S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2

P A G E 2

So what is scheduled for the fall?

A focus for three Sundays on Worship, Grow, Serve and

the practical ways that you can flourish in faith and

family here at Valley

A three-week series on God’s Definition of Marriage – a

timely topic for Minnesota this fall

A seven-week

discipleship

series called r12.

This series will

help us all to grow deeper in our spirituality using

Romans 12 as our guide. This series will include

involvement by the whole church from preaching to

LifeGroups to youth to Sunday School.

Sunday School for adults, students and children will

begin on Sunday, September 16th.

LifeGroups (Small groups)

Men’s Bible Study

Crux Student Ministry

New possibilities for families are coming your way this fall as we add another worship service to

Sunday morning.

9:00 to 10:15 am - Worship, Sunday School for all ages, Nursery 10:30 to 11:45 am—Worship, Kids Church, Nursery Our worship services will be identical in style and content.

Together with our building renovation this fall, this new schedule will give Valley Free a new look with more worship options

for our community. It will also provide us with more opportunities for ministry as we seek additional volunteers to

welcome our visitors and to care for their children.

P A G E 3

New Directors at Robin's Nest, Jamaica

The Wiley family have been serving faithfully for 2 years, and God is now calling them

to return home to the states. We praise the Lord for all the changes they have made

in the lives of the children and in the structure of the Nest. Most recently, they did a

total remodel of the kitchen, with a new walk-in cement pantry (good-bye rats), new

appliances, countertop, shelves and a separate room for the freezers and

refrigerator. Please pray for their transition back to life in the states as well as

strength for the Nest children and staff who are missing them.

Knowing that the Nest is a place where God is at work and being confident that His

hand has blessed the Nest since its inception, the Board of Directors recently

completed a search for new Executive Directors. We are pleased to report that two godly women have answered the call. They have each

visited the Nest several times and are very well qualified: Vicki Stephens has a BS in Education, with 6 years of experience teaching

elementary children in the inner city. She also holds a MA in counseling, with 20 years of experience counseling in private practice. She has

visited the Nest six times, including serving as an interim director. Katie Schuon has a BS degree in nursing and has a passion for children.

She has served at the Nest six times, meeting Vicki during one of her trips.

Please join us in praying for Vicki and Katie as they put their careers, houses and stateside life on hold to serve at the Nest. Pray also for

their training, fundraising, obtaining Jamaican work permits and all the other details that come with such a transition.

Returning Home

After six and a half years at the Nest, one of our boys was returned to his family. This

was a very hard day at the Nest. He had come to us with post-traumatic stress

disorder, one of the most difficult we’ve seen. He did not know how to get attention

except through negative behavior. He needed one-on-one care and was way behind

emotionally and academically. We were fortunate to have two special education

teachers come as interns and work with him and we watched as progress began.

After they left, he fell back into his old ways and we weren’t sure if the Nest was the

best place for him. We worked with the Child Development Agency to see if there

was a better place that could help him, but soon we saw a dramatic change and

realized he was where he should be. The learning process began, he attended

preschool, and the behavior improved. Through the struggles, we can now honestly say, “We miss him”.

Robin’s Nest Children’s Home is supported in part by your Missions Outreach giving. If you would like more information about Robin’s Nest,

pick up a copy of their newsletter on the table outside the church office or visit www.robinsnestchildrenshome.org.

The Wiley Family, surrounded by the children of Robin’s Nest, before their transition back to the United States.

P A G E 4

T he word amazing seems woefully inadequate to describe how

God used your financial gifts from the 2011 Jon “Just Get ER

Done” Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Over $15,300 was raised to

abundantly bless 15 pastors in Africa! Due to a favorable exchange

rate and ability to purchase in quantity, these funds covered the

cost of the motorcycles, helmets, reflective vests, a tank of gas, and

one year of insurance for pastors who were either graduating from,

or alumni of, African Theological Seminary in Kitale, Kenya this past

March! Over the last 7 years, more than $86,000 has been raised

and 45 motorcycles placed with indigenous pastors!

These motorcycles are crucial to the ministries of indigenous

pastors as they travel to remote areas to share the love of Jesus.

We’ve been told that one of the pastors brought his pregnant,

bleeding neighbor to a hospital 30 miles away the week he received

his motorcycle. The doctor said that both the mother and the baby

would have died without that access to transportation. Another

motorcycle is being used by a pastor who is HIV positive and his

wife as they minister to other HIV positive families. A motorcycle

was also given to a female pastor who operates an orphanage for

over 80 children providing them with food, a (shared) bed,

education and most importantly, the love of Jesus. Each motorcycle

is typically used to plant as many as 20 churches and brings over

100 people to Christ each year. We are truly blessed that God is

choosing to continue to use Jon’s life to impact others for eternity.

Jon’s legacy continues to be written.

Plans are underway for the 2012 Jon “Just Get ER Done” Memorial

Motorcycle Ride which will take place Sunday, September 23rd. We

will leave once again from Fireman’s Park in downtown Chaska to

explore another beautiful route. We hope that you’ll be able to join

us for the bike ride and/or dinner as we celebrate Jon’s life while

raising funds for a cause that reflects two of the passions of Jon’s

heart – motorcycles and Jesus!!

Living by His grace, David & Cindy Just Ben, Jessica, Hannah & Noah Just Nathan & Jessi Just

P A G E 5

I t all began in the fifth grade. Our English assignment was to write a book,

incorporating different types of poetry we had just studied. I pasted clipped pictures

of nature I found in magazines, Bible verses and bits of my favorite songs into the

book. My mom tucked it away with other childhood memorabilia and it would not be

rediscovered again for many decades. But my love of writing grew and I dreamed of

someday writing a book.

One day, when I was a young woman, I was searching for answers from God. His prompting came and I knew that I would indeed write a

book. But little did I know, that before I could do this, God was about to take me on a journey that books are made of. For the next

twenty years my life was a rollercoaster of growth and loss, extreme highs and lows; the kind many of us struggle with and endure

through life. I struggled with trusting God and humans, but he was faithful to me and brought me to new heights and gave me insights I

never imagined to be possible. God was preparing me for His work as people encouraged me to write a book.

In 2006 God once again prompted me as he gave me four words; simplicity, solitude, silence and surrender. Over the course of the next

five years, he took me through long seasons where I experienced and learned what he wanted me to know about these words. In my own

human mind I had no idea what God was doing, but he did. At times the experience was painful. At other times it was revealing. I still

didn’t know where and when I would write a book or what the book would be about. Then during an intentional eight-month season of

surrender I went on a silent retreat. As I sat alone in my cabin, God revealed the whole plan to me. By the end of the weekend I had a

book outline, title, subtitle and fifty two Bible passages chosen to frame the book and provide the biblical foundation I had prayed for.

Over the course of the next thirteen months I wrote, edited, rewrote, had my computer fixed and prayed and prayed and prayed! I had a

prayer team who supported me. And others journeyed with me, holding me accountable; not allowing me give up when I was

discouraged from yet another round of edits. God was faithful to me as he provided what I needed every step of the way. But he never

“parted the waters” any farther ahead than where I was at the time. It was yet another lesson in totally trusting him. Just as the past had

been a faith walk, so was the writing of When the Lily Blooms. When I needed legal advice on copyrighting and clearance of appropriate

material, God provided it. When I needed an objective set of eyes to do the final edits and proofing, he provided that too. And when the

publishing company wasn’t able to create a suitable cover, he provided a graphic artist for me, right here from Valley Free. It would take

pages and pages to describe how God provided every minute detail of the book. He was faithful to me, just as he always had been and

will be.

When the Lily Blooms is not a book about my life; rather it is a book about God’s sovereign protection and provision. It incorporates Bible

stories relating to real life, examples from nature and God’s creation and life coaching concepts into it. This book of fifty two reflections is

easy to read and people who have read it say it is easy to relate to. It is meant for struggling Christians, people who doubt if God is

sovereign or for anyone who is asking “Where are you, God?” Through experiencing the “seasons” of simplicity, solitude, silence and

surrender, it is my hope the reader will experience physical, emotional and spiritual restoration that only our loving God can provide.

Easy to memorize Bible verses, life coaching questions and encouragement from Father God make this book one of a kind.

When the Lily Blooms is available in hard cover, soft cover and e- book at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, IUniverse.com, and locally

at Heritage Books in Chaska and from the author.

Jayne Kane, Author & a Part of our Valley Free Family

P A G E 6

Faith @ Home By Jan Schmit

Recommended reading for families with kids of all ages. Is your Sunday morning church experience only considered a success if you’ve managed to keep your kids quiet? There is more to church for kids than trying out their new coloring books. Children are at church for the same reason as Mom and Dad; for the privilege of worshiping God. Because we are created to praise God both now and forever, we must take our children’s worship seriously. Worship, Castleman writes, is “the most important thing you can ever train your child to do.” With infectious passion, nitty-gritty advice and a touch of humor, she shows you how you can help your children (from toddlers to teenagers) enter into worship. This book is available at most bookstores and also in our church library under “Children”.

Teen Challenge Choir Coming to VEFC

Sunday, September 2, 2012

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

to serve at the brunch following the service (MEN especially)

to help clean up

to contribute food items for the luncheon.

Call Carol Santovi at 952-873-6488 to volunteer!

Join Our

We’ll need more greeters when our church adds another Sunday morning worship service starting September 16, 2012!

Experience the joy of greeting friends and visitors to our church as they come to worship with us.

To sign up, contact Jim Bentson at j.a.bentson@gmail.com or 852-448-4697.

Try hard. Fail. Try hard. Fail. Try harder. Fail again. Give up. Is this your spiritual life?

SU 2 9:00 am Worship Service—Teen Challenge Choir

TH 6 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

SA 8 7:30 am Men’s Monthly Breakfast (Perkins, Chaska)

SU 9 9:00 am 6:00 pm

The Great Valley Get-together! CruX

M 10 7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study

TH 13 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

SU 16 9:00 am 9:00 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm

Sunday School & Adult Studies Worship Service Worship Service CruX

M 17 7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study

TH 20 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

SU 23 9:00 am 9:00 am 10:30 am 1:00 pm 6:00 pm

Sunday School & Adult Studies Worship Service Worship Service 2012 Jon Just Memorial Ride (Firemen’s Park) CruX

M 24 7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study

TH 27 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

SU 30 9:00 am 9:00 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm

Sunday School & Adult Studies Worship Service Worship Service CruX

See bulletins for weekly updates/changes to this calendar

P A G E 7

Husband: Chris

Kids: Josiah, 11; Evie, 9; Isaac, 6.

Where do you live? Chaska.

How long have you been attending

Valley? Approx. 6 years.

What Valley ministries are you involved in and for how long?

Photography—3 yrs, Nursery—6 yrs, and Greeting—approx. 3 yrs.

How were you called into these ministries.

I really enjoy photography and when I saw that the Awana ministry

needed a photographer, I volunteered to fill the position. Since

then I've taken photos for many events and special services. It's

exciting to be able to serve in an area that I love and the more I

volunteer to take pictures the more I improve.

I started serving in the nursery because I had small children myself

and wanted to do my part.

What blessings have you received from your ministry?

I learn a lot about photography just from doing it, so serving in this

way has helped me learn so much, which is a huge blessing to

me. I also feel blessed by the contact with people through being at

the events where we need to have pictures taken.

In the nursery, it's a blessing to get to snuggle little ones again

since my own aren't so little anymore. I love getting to know the

kids’ personalities and their families. I also enjoy getting to know

the people I serve with. Now my daughter, Evie, loves to help in

the nursery with me and that's definitely a blessing as well.

Share something unique about yourself (experience or hobby)

I really appreciate and enjoy many different forms of art and craft. I

wish there were time to learn them all! In addition to

photography, I love knitting, drawing, sewing and I'd love to learn

so many more!

952-448-6144

Fax: 952-448-5119

office@valleyfree.org

150 Engler Blvd

Chaska, MN 55318

September 22, 8:00 am– 4:00 pm

Grace Church, Eden Prairie

Register NOW! Tickets are $39 each for a group of 10 or more, or $49 for an individual. Lunch in included in the ticket price. Contact Melissa Duzan (612-240-7977) or Becca Weber (952-239-1736) for more information.

Purchase tickets online at wooddale.org/activities-events/ticket-desk, or by calling 952-656-1056