Social distancing is posing a problem for some folks in Alabama. Handshakes and hugs are common greetings and demonstrations of real affection in United States southern cultural Christianity. Is an elbow-bump really an expression of affection?
Believers are a part of God’s worship team. During the congregational worship on Sunday morning, we all have a part to play. The frontline may sing with a microphone and the band may play from the platform, but ALL of us together elevate Christ Jesus in our midst. Our gathered worship is a dynamic, collaborative effort. Our corporate response pleases the heart of God.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9 HCSB).” As God’s royal priests, let us offer sacrifices of something meaningful and valuable. Enter the sanctuary with a focus to proclaim His praises!
A live, in-person worship experience is once again available on Sunday at 10AM at Valley Fellowship Church. Extra precautions include screening, physical distancing, and face masks.
“Your faith matters!” Those were the words impressed upon my spirit as the pastors prayed together via a zoom meeting on Wednesday earlier this week. In this video below, I share more about what God revealed to me. This is a recording of the teaching from the Zoom Meeting of Valley Fellowship Church on Sunday, July 26, at 10AM. You are invited to join us next Sunday, August 2, as we once again meet via Zoom. Contact the church office for the meeting link and password.
We are praying for you, knowing that God is still on the throne. Our lovingly Heavenly Father is not wringing His hands, worried about what to do next. God will safely guide us through this difficult season.
Here on earth, we contend for the unity of our local Body. God’s Word commands us, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3 NLT). We are all facing this challenging time together. We have had to adjust to not seeing one another nearly enough!
Challenges we all face include not meeting together regularly, not staying connected to the Body, and not staying spiritually feed. In reality, you need the Body and the Body of Christ needs you. Valley Fellowship offers opportunities for you to stay connected and spiritually fed while also staying physically healthy.
Recently, Madison County was designated as a high risk area. Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers asked residents to utilize face masks in Madison County. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the updated health order requires most individuals (older than two years old) to wear face coverings in public places in Madison County. Although not mandated, face coverings are strongly recommended for congregants at worship services.
Though places of worship have specific exception, we ask everyone attending in-person worship services at Valley Fellowship Church to wear a face mask.
If you cannot safely wear a mask, we recommend that you connect with us online rather than in-person. Join the Sunday 1:00 PM Zoom Meeting that includes short teaching, prayer, and fellowship.
We practice healthy cleaning and sanitation practices, physical distancing, and wearing face masks, but above all, we trust in the Lord. Thank you for your cooperation. We will keep you informed of changes as we move forward. We hope that the current high risk level in our county will be lowered in a short time.
Please, reach out to us, reach out to one another, and reach out to your greater church family. “Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united” (Ephesians 4:3 CEV). Do your best to connect on a weekly basis. Let’s stay healthy spiritually and physically!
We love you and are praying for you daily!
Greg and Patti Simon
This week we acknowledge the birth of the United States, we pray for our nation and leaders, and we are thankful for our liberty. We have much for which to be thankful! Let’s celebrate the Fourth with gratitude to God for what He has allowed us to enjoy.
Have you ever seen any of the humorous commercials promoting Snickers? Snickers kicked off a popular advertising campaign in 2010 featuring commercials with the tagline “you’re not you when you’re hungry”. Apparently the message resonated around the globe and significantly lifted Snickers’ sales.
Today, I want to alter the message: “You’re not you when you’re not hungry”. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled”(Matthew 5:6 MEV). Blessed are those who hunger for what is right in God’s eyes for they shall be filled and fulfilled with those things totally right in God’s eyes. You will never live your BEST life without spiritual hunger for righteousness.
Whatever God begins, He finishes. So often, humans begin projects only to soon set them aside, forgotten and unfinished. God is NOT like that. God completes what He begins; He finishes what He starts.
God’s Word provides wisdom in Romans chapter 12 on how to handle hurt – how to not hold on to hurt. Listen the video to learn more.
Continue reading “DON’T HOLD ONTO HURT Greg Simon 6-10-2020”
Following Christ’s resurrection, His sudden appearance in the midst of His startled disciples included the command: “I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 MEV).
The Greek word translated “clothed” is used frequently throughout the New Testament, and generally refers to the act of putting on a new set of clothes. To be “clothed with” is to put on, to hide in, to be furnished with what is necessary, or to be armed.
In the 1970’s, streaking (running naked in public) briefly became a popular, yet irreverent, oddity. Streaking was a trend that needed to go away, and we definitely should not live like a Christian streaker. Jesus instructed the disciples to stay in the city until they were clothed with special endowment of empowerment. “Clothed” (Luke 24:49) refers to the equipping and enabling of the Holy Spirit.
Christ’s promise was reiterated just before His ascension: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 MEV). At Pentecost, Holy Spirit came with power!
The church calendar designates this Sunday as Pentecost. As we meet together, we will certainly remember how the Holy Spirit was outpoured and continues to be outpoured. Join us this Sunday at 8:30 or 10 AM as we celebrate together.
Are you in need of a fresh infilling? Do you need an empowering? At conversion, you were touched by the Holy Spirit. At Spirit baptism, you were dunked in the Holy Spirit. Don’t live in spiritual poverty. In Christ, you are entitled to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and His energizing power. Open your heart today and receive a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit will give you greater love for God, greater victory over sin, greater power to witness, and greater release of spiritual gifts. Remove all barriers. Request the Father’s Promise, the Holy Spirit. Step out and release the gifts. And, pray in the Holy Spirit every day of your life.
Don’t be a Christian streaker!
Do you want to know a secret? Our natural response to that question is, “Yes.” We like to be let in on a secret. Guess what? The Apostle Paul tells us he learned the secret to contentment in any and every situation, even in difficult seasons of life. “I do not speak because I have need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13 MEV).” That means, our contentment rests upon the secret that can be learned and the strength that can be received through Christ Jesus.
Our circumstances are morphing rapidly around us. Difficult, strange, disappointing, even life-threatening, BUT we have a secret. The Lord Jesus Christ is willing and able to strengthen His people. So, we draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and grace to help —strength to help— in time of need. Approaching God’s throne is a privilege and blessing, but we must overcome challenges: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Live like you need God’s hands upon your life.