on the 11th. This was the day for the Breakfast with Santa. It is a big community event and we were asked to provide the musical entertainment and again Fountain Community Church came to the rescue!

The choir came ready to sing and that is what they did! Jesus was made a very big part of this morning and guess what? We were asked to come back! So hopefully SWFC will be ready with a choir to mix with FCC for next year's event!

This week has proven to be the best one for me yet as it was filled with awesome opportunities to minister to people and doors were opened! It started off with me wandering into  my now favorite coffee shop for a cup of coffee and study time. Well to make a shorter story the place had 4 customers already in there and after about 15 minutes of conversation .....we broke out in a 2 ½ hour Bible study discussion!  It was amazing, these folks had knowledge f scripture but were starving for the answers to things and did we ever dig to find them!  I was also approached by the Vice-Commander of the American Legion to join as a Chaplain and help support the existing one here in the area!

Things continued through the week much the same way and God is really beginning to move us into position to be used. We met several folks on Thursday while I was on site. 23 folks managed to just stop by for conversation and we have a new ministry possibility developing! We have some extra space that we can not develop at this time and it turns out that it is perfect for an outreach storage that will enable "The Place" and the youth that come here to serve their community!!!  I will fill in more as that progresses........

Now for parking!!! We have been looking at another parking lot just over from the previous lot. This lot would be perfect for us as very little would have to be done to improve it, Rick and I met on Thursday with Jim(the engineer) and the lot is plenty big enough to meet our needs! That was such great news for the two if us we went immediately and dropped off the preliminary drawings to the planner because he is excited for us as well and really wants us to have this lot.  I would really like to lift Jim and his business up in prayer as he took his own time and researched and did the preliminary drawings for us for free!   He understands reaping and sowing so lift them up as well in your prayers please.

Tonight, I have been given a task by the Chamber of Commerce.....My family and I will be heading out in the cold to judge the Christmas decorations on the homes in the city! This shall be a lot of fun!!!

Prayer requests:

• Pray for favor with the parking lot owners that they will work with us in a way that financially is best for us.
• Pray for the release of our permits so we can begin to swing hammers again!
• Met a man named Marc. His prayer is that within a year he will be self sufficient and off the streets.
• Pray for continued relationships here in SW and that many more cross paths with us!
• Please pray for Savannah Church in South Carolina that they find their new pastor soon.

Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Ryan Riley
Pastor
Sedro-Woolley Community Fellowship   
www.swcfwa.org

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.

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 Christ,

Greetings in the wonderful Name of Jesus.  As we come again to the celebration of Christmas and read the Gospel stories of His birth we are reminded of the name He was given.......Jesus.  The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because the child conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit.  The virgin was with child and would give birth to a son.  Joseph was told, "You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 11:21)

The words most commonly used in the Old and New Testaments mean "to get lost, or to miss the mark".  But, sin is not so much seen as individual acts as it is the outcropping of the character of the person.  Sin is the result of man's inner character being out of sync with the character of God, and no one is exempt.  Sin is, therefore, a departure from the Divine order.  Being a departure from what is "right" and "good" sin leads to death, death and decay in the inner personality, the defiling of relationships with others, and the clouding of relationship with the Lord.

So, sin is a serious matter, and in the teachings of Jesus we find that He emphasizes motive and inner character.  When He speaks of killing He relates it to anger and hatred toward others.  Sin is like a cancer that does its dastardly work inside us and works its way out to effect our relationships with others and with God.

But, thanks be to God Jesus came to save us from our sin (Matthew 1:21). Because of Him our sins are "wiped out" (Acts 3:19).  Through Jesus we are "washed from sin" (Acts 22:16).  Our soiled and stained lives are "cleansed from sin" (Heb. 1:3; 2 Peter 1:9).  In the mercy of God our sins are not counted against us (Romans 4:8).  By the work of Jesus we are "liberated from sin" (Romans 6:18, 22; 8:2).  The coming of Jesus canceled our sin (Hebrews 9:26).  Through Jesus we are forgiven (Matt. 9:2; Mark 2:10; Luke 7:47; Acts 2:38; Colossians 1:14; 1 John 2:12).  The word of forgiveness tells us that God deals with us not according to what we deserve for our sins, but according to His mercy and grace through Jesus Christ.

So, on this Christmas let us rejoice that His Name is Jesus, because He saves us from our sin.  He makes us right. He cleanses us from all unrighteousness, because He loved us and gave Himself for us.  Let us therefore live as the children of God, loved and forgiven by our dear Lord Jesus.

Rejoice in Him and have a wonderful Christmas, celebrating JESUS.

Love in Him,
Pastor Clio

• CLT was updated on the progress to purchase and install a new software system for the church's financial accounting and reporting.
• Approved the proposed 2011 Budget for presentation to the Body in conjunction with the January 30th, 2011 Annual meeting.
• In anticipation of the annual meeting, an invitation for membership will be presented in the next few weeks, with a membership class to follow.
• Consideration is underway to research options for sound acoustic applications for the sanctuary.
• The Worship Catalyst will acquire estimates for the Fellowship Hall audio and video equipment.
• It was noted that the All Church Christmas Party has been organized, and will be held on Sunday, December 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Church Fellowship Room.
• The Stafford ministry continues to go well with a high level of attendance, and appreciation from the Stafford residents
• The CLT authorized Head Trustee Ron Pleasants and the Trustee Committee to proceed with a plan for constructing a covered area for BBQ'ing outside the Fellowship Room.
• A motion was approved to reaffirm the policy which allowed and encouraged the Senior Pastor to participate as a speaker at Advent Christian Camp Meetings.
• The Special Christmas Offering was designated to be allocated 50% to the W.V. Jubilee Fund, and 50% to Operation Nightwatch.
• A CLT Retreat was scheduled for January 14 & 15, 2011 to focus on vision casting, strategic planning, and organizational structure.
• A Calendar Meeting concept was introduced. This would be a time (some Sunday after Church) set aside for all interested parties to come together with their plans for the upcoming year, and to get the calendar of church events put in place proactively.

We are not in need of oatmeal or boxed macaroni at this time. Loaves of bread are needed - it can be kept in the freezer. Thanks!  - Mary Seal

• Help Wanted
• Work/Services Wanted
• For Sale
• Free Items
• These items will be listed on a weekly basis in our e-news. If you have recurring items, please keep the church office informed on a weekly basis by the end of day Thursday.