Valley ECHO Newsletter

OF VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

"REFLECTING ON THINGS SPIRITUAL;
"REPEATING THINGS ESSENTIAL"

Jerry Cowan, Pastor
Volume XII Issue 2
February 2012

Frooty
www.lilmsglitter.com

During this month of romance, join us any
Sunday to discover the love of God that sets

the standard for our affection.

February Breakfast Ministry

Johnny Ponns is a Penn State minister to students in State College.

One way he and his New Life Fellowship students meet new students

while they meet new needs is by providing a quick breakfast for

those with 8:00 am classes. They set up a table outside a

classroom building and offer a simple meal: hot chocolate and

breakfast bars.

Valley will be joining other churches by donating the chocolate

mix and nutrition bars. Bring your donations throughout the

month and place in the big blue bucket in the entry way.

Let’s see how many buckets we can fill in four Sundays!

40 Days in the Word is a spiritual growth campaign designed to

expose you to a power source that has changed millions of lives

in the past 3500 years – God’s Word, the Bible.

You will want to set aside every

Sunday from Easter to Mother’s Day and set aside about 30

minutes each day during that same time frame. You will learn

why the Bible should be read, how the Bible should be read,

what the Bible has to say about your life and Who stands behind

the words of the Bible.

You will gain the most if your take advantage of each element

of the campaign, which includes:

Messages in Sunday morning worship services

Weekly small group studies based on DVD lessons

Daily time in the Word learning how to hear God

40 days of short e-mail devotions taught by 40 different

leading pastors in the US

Weekly Bible verses to memorize making God’s Word a

ready tool for life

You can start preparing for this time of growth by highlighting

the 6 weeks on your calendar so nothing will interrupt your effort,

pray for our church, our leaders and yourself be open to how

God would use you in this time.

Mark Your Calendar

Feb 5, Sunday Potluck. There is no warmer place to be in

the middle of winter than with your church family around

the dinner table. Bring enough food for your family plus

one, and then invite a guest to join you. Since this is the

Sunday before Valentine’s Day, we will add a touch of

humorous romance to our meal.

Feb 19, Sunday Business Meeting. Our bi-monthly business

meeting will be held at 5 pm. On the agenda: election of

an Audit Committee, setting our annual Missions Offering

goal and hearing ministry reports.

Feb 21, Tuesday Silver Seniors. Our Silver Seniors group will

meet at Interfaith Apartments at 1 pm. Romance is still in the

air from Valentine’s Day, so come prepared.

Vacation Bible School Once

Though we’re nearing the midpoint of winter, it’s not too early

to think of Vacation Bible School. This exciting time of Bible

learning will take place the week of July 8-13. This year’s

theme takes us around the world to five of the most majesty

monuments of God’s creation. Pray about your involvement in

teaching, assisting, leading, preparing or decorating.

We anticipate a training event in March, so talk to Pastor Cowan

if you would like to participate in the most evangelistic, most

extreme, most exhausting week of our church life!

VBS Twice

You will remember that last year we had the help of sister churches

from North Carolina to pull off a soccer day camp and our VBS.

This year we will return the favor by hosting the group again for .

our VBS and then following them back to NC so we can help a church there

with their VBS the week after. Their teaching material will be

the same as will the schedule. Begin praying now regarding your

part in this unique opportunity to share the gospel with those far

from our church.

You heard it here…

You’ve been given your life. No one else has your version.

…Your life will never be lived by anyone else. You’re not a

jacket in the attic that can be recycled after you are gone Max Lucado

The sufficiency of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient. St Augustine

There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot

be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator,

made known through Jesus.”. Blaise Pascal

Gleaned from assorted e-mail newsletters.

Life getting a little rough?

We have no stunt doubles to send in for you,

but we do have a spiritual family that’s ready

to walk you through the hard parts of life.

From the Pastor's Heart

You would have to be a hermit in a cave to not be aware

that we are in a presidential election year.

(Of course, that might drive us to a cave!) We hear

and see much of the candidates even though our state’s

primary is not until April. But it’s not too early to use

the Bible to assess those who would lead us. Psalm 72

was apparently written for Solomon’s coronation (think

inauguration today). Below is an outline of that psalm

that highlights what we should look for in our national

leaders.

Above all, righteousness. V 1-4

Righteousness reflects the character and rule of God.

Ask: Would this candidate govern as God would? Does

he see his position as a trust given by the people and God?

Influence that is long. V 5-7

Does the contender see beyond just his own term in office

and generation? What about our grandchildren?

Influence that is broad. V 8-11

The psalmist describes a king that is respected beyond

his boarders. How does he earn that respect? No

doubt strength, generosity, and the first point above.

Compassion. V 12-14

It’s ironic that though Solomon was the richest man on

earth, he was described as the champion of the poor.

Does your candidate have his eye on the poor as God does?

Create the conditions for prosperity. V 5-17

If a president has the qualities above, blessings will flow.

But note the king doesn’t provide the blessings, he can

only create the channels for prosperity that ultimately

comes from God.

Now a couple of thoughts before you cast your ballot.

Psalm 72 first of all a prayer, one that should be offered

for anyone who sits in the Oval Office (see I Timothy 2:1-2).

And did it sound like such a king is just too ideal? That’s

why some see this as a Messianic psalm describing Christ

when he comes to rule. That means any candidate will be a

n imperfect sinner (like us), so we don’t look to him to save us.

And it means that our best vote may be a write-in ballot

stating, “Maranatha!” (O Lord, come! ICor 16:22).