Recently I heard from a former colleague in ministry, the Music Director of a previous church. She had made the decision to further her theological education, and was pursuing a Master of Divinity degree. Her reason for contacting me was to gather information for a course she was taking on “discipleship” in the local church.
     I was excited to respond to her request, telling her about the various initiatives we’re implementing to carry out “Direction 1:8,” and especially how blessed Great Valley is in having the energy, passion, gifts and vision of Jim Shackleton to lead that endeavor. I also shared how we are trying to focus all the areas of our ministry in light of the perspective of Acts 1:8 – to be Christ’s witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
     After I had answered her questions about our church’s discipleship programs, she asked me one final question: “What advice would you give to a new pastor with regard to discipleship?”
     I hesitated before answering her question, not because I don’t have some ideas on the subject, but because I know that what matters is not having ideas; what matters is whether or not I’m living out those ideas. Jesus’ words in Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" – are a stinging rebuke to the notion that having the right ideas is enough. Nevertheless, after giving it some thought and praying for wisdom, I volunteered the following perspective:

• Whatever it takes and however you do it, make sure you have a growing, personal, vital, joyous, life-giving love relationship with Jesus. Without that, nothing else matters, nor finally makes a difference.
• Identify a small group of others (3 or 4) who have, or want to have, the same kind of relationship with Jesus, and then connect your lives together intentionally (again, however you do it and whatever it takes).
• Engage in growth experiences together – read pertinent, challenging, mind-stretching books, go on mission trips (even if, and perhaps especially, locally), pray for one another, and for your church and your community, and for one small, distinct part of the larger world (and become knowledgeable about that particular place).
• Ask God to show/lead you in the ways that your love for Jesus, your learning, and your heart for service can be used for the growth of his Kingdom through the ministry of the church to which he has called you.

     I concluded my comments with a confession: “Boy, I sure wish I had followed my own advice over the course of my own ministry, but I’ve done so more in the breach than in the observance. Nevertheless, I still think it's the way to go.”
     Upon further reflection, I conclude that this process of discipleship doesn’t only apply to pastors (new or otherwise); it’s really a pattern for all who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord.  After all, isn’t this what Jesus himself did? He nurtured his relationship with his heavenly Father; he called a small group of disciples with whom he shared his life; he taught them as they did ministry together; and upon his ascension, he assured them that as God enabled them, they would be his witnesses for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.
     Ever since responding to her query, this question has nagged me: “If I believe it’s such a good idea, why aren’t I doing it?” And one further question: “How can I start doing what I say is a good idea?”
     Do those same questions gnaw at you? What do you intend to do to respond?

Pastor Dan

Preschool in the Valley is operating at capacity this Fall, with 93 students enrolled. This year we added afternoon classes for threes and fours. If you should happen by the CE wing on any given weekday, you'll find the place alive with laughter, singing, and LOTS of activity!
The costume parade was the highlight of October, followed by harvest parties in each of the classrooms. In November, we look forward to preparing our own Thanksgiving Feasts. The children will make their own muffins, butter, cranberry sauce, and popcorn, as they learn how to be thankful to God for all His provisions.
In December, we will perform a Christmas  concert under the direction of Carol Jones, our music teacher. All are invited to this very special event, on December 17th, at 10:30 in the Sanctuary. The concert will be followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall, organized by the Home Room mothers. Please come, meet our special children and their families, and welcome in the Advent Season!

Karen Erickson, Director

Amahl and the Night Visitors is a popular one-act Christmas musical for families that was written by Gian Carlo Menotti in 1951 as the debut TV production of the Hallmark Hall of Fame.  It was inspired by Hieronymus Bosch's famous painting, "The Adoration of the Kings" and is reportedly the most frequently performed and seen opera ever written.
This charming classic Christmas fable is set in the first century, near Bethlehem, where Amahl, a kind-hearted,  happy,  crippled shepherd boy lives in poverty with his worried, widowed mother. The young boy and his mother find their lives changed forever after the Three Kings stop at their hut to rest on their star-led way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Christ Child.
Great Valley musicians and soloists will present this inspiring story of faith, hope, unselfish love, and miracles on Sunday, December 21, at both 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Childcare, for children under four,  will be provided at the 3:00 performance. Refreshments will be served in the chapel following both the afternoon and evening performances.  This production and its message offer an opportunity for you to share the story of Christ’s birth with your family, friends and neighbors.  Begin thinking and praying about who you can invite to come with you.  Tickets and flyers to publicize this event will be available during Sunday morning services and from the church office.  Make your Christmas celebration memorable this year by attending the production of Amahl and the Night Visitors on December 21 at Great Valley Presbyterian Church.

Financial Statements Through October 31st – In November , the Corporate Affairs and the Trustees will mail out to Great Valley members a summary of contributions made between January 1st and October 31st for any individual or giving unit who has given a total of  $200 or more.  Please review these statements for any possible errors so that they may be corrected prior to a 2008 financial summary mailing in January.  Also, please use the statements as a check against your financial commitment for the year and as an encouragement to give generously toward Great Valley's budget and ministries in the last weeks of 2008.  Any questions should be directed toward Brian Gilbert who can be reached at 610 644-7510.

On a beautiful November evening, forty kids who attended our Vacation Bible School took their parents and younger brothers and sisters on a delightful hayride around the cornfields of Sugartown Strawberries. 
While we waited for everyone to arrive, a maze created from bales of hay kept everyone entertained.  Loaded down with energetic 4 year olds thru 5th graders and lots of goodies to share, the wagons made their way over to the bonfire.  Hot dogs roasted around the fire and s’mores were enjoyed by all, especially by the farm dog who managed to take care of a couple of packages of hot dogs before we ever arrived! 
That was one happy pup! 

Games played by firelight and flashlight beams followed; we had to work hard to see who was disguised as mummies under all that toilet paper!  This was the first time we have ever planned a special time to invite our Vacation Bible School friends back to Great Valley, but it won’t be our last! 

Be on the lookout for some of these families at the Amahl performances on December 21st and give them a Great Valley welcome!   

The Sunday School classes are preparing to present “A Star Leads” during the Sunday School hour on December 21, 2008.  All children, ages toddler through junior high, are participating in the event.

The children will sing songs and present scripture emphasizing how the star lead the wise men to Christ.  The congregation will join in by singing appropriate Christmas carols.  The program will end with one or two scenes from the production of Amahl, which is scheduled to be performed in its entirely later that afternoon.

Please mark your calendars now for this event.  The children will be practicing their parts during the Sunday School hour the next couple of weeks.  Your child will not want to miss practice so that they are fully prepared to perform.  We look forward to seeing you there!

This year, the season of Advent began a month early with Pastor Stewart’s sermon series, “Preparing the way for the Lord,” having begun on the first Sunday in November.  It’s a good thing that it did, because there are so many things happening at Great Valley this year that we couldn’t possibly fit them all into a single month of preparation!

• Our final 8:30 AM worship service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 16;
• Sunday, Nov. 23rd, marks the beginning of a single blended worship service at 11 AM, followed by the congregational meeting at 12:20PM. We will be decorating the sanctuary later that afternoon.
• Thanksgiving worship service is at 9AM on Thursday, Nov. 27,
• Sunday, Nov. 30th, marks the beginning of Advent.  We will celebrate the season with special Advent liturgies (prepared by Kathy Anderson for the 12th year in a row!) and the lighting of the Advent candle.
• On Sunday, Dec. 14, the choir will present the John Purifoy cantata, “Touched by a Child, Touched by a King.”
• Sunday, Dec. 21, is the annual Sunday School Christmas program at 9:30 AM. 
• Great Valley musicians and soloists will present Amahl and the Night Visitors on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3PM and 7 PM.
• Christmas Eve services of “Lessons and Carols” are scheduled at 7:30PM and 11PM on Dec. 24th.
• At 7:30PM on Dec. 31, the New Year’s Eve service celebrates communion by intinction.

Prepare for the coming of the Lord this Advent Season by joining with the Great Valley church family as we celebrate together the wonderful gift of the Savior!!