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We have a “volunteer tree” in our backyard. For those of you, like me, who are not familiar with this term, it’s a tree that germinates and grows all by itself. We didn’t plant it, but one day we looked out and noticed it happily growing up among other plants. On more than one occasion,…
What comes to mind when you think of the word “scandalous?” Are you still thinking or have you already stopped reading! The term “scandalous” typically refers to something shocking, offensive, or contrary to accepted moral standards or expectations. But who sets the moral standards, expectations, guidelines, and ground rules? Have you established your own or…
Dear Church Family, Here’s Pastor Andy at last Sunday’s Church on the Grass giving us a double-barrel thumbs-up because you’re consistently lugging food to church for our Shepherd’s Table. I don’t really credit you for this, but I do credit the God who is making you generous. The weather was beautiful last Sunday (Andy was…
Dear Family, I just heard that our dear friends Ian and Robyn Cooper (and their four young children) need our help tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday. Here’s the need: 1. loading furniture & boxes onto a truck from 3 pm – 6 pm Saturday at 1087 Morris Ct, San Jose, CA 951262. unloading furniture & boxes into…
Hi Brothers and Sisters, Do you like riddles? This Sunday, our Lord has a doozy for us. It’s a delightfully enigmatic teaching that Jesus gives to the puzzled disciples of John who (I think) pull Jesus out of Matthew’s banquet because they just have to ask him a big question. Jesus answers mysteriously, with (I…
Hello Church Family! This Sunday we’re back in the Sermon on the Mount saddle. But I’m gonna do something a little different with the message and would LOVE the support and partnership of YOU, my true compadres. Here’s what’s up. First, some background. I feel led to give an evangelistic sermon, that is, a message…
Dear church family, Recently, we’ve had more time together as a family and have enjoyed playing games and doing puzzles. (Thanks for the Star Wars puzzle, Sorrentinos; we started it on May the fourth. LOL!) Just before the lock down we played a game where you work together as a group to disarm a bomb.…
Dear Brothers and Sisters in my Forever Family, This week in our “Family Matters” series, we’re talking about gender (gulp), which we know is a controversial and painful subject in today’s culture. When one of my kids asked me what this Sunday’s message was about, and I said, “gender,” she winced visibly. I knew what…
Hey yo, come in! I’m stoked you dropped by. You gotta see this old photo album I found in the garage. Yeah, sit down here, next to me. Hmm…I gotta remind myself where these shots were taken. Oh, Dude, I remember now, this was from one of our Stelling Family Gatherings on Zoom during the…
March 20, 2020 Dear Valley Church friends and family, Like you, I’m working from home instead of going into the office and it seems strange. While it’s hard to believe we’re living out a unique moment of world history, day to day living goes on. We’re all trying to figure out work and school and…