 
Newsletter 3 / 2008
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Last Tuesday we celebrated the arrival of a new granddaughter, Laney Beth Stewart, born to our son Bryce and his wife, Kelly. To some eyes, she’s just a little thing (only 5 pounds, 1 oz.), but in their eyes, she’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened!
That brings to mind the Sesame Street song which says, in part: “Oh everything comes in its own special size/ I guess it can be measured by where you put your eyes/ It looks big when you're close/ And it looks smaller back a bit/ That's about the size of it... [CHORUS] “That's about the size/ It's where you put your eyes/ That's about the size of it.”
Numbers 13–14 tells of a time when God’s people experienced this phenomenon. Twelve men were sent to explore the land God was giving Israel, but when they returned, there was a difference of perspective among them. Ten of them saw themselves as grasshoppers in comparison to the inhabitants of the land, while Joshua and Caleb insisted that Israel would swallow up those very same inhabitants because the Lord was with them.
“It's where you put your eyes …” Ten viewed the challenges from the perspective of their own strength and resources; two saw the challenges from the perspective of God’s power and presence. Unfortunately, fear was more contagious than faith, and the Israelites rebelled against God’s provision and care, so God made the entire nation wander in the wilderness for 40 years, until all those who had grumbled against him were dead.
I’ve been reflecting on the application of this incident to our ministry together at Great Valley. Like the Israelites, we have been led by God out of the “Egypt” of the PC(USA) to the frontier of a new and promising phase of our life together. Like them, we too have heard his Word, as God has revealed his purpose for our ministry in Acts 1:8 – to be his witnesses to all the earth. In obedience to his leading we are pursuing that purpose through the initiatives of Direction 1:8, adding a new staff position (Director of Equipping Ministries) and restructuring programs and budgets to better enable us to make disciples.
Now that we have begun to “explore the land,” we, like the Israelites, are encountering its inhabitants. We don’t face giant descendants of Anak as they did; instead we confront powerful economic and demographic challenges, intimidating building repairs and disaffiliation costs, large shifts in cultural and community dynamics – all of which can make us seem like grasshoppers in comparison. Like the Israelites, we are tempted to grumble: “Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Shouldn’t we just forget about the challenges of Direction 1:8 and go back to the way things used to be?
“It's where you put your eyes …” Viewed from the perspective of our own strength and resources, we will never have enough to overcome the challenges we face. But, viewed from the perspective of God’s power and presence, we don’t need to fear, because the Lord is with us and will enable us to “swallow up” the inhabitants of the land. God’s purpose for GVPC – to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth – continues, and he will enable us to be successful, if we do not rebel against the LORD, and are not afraid to follow his leading into the future.
“It's where you put your eyes …” What are you looking at as Great Valley Presbyterian Church stands on the threshold of a fourth century of ministry opportunities? Do you see giants or grasshoppers in front of you?
Pastor Dan
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 5-4-3-2-1 Blast-0ff!
If you had been anywhere near the church during the evenings of August 11 to the 15th, you would have heard 50 or so elementary-age children and their leaders yelling these words. The reason for this is because each night during that week, they were blasting off to Cosmic City with our Vacation Bible School.
The space theme Bible School program transformed our entire church. Twinkle lights flooded the hallways. Inflatable solar systems hung from the rafters. Our middle school room even became a movie galaxy thanks to the hard work of Leslie Elken.
Children in grades kindergarten to fifth met each evening in the chapel anticipating blast off. There, they met two robots, Sadie and Circuit (played by Lisa and Justin Sybrandt), as well as janitor Sam (played by Jon Schuck). The robots and Sam performed a skit that introduced the children to the day’s “Live It” which we shouted continuously throughout that night’s program. The “Live Its” introduced children to spiritual truths such as “God is awesome, I can worship Him,” or “God is awesome, I can trust in Him.”
Upon entry to Cosmic City, the children traveled in age appropriate groupings to different stations under the guidance of caring crew leaders. At Asteroid Alley, the children played games such as “Gather Manna” and “Grab Your Mat,” which were fun and active, but which also reinforced the Bible story for that day. At the SuperNova SuperMart, the children made crafts or performed scientific experiments which also advanced our theme. In Deeper Space, the children learned jazzy, upbeat songs as well as memorized our Bible verse for the day. At Theater of the Galaxies, the children learned the Bible story of the day. Many families pulled together to help bring this Bible drama to life!
The children were provided a snack each evening at the Shooting Star Drive-in. From chips and salsa to butterfly cookies, even the snacks reinforced the bible lesson of the day.
 For workers with small children, Heidi Watson ran a pre-school program. The pre-schoolers travelled for an abbreviated Bible School program of their own. They made age appropriate crafts and were nurtured by a loving staff.
Middle schoolers had a program of their own during Bible School. Laura Davis and Steph Trope kept these children busy with games, fellowship, and devotions. They definitely enjoyed those members of our church who opened their pools to them so that they could add swimming to the agenda for the evenings!
On Friday evening, we opened the sanctuary for a closing program. There, parents heard their children sing, recite scripture, and received an overview of the entire Bible School program. Parents were able to see what their children had done all week via a slide show presentation, thanks to Martin and Kerstin Lang. This was important since most of the children who came to Bible School did not attend our church. Pastor Dan gave a warm welcome. We ended our Bible School program with Rita’s water ice.
Now, we’re setting our sights to next year’s festivities.
If you helped in any way with this year’s Bible School, thank you.
If you did not get a chance to help this year, please consider helping next year. It is a week well invested.
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Missions in the Valley...and Beyond! |
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So, maybe you've been part of the body at Great Valley for just a few months or maybe you and your family have been part of the Lord's work here for generations. Here is a chance to test your knowledge - and have a little fun at the same time. Take your best shot!
Winners will be announced and prizes awarded in early September.
Send your responses directly to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(current and former Missions Team members may participate but are ineligible for prizes - sorry)
1. How many of the active missionaries supported by Great Valley were/are part of our faith community at Great Valley before entering full-time missions/ministry?
2. List their names - bonus points if you can also identify their current sending organization
3. How many active missionaries supported by Great Valley are engaged with unreached or mostly unreached people groups?
4. List their names - bonus points if you can also identify the people group
5. How long has Great Valley been involved with our sister church in Cance, Haiti?
5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 + years (circle the correct answer)
6. Which couple first spear-headed our sister church relationship?
7. What are the names of the Cance 2008 Team members that visited June 27-July 4?
MISSIONS CELEBRATION is coming to a church near you – very near you – Great Valley Presbyterian Church to be exact!
This year’s theme is
“Commission 1:8 -
- Proclaiming the Gospel
- Discipling the Body
- Serving the Lord ….
throughout our community, the nation and the world “
Block-out October 12-19, 2008 on your calendar and keep your eyes peeled for future announcements regarding specific guests and events.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Jonathan Schuck
Chair, Missions Team
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Amahl and the Night Visitors |
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"Hanging over our roof, there is a star as wide as a window!"
Imagine if over your house you saw the Star of Bethlehem! The Christmas musical, Amahl and the Night Visitors, is a story that depicts just that. Plans are underway to present this holiday family tale involving the talents of our Great Valley family.
Needed are singers, instrumentalists, actors, technical support and costume organizers. All who are interested are invited to participate from ages five to ninety-five!
We encourage families to enjoy this experience together; if a child under the age of twelve is interested in participating, a parent must be involved with them.
What a unique opportunity this will be to present the message of Christ's birth to our community! Whether or not you are involved in the actual production, we ask that everyone commit to prayer concerning this endeavor and begin to think of friends and family to invite to this special event. The production and it's message will be one more way for everyone to be involved in our outreach goals of Direction 1:8.
Watch for more information and sign up opportunities in the coming weeks.
Questions may be directed to Carol & Phil Jones or Jim Shackleton.
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Meet the Author: Dorothy Hsu Seitzinger |
“I discovered a new kind of love when I became a Grandmother… I also discovered a new intensity for my prayers!”
When my husband, Steve Macaleer, died nearly 19 years ago, someone gave me a wonderful book, MENDING, which was such an encouragement, I have continued to use it in my quiet times since then and have given many copies to friends who have been widowed. When she wrote the book, a year’s journal following the death of her husband, she was only 32 with two small daughters.
In order to keep a number of copies on hand, I contacted Dorothy a few years ago and asked for copies, which she autographed and sent to me. This past spring, my supply was running short, so I called her again. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband of seven years. I was going to Ohio for the 4th of July with Doug’s family, so we met for breakfast that weekend and I discussed with her an idea I felt God was leading our church to do – a widow’s retreat and a workshop for grandparents.
Not only did she agree enthusiastically to come, but she has done these events before.
So on October 2, Dorothy will be our guest at FIRST THURSDAY luncheon (11-1pm), where she will share her book, A PRAYING GRANDPARENT: THE BEST GIFT A CHILD CAN HAVE. She will speak about praying for grandchildren and also about journaling our life histories for grandchildren and great grandchildren to read. We will be encouraged to write about how God worked in our lives, how He directed us in difficult times and answered prayer.
On October 2, she will meet again at 6:30 in the evening in the chapel with anyone not able to come to the First Thursday luncheon for the same topic. Please note that these are good activities for outreach to friends, neighbors, family members who might be interested.
On October 3, from 10 – 5, followed by dinner, Dorothy will conduct a “Widow’s Peak” – a retreat for widows at the home of Bob and Sharon Harmon. The subjects she will cover are “Starting Over – learning to live again when a spouse dies,” ”Storms have a purpose,” and “Adapting to change.”
This is open to all widows, no matter where in the journey they are. It is also open to anyone who, though not a widow themselves, but who would like to bring a friend or relative who is on the journey. Space will be limited for the retreat, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible by calling me – 610-647-8649.
Watch for flyers, posters and bulletin announcements regarding these three events.
If you have any questions, please call me.
Helen Lee Potter
“How Can I Function?..... How can I stand on one leg? Think with half a brain? Love with half a heart? That’s why I’ve been struggling so. Somehow, you have to fill the gap, Lord. Somehow, I know you’ll make me whole.”
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Direction 1,8 - Next Steps |
Introduction:This document is provided to give the congregation a feel for a few of the initiatives that are being planned and implemented in conjunction with our desire and vision to be a 'missional' church, as defined in our earlier Direction 1.8 document:
We believe that our mission is both local and global, as reflected in Jesus words in Acts 1:8b:
"… and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth"
… and that local, outward-oriented mission is vital to the calling and identity of the church. We believe all Christians are called to a 'missional' lifestyle as defined in Matthew 28.19, 20:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Please feel free to respond to me (Jim Shack) with any comments on the initiatives presented below. We are on the move!
Initiative No. 1: Reaching our Community with (for) Service (Note: This initiative is now in place)
Description: Using our existing local service opportunities (6 total), we will invite our community to join us in meeting community needs. They will have the opportunity to provide goods, or give of their time and effort. Not only will this allow us to further those ministries, but reach out in partnership to our communities as well.
This initiative is intended as a Great Valley Church initiative. In other words, we are not trying to get workers for City Gate, House of His Creation, etc. … individuals from our community are simply invited to join our portion of the work. In this light, we are called to be open to God's lead in establishing relationships with these individuals that they may know of our reason for service, and our reason for life!
The means for this initiative are new 3'x10' signs mounted in a V formation (facing both ways) mounted 5 feet off the ground (driving safety) on the west cemetery lawn of the church. These signs would be used to ask for community participation in a variety of means ("Join Us In Serving Our Community", or "Got Blankets?!"). Since only limited information can be given in this way, the signs would point to the website, or to a visit to our office, in order to provide more information. Our website has already been upgraded with 'Ways to Serve' for each ministry opportunity. Check it out!
Initiative No. 2: Transforming our Small Groups with D1.8 (not yet implemented)
Description: Great Valley currently has approximately 7 small groups (some with folks from other churches, etc.). Our small groups typically include those who have been with Great Valley for some time, with little movement (or desire to move) or expansion. We would like to make our small groups more dynamic in their intent. We would like to initiate discussion on an 'open chair' philosophy … the desire to see new individuals join a group, and the willingness of that group to grow and change, even if it means dividing comfortable relationships. We would like to use small groups to form a wider base of vibrant relationships for God's kingdom, a place where believers (and possibly non-believers) can learn and grow in a more intimate setting than a large group gathering.
Initiative No. 3: Spiritual Growth for Men
Description: This is the most comprehensive initiative of current D1.8 intent, for it includes 3 components (two of which are described below) that reach everyone from spiritually mature believers to non-believers in our community. A description of each component follows:
- Men's Discipling Initiative. The intent here is to start a discipleship group for men who are already believers, and catch a vision for spiritual growth (life changing growth in relationship to Christ). This is not to be just another event on the church calendar. It will need to be a priority for those men involved. It will facilitate spiritual disciplines and healthy relationships with current believers in our area (particularly those already attending GVPC). Start up in the Fall of '08 (implementation underway).
- Father-Son Fun Time. Currently, we have many Preschool boys and girls attending GVPC multiple times weekly. The idea here is to develop a 'Boys Brigade' type program for boys and their fathers for Sunday afternoons (before YG). This would allow Pioneer Club to return to an all-girls status. The intent of this idea is to create an environment of fun and family life, with brief spiritual discussion, and effective relationship building (implementation underway)
If you know of someone who would be interested in any of these initiatives, please invite them! (… and then let Jim Shack know of their/your interest). The idea of these initiatives is to provide a way for you to invite your neighbors/friends to an appropriate attractive event.
Finally, the Church Life and Outreach (CL&O) committee will be hosting a Games Night on Saturday, September 27th at the church. This is a great environment to bring a friend, and get to know others in a relaxed setting.
Just ask those who attended the first outing this Spring … and then join us on September 27th at 7 PM!
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The youth ministry at GVPC hit the summer hard with its Sick-Nasty Move-up Party. It was wet, messy, and wild time, celebrating the upcoming 6th graders and 9th graders and our high school graduates. Students were subjected to sick and nasty events like slip-n-slides of chocolate sauce and whipped cream, Boston Market football, and "Steal the Bacon" with real bacon.
Among other fun and exciting things, Evan and three GVPC high schoolers combined with Montvale Evangelical Free Church's youth group to send 19 people down to New Orleans from July 30-August 12 to assist in restoring that area with the love of Jesus and hard-work. The trip began with a stop in Birmingham, AL, for the Desperation Conference. Desperation (desperationonline.com) is a student conference that is designed to promote spiritual renewal in the lives of young people, encouraging them to be lights in darkness, and challenging them to be "in the world but not of it." After the event, the group headed to New Orleans to assist The Gathering Community Center in helping those in need in the area. Tyler, Cory, and Dan each worked extremely hard in cleaning up homes, putting up dry wall, painting, and touching the lives of the individuals there.
One particular encounter was with a gentleman named Steve. Steve was a electrician from Wisconsin. He had owned his own company there for years and had contracts with his local Walmart and an Indian Casino that were providing much of his income. Within a short period of time, Steve lost both those contracts. A little upset and worried, he sat at home, praying to God to show him what to do. Before he finished praying, the phone rang. It was Steve's friend. The other side of the line said, "Steve, I'm in New Orleans, and they could really use you down here." Steve perceived this to be where God was calling him to go. So, he did. He packed up his home, his wife, his three kids, and moved to New Orleans - all in faith.
After Steve arrived, he worked a job and volunteered his time to help those in the area. However, he soon discovered that he needed surgery. Sure, no problem, just one surgery. But Steve has had multiple surgeries since his first and has been out of work for a long time now. His wife left him soon after, and he was left with their three children. Steve had planned to fix up his home in New Orleans, which he bought after Hurricane Katrina had cleaned out its insides. His home has barely any walls inside, just beams, and no ceiling panels. His children have no rooms of their own. But he doesn't complain about it. Instead, Steve offers his home to others who are worse off than he. He currently has another family living with him. He has no job, no wife, no walls, no bedrooms, but he still offers his home to others; so, you couldn't hold back his excitement when we had finished two rooms and put up some of his ceiling. His neighbor stopped by to thank us, saying, "You're making Steve feel like a person again."
We ask that you continue to pray for Steve and others in similar situations. The group continues to pray for the people in that area, which will take many years to restore.
The fall semester plans to be an exciting time for the 6-12th graders at GVPC. The students will be learning in their small groups about the lives of biblical characters and how that applies to their own lives. They will be taking part in some service opportunities. But they will continue to have some great fun, as well!
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Adult Education Classes ? Fall 2008 |
Regular adult Sunday School classes resumed Sept. 7. Coffee is available in the café, and we begin at 9:30 AM or shortly thereafter. We invite you to attend one of these classes, held between the 8:30 and 11 AM services.
QUESTERS: Pursuing Spiritual Authenticity – The words of the OT prophets cut through the millennia, grab us by our shoulders, and shake us from our slumber. Like a bucket of ice-cold water, they pour over us and shock us with the message that God is alive, God still speaks, and He is calling us to radically authentic lives. The words of the prophets address us right where we live and call us to new and fresh places of spiritual growth. Using material by John Ortberg, former teaching pastor at Willow Creek Church, we will be studying Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Micah and Jeremiah. This study should challenge our thinking of what it means to live today as a follower of Christ. All are welcome. Please join us in the right (north) classroom of Fellowship Hall for this challenging study.
CHALLENGE: We meet in the Chapel, and using a lecture format, follow the Scripture Press Adult curriculum. We open with a hymn of praise and prayer before our study of Acts.
SHEMA: Our informal class meets in the Conference Room next to the church office and rotates leadership. We will be focused on a study of Scripture, the exact portion yet to be determined.
SOJOURNERS: We will be studying a variety of topics this year with various members of the class teaching. We begin with “The Doctrines of Grace,” a look at the five points of Calvinism. We are meeting in the left (south) room of the Fellowship Hall. Several times a year we meet for fellowship activities, such as game nights, dinners, rafting and bowling.
KOINONIA: Pastor Stewart leads this lively class as it explores issues of interest to the young and young at heart. We meet in the Gym and will be continuing our look at the critical issue of worldview. We are using “Wide Angle,” a video/ discussion curriculum featuring Charles Colson and Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Community Church.
BELOVED (ages 18-29): Evan Curry will lead a topical series called "Burning Issues,” based upon several articles from Relevant Magazine. There a panel of today's Christian movers and shakers (Brian McLaren, N. T. Wright, Nancy Ortberg and others) tackle tough topics in our current culture. We’ll begin by looking at scripture passages that shape the ethical responsibility of followers of Jesus. The group will then move into exploring a Christian response to the burning issues of war, injustice, consumerism, gay rights, human trafficking, the future of the Church and more. We meet in the lower level next to Jim Shackleton’s office.
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- September 17 - 10 AM
Missionary Society
Meeting Dr.
David Henry
- September 28 - 12:15 PM
Fellowship Luncheon
downstairs in Fellowship Hall
- October 12
Start of GVPC's week-long Missions Conference
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