NEWSLETTER
THE PASTORS’ THOUGHTS
Soon we will collect money to support Home Missions through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Annie Armstrong led women to unite in mission endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman’s Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary.
We have over 5,000 North American Mission Board missionaries serving throughout the United States, Canada, and their territories. The money we receive through the Annie Armstrong Easter offering goes directly to support them. Please pray about the amount God would have you give to help our home missionaries share the Gospel.
Then, I also want you to pray about what you can do personally for missions. Pray about taking a missions trip. Pray about getting more involved in our Baptist Men and Baptist Women ministries. (Men, please remember the prayer breakfast, Saturday, March 24th at 8:00 a.m. for a great time of fellowship!).
Missions involves serving our Lord and sometimes doing missions requires making a sacrifice for Him. The emphasis this month involves “home missions.” That is, serving Christ in our local setting, like our school, our work place, our family, and our church. What mission do you feel Christ wants you to do? Go. Do. Trust Him.
See you at Valley View Baptist Church,
Shawn
A Few Notes from Doug…
HE LIVES
“He Lives” was written by Alfred H. Ackley after he witnessed to a young Jew who asked “Why should I worship a dead Jew?” to which Ackley replied, “He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.” Shortly thereafter, Ackley composed the lyrics and tune for the hymn, as well as a sermon by the same title. The hymn was first published in Triumphant Service by the Rodeheaver Company in 1933.
‘I serve a risen Savior,’ – Jesus Christ is not just another religious leader. Two words in this first phrase confirm that. He is risen and alive after being put to death on a Roman cross over 2,000 years ago. His resurrection is documented in Scripture and many witnessed His presence before He ascended back into Heaven. He is also our one and only Savior. He is the perfect Son of God, who died and was raised again to provide us with the one and only way of salvation from our sins. Faith in Christ restores our broken relationship with God the Father. No other religious leader, as great as they may have been, can be called ‘risen Savior.’
‘He’s in the world today;’ – Christ is alive and well in the hearts and lives of Christians all around the globe through His Holy Spirit.
‘I know that He is living, whatever men may say;’ – Non-believers can not rob Christians of the joy of knowing and serving our risen Lord. They’ve argued for over 2, 000 years that He is dead, but as children of God, we know in our hearts, that Jesus is very much alive!
‘I see His hand of mercy,’ – Every time we see a rainbow, that is God’s ‘hand of mercy.’ Remember His promise in Genesis 9:8-17 never to destroy the earth again by a flood? What about each day as you and I sin and make mistakes? God isn’t sitting on His throne with a cattle prod, ready to zap us when we sin. He shows us His grace, mercy, and forgiveness every day of our lives.
‘I hear His voice of cheer,’ – God/Jesus loves us so much! God sent Jesus to provide the way back to a right relationship with Himself. Jesus willingly accepted the task and became our sacrifice, and now, He intercedes as our Advocate to the Father. He literally is our biggest ‘cheerleader’ – encouraging us every day through His precious Holy Spirit.
‘And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.’ – God’s timing is perfect. He is never late, nor is He ever early. He knows what we need, even before we do! Because He is ‘omnipresent’ (He is literally everywhere at all times) – He is always just a prayer away. He stands ready and willing to help us – if we will only ask!
I hope you will take these little truths and reflect on them. Go ahead! Sing this stanza as an offering to God. He will LOVE it!
Til next month ~ Doug
A letter from the Loft…
I find it hard to believe that it’s time to sit down and write my March newsletter article. January was a blur and February has gone swiftly on it’s heels.
Before time gets away from me, I want to take the opportunity to say “Thank You” to all of those who helped to make this year’s Valentine Banquet a success. Organizing and pulling off an event like the banquet is a monumental task and it takes a lot of planning, preparation, practice, and participation. We welcomed record crowds this year and it seemed that the weekend went by almost flawlessly with just a couple of seating glitches. Thank you for choosing to support the Valley View Student Ministry by offering up prayers, words of encouragement, buying tickets, bidding on cakes, inviting friends and coworkers, and giving of your time.
Because of your support, 37 students will be going to Lake Junaluska, North Carolina for a week long mission camp in June. Eight of our graduating seniors will be going to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota for a week in July to help do home repairs on the reservation. And we will be able to continue to do our Fall Mission trip on Fall Break.
Thank you for not only choosing to support our Valentine Banquet, but for also choosing to support our Student Ministry.
Mike Heath
Minister of Youth