Dear Members and Friends of VPC,
Let’s celebrate the “Family of God” and rededicate ourselves to gathering together again on a regular basis. It is one of the consequences of the pandemic that we have grown accustomed to more isolation from each other and the church. We need to embrace a course of action that gets us involved in each other’s lives into the future.
Life Groups Restart
Week Starting: Sunday, February 20
Workbook: Knowing (Basics of the Faith)
Meetings- Encourage others to join you?
Dates and Times:
| Sundays, 5 P.M, at Valley Park | Church Chapel – three groups planned |
| Tuesdays, 10 A.M., at Valley Park | Church Conference Room |
| Wednesday Evenings, 7 P.M. | Vivian Rude via ZOOMFor Zoom ID and Password, contact Vivian. |
| or | |
| Church Conference Room, In-person or ZOOM. | |
| Fridays, 7 P.M. at Mamu’s Social Room | Call Mamu or Ludy. |
“Life Groups” are designed for attendees less in number than 12 if possible, in order to involve everyone in discussion and know each other more intimately. Small groups, over time, build healthier relationships as a result of regular time together. Small groups are great opportunities to invite people we care about to a setting that is not churchy and more concerned with people. Consider this opportunity as the foundation for Christian growth and a setting for sharing the faith.
Reasons to Prioritize Life Groups:
- Obeying the New Commandment requires spending time together to know each other and support each other. (John 13:34-35; 15:12-17)
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
- Jesus served His followers and encouraged His followers to serve one another. Matthew 20:28; John 13:12-17
“Then, when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”
John 13:12-17
- Jesus, when He judges people at the end of history, will judge them based upon commitment to His brethren. Who are the brothers of Jesus?
“to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least, you did it to me.”
Matthew 25:40
“But Jesus replied to the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” And extending His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold: My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 12:48-51
- It is one of the central commitments of our lives as Christians that we humble ourselves in order to serve others.
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 14:11; 18:14
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:34
- Jesus prayed that we will be one with each other in doing the work of God to love and serve one another in this life.
“The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.”
John 17:22-23
Jesus lived His life to love and serve His followers. He left us an example to follow in His steps. We all have busy schedules with a lot of things to do. Taking time away from ourselves in order to love the brethren will cost us time. But, it is exactly what Jesus wanted us to prioritize in life. We have a lot of time in the week. It only involves a few hours of commitment to do what Jesus asks us to do. Help us build “Life Groups” that change lives. Help us build them by offering our input so that we can increase the sense of hospitality where people feel loved and accepted. Let’s work together to build strong and healthy Life Groups.
Pastor Kevyn
Valley Park Ministries: Pray for the Following Ministries
- Children’s Ministry- Diana Nason
Children’s Church and the Nursery are open at 11 A.M. on Sundays until after the Worship time in the Sanctuary. Parents must sign in their children at either Room 4 or the Nursery depending upon their child’s age.
- Youth Ministry- Victor Paz
Meeting Location- Ranch House
Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Sundays from 10:30 A.M. to 12 P.M.
- Thursday Fellowship for Seniors – Started back January 13
Join us at the church for our Seniors and Friends Fellowship on Thursdays at 10 A.M. in the church courtyard.
- Men’s Fellowship and Bible Study- Started back January 15
Come down to the church on Saturdays for our Men’s Bible Study and Fellowship at 9 A.M. in the Church courtyard and/or conference room
Valley Park February Birthdays of Members, Friends and Youth
03 Tammy Eacker
08 Amy Lutzker
10 Hannah Wu-Franco
15 Angel Junior (young adult)
16 Sandra Navarro (Romina & Jaime’s Mother)
20 Mercedes Palabrica
21 Earl Nason
26 Miguel Martinez
29 Latasha Green