As the preaching series on the Lord’s Prayer concludes, I find I’m ambivalent about the results. On the one hand, I’ve grown in my understanding of and appreciation for the deep theological truths of this quintessential prayer. On the other, I’m aware of how much growing I still need to do in my existential journey as a disciple of Jesus. Have I been changed (even a little) for the better as a person, or am I the same person I was, just better informed?

That’s the issue for the body of Christ, not just in our day but in every day – Are we making disciples, or are we just doing church? For us “evangelicals,” that question has recently been brought into sharp focus by the release of a multi-year study on the effectiveness of the programs and philosophy of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. Willow Creek, one of America’s largest churches, led by Pastor Bill Hybels, is widely considered to have pioneered the “seeker-sensitive” movement.  That movement has been described by a critic this way: “Churches were built by demographic studies, professional strategists, marketing research, meeting ‘felt needs’ and sermons consistent with these techniques. … [P]reaching was out, relevance was in. …If it wasn't ‘cutting edge’ and consumer friendly it was doomed.”

Now, in evaluating the effectiveness of that approach, Hybels states: “We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their Bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.”

Hybels’ lament doesn’t apply only to today’s “seeker-sensitive” or “mega-churches”; it applies to churches of every size in every age. As Pastor John Miller laments in Outgrowing the Ingrown Church (written in 1986), churches “are perilously close to losing the elementary principles of faith that motivate qualitative and quantitative church growth.” After listing spiritual disciplines which are lacking in both individual and corporate expressions of Christian faith, he gives a reason for our failings: “We have surrendered our hearts to the familiar forms of our religious life and found comfort of soul, not in knowing God, but in knowing that our worship practices are firmly settled and nothing unpredictable will happen Sunday morning.” 

When we conclude the Lord’s Prayer with the words – “for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory” – we are asserting that our desire as members of Christ’s body is for the glory of God and the growth of his Kingdom. In facing the challenges of faithful ministry, both as part of the body of Christ universal, and as members of this particular body of believers known as Great Valley Presbyterian Church, the question we must ask is this: “Do we think of church as a place for people to attend, or as a process to tend people?”

The way we answer that question, individually and corporately, will determine the fruitfulness of Great Valley’s ministry not only in the coming year, but for all the years to come. May God enable us to be faithful in living out the Lord’s Prayer.

            Historic Christian worship has an annual cycle that reminds us of events that took place in time, space and history and can challenge us to newness in our own lives. Dr. Robert E. Webber puts it this way "Advent, when we wait for the coming Messiah, becomes our own spiritual waiting for the coming of Christ into our own lives; Christmas, which celebrates the birth of the Savior, symbolizes our own experience of Christ born within us; and Epiphany, which rejoices in the proclamation of God's salvation in Christ to the Gentile world (as to the Wise Men) becomes our own experience of recognizing Christ. Lent, which recalls the rising up against Jesus and the gathering storm that led to his rejection by his own people, becomes a recognition of our own sinful nature and rebellion against Christ and a call to renewal. Holy Week, which marches through the last days of Jesus’ walk on earth from his triumphant entry on Palm Sunday to his crucifixion, death and burial, represents our own death to sin. Easter, the great resurrection of our Lord to newness of life, symbolizes our own resurrection, our new birth."

            The Cycle of Light consists of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany; celebrating the coming of the Light to dispel the darkness. This year Great Valley had a beautiful reminder of that Light in each twinkle from the trees adorning the sanctuary. Thanks, in part, to Kerstin Lang and the award winning artists from the 'cantata contest' the name and message from the 2007 cantata will be long remembered. "A Holy Night of Miracles" was an inspiring and coordinated effort by staff, choir, youth and instrumentalists to the glory of God.

            Most of the holiday sermons continued to encourage us in new disciplines of prayer as they revealed the depth of wisdom in praying as Jesus taught. New Years Eve brought recognition of the momentous events through the past year in the life of Great Valley with Pastor's sermon "New Wine, New Wineskins," as well as calling us to reexamine ourselves as we approach the future. (This is worth a listen on the new website!) New Staff member Evan Curry preached his first sermon in the Valley. Our youth will be challenged, as we were, by his fresh approach and depth of thought. The students who participated in the youth services are evidence of God at work among us building his Kingdom in the next generation.

            The days grow perceptively lighter and our chancel choir, youth choir and worship team are preparing music to aid our worship through the season of Lent and the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. May we each prepare as well with a season of self-examination in light of God's Word and hope in the newness of life in our risen Savior. The annual cycle of Christian worship is not just a reminder of past events, but an opportunity to worship the Living God who continues to be born anew in the hearts of men and women at Great Valley and throughout His kingdom. Come and join our worship!

Our New Years resolution is to use cloth placemats and reusable water bottles for our snacks each day.  If anyone is interested in helping to cut and hem the placemats, please let Karen Erickson know at 610-540-234.

We want to teach the children to re-cycle and be good stewards of the earth!

We are collecting PARENTING BOOKS to share with our Preschool parents and would appreciate any donations.

We are still collecting Acme receipts.  The proceeds (one percent) will be used toward school supplies and building improvements.  Please help us by placing your Acme receipts in the marked boxes in Dickerson Hall.

Vacation Bible School
August 11-15, 2008
6:00 p.m – 8:30 p.m.  

Prepare yourselves to be blasted away on an intergalactic journey through Cosmic City at Great Valley’s Vacation Bible School this summer.

In years past it became apparent that somehow, our children were learning in Sunday school that Christmas was THE big holiday of the church year.  As a church, we usually hold a joyful all Sunday school program for which they prepare throughout the month of December.  Adding costumes, cameras and general parental pride, it certainly communicates the importance of the season to the children, message aside.  Easter, on the other hand, was something else.  In Sunday school the children move from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection with barely a ripple during the intervening week.  Those who attend the Maundy Thursday service might get a hint that something else is being marked, but it is left to parents to explain the details of Jesus’ last week to their children.  In 1998, the Christian Education Committee  felt that as a church we should do more.

We held a program that year called A Walk Through Holy Week, a dramatic presentation deliberately designed to include all of the Sunday school.  This program was also presented at Great Valley by the Sunday school in 2003 and 2005.  Its intention was not to be joyful or cute, but to be a solemn and serious look at Jesus’ sacrifice and its meaning to us as his people.  By including the children as participants, we felt that the emphasis on the real big Christian holiday would be at least equal to that of Christmas.  By including youth and adults, we felt that it would be one more event in which all of our church family could participate together.  It would be an opportunity for teachers and families to prepare for Easter by preparing and participating in a presentation of the meaning of the cross, of Jesus’ love, obedience and sacrifice on our behalf.  This program, presented the week before Easter, would then set the stage for the joyful resurrection celebration which we would share as a church.  In 2008, we propose to hold this program on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.

The curriculum will include instruction and preparation for the children for several weeks leading up to the program itself.  The Pageant style of A Walk Through Holy Week will provide a way for the children to both participate and learn along with the adults.  Those attending the program would gather in the sanctuary, and be escorted in small groups by volunteer guides as they visit each of seven scenes from the week leading up to the Resurrection, dramatized in the Sunday school rooms.  A single Sunday school class, or two classes together, will be responsible for “performing” one scene, lasting approximately 3 minutes.  This would be repeated for each group coming through the display, (approximately six times).  After touring all of the scenes, guests would be invited to respond to the message presented, and join us for refreshments and fellowship. 

Preparation for this program is more extensive than for the usual program.  It involves at least one Sunday in addition to the Sunday of the presentation, and additional time as needed for rehearsal, costuming, planning, etc.  This should be done as part of the overall curriculum as the events and concepts of Holy Week are presented to the students.  It is hoped that the younger classes will begin this process at least six weeks ahead of the program.  To enable the participants to view the entire program, a full dress rehearsal will be held on the Sunday prior to the program, (March 16).  Participants from each scene will take turns visiting each of the other scenes, with guides.

The scenes which will be presented include:

The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem

Cleansing of the Temple

The Last Supper

The Garden of Gethsemane and the Betrayal of Christ

Peter’s Denial of Christ

Jesus Before Pilate

Death and Burial of Jesus

The Resurrection story will be told by the guides, with guests invited to join us in a celebration of the Resurrection of Christ during the worship service to follow.  In addition, guides will invite guests to consider their response to the sacrifice made by Christ on their behalf, and an opportunity to respond will be provided.

Members and friends of the congregation are invited to participate in their class’ scene, as a guide or member of the refreshment committee, in a support role, or by inviting family members, neighbors or friends to attend.  In past years, the experience has been soul-touching as participants immerse themselves in the feelings and experience of Jesus’ Passion Week.  Those who wish to help may leave a note in the Christian Education mail box at church. You may also contact Liane Davis directly at \n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or through the church office.


March 16
11 am service: Easter Cantata

March 23 - Easter
7:30 am SONrise Service on the cemetry behind the church
8:15 am Breakfast in Fellowship Hall
9:30 am A Walk Through Holy Week
11 am Easter Service


Help needed with the Easter Breakfast!
Please contact Mark and Millie Mongtomery if you are willing to help!

Great Valley Youth Group is going through plenty of changes.  Evan Curry, the new Director, is in full swing and, in a sense, the Youth Group is getting a facelift.

Beginning in February, the high school will be starting a focus group in order to choose events for the Youth Group, including the topics they study as well as other activities.  The group will be completely high school led, and is open to any high school student in Great Valley’s Youth Group.

The middle school recently went to Frazer Lanes for an “interesting” time of bowling.  This was followed by heading back to church to play Thunderball (with an extra twist) and Chair Soccer.  (Evan is willing to teach anyone how to play either game.)

The high school spent the Friday before ice skating at Oaks Center Ice.  This was followed by go-carting and Laser Tag at Arnold’s. 

Future events will be a Super Bowl Party (Feb. 3), Valentine Dinner for Parents (Feb. 17), and the infamous Ski Retreat (Feb.22-24).

Additionally, the Youth Group is currently studying Paul’s Letter to the Romans, a cause for lively discussion.

If you’re in 6-12th grade and you haven’t been out on Sunday nights for a while, check us out.  Many things are coming and they may surprise you !  Also, if you are out of high school and looking for a place to get plugged in at GVPC,  Evan is looking for anyone interested in just hanging out on Sunday nights with middle and high school students and building relationships with them.

Believe it or not, the PHR is beginning it's fourth year.  For those who don't know, the Philadelphia Homeless Run or PHR is a ministry that sees a team from GVPC going into Philadelphia once a month to provide food, clothing and spiritual nourishment to those living in the streets.  Beginning in January of 2004 with only Irene and Les Zan, it has now grown to a core group of 10 to12 from GVPC and friends with ages ranging from middle schoolers to senior citizens.  The GVPC Youth has been providing 200 to 300 tuna fish and pbj sandwiches every month for the past 6 months which has been a blessing.

Donated clothing has helped supplement periodic blanket and coat drives, items that are essential during the winter months.  In the spring and summer, items such as toiletries and light clothing is collected and distributed.  Irene and Les Zan's 8 year old grandson, Gregory, has single-handedly put together 200 snack bags on a regular basis.  These are brown lunch bags filled with crackers, pretzels, applesauce and cookies and are distributed to the homeless every month,.  A community service volunteer from Gregory's school also provides lunch items from the school cafeteria that would otherwise be thrown away.  These items are yogurt, cheese, chocolate milk, individual carrot and apple snack bags to name a few.

The PHR began Bible devotions in October 2007 and that has grown slowly but from 2 to now 5.  This devotion takes place after all the food and clothing have been distributed and a call is made for anyone wishing to join for a period of devotion and prayer.  It only lasts 10 to 15 minutes but those in attendance express a feeling of joy and encouragement.  It is the hope and prayer of the PHR Team that this group will grow and break out to many groups that other PHR Team members can lead.

We have had folks from GVPC join our Saturday morning run, out of curiosity, a wish to serve and sometimes as an avenue to fulfill community service requirements for school programs.  Many who come once have ended up coming regularly.  The blessing goes to the homeless and right back at us.  Those wanting to feel and see God's hand at work, and we truly believe that, are welcome to join the PHR Team on the third Saturday of every month.  Contact Irene and Les Zan for information or inquire with any of the church staff, elders or deacons.

FEBRUARY

MARCH

Youth Group meets every Sunday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted.

"Electives are coming, Electives are coming…”– Plan now to attend an elective Class, a Great Valley tradition, during the month of February. All adult classes and senior highs participate, and there is something for everyone!

Tests of Life – a Study of 1st John - Teacher - Rev. Bob Scott

In 1960 John Stott wrote about the church, "There is widespread distrust of dogmatism and a preference for agnosticism and free thought." If this was true concerning the church he was familiar with in England back then, it is now true concerning many in the North American church today.  When it comes to spiritual matters they seem quite comfortable with a fashionable uncertainty, leaving much open to alternative points of view, their beliefs rather nebulous and vague. Consequently reading 1st John is a shock; it is like entering another world, one marked by assurance, knowledge, confidence and boldness.  The predominant theme is certainty, certainty about Christ and about being in possession of Life. The Apostle John, a pastor who loved his flock, wanted them to know how they could know they possessed eternal life.  Robert Law wrote (1885), "John presents the 'cardinal tests' by which we may judge whether we possess eternal life."  Bob Scott will lead us in an examination of key passages from 1st John exploring these “Tests Of Life”.

Heaven - Teacher - Leslie Elken

Why do we all research our vacation destinations?  It is because we want to know about where we are going.  Why then do we not know a lot about our eternal destination?  Is it God’s plan or the devil’s that we are not well informed.  Join us as we take the month of February to survey Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven and look at what Scripture has to say on the subject.

An Introduction to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Denomination - Teachers - Peg Ford and Les Zan

What do you know about the EPC?  If you answer, "nothing" or "very little", you are invited to sign up for this elective and learn more about Great Valley's new denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church!

Discussion will include such subjects as:

• Beliefs and Distinctions of the EPC
• EPC Mission statement
• Views on the Bible, gifts of the Holy Spirit, women in office.
• Position on social issues: sanctity of marriage, value and respect for human life, abortion, homosexuality
• How Great Valley is represented in the EPC

Conversations for Christ - Teacher - Jim Shackleton

Are you looking for answers?  This elective is all about questions … or more specifically … the ability and mindset to dialogue the gospel with those in community around us.  This 'conversation' skill is often neglected, difficult to master, but absolutely essential in our 21st century, suburban Philadelphia, consumer-driven environment.  It is a skill of giving and taking … of asking questions and bouncing ideas back and forth.

The goal for this class is that attendees will develop a different way of thinking about people, opportunities for dialogue, and our message pointing to Christ … and be willing to put this learning to use in their current and future relationships.