Valley Free Newsletter - December 2010

The Greatness of God . . . Pastor Mike Sindelar

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0

W ho am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD.

II Samuel 7:18b-19a

The great King David had

noble intentions. He wanted

to build a house for the Lord.

As David surveyed the

situation, he concluded that

if he, the King, lived in a

beautiful palace, then why

should the Lords dwelling be

a tent? David determined to

build a new temple for the

Lords presence. Sounds

good and noble. Even his

advisor, the prophet Nathan,

said it was a good path.

The response from God was

slightly different. Gods

concern was less about the

house (He would build it

later) and more about what

He was doing for His people.

God graciously reviewed His

redemptive purposes with

Israel, His work in the Kings

life and His promised

blessings for Davids family

future.

Gods plan and activity is

always bigger than we

imagine. His directions will

often lead us to places we

could not have anticipated.

Time and again, His promises

and blessings overwhelm us

when they come into focus.

When King David understood

the path God was etching out

in his life and future, he

responded with humility,

meditation on the works of

God and a profound sense of

worship.

As the calendar turns over to a

new year, it is naturally a time

of reflection on where we have

been. There is also a sense of

curiosity, mixed with

intentionality, to look over the

fence into the year that lies

before us. As we do so, we do

well to take the posture of

King David as seen in II Samuel

7:18-29.

Yes, we need to see the

activities, the blessings, the

directions and circumstances

that have shaped our lives. But

we need to see behind them

and consider the work of God

in both the past and the

future. What is He doing in

our lives? What is He

teaching me? What is He

calling me to? What promise

and blessing does He want to

lead me into? How is He

portraying His greatness in

my life? How is He leading

not only me, but His people?

As this frames our

meditations and planning,

we see Gods greatness and

our life in relation to Him.

Like David, we then align our

desires, our plans, our lives

with what He is doing rather

than our own finite wisdom

and ideas. In that place, that

condition of the heart, God

shows Himself strong,

mighty, merciful and

gracious. As David

concluded, Therefore you

are great, O Lord God. For

there is none like you

May the greatness of God be

seen in our lives this coming

year, may our plans and

efforts be led by His Spirit

and may the meditations of

our hearts be overwhelmed

with the fullness of God!

P A G E 2

Answers in Genesis Presents: NOT ASHAMED Romans 1:16-17. . . .Jim Bentson

We live in interesting and chaotic

times. We also live in skeptical times,

where much of the world thinks of

truth as a fleeting thing, relative to the

situation and one's particular

viewpoint. That lack of a solid

foundation of truth leads to doubt and

hopelessness. Perhaps the words from

a Beatles song communicates fairly

well the hopelessness of lives without

Christ.

He's a real nowhere man, sitting in his

nowhere land, making all his nowhere

plans for nobody. Doesn't have a point

of view, Knows not where he's going

to -- Isn't he a bit like you and me?

But we, who have faith in the Lord

Jesus Christ, have access to the an

absolute, reliable, and eternal truth

The Word of God. This truth has been

revealed to give us a sure hope, to

enrich our minds, and to change our

hearts into Christ-likeness. Is our faith

in Jesus Christ and His Word

reasonable? Or is it that we try to mix

the Biblical worldview and the many

God-less worldviews together? If we

do that, just what do we have?

Compromise? A weakened witness?

I Peter 3:15 tells us:

But if questioned, how do we answer

the propositions of evolution and

other ingrained worldly thinking?

Isn't evolution a proven scientific fact?

Therefore, isn't the creation account

as given in Genesis unreasonable?

Since our faith is in Jesus, we should

consider what he said about these

things.

When questioned by a particular

Pharisee, Jesus said:

This tells us that when considering the

redemptive work of Jesus on the cross

as recorded in the Bible, we need to

consider the authority and

truthfulness of the entire Word of

God. If we cannot have confidence in

Genesis 1:1, can we have confidence

in John 3:16? After all, Jesus also

said:

Valley will soon be sponsoring an

Answers in Genesis (AIG) conference

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will

you believe if I speak of heavenly

things? (John 3:12)

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the

hope that you have.

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter,

nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law

until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18)

that is designed to help us find

reasoned answers to the skeptical

questions of our time in a way that

your family can understand and enjoy.

You will be better equipped to help

those who are searching for something

to believe in.

It will be an exciting time learning from

an experienced communicator of

God's truth with some very interesting

subjects.

_________________________

About the speaker, Jim

Gardner...

As a lecturer and

adjunct speaker for

the Institute for

Creation Research

and Answers In

Genesis, Jim has

taught extensively

on the subject of creation vs. evolution

in the United States and

internationally in churches, schools

and colleges since 1993. Eight trips for

field work to Grand Canyon in the last

10 years have provided outstanding

training on the subject of Grand

Canyon and the global flood.

Additional field trips to the Grand

Circle, Yellowstone, Yosemite and

Glacier National Parks, Chichen-Itza,

Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Angkor Wat

have provided firsthand experience in

geology and archeology.

P A G E 3

Is the Bible True? New Archeological Discoveries and Historical Evidence

Carlos Fernandez, FaithSearch International Evangelist, shares the reasons that lead him from doubt to faith. As a ReachGlobal missionary, Carlos proclaims the Gospel with evidence in churches, colleges and high schools in his native Peru.

8:45 AM Sunday Morning Studies - Carlos Fernandez Testimony/Ministry 10:00 AM Worship Service - The Reliability of the Bible

Admission is FREE Attend any or all sessions.

Childcare is available during all sessions, with a DVD presentation being shown during the Worship Service and 6 PM Sunday session.

Resource books from Answers in Genesis and Canopy Ministries will be available for sale in the foyer.

For more information, contact Jim Bentson at 952-448-4697 or check out www.answersingenesis.org/go/chaska

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

7:00 PM - Aliens, UFOs and Incredible Creatures

Is interstellar space travel really possible? What about

space travel at the speed of light? What are the physics

involved? Are UFOs real and if so, what are they? Are

there really aliens, extraterrestrials or other life out there?

What about those incredible creatures that we see coming

out of Hollywood? Could they be rooted in reality?

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

8:45 am - Those Terrible Dinosaurs (Arrive early, as this

session will begin promptly at 8:45)

Where did dinosaurs come from? When and why did they

become extinct? Are there dinosaurs alive today? We will

discuss the theories developed by man versus the

historical reason recorded in the Bible.

10:00 am - Consequences of the Path You Choose

There are 2 paths in life. Evolution is a faith based belief

system that teaches that man is the god in control of his

own life, while creationists believe that God created the

universe and all living things out of nothing. You can

choose to believe either one, but there are consequences

that come with the choice you make.

6:00 pm - Why Question Biblical Authority?

This lecture deals with the compromise that Christians

make in trying to add millions of years to the Bible and the

different ways they try to do that. The day-age theory,

Progressive creation, Theistic evolution and the Gap theory

are dealt with in some detail. What are the consequences

of compromising with the religion of evolution?

7:30 pm - Fossils, Grand Canyon and the Flood

Is evolution true science while creation is just religion? Is

the fossil record evidence for evolution? Where do fossils

come from and how do they form? Does it really matter if

the flood was local or global?

Answers in Genesis prepares Christians to defend and

share their faith with boldness and confidence. To find

out more about AIG go to www.answersingenesis.org.

P A G E 4

BUSY! . . .Mary Lou Menning, Sparks Director

BUSY! That word describes our

lives most of the time, but never

more than at this season of the

year. It is also descriptive of Valleys

Awana club during the month of

December. Cubbies have been

busy decorating Christmas

ornaments for their parents.

Sparkies have been busy learning

about Jesus death and resurrection

and making a Hosanna wall where

they wrote down why they are

thankful for

Jesus.

T&Ters have

been busy

shopping at

the Awana

store and making snowflake

decorations. Leaders have been

busy building relationships with

their clubbers as they listen to them

recite their verses. Secretaries have

been busy keeping records and

ordering awards because the

clubbers have been busy passing

lots of sections as they memorize

Gods Word. Clubbers have been

busy bringing their friends to club.

We have 175 children who are part

of Awana: 41 Cubbies, 70 Sparkies,

and 64 T&Ters. WOW!

Our club has

also been busy

being generous.

Our missions

project for

December was

to collect hats,

mittens and

scarves for

The School

Locker, a Gap

Ministry of LOVE Inc. We collected

44 hats, 39 pairs of mittens and 6

scarves. Clubbers also gave an

offering of $100 toward the same

ministry. WOW!

At the end of club on December 15,

everyone gathered in the

Worship Center to sing

Christmas carols and focus

on the real reason for

Christmas. We also enjoyed

the annual Christmas cookie

party afterwards. The entire

front of the Worship Center

was filled with clubbers and

leaders. The back rows were

full of parents who had come

to join in the celebration. So

many people attended that it

was Standing Room Only

around the walls and out into

the foyer. WOW!

A little over 2000 years ago, a tiny

baby was born, unnoticed by all but

his parents and a few shepherds.

His name was Jesus, the Promised

Savior, who left the splendor of

heaven to live in this dark, dirty

world for 33 years. He died on the

cross to take the punishment for

our sin. Because of His sacrifice, we

were spared the consequences of

our sin eternal separation from

God. WOW!

But, He didnt stay dead. Three

days later, Jesus rose from the

grave, triumphant over death.

Because of the resurrection, we

have HOPE! Hope of a relationship

with God, hope of salvation, hope

of heaven. Life is worth living,

songs are worth singing, and

holidays are worth celebrating.

WOW!

P A G E 5

atmosphere is one of hard work,

joy and fellowship as teams work

together to ready shoeboxes for

their final destinations. Please

pray for the hearts of the young

recipients as they eagerly receive

these shoeboxes of gifts to also

be equally receptive to the life

saving message of the gospel of

Jesus Christ. Pray each child

chooses to join with the local

ministry partners to do the 12-

week follow up discipleship

program and for family members

to also come to know the Lord

Jesus Christ as Savior!

Nearly 30 Valley Free members

embraced one more opportunity

to be a part of the Operation

Christmas Child ministry on

Saturday, December 4th. Having

one of the seven OCC Processing

Centers in the country in the

Minneapolis area is a unique

opportunity. A Processing Center is

where shoeboxes filled with toys,

hygiene items and school supplies

are examined, sorted and

prepared for shipping to many

countries around the world. The

...Candace Wisely

During our

Winter session

for Women's

Bible Study we

will offer a

study on the

life of Jonah. God interrupted Jonah's

life for a greater purpose than his own

comfort. This study caught my

attention, because those interruptions

come around in my own life and often

times I don't really like them. I like to

keep my nice schedule, there is security

in it and then along comes something

that is not part of the plan!

I am Jonah.

I want to serve God

as long as it is convenient.

I desire to do His will

until it is a tad uncomfortable.

I want to hear His Word

as long as its message

is one Im supposed

to pass on to someone else.

I dont want to have

my plans interrupted.

Oh yes. I am Jonah,

and I suspect that in

one way or another, you are too.

Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted

What do we do when God interrupts

our lives? Many times, like Jonah, we

run! In this 7-session Bible study, the

author, Priscilla Shirer, redefines

interruption and shows that

interruption is actually God's invitation

to do something beyond our wildest

dreams.

Women's Bible Study will begin

Tuesday, January 18 and meet every

other Tuesday evening at 6:45

pm. Come join us as we uncover what

God intended for Jonah and for

you. See you there!

Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted...Sandy Sindelar

P A G E 6

Prevention Against Influenza: What Can I Do? ...Linda Kozicky, RN, Parish Nurse

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get

vaccinated each year. The seasonal flu vaccine protects

against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be

most common during the upcoming season. The 2010-2011

flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1, and two other

influenza viruses. (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus).

The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on

international surveillance and scientists' estimations about

which types of strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide

protection against influenza virus infection develop in the

body, so it helps to get vaccinated early in the season.

Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as

vaccine is available, but you can receive the

vaccine throughout the influenza season, into December,

January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration

of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can

happen as early as October, most of the time influenza

activity peaks in January or later.

Vaccine effectiveness: the ability of a flu vaccine to protect a

person depends on the age and health status of the person

getting the vaccine and the similarity or "match" between the

viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation. There

of course are no guarantees that you won't get the flu.

The "Flu Shot"-an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus)

that is given with a needle, usually in the arm, is approved for

use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people

and people with chronic medical conditions.

The "Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine" a vaccine made with live,

weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes

called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine" or Flumist)

is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who

are not pregnant.

Side Effects: Different side effects can be associated with the

flu shot and LAIV. The flu shot can cause soreness, redness or

swelling where the shot was given, low grade fever, aches

that usually begin soon after the shot and usually last 1-2

days.

The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine (LAIV) are weakened

and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with

influenza illness, but may cause runny nose, wheezing,

headache, vomiting, muscle aches, fever.

Talk with your primary care doctor to see if getting the

influenza vaccine is right for you and your family.

MEXICOMEXICOMEXICO MISSIONSMISSIONSMISSIONS

TRIPTRIPTRIP 201120112011

February 19February 19February 19---26, 2011!26, 2011!26, 2011!

ContactContactContact

Mel Swanson for more Mel Swanson for more Mel Swanson for more info.info.info.

ServingServingServing an orphanage an orphanage an orphanage

through construction through construction through construction projects and activities projects and activities projects and activities

with the kids!with the kids!with the kids!

P A G E 7

Classifieds CHILDCARE

Calling all Grandparents/Parents/Babysitters!Requirements include loving arms to hold babies, must be able to read books aloud and dispense snacks. Some floor play required, depending on the position. Contact Janis at [email protected].

Use your creative skills in electronic media to share life at Valley Free with the world. Contact Lanell at [email protected]. ________________________

MEALS TO GO Do you consider yourself an amateur gourmet chef or a

professional lunch packer. Both are needed on an occasional basis to provide meals for new moms or recovering hospital patients. Contact Linda at [email protected]

The Awana program needs handbook listeners. This is a 2 hr. weekly commitment that has the opportunity to reap eternal rewards. Contact Jan at [email protected]. _________________________

WRITERS Have a way with words? Share your talents by submitting newsletter articles on church events or join our team in

IT PROFESSIONALS

creating new promotional literature for the church. Submit a sample of your writing just kidding! Contact Lanell at [email protected]. __________________________

COFFEE BARISTA Short term volunteer position. Literally serve your fellow man. See Gary at [email protected] for more information.

Want an opportunity to put all those music lessons to good use? Practices are Thursday night and Sunday morning. Contact Doug at [email protected].

COMPUTER OPERATORS Can you type? Able to push the enter button to advance PowerPoint slides? You are just what we need! Contact Adam at [email protected]. Do you compute? It may not be a spiritual gift, but your talents are in

high demand in this technical age. Contact Jeremy for more information at [email protected].

SU 2 10:00 am Worship

M 3 12:30 pm 7:00 pm

White Cross Mens Bible Study

W 5 6:00 pm Awana Club Night

TH 6 7:00 pm Worship Team Practice

SA 8 7:30 am Mens Monthly BreakfastPerkins

SU 9 8:45 am 10:00 am 6:00 pm

Sunday School Worship CruX

M 10 12:30 pm 7:00 pm

White Cross Mens Bible Study

TU 11 7:00 pm Elder Board Meeting

W 12 6:00 pm Awana Club Night

TH 13 7:00 pm 7:30 pm

Worship Team Practice Web Team Meeting

SA 15 7:00 pm Answers in Genesis Conference: Aliens, UFOs, and Incredible Creatures

SU 16

8:45 am 10:00 am 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:30 pm

Sunday SchoolAIG Conf: Those Terrible Dinosaurs WorshipAIG Conf: The Consequences of the Path you Choose AIG Conf: Why Question Biblical Authority? CruX All-Nighter AIG Conf: The Fossils, Grand Canyon, and the Flood

M 17 12:30 pm 7:00 pm

White Cross Mens Bible Study

W 19 6:00 pm Awana Club Night

TH 20 7:00 pm Worship Team Practice

SU 23 8:45 am 10:00 am 9:00 pm

Sunday School Worship CruX

M 24 12:30 pm 7:00 pm

White Cross Mens Bible Study

W 26 6:00 pm Awana Club Night

TH 27 7:00 pm Worship Team Practice

SA 29 All Day All Day

CruX Student Ministries Team Retreat Womens Scrapbooking Day

SU 30 8:45 am 10:00 am All Day

Sunday School Worship CruX Student Ministries Team Retreat

M 31 12:30 pm 7:00 pm

White Cross Mens Bible Study

GOOD LISTENERS

MUSICIANS / WORSHIP LEADERS

WEB DESIGNERS

Be a VOLUNTEER And reap the BLESSINGS!

150 Engler Blvd

Chaska, MN 55318

952-448-6144

Fax: 952-448-5119

[email protected]

JANUARYS FOCUS: 15 oz. canned

PEAS and CORN

15oz cans ONLY! Thank you!

Tuesday, January 18

Meets every other Tuesday 6:45 pm

See you there! (See page 5 for details)

ALL-NIGHTER: January 166:00 pm

SMT RETREAT: January 29-30

Bountiful Basket Food Shelf