December 23, 2011

Dear Friend of Valley Springs,

2011 CLOSES. As a church family we have walked with one another through joys and sorrows, births and deaths, highs and lows, successes and failures. I want to express my personal appreciation for the care so many of you extended to me in the death of my mother; and the care you gave to others who also experienced significant loss during 2011. The grace and mercy of God flows through the love of his people. Thank you for being a family to one another!

NEW MINISTRY INITIATIVES! In the area of church planting: we sent the Carpenters to Chicago; we began Sunday night Vespers in Sacramento; and we’re supporting a pastor to launch a new congregation in Vacaville. In our immediate area: we have reached out with God’s love to neighborhoods at-risk in cooperation with the Campus Life Barn, we’ve deployed VS’s Compassion Team with trained Care Ministers and Chaplains, and we’ve loved on families in financial crisis and made headway on our church’s facility debt reduction. In addition, this has been a year of conversions to Christ, people coming back to Christ who had drifted, outreaches such as Feed My Starving Children, mission trips, and much generosity in time, talent, and treasure. So much to give thanks for!

END-OF-YEAR GIVING.  General Fund giving has been consistently stronger this year than in recent history. The result is that we are presently within $7,000 of meeting our original budget income goal. This is very encouraging, and we thank the Lord. At the same time, because of an additional $8,000 of budgeted Vespers expenses, we actually need $15,000 plus $34,020 (budgeted income for this weekend), for a total of $49,020 before the end of the year. If you can give a special gift, or if you are behind in your giving, please be generous. And pray that God will enable us to close this gap over the next eight days. There will be Year-End-Gift boxes at the Christmas Eve services (at the doors), and an offering plate will be passed around at the Christmas Day service. Also, our office will be open Tuesday through Friday noon next week.

“HEART OF VALLEY SPRINGS”  Our leadership team continues to diligently pray and discuss our vision of growth in discipleship, effective local evangelism, increased community life, financial health, and impacting the world with the gospel. One specific realization is the need for a Ministry Pastor who will work closely with me to oversee and give careful attention to improving the various ministries of our congregation. We asked God to provide, and he has! In 2012 a new pastor will join our staff. His name is Brad Anderson. He and his wife Dana have four children and presently live in St. Louis, MO. He is gifted and experienced in team building, strategic planning, administration, and pastoral care. He’s also a good preacher with a delightful family. God’s faithfulness is so evident. You’ll hear more soon! Please pray for the Andersons and our new relationship with them. Your prayers are powerful!

THREE CANDLE LIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: 5:30, 7:00 and 10:30pm. There will be a children’s lesson and child care for toddlers and nursery at the 5:30 and 7:00 services only.

ONE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE: 10:00am. Special fun and kid-oriented lessons in the service for all children. There will also be child care for toddlers and nursery.

ONE NEW YEARS DAY SERVICE: 10:00am. A service of testimonies and praise.  Child care for nursery through kinders as well as normal programming for grades 1-5. (No Saturday service New Years Eve.)

The leaders and staff wish you a blessed Christmas weekend.

In Christ,
David George