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VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Making a Difference

4/27/2014

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The King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch                        as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to Me.’  (Matthew 25:40 – NKJV)

For almost seven years now I have, without apology, called you to give to the church / the work of the Kingdom; and you have responded generously time and again.  We might sometimes wonder, does it matter, does it make a difference?

Just this week we put some of your generosity to work by supporting the relief efforts in the Solomon Islands, where our mission partners, Paul and Cathy Unger serve.  In email from Paul, we find the answer to the question as to whether or not our giving makes a difference.

The Lengo translators all have families that they support. Their gardens were largely washed away during the flooding (up to chest deep water on the plains). What wasn't washed away was soaked and covered with mud and has begun to rot in the ground. Even if they could plant tomorrow, they wouldn't be able to harvest anything for about six months. They need cash to buy food. What you gave will go a fair distance.

Joseph was in the capital, Honiara, selling food at the market with his family when the flooding happened. Initial reports from their village were that the water was lapping at the edge of their house, but that it didn't take it away. We did what we could to help them get back to their village as soon as they could safely return, to see for themselves. Unfortunately, the initial reports were too optimistic. Their kitchen--a separate building--was washed away, along with much that was in their house. He, his wife, and eldest daughter came to town yesterday to start to rebuild. With the money you gave they bought a foam mattress and a pillow, a thermos, some utensils / pots / pans, some clothing and toiletries... I was surprised with how little they thought they needed. When they got back to their village yesterday evening Joseph called to let me know they had arrived. And then he broke down and wept... "Grateful" doesn't really tell just how he felt.

We will keep looking for opportunities to help. The needs seem overwhelming, but we feel that we doing our part by helping specific people in significant ways. Thank you for trusting us to do so on your behalf.


Your gifts, your generosity are making a difference!  When I think of these friends and co-workers of the Paul and Cathy receiving the kind a practical assistance that is helping them to feed their families and to rebuild their homes my heart is encouraged.  Though it may seem like a small gift, it is making a lasting impact!

I think back to many times you have responded to bless others; helping a new church get established in P.E.I., contributing to the camel water station and responding to the need for famine relief in Ethiopia and helping Ken and Nancy purchase a vehicle to use on the Mission field.  I think Nicolasas and her family and the way you lavishly blessed as we sent a team to build a home for them. And I think of the many that have been blessed with groceries or a small gift of kindness at a time when a little encouragement made all the difference.

In all this I am reminded that we serve a God who is generous / lavish toward us!  He is able to take our gifts and multiply them and therefore multiply the blessing.  So again, without apology, I call you, invite you and encourage you to give!  Because, we cannot out give God!

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

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Resurrection Hope

4/16/2014

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As I drove from Valley back home last Saturday, my eye was draw to the abundance of yellow flowers growing on the hillside to the east of Black Sage Road and my mind went back to a conversation I shared with Corrie Zandee during our first Spring here in the valley.  Corrie shared with me how a fire had destroyed most of the hillside and only recently had these flowers come to bloom again.  We talked about the sense of renewal we experience each spring and the wonder of the changing seasons.

As I looked on the hillside, alive with new growth, I began to think about the newness of life we find in Christ; especially as we move toward Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Our National Pastor, David Schrader wrote about this in his Easter Greetings.  With his permission, I have copied his letter below.

The Easter lily and the tomb have much in common. They both speak of hope, a hope that paradoxically springs from the haunts and throes of death. This Friday, Christians around the world will commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; but they will also celebrate the hope that His death brought to all who follow Him. 

It must have looked very dismal and hopeless the day Jesus died; much like it looks every fall when flowers die and their beauty disappears. In spring and summer, flowers grace our lives with their poignant smells and stunning beauty, just like the life of Jesus must have graced his disciples’ lives with hope, in the “spring and summer” of His ministry. But then “Fall” came and the Saviour died.

The onset of the Fall season can be quite dreary. It reminds us that winter is not far behind. It had to be de-pressing and disappointing to the disciples to see their Master laid in a tomb. Their summer of hope had turned to a winter of despair as death’s cold wind delivered a terrible and chilling blow to their hopes and ambitions of a Messianic kingdom.

But like the lily, whose beauty fades and dies every year, spring brings the promise of a lily’s bloom. When Christ died, his resurrection brought the hope of an eternal spring. His resurrection separated us from all other religions, only Christianity has an eternal hope. We have a Saviour that is alive! At this special time of the year t is my prayer for all of you that as spring begins and flowers bloom, you will be reminded that Christ is alive in you. This is what Paul meant, when he said, “Christ in you is the hope of glory”. 

May you all be blessed this weekend as you remember, his death and burial and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour. 

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  (Revelation 1:8)

I join with Pastor Schrader in expressing my desire for each of us to be lost in the wonder and awe of God’s love for us; a love boldly proclaimed in the cross.  And as we remember and reflect on Good Friday, may it lead to even greater wonder and joy as we celebrate Easter morning, for He is Risen!

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Being the Church

4/4/2014

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I have had a couple of days to reflect on what was for me a long day of mixed emotions this past Wednesday.  From this day four snapshots have formed in my mind that powerfully display the church being the church.

I knew when the day began this would be the day we would say ‘good-bye’ to our friend Gerard; his memorial service was scheduled for 1:30 p.m.  The church was filled beyond capacity as family and friends came together to honor and celebrate his life.  In the midst of that gathering the first snapshot formed in my mind.  I saw a team of dedicated men and women coming together to bless and serve, to support and encourage the Zandee family.  Some were involved in the memorial service, some served behind the scenes and many helped with the preparation and clean up necessary to make such a gathering happen.  Not only did they serve, they did so joyfully.  This is the church in action!  As I reflected on this snapshot, I realized again how blessed I am to be part of such a church family.

A second snapshot formed as we stood around the graveside; a smaller gathering of family and friends.  There was mixed feelings as the realization that both Corrie and Gerard where now both in heaven brought joy but also a sense of sadness.  It was in that moment I saw the support and encouragement and hope that we speak into each other’s lives as the church.  What a beautiful picture!

A short time later I had the joy of sitting around the dinner table with some of Lia’s family and friends to share a meal together.  There was much laughter and joy and as I captured one particular moment, I found myself saying, ‘we were made for this’.

After dinner I joined our Small Group, where we sat around the table and looked again into the Word of God and joined together in prayer.  As the study ended we celebrated with John and Katie their 50th Anniversary.  Once again there was much laughter and joy and we engaged the hearts of one another and shared life together.

For almost 7 years I have been speaking of the good spirit we enjoy at Valley; we are not perfect, but I remind you again, that what we have it good, it’ very good!  Thanks for being the church to one another!

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    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice. They have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley, Charlie), Andrea & Jason (Noah, Luke).

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4312 Black Sage Road Box 1235 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 250-498-4829 valleyccc@hotmail.com