As followers of Jesus, we know that we don't even have to fear death. Because our Savior has risen from the dead. We celebrate his resurrection today.
4-9 Giving up Popularity- Pastor Jake Ritzema
Image isn't everything. Following Jesus means giving up a lot of things, and one of them can be the need to be popular.
4-2-17 Giving up our Lives-Pastor Eric Schlukebir
God shows us in the book of Ezekiel that he can give life, even to a dead, dried up valley of bones. But real life only comes when the Spirit fills us.
3.26.17 Giving up our Enemies- Pastor Jake Ritzema
Usally the first thing that comes to mind when we start listing our enemies are the terrorists that spend their time devising ways of striking fear in the hearts of the average citizen of any western country. However enemies actually cover a wide range of individuals that we have marked as those who have hurt us or those who think differently than we do. During this season of Lent we are giving up a lot of things which, believe it or not, includes our enemies. In fact Jesus gives us a radical concept when it comes to thinking about and even interacting with our enemies. He said we need to "love" them!!! Now that's radical. But can we do it? We'll talk about it this Sunday, please join us here at Grace Valley.
3-12-17 Giving Up Expectations- Pastor Jake Ritzema
I know this is dated but for those of you who are old enough or for those of you who have access to You Tube check out the song “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra. Here is the chorus, “But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes; He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes”. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t have high hopes and high expectations of people we interact with and even God. The thing is, during Lent can we give up our high expectations, or even should we? To find out check out this Sunday’s Lenten message on, “if and how our expectations and God’s purposes for us connect in any way, shape or form”.
3-5-17 Giving up Control- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
Why do we give up things for Lent?"
Lent is about preparing ourselves for the death and resurrection of Jesus. And so just as Jesus gave up everything for us, many Christians use Lent as a period of time to intentionally give up something for the purpose of focusing on Jesus.
This year for Lent, in our worship service, our message series is will focus not on physical things that we need to give up, but attitudes and ways of life that keep us from accepting God’s gift of grace through Jesus.
This week we start with our desire to control things. What does our need to be in control say about our trust in God. And, most importantly, how does Jesus example of giving up control, allow us to let Him be in control of our lives?
2-26-17 "Facing our Future" Pastor Jake Ritzema
Facing our Future
There is an elephant in the room, something that it seems no one in our youth centered culture wants to talk about, but if we are going to face our future there is one certainty that we shouldn’t gloss over. George Bernard Shaw was quoted by Billy Graham as saying, ““The statistics of death are quite impressive, one out of one people die”. And he is right, death - unless the Lord comes again during our life time – is a certainty whether we talk about it or admit it or not.
The question of the day is, “Are you prepared to face the future?” If not, faith in Christ may put you at ease. Jesus said to his disciples who were nervous about their future, “Trust in God, trust in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms and I’m going to prepare a room for you. I will come to bring you to where I am”. See isn’t it easier to face the future knowing you can have one in Christ
2-19-17 Facing our Foes- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
When going into battle, it helps to know who the enemy is, so you go into battle with the right tools. In Ephesians 6 Paul says the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the powers and principalities. What does that mean, and how does the armor that God provide help us to win that battle.
2-12-17 "Facing our Fears"-Pastor Jake Ritzema
What are you scared of? Do you have Phobophobia which is the fear of phobias, or are you fearful of needles, or the dark or spiders? Fear, if you are honest, is something that all of us deal with on different levels. So what do you when some future event or even present danger has you so scared that your pulse quickens and your stomach sours?
Do you shut your eyes and hope it goes away, do you find some spray or trap or medicine you hope relieves the pressure in your head? The fear factor scares people half to death, so what should you do about it?
February 6 2017- Pastor Eric Schlukebir- Facing the Giants
We all want to be able to live courageously. But more often than not we give into our fears, and rather than take the risks we need to take to go somewhere new, we desire to go back to the places where we are more comfortable. The Israelites did this over and over again on the way to the Promised Land. But even though they didn't always live courageously as they should, God continued to be with them. And as they get ready to enter the Promised Land, his message is still one of grace and hope. "I will be with you. I will never forsake you. Be Strong and Courageous"
January 29 "Sow and Sew" Pastor Jake Ritzema
Sow and Sew
Yup you read it correctly “Sow & Sew" is our sermon title for this coming Sunday. Sow & Sew is the third message in our “Sow Generously” series which flows out of Grace Valley’s 2017 theme entitled, “Sow Generously, Live Courageously”.
So far our series has touched on Sow & Soap, the details of which can be seen in our link below. Next came Sow N Seeds. In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower we determined how important it is for us to get out of the building and plant seeds of God’s Word everywhere! The more we spread the seeds the better chance we have in planting the Word in fertile hearts ready to receive the Word.
So what do we mean by Sow & Sew? In Acts 18 one of the things God teaches us is how important it is to connect with other folks with the same common interest to grow His church. For more details we invite you to stop by Sunday. We’ll leave the lights on and the doors open for you :) We’d love to meet you!
January 22- "A Discipleship Prayer"- Pastor Eric Schlukebir
This week, we look at Paul's letter to the Ephesians. After reminding the Ephesians, who they are in Christ, and what they have received in Christ, Paul tells them about his prayers for them as they grow and mature in their faith. He prays," that their eyes would be open to what God is doing, that their lives would be filled with hope, generosity and courage."
Sow N Seeds
Actually it is really difficult to write about seeds and sowing when you look outside and know spring and all the tasks we associate with planting are still months off. However we also realize God is in control of the seasons and His church, and that regardless of what the weather might be doing outside it important to Him we stay busy planting seeds in the hearts and minds of folks who might be receptive to learning something about Jesus. Join us this Sunday as we take a peek at Jesus’ Parable of the Sower. Since we are in “farm country” it is one of those stories that really makes sense to gardeners and farmers alike. Looking for a sermon that digs into the Word? Then join us this Sunday. We promise it will be a fruitful experience :)
1/1/17 "New Beginnings"- Pastor Jake Ritzema
December 25- Pastor Jake Ritzema-Christ is Born
Our Christmas message from Pastor Jake
December 18- Pastor Jake Ritzema- God shows His Favor
Party favors, you know those small gifts given to people for coming to a birthday party, office party, baby shower, etc. Interesting concept isn’t it. I am wondering who started that tradition in the first place. Would it be because the person who was giving the party decided if they gave gifts they would get more gifts - bigger gifts in return? Were they hoping it would guarantee more folks coming to their party? Party favors – interesting concept. This Sunday we are going to chat about God sharing His favor with Elizabeth, with Mary and with us. The thing about it is, God shared His favor, His gift without strings attached. Jesus, the Ultimate Gift of Christmas was given for one reason and one reason only – Love. Remember John 3: 16? This Christmas season just do one thing – Thank God for “The Gift”
December 11- Pastor Jake Ritzema- Jesus is Near
Your mission, should you decide to accept it is this, “Go outside on a clear night away from the bright lights of the city or the yard lights if you live in the country. Stand in an open area and count every star that you can see. Then go back in the house, get on your computer and research how many stars astrophysicists say are in our galaxy, the Milky Way. Continue your research to uncover how many galaxies there are in the universe. Then multiply the number of stars in a typical galaxy times the number of galaxies there are in the universe. As a final step, please mail in your answer to me here at Grace Valley.”
What does this exercise in counting sun/stars have to do with Christmas? Just this – the God who created all these stars is the same powerful God who created the special star that led the wise men to the Christ in the cradle in Bethlehem. It is the same God who reduced His 10^100 (googol) power times infinity to become, not only the Son of God but the Son of Man. Colossians 1: 15-16 in a nutshell puts it this way, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth.” Jesus, God’s Son, came to be among us at Christmas. What a gift!!!
December 4- Pastor Eric Schlukebir- What are you Waiting for?
Today we take a look at the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. Zechariah and Elizabeth show us what it looks like to balance waiting with hopeful expectation.
November 27 - Pastor Eric Schlukebir- The Ark and a Shipwreck
The Bible says "In all things give thanks." But that is easier said than done. So on this Thanksgiving weekend, we look at two different Bible stories. With God's people giving Thanks in very different circumstances.
November 20-Pastor Jake Ritzema- "Who are You?"
Who are You?
The talk of the nation a few weeks ago was about the Cubs verses the Indians in the World Series. What a nail biter!! We had a winner and a loser. The talk of the nation during the course of this past week was in the political arena, Hillary verses Trump. What a nail biter!!! We had a winner and a loser.
This contest took on a whole different tone than the baseball game. It is one that will have far reaching ramifications in the years ahead. What was quite evident during both of these events is that you could, for the most part, tell who was for whom. Regardless of the outcomes, one thing is sure God is in control. (see Psalm 24:1; Proverbs 21:1)
Why bring it up? Because I am wondering if folks have the same passion for Christ and His Kingdom, or do the clothing we wear and the things we say have no connection at all to what we really feel about our relationship with Jesus.
This Sunday, November 20, as our series - Acts, the Church: Budding, Building & Blossoming - winds down we are going to take a look at folks that are Spirit filled and some who are faking it and using Jesus name for their own self interest. Join us as we reflect on what being really committed is all about and how people can see better than we can ourselves who we really are.