peace in the valley lutheran church, lcms
PEACE IN THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS P.O. Box 2467, 551 J-6 Ranch Road, Benson, AZ 85602
WEB SITE: www.pitvbenson.org OFFICE PHONE: 520-586-3171 OFFICE E-MAIL: [email protected] NEWSLETTER E-MAIL: [email protected] Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship: 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Bible Study: 10:45 a.m. - Sunday School: 10:45 a.m.
Views from the Valley March/April 2019 As I prepare this letter I realize that we are just a week away from the season of the church year of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6th. The season of Lent is a time of serious inflection where we take some time and take a really good hard look at ourselves in light of Holy Scripture. Pastor Ron York The sermons that I have been preaching the last few weeks from the Lectionary are sermons that have been designed in order to prepare us for Lent. Lent is such a beautiful and necessary time for us as Christ Followers in His church, for while it is a time of reflection, it is also a time of genuine confession and repentance. Jesus is so loving, gracious and merciful in the giving out of his incredible forgiveness, restoration and sanctification. However, His desire is for us to have a true and realistic perspective of ourselves in order that we might have the appreciation for His Gospel in the manner in which hHe desires. So my brothers and sisters, at this blessed time of the church year, may we be intentional in the setting aside of time for mid-week Lenten Worship Services, study of God’s Word, prayer and maybe even fasting so as to prepare ourselves for the incredible victory we have in Jesus the Christ over sin, death, and the devil as a result of the forgiveness of our sins that we receive from Christ crucified and risen for those sins. May each of you truly have a most blessed Lent. Pastor Ron
Mark Your Calendar . . . Worship Service every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.; Fellowship -10:30 a.m.; Bible Study—11 a.m. Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.: No Breakfast at the Horseshoe Café until April 24
Every Wednesday at noon: Brown Bag Bible Study at the church Every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.: Choir practice Every Tuesday at 4 p.m.: Lutheran class by Pastor Ron for new members and those wishing to refresh their memory Every Friday at 9 a.m.: Fellowship/Craft Circle @ PITV
Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m.: Men’s breakfast followed by Bible Study; LWML Bible Study (also welcome to the breakfast); 11:15 a.m. church council meets Wednesday, March 6, 4:30 p.m.: Spaghetti dinner; 6 p.m. Ash Wednesday worship service. Each Wednesday during Lent: 5 p.m. Soup Supper; 6 p.m. Worship Service Tuesday, March 5, 10 a.m.: Board of Evangelism meets Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m..: LWML Bible Study Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m..: LWML Spring RetreatP Need Prayer? Please call Anne Hutler at 520-586-4250 or email to: [email protected].
Where ever you are, you can find us at www.pitvbenson.org Or friend us on Facebook! Page 2
Brothers and Sisters In Christ: Shirley Brien has seen it to be appropriate to resign her membership here at Peace In The Valley Lutheran Church. As a result she is no longer the president of the congregation. According to the bylaws of Peace In The Valley Lutheran Church, the vice president will fulfill her term as president, therefore Brent Wolff is now our acting president. We wish Shirley all the best and God’s continued blessings to her in abundance. In Christ, Pastor Ron York
Fill the Baby Bottles This program is to help establish the We Care Pregnancy Center in Benson. There are still a few bottles available in the narthex.
Recycle For Sight The Lions Club of Benson is accepting used prescription eye glasses to be recycled for those in need. A collection box is located in the narthex.
Other Opportunities to Support Collection boxes for the Benson Area Food Bank, Operation Barnabas, and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest are located under the portrait wall.
Mite Sunday is the 5th Sunday of a month (once every 4 months). 25% of donations stay in Arizona; 75% go to national missions.
LWML are having Bible Study the first and third Saturdays of the month. This 10-week course encompasses the 10 elements of biblical womanhood. Weekly study includes five daily lessons.
February/March LWML minutes at PITV Peace In the Valley Lutheran Church LWML Meeting February 2, 2019 Members present: Connie Burt, Pat Martin, Carolyn Henderson, Isabel York, Marsha Mustain, Rose Meadows, Lou Nath, Carole Melander, Marcia Shields, Carol Rollins, Mary Akemann, Marilyn Wix, Yvonne Beckley The meeting opened with Prayer. A copy of the January 2019 Treasurer’s Report was received. Oliver’s is paid every three (3) months; $500.00 per year. A copy of the January 2019 Minutes was received. The fund-raiser dinner for Ash Wednesday, March 6th was discussed in more detail. LaPage 3
dies will bring sauces, meatballs, bread, salad, dessert, cheese. Yvonne will bring garlic bread. Connie also discussed details regarding the Spring Retreat at PITV, March 23rd: The flyers will be changed to reflect the mandatory cost of $15.00 (rather than the $10 we originally planned). Mustard Seed packets - ordererd? Laminated grant bookmarks Mite Box - We Care Pregnancy Center, Benson Thrivent $250 grant (Marilyn Wix or Yvonne Beckley) Ingathering to go toward either school supplies. Carole Melander advised that the Christian Education Report now includes ALL Bible Studies. Continued on next page
The next meeting will be on March 2, 2019. We closed with Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Carol Rollins for Isabel York.
Spring Retreat Saturday, March 23 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LWML Meeting March 2, 2019
Members present: Connie Burt, Pat Martin, Lou Nath, Carole Melander, Marcia Shields, Carol Rollins, Marilyn Wix, Carol Carlson, Yvonne Beckley The meeting opened with Prayer. A copy of the February 2019 Treasurer’s Report was received. The fund-raiser dinner for Ash Wednesday, March 6th was discussed in more detail. Pat will bring meat balls and extra spaghetti and cheese Yvonne will bring garlic bread Connie - meat sauce Carole - dessert Marilyn - dessert Carol C - meat sauce Annie - will cook the spaghetti Marcia - salad Connie also discussed details regarding the Spring Retreat at PITV, March 23rd.: Checkin 8:30. Program 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mustard Seed packets - Connie will order There will be color-in bookmarks provided by Connie Mite Box - We Care Pregnancy Center, Benson
Bloom Where You’re Planted PITV is hosting our zone of the LWML Spring Retreat. A great Bible Study is planned, a fabulous noon lunch, crafts and fellowship! The $15 registration includes lunch and materials. Ingathering to go toward school supplies. Muffins, coffee, tea for morning - Pat Salads - Yvonne Desserts: Cookies, Carol R.; Lemon Bars, Lou Chicken Salad - Lou Rolls - Carol C. Fruit - Carole M. Connie hopes to have the head count at our March 16th Bible Study & mini-meeting Carol R. will print name tags Pat and Carol R. will receive guests. The next monthly meeting will be on April 6, 2019. We closed with Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Carol Rollins for Isabel York.
Just a little humor . . . A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, age 5, and Ryan, age 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the pancake; I can wait.’” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!” Thanks Jack M.!
F A I T H
Faith All Issues To Heaven
Associate Members
Installed as Associate Members during worship service on Sunday, March 3, were L.B. and Sharon Mack. Their home church is (L.B.’s) St. Jacobs Lutheran Church (NALC) in Glen Port, Penn., and (Sharon’s) St. John Lutheran Church (LCMS) in York, Penn. Welcome to the PITV church family!
PEACE IN THE VALLEY Elders Glenn Shields and Brent Wolff were installed by Pastor Ron York during the February 24the worship service. An elder is appointed to serve the congregation in its temporal affairs and to assist the pastor in administrative tasks. Page 4
Christians everywhere observe the season of Lent This past Wednesday, March 5, was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Let’s take a look at the historical emergence and spiritual significance of the Lenten season. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the day before Easter. The six Sundays of this time-span are not considered part of Lent. The period of Lent is the 40 weekdays beginning with Ash Wednesday and concluding with the day before Easter in the Christian calendar. Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. But why was the number “forty” selected? “Forty” has long had spiritual significance for Jews and Christians in regard to preparation. In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain. The Hebrews spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. But the primary focus for Lent is on: Matthew 4:1-2, where Jesus is portrayed as fasting for “forty” days and nights; Mark 1:12-13, depicting Jesus as being led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for “forty” days; and Luke 4:1-2, telling of Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to fast and to be tempted by the devil for “forty” Page 6
days. Taking into consideration how Jesus prepared for his ministry, “forty” was determined to be the number of days his followers should use in preparing for Easter. But how is it that the church adopted “forty” as the number of weekdays in Lent? Early Christians celebrated several feasts and observed numerous special days, many of which were inherited from their Jewish forefathers. The celebrations and observances varied from one location to another, depicting much of the history of the different regions. In the days leading up to Easter, it was com mon for the early Christians to fast in commemoration of the suffering that Jesus endured, but the duration of the fasting varied from one day to several weeks, depending on where the churches were located. The first mention of forty as the number of days of preparation for Easter was at the First General Council of the church assembled in Nicaea in A.D. 325. Although this council is best known for formulating the Nicene Creed, still recited in many Christian worship services, it also issued twenty important canons regulating church discipline. The first written mention of the preparatory period for Easter lasting for forty days is in the fifth canon. Within one hundred years after that, “forty days” was universally observed throughout the church as the appropriate period of preparation for Easter. The actual word “Lent” can be traced to Old High German of the early half of the 12th century. Its ancient German meaning was “spring-time.” This is appropriate because Easter always occurs in the spring of the year. “Spring-time” is also appropriate because much of nature appears to Continued on next page
come alive this time of year after being dormant during the winter, just as Easter is about coming alive after appearing to be dead. Symbolism of the Lenten season Paraments in the church are purple for the six weeks of Lent. And, why purple? Two reasons: first, because it is associated with mourning and so anticipates the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, and second, because purple is the color associated with royalty, and celebrates Christ’s resurrection and sovereignty. In Mark 15:16, Roman soldiers clothed Jesus in purple before beating Him and crucifying Him. In this sense, they were mocking his supposed royalty. Although they were clearly doing this as a mockery (since he was considered the King of the Jews), it’s also a bit ironic since Jesus was, in fact, royalty. The cross is also a symbol that hold significance in the Christian faith and conveys powerful messages of hope and love commemorating the resurrection of Christ more than 2,000 years ago. The configuration of the cross holds significance in that the vertical bar symbolizes divine activity and divine thought in the life of man — man’s striving toward the divine example of Christ. The horizontal bar symbolizes man’s limitations and his preoccupation with matters on the material plane. The place where the horizontal and vertical bars
meet is the place where the physical meets the spiritual. The cross not only speaks of a cruel death, but a new life that came through Jesus’ victory over death. Forgiveness, mercy and grace came through the death of Jesus Christ, the cross is the tangible, visible reminder of what Jesus has done for us, and has also come to symbolize the new life that we have in the resurrection. It’s a new saving life that we receive in Him.” The crown of thorns placed on Jesus Christ before His crucifixion is a symbol of pain and mockery for the true King of Kings. The Jews were saying, ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ so they were rejecting their own heritage. The purple, black and white cloths placed on crosses also carry a meaning of their own. Purple is the symbol of royalty; it’s also a symbol of bruising and suffering displayed during the weeks leading up to Holy Week. During Holy Week, many place a black cloth on the cross on Good Friday. The placement of a white cloth on the cross on Easter Sunday represents the purity and wholeness demonstrated through Christ’s resurrection. Lilies have also come to symbolize purity and new life through the resurrection of Christ because it is one of the earliestblooming flowers in Spring and it looks like a trumpet, as of the trumpeting of the resurrection. Atheist: “Do you honestly believe that Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish?” Little Johnny: “I don't know, sir, but when I get to heaven, I'll ask him.” Atheist: “But suppose he isn’t in heaven?” Johnny: “Then you ask him.”
Everyone is encouraged to attend Bible Study held at approx. 11 a.m. until noon, following Sunday worship service and fellowship. We are currently studying the book of Romans.
Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value. —Albert Einstein
2019 PEACE IN THE VALLEY Church Council members meet the first Saturday of every month. Pictured above are, from left: Brent Wolff, council vice president and elder; Yvonne Beckley, financial secretary; Marsha Mustain, Board of Evangelism; Carol Melander, Board of Christian Education; Barbara Moe, recording secretary; Shirley Brien, council president; Jack Martin, treasurer; Doug Burt, Board of Stewardship; Glenn Shields, Board of Stewardship and elder; John Hanusch, Board of Trustees; Carol Rollins, church secretary; Pastor Ron York.
PITV MEN’S BIBLE STUDY is held the first Saturday of each month. Pictured above, from left: Doug Burt, Glenn Shields, John Hanusch, Pastor Ron, Bob Nath, Al Akemann, and Dick Wix. Page 5
WEB SITE: www.pitvbenson.org OFFICE PHONE: 520-586-3171 OFFICE E-MAIL: [email protected] NEWSLETTER E-MAIL: [email protected] Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. Fellowship: 10:30 a.m. - Sunday Bible Study: 10:45 a.m. - Sunday School: 10:45 a.m.
Views from the Valley March/April 2019 As I prepare this letter I realize that we are just a week away from the season of the church year of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6th. The season of Lent is a time of serious inflection where we take some time and take a really good hard look at ourselves in light of Holy Scripture. Pastor Ron York The sermons that I have been preaching the last few weeks from the Lectionary are sermons that have been designed in order to prepare us for Lent. Lent is such a beautiful and necessary time for us as Christ Followers in His church, for while it is a time of reflection, it is also a time of genuine confession and repentance. Jesus is so loving, gracious and merciful in the giving out of his incredible forgiveness, restoration and sanctification. However, His desire is for us to have a true and realistic perspective of ourselves in order that we might have the appreciation for His Gospel in the manner in which hHe desires. So my brothers and sisters, at this blessed time of the church year, may we be intentional in the setting aside of time for mid-week Lenten Worship Services, study of God’s Word, prayer and maybe even fasting so as to prepare ourselves for the incredible victory we have in Jesus the Christ over sin, death, and the devil as a result of the forgiveness of our sins that we receive from Christ crucified and risen for those sins. May each of you truly have a most blessed Lent. Pastor Ron
Mark Your Calendar . . . Worship Service every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.; Fellowship -10:30 a.m.; Bible Study—11 a.m. Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.: No Breakfast at the Horseshoe Café until April 24
Every Wednesday at noon: Brown Bag Bible Study at the church Every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.: Choir practice Every Tuesday at 4 p.m.: Lutheran class by Pastor Ron for new members and those wishing to refresh their memory Every Friday at 9 a.m.: Fellowship/Craft Circle @ PITV
Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m.: Men’s breakfast followed by Bible Study; LWML Bible Study (also welcome to the breakfast); 11:15 a.m. church council meets Wednesday, March 6, 4:30 p.m.: Spaghetti dinner; 6 p.m. Ash Wednesday worship service. Each Wednesday during Lent: 5 p.m. Soup Supper; 6 p.m. Worship Service Tuesday, March 5, 10 a.m.: Board of Evangelism meets Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m..: LWML Bible Study Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m..: LWML Spring RetreatP Need Prayer? Please call Anne Hutler at 520-586-4250 or email to: [email protected].
Where ever you are, you can find us at www.pitvbenson.org Or friend us on Facebook! Page 2
Brothers and Sisters In Christ: Shirley Brien has seen it to be appropriate to resign her membership here at Peace In The Valley Lutheran Church. As a result she is no longer the president of the congregation. According to the bylaws of Peace In The Valley Lutheran Church, the vice president will fulfill her term as president, therefore Brent Wolff is now our acting president. We wish Shirley all the best and God’s continued blessings to her in abundance. In Christ, Pastor Ron York
Fill the Baby Bottles This program is to help establish the We Care Pregnancy Center in Benson. There are still a few bottles available in the narthex.
Recycle For Sight The Lions Club of Benson is accepting used prescription eye glasses to be recycled for those in need. A collection box is located in the narthex.
Other Opportunities to Support Collection boxes for the Benson Area Food Bank, Operation Barnabas, and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest are located under the portrait wall.
Mite Sunday is the 5th Sunday of a month (once every 4 months). 25% of donations stay in Arizona; 75% go to national missions.
LWML are having Bible Study the first and third Saturdays of the month. This 10-week course encompasses the 10 elements of biblical womanhood. Weekly study includes five daily lessons.
February/March LWML minutes at PITV Peace In the Valley Lutheran Church LWML Meeting February 2, 2019 Members present: Connie Burt, Pat Martin, Carolyn Henderson, Isabel York, Marsha Mustain, Rose Meadows, Lou Nath, Carole Melander, Marcia Shields, Carol Rollins, Mary Akemann, Marilyn Wix, Yvonne Beckley The meeting opened with Prayer. A copy of the January 2019 Treasurer’s Report was received. Oliver’s is paid every three (3) months; $500.00 per year. A copy of the January 2019 Minutes was received. The fund-raiser dinner for Ash Wednesday, March 6th was discussed in more detail. LaPage 3
dies will bring sauces, meatballs, bread, salad, dessert, cheese. Yvonne will bring garlic bread. Connie also discussed details regarding the Spring Retreat at PITV, March 23rd: The flyers will be changed to reflect the mandatory cost of $15.00 (rather than the $10 we originally planned). Mustard Seed packets - ordererd? Laminated grant bookmarks Mite Box - We Care Pregnancy Center, Benson Thrivent $250 grant (Marilyn Wix or Yvonne Beckley) Ingathering to go toward either school supplies. Carole Melander advised that the Christian Education Report now includes ALL Bible Studies. Continued on next page
The next meeting will be on March 2, 2019. We closed with Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Carol Rollins for Isabel York.
Spring Retreat Saturday, March 23 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LWML Meeting March 2, 2019
Members present: Connie Burt, Pat Martin, Lou Nath, Carole Melander, Marcia Shields, Carol Rollins, Marilyn Wix, Carol Carlson, Yvonne Beckley The meeting opened with Prayer. A copy of the February 2019 Treasurer’s Report was received. The fund-raiser dinner for Ash Wednesday, March 6th was discussed in more detail. Pat will bring meat balls and extra spaghetti and cheese Yvonne will bring garlic bread Connie - meat sauce Carole - dessert Marilyn - dessert Carol C - meat sauce Annie - will cook the spaghetti Marcia - salad Connie also discussed details regarding the Spring Retreat at PITV, March 23rd.: Checkin 8:30. Program 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mustard Seed packets - Connie will order There will be color-in bookmarks provided by Connie Mite Box - We Care Pregnancy Center, Benson
Bloom Where You’re Planted PITV is hosting our zone of the LWML Spring Retreat. A great Bible Study is planned, a fabulous noon lunch, crafts and fellowship! The $15 registration includes lunch and materials. Ingathering to go toward school supplies. Muffins, coffee, tea for morning - Pat Salads - Yvonne Desserts: Cookies, Carol R.; Lemon Bars, Lou Chicken Salad - Lou Rolls - Carol C. Fruit - Carole M. Connie hopes to have the head count at our March 16th Bible Study & mini-meeting Carol R. will print name tags Pat and Carol R. will receive guests. The next monthly meeting will be on April 6, 2019. We closed with Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Carol Rollins for Isabel York.
Just a little humor . . . A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, age 5, and Ryan, age 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the pancake; I can wait.’” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!” Thanks Jack M.!
F A I T H
Faith All Issues To Heaven
Associate Members
Installed as Associate Members during worship service on Sunday, March 3, were L.B. and Sharon Mack. Their home church is (L.B.’s) St. Jacobs Lutheran Church (NALC) in Glen Port, Penn., and (Sharon’s) St. John Lutheran Church (LCMS) in York, Penn. Welcome to the PITV church family!
PEACE IN THE VALLEY Elders Glenn Shields and Brent Wolff were installed by Pastor Ron York during the February 24the worship service. An elder is appointed to serve the congregation in its temporal affairs and to assist the pastor in administrative tasks. Page 4
Christians everywhere observe the season of Lent This past Wednesday, March 5, was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Let’s take a look at the historical emergence and spiritual significance of the Lenten season. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the day before Easter. The six Sundays of this time-span are not considered part of Lent. The period of Lent is the 40 weekdays beginning with Ash Wednesday and concluding with the day before Easter in the Christian calendar. Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. But why was the number “forty” selected? “Forty” has long had spiritual significance for Jews and Christians in regard to preparation. In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain. The Hebrews spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. But the primary focus for Lent is on: Matthew 4:1-2, where Jesus is portrayed as fasting for “forty” days and nights; Mark 1:12-13, depicting Jesus as being led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for “forty” days; and Luke 4:1-2, telling of Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to fast and to be tempted by the devil for “forty” Page 6
days. Taking into consideration how Jesus prepared for his ministry, “forty” was determined to be the number of days his followers should use in preparing for Easter. But how is it that the church adopted “forty” as the number of weekdays in Lent? Early Christians celebrated several feasts and observed numerous special days, many of which were inherited from their Jewish forefathers. The celebrations and observances varied from one location to another, depicting much of the history of the different regions. In the days leading up to Easter, it was com mon for the early Christians to fast in commemoration of the suffering that Jesus endured, but the duration of the fasting varied from one day to several weeks, depending on where the churches were located. The first mention of forty as the number of days of preparation for Easter was at the First General Council of the church assembled in Nicaea in A.D. 325. Although this council is best known for formulating the Nicene Creed, still recited in many Christian worship services, it also issued twenty important canons regulating church discipline. The first written mention of the preparatory period for Easter lasting for forty days is in the fifth canon. Within one hundred years after that, “forty days” was universally observed throughout the church as the appropriate period of preparation for Easter. The actual word “Lent” can be traced to Old High German of the early half of the 12th century. Its ancient German meaning was “spring-time.” This is appropriate because Easter always occurs in the spring of the year. “Spring-time” is also appropriate because much of nature appears to Continued on next page
come alive this time of year after being dormant during the winter, just as Easter is about coming alive after appearing to be dead. Symbolism of the Lenten season Paraments in the church are purple for the six weeks of Lent. And, why purple? Two reasons: first, because it is associated with mourning and so anticipates the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, and second, because purple is the color associated with royalty, and celebrates Christ’s resurrection and sovereignty. In Mark 15:16, Roman soldiers clothed Jesus in purple before beating Him and crucifying Him. In this sense, they were mocking his supposed royalty. Although they were clearly doing this as a mockery (since he was considered the King of the Jews), it’s also a bit ironic since Jesus was, in fact, royalty. The cross is also a symbol that hold significance in the Christian faith and conveys powerful messages of hope and love commemorating the resurrection of Christ more than 2,000 years ago. The configuration of the cross holds significance in that the vertical bar symbolizes divine activity and divine thought in the life of man — man’s striving toward the divine example of Christ. The horizontal bar symbolizes man’s limitations and his preoccupation with matters on the material plane. The place where the horizontal and vertical bars
meet is the place where the physical meets the spiritual. The cross not only speaks of a cruel death, but a new life that came through Jesus’ victory over death. Forgiveness, mercy and grace came through the death of Jesus Christ, the cross is the tangible, visible reminder of what Jesus has done for us, and has also come to symbolize the new life that we have in the resurrection. It’s a new saving life that we receive in Him.” The crown of thorns placed on Jesus Christ before His crucifixion is a symbol of pain and mockery for the true King of Kings. The Jews were saying, ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ so they were rejecting their own heritage. The purple, black and white cloths placed on crosses also carry a meaning of their own. Purple is the symbol of royalty; it’s also a symbol of bruising and suffering displayed during the weeks leading up to Holy Week. During Holy Week, many place a black cloth on the cross on Good Friday. The placement of a white cloth on the cross on Easter Sunday represents the purity and wholeness demonstrated through Christ’s resurrection. Lilies have also come to symbolize purity and new life through the resurrection of Christ because it is one of the earliestblooming flowers in Spring and it looks like a trumpet, as of the trumpeting of the resurrection. Atheist: “Do you honestly believe that Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish?” Little Johnny: “I don't know, sir, but when I get to heaven, I'll ask him.” Atheist: “But suppose he isn’t in heaven?” Johnny: “Then you ask him.”
Everyone is encouraged to attend Bible Study held at approx. 11 a.m. until noon, following Sunday worship service and fellowship. We are currently studying the book of Romans.
Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value. —Albert Einstein
2019 PEACE IN THE VALLEY Church Council members meet the first Saturday of every month. Pictured above are, from left: Brent Wolff, council vice president and elder; Yvonne Beckley, financial secretary; Marsha Mustain, Board of Evangelism; Carol Melander, Board of Christian Education; Barbara Moe, recording secretary; Shirley Brien, council president; Jack Martin, treasurer; Doug Burt, Board of Stewardship; Glenn Shields, Board of Stewardship and elder; John Hanusch, Board of Trustees; Carol Rollins, church secretary; Pastor Ron York.
PITV MEN’S BIBLE STUDY is held the first Saturday of each month. Pictured above, from left: Doug Burt, Glenn Shields, John Hanusch, Pastor Ron, Bob Nath, Al Akemann, and Dick Wix. Page 5
