#1 — Sunday was powerful! We dove into the second week of our series “I Believe in You.”

• We get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget we are commanded by God to share our lives with each other.
• Having someone pour into you is great… But the privilege of investing your life into someone else is amazing.

#2 — Our welcome team hit it out of the park last Sunday.

• I was talking to a senior citizen in our church. She told me how she has been bragging about you to everyone she meets. She told me that every Sunday a greeter rushes out to her car to personally escort her into church…
• Thank you Valley Creek. You are always looking for ways to express God’s love in practical ways.

#3 — Eight Eleven kids in KidsCreek made first time decisions to follow Jesus!

• I love what God is doing! One of the adults working with pastor Charity said “God’s presence was so real during the service you could feel it.”
• KidsCreek is NOT CHILD CARE! KidsCreek is providing age appropriate ministry that partners with parents to make a difference in the lives of every elementary student.

#4 — Creeks Edge had their first event Sunday afternoon for 5th graders.

• I can’t believe my daughter is already getting ready for the transition to VCStudent in June!
• Thanks to the Middle School team leaders who made the Video Scavenger Hunt at the Mall of America a success!

#5 — We have an impromptu group of people Christmas caroling at a retirement home this Sunday night. Love it when people see an opportunity to share God’s love and do something about it.

#6 — Can’t wait for this Sunday.

• I get to talk about one of my favorite verses: “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” (Psalms 71:17–18 NIV)
• You make a huge difference on the next generation!

#7 — INVITE SOMEONE to our Thursday Night “Christmas at the Park.”

• Our creative arts team is planning a special night of Christmas music and revealing Christ in Christmas.
• Add this date to your cell phone now. 7pm, Thursday December 15, at the Indoor amphitheater of Central Park attached to the Library in Woodbury (where our church used to meet a couple years ago).

#8 — I am pumped about 2012! Our new series will make an impact on your life. More details to come.

–Pastor Trent

Three things to know about the valley:

1. The valley does not care who it affects.  The Bible promises us, “In this world you WILL have trouble.”  Everyone goes through valleys.  Expect it.
2. The valley does not follow your timetable.  You might have filled your calendar, but the valley has a way of interrupting your schedule.  It often comes at the least opportune time.
3. The valley will not last forever.  It is not your permanent home.  You walk THROUGH it.  Your time of trouble builds you on the inside the way no mountain top can.

How do you get out of the valley?

1. I follow the shepherd.  Ever noticed the shift in pronouns in Psalm 23:4?  They switch from third person to second person.  Valleys are personal.  Instead of talking about God, you talk to God.  You completely depend on your relationship with the shepherd.
2. I trust His protection. God’s got your back.  He carries the rod and the staff to watch over you and guide you.
3. I let Him soothe my hurt. God forgives you and heals you.  He promises to bind up your broken heart.  He pours His soothing oil on your deepest hurts.  A deep hurt takes awhile to heal… but you will be stronger where you were hurt.  In fact, He will use your hurt to help others in their valley.

We all hurt.  The only difference between a follower of Jesus and everyone else is that you never go through the valley alone.

When we don’t have margin we have stress.  Designers know the value of “White Space.” We fill up every square inch of the page because we think I have a little extra, why not cram more in.   Most high end brands understand the importance of simplicity.  We try to add just a little bit more… that is all that I need.  Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.”    When we fill the void with more stuff we become more distracted, cluttered, and busy. What we are looking for is not another “thing” it is Him.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all about “Carpe Diem.”  I want to get the most out of the moment.  But to get the most out of life I must let there be room for white space.

The Bible promises that our Good Shepherd will “make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters.”  Get over the guilt of having some margin. He is ready to quench your spiritual thirst.

Through the Valley – 5/1/11 from Valley Creek Church on Vimeo.

Valley Creek Road and Manning Ave

Here is the future location of Valley Creek Church.  We purchased 20 acres of land on the south east corner of Valley Creek Road and Manning Ave.  Looking forward to the exciting journey ahead!

Down in his cave the Grinch was perplexed
“That Valley Creek Church keeps on growing. What’s next?
“I don’t like the way those Whos pray in each service;
“And when Whos get saved, it makes me real nervous.
“I don’t like to see all the guests they are bringing;
“But mostly I don’t like the way they keep singing.”

“I’ve just got to stop them. But how?” was his thought.
And in his evil mind he came up with a plot.
So on Saturday night came the Grinch with his truck,
stealing their trailer, thinking, “They’re out of luck..
“Without this, they’ll surely be left in the lurch;
“Without this, they certainly can’t have their church.”

Sunday morning came round, and with it the Whos
That were sitting and drinking up their Caribous.
Then came the call – “The trailer is gone!
“Now what do we do? How will we go on?
“Where is that trailer we’re so used to bringing?
“Can we still have church? Will there still be singing?”

“Yes, our trailer was stolen,” the Who Pastors said;
“But that doesn’t mean we can stay home in bed.
“Our church isn’t made up of boxes and bins;
“It’s made up of people forgiven of sins.
“It’s made up of those to the Lord who are clinging;
“Of those who, in spite of hard time, keep on singing.
“It’s made up of all who say ‘Jesus is Lord’;
“It’s made up of all who depend on His Word.

“So we will have church, we will meet as before;
“Welcoming those who will walk through the door.
“We’ll meet and we’ll sing, and we’ll worship and pray;
“And thank God for His mercies; they’re new every day.”

“What’s this?” yelped the Grinch.
“Why, what are they bringing
“From their homes and some stores?
“And what’s that? Is that singing?”

Yes, the Whos they still came;
They weren’t left in the lurch.
And small Whos made cards saying,
“WE ARE THE CHURCH”.

And that poor old Grinch?
Why his ears must be ringing;
‘Cause at Valley Creek Church,
All the Whos are STILL SINGING!!

Acts 2:42 – “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

God says, “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.” (James 1:12 MESSAGE) When we plow through adversity, the reward is living life beyond our expectations. God has great dreams ahead for Valley Creek Church. We are a church that loves God and loves people…nothing more and nothing less. I can’t wait to see what He does through our church over the next few months.

Last week I spoke on, “How to Love God Together.” We do not need stuff to worship God. When our eyes are off ourselves, we can focus our eyes on Him. I’ve been asked a number of times this week, “How could we go on with a church service?” The answer is simple, it is because each one on our team looked to God instead of the circumstances.

KidsCreek is learning the virtue of Hope this month. Their definition of hope is: Believing something good can come out of something bad. We are living that out right now in our church.

We’ve got to look at our Creator instead of our problems. Don’t focus on the stuff that is lost, instead focus on what He is doing within us. He is uniting us closer as a church family. Together we can do more for Christ than we can ever do alone.

Click on the graphic to see a larger version.