Valley Evangelical Free Church Newsletter - Winter 2017

DECEMBER 2017 | VALLEYFREE.ORG

TURNING OUR HEARTS FROM THE TOWARD EASTER PASTOR’S PEN PAGE 2

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30 HR FAMINE CRUX PAGE 4

CHRONICLES Page 4

PRAYER AT VALLEY CHILDREN’S PAGE 10 EDUCATION

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THE NEWS MAGAZINE OF VALLEY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY

By Pastor Mike Sindelar

It was before Thanksgiving when I saw the first Christmas trees heading to their new home tied to the tops of cars. Several of my neighbors had their Christmas trees up and lit well before Thanksgiving. Preparations for Christmas are well underway.

The images, traditions and trappings of Christmas are all part of a greater longing that

God has wired into our spirits. Christmas stirs in us that longing for community, for family, for belonging. We put up a Christmas tree in the hope that our family or friends will join us in gathering around it. We buy presents to express our appreciation for family, friends and coworkers. We string lights on our homes and trees to share in the joy of the season with our neighbors. Christmas stirs in us a longing for community and the joy of sharing life with others.

This sense of community was a common theme during our recent Thanksgiving open-mic worship service. Several

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testimonies reflected on the special sense of family that we enjoy here at Valley.

Other testimonies discussed the teaching, the special sense of God’s Word and the eagerness to walk in Christ as a community of believers. One couldn’t help but come away from that time of sharing realizing that God has given us a very special gift of community, fellowship and unity.

In the book of Acts, the first church enjoyed the same sense of community.

When the Holy Spirit was given to them, the gift of community and fellowship was one of the first, visible fruits of His presence. This fellowship had many characteristics to it. God’s Word, prayer, communion, sharing of material goods, joy and yes, food!

But the gift of community isn’t meant to be kept to ourselves. Allow me to challenge us to see our gift of community through another lens.

First, this gift of community is attractive to those looking in from the outside. Our community should be something so wonderful, so supportive, so engaging that those looking in at us will want what they see. Luke tells us that the first church had a good reputation among the people (Acts 2:47). That means that without even proclaiming the message, the picture of community was sufficient to draw people to come closer, to seek what they had.

But, they did proclaim the message. Our second observation is that they were not ashamed to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to the community around them. Everyone knew that Christ was at the center of this community. And it was attractive to many who looked in.

This Christmas season, we are called to not only enjoy the gift of community, but to also be inviting others into it. The longing for community is God-given. The fruit of community is from the Holy Spirit.

And the world longs for it, especially this Christmas season.

Our Christmas teaching series is designed to help you invite others to share in the joy of Christ-centered community. The Ladies Tea event, the children’s program and our Christmas Eve service are all focused on Jesus Christ and the sense of belonging that is fulfilled only in Him. Let us proclaim Christ in all we do this season. Let us invite others to join us in this blessing of Spirit-filled community.

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A youth pastor’s thoughts

Position: Reflecting on God’s Work in the Student Ministry

Events Coming Up This Winter:

BY CALEB HAYNES STUDENT MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Right now, I am really enjoying my role as Student Ministry Director here at Valley. We all go through seasons of difficulty and seasons of joy in life and ministry, but right now I am finding myself truly excited and joyful about what God is doing among our students. There is so much that I could share about Crux and all that is going on in the student ministry, but I think the word that best sums up my thoughts right now is “positioned.”

• DECEMBER 20TH: CRUXMAS PARTY

When thinking about positioning, you may imagine your position at work which gives you authority to wield and responsibilities to fulfill. Perhaps you imagine an athlete and the specific position they fill to work with their team toward victory. After my trip to Gettysburg this October, I now also picture an army scout surveying the land and determining what position would be the most defensible to win the battle.

• FEBRUARY 4TH: SUPER BOWL OF CHILI

• JANUARY 13TH: BROOMBALL • JANUARY 31ST: SMALL GROUP PARTIES

• FEBRUARY 17TH: NERF WAR

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No matter the context, we can all agree that our position is important. Yet, the funny thing about a position is that we are in less control of our positioning than we like to think. An employee is hired based on their skillset and ability to perform the task, but it is the employer who ultimately determines the responsibilities and authority with that position. An athlete trains and trains to better themselves at their sport, but it is ultimately the coach who puts them into their position. An army scout may choose the best ground to defend, but the position of the battle is dictated by the movements of the enemy and orders of the commanding general. The same is true for us. While position is important, it is often outside of our control.

Therefore, it is how we utilize and move from our position that really matters.

In terms of the youth ministry, I bring this up because I believe that we are blessed with an incredible positioning. Thinking about our position, I identify four main factors that have led to our position.

“Well done good and faithful servant…

Come and share your master’s happiness.”

Matthew 25:23

1) Physical Location: In addition to being within walking distance of two middle schools, we are situated in an extended area that has thousands of students, each of which needs to hear the gospel.

2) Committed Students: We have a solid group of students who are committed to growing deeper in their faith and inviting others along on that journey.

3) Committed Leaders: There are 10 leaders (student and adult) who faithfully sacrifice their time each week to invest in the lives of student walking through our doors.

4) Incoming Students: Thanks to the children and family ministries here, we have a steady of flow of students coming into our group each year, all of whom have a solid foundation of faith.

I believe these four factors have put us in a position to enter into a season of fruitful ministry. The humbling part of this is that I have very little to do with any of them. The commitment of students, leaders, and families has been around far longer than my time here. This position has arisen because of God’s faithfulness and the faithful service of the many ministry leaders who have come before. Therefore, as I rejoice in our position as a student ministry, I am aware that this position is a gift that God has entrusted to all of us. We could take credit for this gift and assume that it’s because of our own abilities. Or, we could honor the Giver by faithfully stewarding what He has given us. We must be like the faithful servants in the parable of Matthew 25:14-30 who were entrusted with their master’s property and while the master was away went out and doubled that which they had been given. God has given us all that we have; we would be unfaithful servants to ignore or squander that gift.

This is why I am so excited for the season before us. As a student ministry, we are positioned. Positioned to challenge students to grow deeper in their faith. Positioned to invite more students into a life-changing relationship with Christ. Positioned to be the hands and feet of Christ in Chaska and around the world. We are positioned. Now, by seeking the Holy Spirit through prayer, we must resolve to not let our position go to waste, but to faithfully use what God has given us for the benefit of His Kingdom.

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CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

1. Pursue the heart of Jesus for the heart of your child.

2. Failure is OK; don’t give up.

3. Little things result in big fruit.

4. Be the grown-up you want your child to be one day.

5. Pray with and for your kids. Ask them, “What do you need prayer for?”

6. Serve together as a family.

7. BREATHE!!!!!

8. Ask open-ended, empowering questions like, “How have you seen God at work?”

9. Think eternally. Make conversations about Jesus part of every day. If you have time to watch TV together as a family, you have time to have spiritual conversations.

10. Get un-busy.

11. Invite Jesus into your challenges and crises.

12. Find joy, pray continually, give thanks.

13. You don’t have to do everything, but do something.

Here are some ideas that may help you to “do something.”

A Baker’s Dozen

By Mary Lou Menning

1. Have family time once a week/once a month. Pray together, play a game, eat good food, learn something about God, then pray again.

Children’s Education Director

I had the privilege of attending the EFCA Children’s Ministry Leaders Conference in mid-November with about 80 men and women from all over the country who are serving in churches small to large. It was a wonderful time of connecting with other CE leaders, learning new things and gathering new ideas. What a FUN group of people! We probably laughed as much as we were serious.

As a group, we voiced our concerns about the impact that screens and devices, crazy busy schedules, and choosing other things over church is having on the families we serve. We raised the question, “How do we help families navigate in our post-Christian culture?” Instead of wringing our hands in despair, we brainstormed easy, creative ways to help families connect with each other despite the issues mentioned above.

One of the questions posed was, “What is your best advice for parents?” The 13 answers came from hearts filled with great love for children and families with the purpose of encouraging them.

2. Start the habit of the “Four Ones.” Read one chapter, pick one verse, pray one prayer, share with one person.

3. Find ways to leverage morning time, car time, meal time, and bedtime for connection and spiritual conversations. Use the Big Picture cards from the Gospel Project or other conversation starters.

4. Download the free app called “Parent Cue.” The app (available on Google Play and the App Store) helps every parent do something each week to help move their child toward a deeper faith and a better future. Check it out at http://theparentcue.org/app/ Please don’t feel like you must do everything or even anything on the lists above. You may already be doing things that work for your family. There is no judgment, shame, guilt, or condemnation here. I share them to encourage you and maybe spark an idea. I’d love to hear YOUR ideas! If you’d like to chat about these things, I’d enjoy talking with you.

May God greatly bless your parenting journey!

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“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’” MARK 10:14

CALENDAR 12-6 – Christmas Pageant Practice, 6-7 pm 12-13 – Christmas Pageant Practice, 6-7 pm 12-16 – Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal, 9-10 am

12-17 – Christmas Pageant, 9:00 am 12-24 – No Sunday School 12-31 – No Sunday School 3-11 – Kids’ Mission Sunday

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Our Commitment to the Call

“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

John 20:21

But, the Great Commission, the great handoff of John 20:21, is a fresh call to every generation. It is a wonderful history to have accepted this call over the generations, but the baton and the handoff are extended to our generation today. Will we accept the call? Will we play our part in the relay of global missions? Will we heed the call of Jesus to be sent out just as He was?

For both the men and women’s 400 meter relay teams, the 2008 Olympics resulted not in gold medals, but bad memories of failed efforts. For both teams, the failure was due to not pulling off the critical handoff of the baton. Because they dropped the handoff, both teams went down in history as one of the few American teams to not medal in this prestigious event. If you can’t pass the baton, you lose the race.

When the risen Savior appeared to His disciples, He gave them a charge to go into the world. This great commission is recorded in all four gospels. John put the great commission in terms of a critical handoff. As the Father had sent Him, so Jesus would now send His disciples. The charge was to go into the world as eyewitnesses of the risen Savior. The ball was now in their court. It is the greatest handoff in history.

At Valley Free, we accepted the call of the Great Commission many years ago. Our long term support of missionaries is testimony to our commitment. Our commitment is also seen in the many ministry teams that have gone cross-culturally over the years. The many financial gifts, projects and prayer support also testify to the Great Commission at work among us.

The handoff has been faithfully executed over the generations of Valley Free.

Missions and Our End-of-Year Giving Project There are many aspects to our missions commitment here at Valley. We support missionaries, we pray for missionaries, we send ministry teams, we participate in special projects. Even our children’s ministry joins in the calling by raising funds for missions projects.

Our focus for the end-of-year giving this year is on our missions commitment, specifically to the monthly financial support of our missionaries. Currently, we support ten families and organizations for a total of $6000 monthly.

With the diversity of location, target audiences and ministry focus in our missionary family, we certainly fit within the definition of ‘Glocal’ (global and local outreach ministry)!

Our monthly giving towards this ministry support has not kept pace with the monthly goal. Because of that, we are challenging all Valley Free families to join in our missions ministry with our end-of-the-year giving project. Our goal is to raise at least six months of missionary support, $36,000, by the end of December.

We are asking our Valley Free family to give sacrificially to insure that our missionary support and global missions effort continues it’s reach and impact.

Missions Ministry Leadership The call to missions and the readiness of the harvest field have not changed, the charge of Jesus remains. “As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.”

But, the need for the Spirit’s leading, for godly wisdom and for innovative missions leadership is constantly growing. We need people who have their hearts, minds and ears attuned to the call of missions.

Valley Free is looking for a team of people who are passionate about the proclamation of the gospel and the establishing of God’s kingdom across the globe. This team will provide leadership in our missions ministry by maintaining relationships with our current missionaries, providing opportunities for missions involvement by our church family and overseeing the direction of our missions program. Members of this team do not need to be experts in missions, but should have a desire to learn current missions strategies and principles.

Is the Lord calling you to take a step of faith in missions?

God just may be calling you to be part of our missions leadership team. Your participation in missions will give you a wider view of God’s work in the world.

Would you like more information? Direct your questions to Pastor Mike or any of the elders (Dan Koepp, Jon Ranzau or Pete Tornquist). “…So I send you…” The charge to take up the call has now come to our generation. Will we take the handoff?

Valley Free Missionary Family Adunarea Speranta Vie Pastor Cristi Golas East Asia Dominican Republic EFCA Germany YWAM – Central Asia Eastern Carver County JSAW Extreme E3-SportReach University of Minnesota

Romania Romania Paul & Karin Thomas Pedro Valdez Katie Dudgeon Dave & Jan Stilwell Love INC Jonny Nelson Chad & Kristin Tabor Anslm House

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Feeding the Community

December—Peanut butter / 40 jars needed January—Canned Peas & Corn Only / 80 cans needed February—Soup / 80 cans needed Place donations in the marked box near the church office.