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| April 9, 2011 | Vol. 3, Iss. 11
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Do You Need to Be Baptized?
Easter Sunday we are planning to have a baptismal service. If you have never been baptized and feel you would like to take this step in your Christian walk, please speak with either Pastor Keith or Pastor Brandon.
Potluck Fellowship Meal This Sunday!
Our next fellowship meal will be after service on April 10. We are going with the traditional potluck - if your last name is A-H bring a hot dish to share; I-P bring a salad, and R-Z you get the desserts. If anyone has any questions, please see Kathy Durkee or Kathy Wheaton or email kannedurkee@gmail.com or knkwheaton@comcast.net. |
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Easter Lilies for the Sanctuary
If you would like to purchase lilies for Easter Sunday ($10 each) to beautify our sanctuary, please fill out the bulletin insert on Sunday (or call Pat Hogan) and note "lilies" on your check. Plants can be taken home after Easter Sunday Services.
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Special Easter Offering
This year our Special Easter Offering will support our Jubilee Fund. This fund is used for emergency needs within our church family and church community.
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Our Latest Family Hour Activities
Every Sunday West Valley Community Church offers breakfast followed by a "hands on" Bible lesson for the whole family. Lately we've focused on the Gospel of Luke and four teams competed to illustrate different stories from that book. Using all types of materials the teams had three weeks to design and construct a piece of art that would demonstrate the passage of Scripture they had selected. A group of judges - Kathy Durkee, Ruth Tripp and Kathleen Thomas - were given the task of rating each project by finding the specific verses in Luke that were supposed to be illustrated. Click on the link below to see more pictures of the projects and the final results.
 
Click here to see more pictures
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From Our Pastor Emeritus, Clio Thomas
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,
I look out the window and watch the sparrows at the bird feeder recently filled with a new supply of grain. Seed is flying in every direction. These sparrows waste 90% more than they eat. Oh well, other birds and the squirrels are having a feast eating what falls to the ground. As I watch all of this unfold before me I remember this morning as I walked up the back walk at daybreak. All was quiet except the birds singing and welcoming in a new day. I found myself with a tear welling up in my eye, and the smell of the daphne in my nostrils. It was a time of pure worship. Only a wonderful magnificent God could think of this kind of world and bring it into being.
The words of Psalm 84 ran through my mind: "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young---a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King, and my God" (Psalm 84:1-3).
Then, I thought of the Gospel of Luke where Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet, not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:5-7).
We do not worship nature, but the wonderful world God has made is a witness to Him. We worship Him in many ways in many times and places. Obviously the little birds were important to Jesus or He would never have used them to illustrate His care and love. I am reminded of some of the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written from his prison cell. In one of his letters to family he told them of how his spirits were lifted by seeing a lone blossom peeking up through the bricks in the prison courtyard, while hearing a bird sing.
"Don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows."..........Jesus
He loves you!
Pastor Clio |
One-Minute Meditations
 We live in stressful times. Sometimes our problems seem very large. Isn't it wonderful to know that when our burdens are heavy and our strength is exhausted that we have His strength to rely upon! David lived a very stressful life and knew the source of strength. "I look up to the mountains. Does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, earth, and mountains. The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? My help and glory are in God--granite strength and safe-harbor God. God is a safe place to be." God said this once and for all: how many times have I heard it repeated? "Strength comes straight from God." |
Men's Breakfast
Join us for good conversation, creative breakfast food, and a time of study. You can catch us on your way to work. We meet at 7:00 am and are finished before 8:30 am. Join us in April on the 15th and 29th.
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Women's Ministry Spring Retreat May 13-15
Women's retreat is coming soon! It will be at Warm Beach this year. The dates are May 13-15, the costs are going to be about $100.00 to $120.00 and for the first time we have the option of staying 2 nights! We have been busy selling the remainder of the West Valley Cookbooks (they are all gone!) to use as some funds for scholarships towards the Women's retreat. Pami Hanson is also looking for anyone who would like to donate towards a scholarship as there are several women interested in attending this year. Please see Pami about getting assistance if you need a partial or full scholarship. Pami is also putting together a list of ladies who would like to attend and making
sure there is funding and rides for everyone. See Pami at church or contact her at 206.406.5115 or pumi7864@yahoo.com. |
"Shop Your Girlfriend's Accessory Closet" Fundraiser
We are raising funds for ladies to attend our upcoming Women's Retreat May 13th-15th. Bring your accessories for donation and shop for some new (to you) accessories for small donations. These donations will be used towards scholarships for women wanting to attend the retreat. No clothing please - only accessories: shoes, handbags, belts, scarfs, hats or jewelry.
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Do You Have an Article for the Bulletin or E-news?
You can submit bulletin and/or e-news article submissions using our online submission form at www.westvalleychurch.org/forms.html at any time. Please note that e-news submissions need to be received no later than Wednesday morning of the week you want the article to run. Bulletin submissions need to be received no later than Thursday evening of the week the article needs to run. You can also use this online form to submit Prayer and Praise for the e-news.
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Mark Your Calendars
- April 10, Potluck Fellowship Meal, immediately following service
- April 14, CLT Meeting, 6:30 pm
- April 15, Men's Breakfast, 7 am
- April 17, Palm Sunday
- April 22, Good Friday
- April 24, Easter Sunday and Easter Breakfast
- May 7, Work Party Day, 9 am
- May 13-15, Women's Ministry Spring Retreat
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| Classifieds
WANTED: Richard Hanson is looking for a used washing machine (cheap) and also needs assistance in getting the washing machine delivered to his house. Please contact Richard at 206.406.5972.
Listing items in the Classifieds
If you'd like to add items to a West Valley Classifieds list, please e-mail Tracey Coon in the church office (office@westvalleychurch.org) for items in the following categories. Please also include your contact information and a detailed description.
- 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.
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