I’ll never forget the first time I met Valorie’s family. I don’t mean her mom and dad and sisters. I mean the WHOLE bunch. You see I grew up in a small family. I didn’t know my grandparents, my dad is an only child, my mom has one sister living in another state. I’ve seen my four cousins maybe half a dozen times in my life. But Valorie’s dad is one of five kids, most of whom live in the same area in Canada, along with all their kids and grandkids. The first time I got invited into a family gathering it felt like a three-ring circus! I realized I was surround by over 30 people who I was now related to by virtue of marriage. It was overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time!
Last Sunday we finished 1 Peter where we learned how to live as “foreigners and exiles” in a hostile and threatening world. But this summer we’re focusing on the warmth and welcome of the family of God in the book of Ephesians. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household…” Ephesians 2:19. God uses family terms over and over again to describe the church. We’ll talk about why family is so important, how to get into the family, how to get along with the family, and how to expand the family.
And speaking of warmth and welcome, please allow me to invite you to our first INDOOR in-person service at 10:45 am on June 20th. We are eagerly anticipating hearing news from the government on Wednesday about even more relaxed requirements for public gatherings and planning to worship together. We expect that we will have no room capacity restrictions, social distancing requirements, or be required to sign up again ahead of time! Hallelujah! We DO expect that we’ll still be required to wear masks indoors for now. Our Children’s Ministries continues to welcome all kids Preschool through Fifth Grade. High School and Middle School ministries are meeting in person at 9:30 am starting Sunday June 20th as well. For those who wish to continue to meet outdoors, we will have an outdoor option at 10:45 am. Please continue to bring your own chair or blanket, but you do not need to register ahead of time.
For this Sunday, June 13, we still have one more Church on the Grass outdoor worship service at 10:45 am. Bring your own lawn chair and/or blanket. You can register with this LINK. You can also register via this webpage. Please read through the instructions on safety before you attend. If you are unable to join the outdoor service, please attend one of our two online options. Just visit valleychurch.org and click on the colorful join us online banner.
Together in Christ,
Kurt