Family Vacation Bible School Coming July 7-11th

Last year we received nearly a hundred evaluation forms back from participants in our Son Force Vacation Bible School (VBS), and they were overwhelmingly positive. Almost everyone loved the evening time and family format. This summer we will be duplicating that format and time, but with a meal available all five nights for a $2/person donation (which was mentioned on several feedback forms).

This year’s VBS promises to be an even bigger hit with the whole family! Our all-new Special Events Team looked at several of the most popular new VBS programs before deciding on the Power Lab by Group Publishing (of Longmont). Group is one of the nation’s premier resources for curriculum, volunteer training, and many other children’s ministry resources, so they put together a remarkably well planned and tested program. The decorating ideas (a key aspect of last year’s success) are really awesome and easy to do, the crafts are truly unique and different, and the lessons are interactive and powerful for the kids (also thorough and easily adjustable with respect to time and attendance considerations for our volunteers). Of course, the program includes whacky characters, high-energy worship (with fun and engaging motions), and some fun video elements.

There is also a powerful missions aspect to this program. Group has teamed up with Operation Kid-to-Kid to help us provide soccer balls bearing the gospel message to kids around the world! During the VBS our kids will be able to personalize messages on the balls and pray for the kids who will eventually receive them. Although the Mission Team will be helping with this aspect, we need everyone’s support for this international opportunity. Be watching for a fundraiser to help purchase and send the soccer balls.

As you all know, an event of this size and potential impact requires a tremendous amount of help from the church family. We are blessed to have new Special Events Team Leader in Rebecca Snodgrass who has put together a team of about ten key leaders who are already gearing up and recruiting helpers! We can use several additional people in each of the following categories: Games, Snacks, Crafts & Missions, Bible Story, Video, and Decorating. If you will be able to help during the week of July 7-11 please sign up at the Children’s check-in desk or talk to Rebecca Snodgrass, Andrea Winn, or myself. To everyone in the church family, I would ask that you begin praying for the success of this fantastic event.

Pre-registration begins this week. There will be a table in the lobby (May 10^th & 11^th), and registrations will continue at the children’s check-in thereafter. There is no cost and no limit on numbers, but the earlier we know how many people to expect the better we can prepare.

Children’s Ministry Support Still Lacking

I cannot express the gratitude I feel for the core group of teachers and volunteers who have kept our Children’s Ministry thriving for as long as I have been a part of the Valley View Family (4 years +/-). All too frequently I hear people saying they just don’t have the time to help in the nursery (2.5 hours a month) or to help in the coffee shop or a classroom (about the same time commitment as watching a single episode of Dancing With the Stars or half a ball game). When I hear these statements I am more than dismayed, I am concerned for the future of Christ’s church! Most of my core teachers have been here virtually every single weekend since Valley View opened its doors, several of them on both Saturday and Sunday! They all have jobs, families, and outside interests, too. But they choose to submit to their Lord and to serve His church. I thank God for them almost every day, because without their faithful service we would not have a children’s ministry at all, and our adult ministry would face severe challenges. To those of you who “don’t have the time” to serve (or don’t feel called “that way”), I challenge you to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 and pray about what it means to you.

I also want to thank all those who have stepped up as a result of our most recent pleas for help. So far, God has provided for all of our most dire needs and helped plug the day-to-day holes or absences in our schedule. He has also brought us several folks who have expressed an interest in ongoing service. Unfortunately far too many of those who have stepped up are people who are already serving. As I said in the insert last week, I will not continue to let the same people do more and more until they burn out. It is spiritually (and physically) unhealthy for them and for those who allow them to take up the slack. As a result, those of you with toddlers and infants should be prepared for the possibility that our nursery (one or both sides) may be closed during any given service where volunteer support is absent. I truly hope that this does not become necessary, but as of the writing of this it appears likely to happen here and there.

I hope that each of you will pray for our sincere needs in this area!

God is Paying Close Attention

Although that last section sounded gloomy, my outlook is anything but! Denise and I were talking just the other day about how God seems to be blessing absolutely everything we are doing at Valley View! On any given weekend our children’s and youth ministries have the potential to set records in attendance; our new men’s ministry simply exploded, our new women’s ministry is scrambling to find more rooms for their fall retreat, and our Wednesday evening programs rival the weekends for involvement of all ages! I deeply believe that God is paying particular attention to this place and this family right now. I believe He is hoping and expecting us to become a vital force for His kingdom is this area, this state, and beyond. All He needs is our willingness, and our submission, and He will handle the rest. What an exciting and humbling time to be here!

God bless,

Jeff Bartlett

STATS

(1/1/08 to 5/04/08)

Baptisms

Additions

Average Attendance

761

Appreciation Night for Eva’s 17 Years

Saturday, May 10^th, at 7 pm

in the Auditorium

We will honor and express our gratitude to Eva for 17 years of ministry at Valley View. This will be potluck and we ask you to please bring Finger Food to share. There will also be dessert and refreshments. Bring cards to share with Eva, expressing your thanks for her years of service.

Pinewood Derby

June 6^th @ 7pm

An event for Dad’s & Kids!

Build Your Derby Car Day!

May 17^th, 1-4pm

tools, paint & help available

Pick up your kits at the NextChapter bookstore!

LOVE INC. Seeking Office Space for Clearinghouse:

Can You Help?

Love, INC is one of Valley View’s missions. They help us meet benevolent needs of people in our area. Below is a recent note from them and a possible opportunity for someone in the church.

As we are looking ahead to opening our Clearinghouse, we are now actively seeking office space in the Littleton area. We are looking for office space (approx 600-800 sq ft) within our Love INC of Littleton service area. The office would have to be easily accessible for our volunteers and have adequate parking spaces.

Ideally, the space would have:

an open area, where we could have a bank of phones (for our volunteers who will be receiving requests for assistance);
an enclosed office space for the Executive Director, and;
a small meeting space

Do you know anyone who would be willing to provide us space at a substantially reduced rent cost – or even FREE!!?? Contact us by email (info@loveinclittleton.org) or call (303-748-8568) if you can help – or if you know of someone who can help.

MEETING TIMES

Sundays

Bible School – Classes for Preschool & Grade School—Saturday 5:15 PM & Sunday 8:00, 9:13 & 10:41 AM

Adults – Sunday, 8:00 & 9:13 AM.

Worship Services – Saturday 5:15 PM Sunday 8:00, 9:13, & 10:41 AM

Middle School, High School & College Age Worship Sunday at 9:13 AM

Weekdays

Small Groups – Check our Website

Wednesday Night @ Valley View – Meal @ 5:30PM, Classes @ 6:30PM, Sr. High @ 7 PM