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Announcements
Did you know that in Mexico many Christians put on Shepherds’ plays to retell the Christmas story and a favorite Christmas food is tamales? Did you know that in Egypt many Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6 with a 10 pm church service after fasting for Advent? Did you know that some Syrian Christians…
In 1847, a French parish priest asked a local poet to write a Christmas carol, which quickly spread throughout France. The hauntingly beautiful “Cantique De Noel” was an instant hit. Fast forward several decades to America when John Sullivan Dwight discovered the carol. A fiery abolitionist, Dwight fell in love with the song, especially the…
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9. It is a message from God to His people of courage and assurance during times of change and uncertainty. In 2017, Valorie and I…
Dear Servants, Tuesday, November 5, is not just another day in our lives. We go to the polls tomorrow to exercise the privilege and responsibility as Jesus’ followers to be salt and light in our fallen world. Voting is a way to be engaged in shaping policies and electing leaders that impact society and align…
Hey Family, So many good works to share about! (Before I forget, please don’t forget that Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday.) You’ve heard about our new Clothing Closet in partnership with CityTeam in the Neighborhood. The Mingles are helping out! They worked together last week to hang up clothes and put them on the…
Dear Friends, Here are the headlines as I type: “President Biden said Wednesday that Hurricane Milton is looking like the storm of the century. In less than 14 hours, Milton will make landfall on the western coast of Florida. Winds will be fierce at well over 100mph, with storm surges reading up to 15 feet along…
Hello again friends, We’re just a few days away from the start of our 2024 Valley Church Global Outreach Conference. This is a highlight of the year for many of us to celebrate all God is doing around the world and to be challenged to the task remaining. This year we have so many of…
The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37 is very familiar to Christians and non-Christians alike. For most people this is a story about being kind to people around you or being a nice person. Even among secular people, someone who does good to strangers is called a “Good Samaritan”. In California “The Good…
Think of how confused John was. He’s baptizing people in the Jordan river and who should walk up to GET baptized but Jesus! John has already identified Jesus as “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) and he knows that he’s not even “worthy to carry his sandals”…
Dear Soldiers, If we do not think that the evil forces of darkness have targeted the family, we all have our heads in the sand, and have lost touch with reality! Strategically launched missiles and drones are destroying the foundation and fabric of our nation! The traditional definition of marriage as a union between one man…