Dear members and friends of Valley Park,
A few exciting things happened the last month:
- Last Sunday, June 25th, we welcomed fourteen new members into the Valley Park Church family. This is the greatest increase in membership in one year. I am guessing more like 7 to 8 years.
- Last Sunday, we also approved a constructive budget for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024). With increased spending on worship services and Sunday lunches, we have encouraged people to attend more regularly and to stay after services. This has resulted in more fellowship among members and attendees. It is wonderful that the strength of our budget can sustain this and we have our church family to thank.
We are moving into the next fiscal year with strength. In fact, we can move into the summer months with a lot of work that was done in June to establish a sure footing for the year to come. For me, this means hard work done in June will mean a little time to rest and unwind. Thank you, Jesus!
At the same time, my thoughts are on constructive work during the summer months. The first is completing some of my writing with fewer distractions. I do want to put a few chapters of my book into a small bound format so that members and friends of the church can take copies home, read them and give me some feedback. It would be nice to have my chapter on “Spiritual Growth” available by the end of August. This will give those interested an idea of what I have been working on that I frequently reference. This is my first goal.
Second, I believe that God will lead to us someone gifted to do family ministry. No, I am not thinking of retiring! I am simply recognizing that there is a need in our church to reach more families and a younger, pastorally-minded family man would be a nice addition to our ministry team.
My experience tells me we often best encourage people within our own age bracket. When I was in my twenties, I connected with a group of about 25 young adults of similar age. I taught Bible studies and planned/organized fun things for us to do. When I was in my thirties, Ann and I had children, and that connected us with other couples who had children. Again, I taught Bible studies and organized activities for families. I believe Valley Park would benefit from a minister with a heart for families. My heart is for a larger inter-generational ministry at Valley Park and, at this point, most specifically, families with children.
Over the summer, I will put out some form of promotion of Valley Park, our church strengths, and our vision for building stronger ministries. God may have ideas I do not see. I know He will lead and provide what He thinks is best. Just as our worship team came to us one person at a time in ways I would never have imagined, I believe God will also provide additional gifted leadership able to lead in ways that are new. I am hoping and praying God continues to lead Valley Park in ways that are relevant to both the churched and the unchurched. A partner in ministry would be a blessing to me.
I ask you to pray regularly for our church, that God will provide leadership for us in new and productive ways for the next year of ministry. This next year we pray for God’s hand in continuing to strengthen our relevance in ways we have yet to see. If we unite in prayer, I believe God will answer.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Proverbs 3:5-6
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”
While we pray for further guidance from God, let us not lose sight of the need to express gratitude for how He has provided the last few years. Valley Park has changed. We have served and trusted. God has provided newness. Let us express gratitude to Him for the evidence of His hand guiding us.
God is good. God is faithful. Jesus is building His church and working among us. Thanks be to God, the Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pastor Kevyn
Valley Park Ministries: Pray for the Following Ministries
- Volunteers Needed for Sunday Cleanup: The Hospitality team continues to look for volunteers to help with lunch clean-up on Sundays. Perhaps you would consider a once-a-month commitment to help. If so, please talk to Ann Jones. Again, thank you for your consideration of helping on Sundays!!
- Children’s Ministry – Diana Nason: All children join parents in the sanctuary at 10:30 A.M. for music and worship. They are dismissed to their class during the greeting time before the sermon. Parents need to sign their children in when they drop them off and pick up their children promptly after service in Room 4 (1st -5th grade) or Room 2 (Preschool through Kindergarten).
- Youth Ministry – Victor Paz: Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 P.M. in the Ranch House. Youth are dismissed to the Ranch House for Bible study during the greeting time before the sermon. (11 A.M. to 12 P.M.)
- Small Group Opportunities, Meeting Location – Church Conference Room
- Sundays at 5:00 PM
- Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
- Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
- Food Pantry on Wednesdays – We are presently serving 120-140 families involving over 500 people weekly. It appears community needs are increasing. We always need help between 1-5 P.M. on Wednesdays with set up, serving and cleanup.
Valley Park’s “July Birthdays”: Members, Friends and Youth
Please consider giving us your contact and birthday information so we can include you in our recognition of birthdays.
02 Daniel Hallak
04 Carol Mills
04 Cynthia Marsden
08 Cesar Alegado (Natasha’s Husband)
14 Maverick Murphy
17 Aubrey Green
20 Vivian Rude
26 Lawrence Gamboa
29 Rachel Hallak (child)
30 Merrell Eacker
31 Beti Gutierrez
31 Bill Lineberger