50TH ANNIVERSARY

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WEATHER UPDATES

Keep an eye out for weather related updates as the 50th Anniversary Celebration gets closer!

ACTS OF SERVICE - 42 / 50

84%


1	An individual drove a church member to an appointment and errands since she is unable to drive for medical reasons.
2	A couple prepared a meal for a family whose dad was recently diagnosed with cancer.
3	A couple drove a church member to a hospital stay.
4	An individual's continuing ministries: Making washable feminine hygiene items to benefit women in need around the world and locally; sharing faith and encouraging clients; weeding local trails; delivering packages and notices to apartment residents; delivering clothing and household items from their building's "free table" to the "free table" at a Senior apartment.
5	An individual let go of old hurts from a sibling through prayer and forgiveness: "God helped me let go and put love in my heart again, check on her and know I loved her and was praying for her."
6	An individual hosted a ministry team in their home for a team workday/retreat and dinner and root beer floats which contributed to a productive and joyful meeting.
7	An individual did laundry for a family whose washer is broken.
8	Two kids wrote thank you cards to encourage some people making a difference at Valley.
9	An individual left an anonymous gift on a coworker’s desk to brighten her day.
10	An individual wrote a note of encouragement to a friend in her neighborhood Bible study who is walking through some dark valleys yet continues to trust the Lord and ministers continually.
11	An individual brought a chicken noodle soup dinner to a friend who was struggling with health issues.
12	Three couples created summer gatherings in and for their neighborhood. They supply food, games, and drinks. Over 40 people come - a great opportunity for outreach and relationships.
13	A life group weeded around the church.
14	An individual washed their neighbor's garage floor in preparation for a new owner.
15	A couple brought a meal to someone who just had a baby.
16	An individual visited a member of the church who's in the hospital.
17	A life group served a meal for Recovery Alive.
18	A couple volunteered at Feed My Starving Children to help pack meals for hungry children in Peru.
19	A couple is kicking off a new life group in September to allow more Valley attendees to have options for connecting more closely with the church family.
20	Two individuals spent an afternoon helping a life group member whose basement had flooded. They moved furniture and removed wet carpet before mold and mildew could set in. They took an overwhelming and discouraging situation and were able to demonstrate the Lord's kindness and care in a tangible way.
21	An individual brought a meal to a family and refilled a med tray while the caregiver/spouse was in the hospital.
22	A life group served a meal for Recovery Alive.
23	Two kids helped a woman whose back was hurting by returning her cart back to the store.
24	A couple assisted a lonely elderly individual by buying and installing a battery replacement for her scooter so she could attend church and visit friends.
25	An individual encourages 48 women in various circumstances by sending a devotion so they know someone is praying for them.
26	An individual provided several meals for a neighbor who had a cancer relapse and is going through hair loss and can't be around others because of reduced immunity.
27	An individual is helping a friend who had a traumatic childhood (separated by family during war) and hardships as an adult write their story.
28	An individual babysat for a family from church.
29	An individual continues to help a man while he is in boot camp with financial and emotional support. That man has now brought many to the Lord.
30	A life group helped pack 39 boxes (22,646 meals) at Feed My Starving Children.
31	A couple cut up 17 leftover wood pallets that have been stored behind the church and stacked up the wood for the new fire pit.
32	An individual wrote and mailed or delivered notes of thanks and encouragement to 8 neighbors, friends, and family members.
33	An individual made cookies and a map of their block with first names of the residents for a new couple who moved in.
34	An individual made a surprise US 250th birthday quilted table runner for her daughter.
35	An individual took their grandchildren to the St. Paul Science Museum.
36	An individual packaged food twice for Second Harvest Food Pickup.
37	An individual made and delivered dinner to a friend's family whose schedule has become a bit crazy with the addition of a foster child.
38	An individual delivered flowers and chocolate to a neighbor teacher after her first day back at school.
39	An individual made peach jam and delivered it to their daughters.
40	An individual pushed an electric car a block and a half while the driver steered to a charging station. He was a stranger passing through town and hadn't known where to find a charger.
41	An individual is involved in mentoring and encouraging several young ladies from a previous ministry. It involves text messages, phone calls, reading books together, praying, and spiritual guidance.
42	An individual picked up trash along the road in their neighborhood.

50 ACTS OF SERVICE FOR 50 YEARS OF VALLEY

SERVICE PROJECT

We are commissioning you to participate in the 50 Acts of Service for 50 Years of Valley. We would love for individuals, families, life groups, or other combinations of people to intentionally dedicate an act of service to someone in your community or sphere in honor of God’s faithfulness over the last 50 years.

For example,

A life group could serve a meal for Recovery Alive on a Tuesday night
Your family might visit an elderly neighbor and help them with some physical tasks around their home or yard
If you’re a kid, you might clean your sibling’s room for them or as a team of siblings, do the dishes after an evening meal (without arguing)
You could deliver a meal to a friend recovering from surgery or an illness
Write an encouraging note to someone who is struggling

Something we’ve also talked about as a committee is how every 50 years for the Israelites they have a special celebration – the year of jubilee – a year when debts are forgiven, servants were freed, and ancestral land was returned to its original owners.

Maybe your act of service this year is less practical and more about the soul.

Is there someone you need to forgive?
Or do you need to ask for forgiveness from someone?
Is there someone you will commit to pray for daily?

These can all be your Act of Service.

FAQs:

What do I do once I complete my act of service?

Email Mike (mdm8055@gmail.com) or deacons@valleyfree.org
Explain what the act of service was and who completed it and the date
Submissions may be revised for length, clarity, and names will be removed for privacy
Then we will tally these and they will be in the pre-service slides and on a 50th Anniversary page on the ValleyFree.org website

Am I limited to one act of service?

No! Do as many as you like!

What if I can’t think of any acts of service?

We have a suggestion jar at the welcome desk just outside the sanctuary. You can pull an idea from there (and either decide to do it, or choose another if that one doesn’t suit you)

When can I start?

Right away! We would love for us to have 50 acts of service completed by the weekend of September 12th and 13th.

Reach out with any questions!

DIGITAL RESOURCES

History of Valley Booklet Prayer Guide Children's Prayer Guide