The Power of Gratitude
One of my favorite stories to read as a kid was a short picture book my Great-Grandma gave me called He Remembered to Say Thank You. It was the story from Luke 17 of Jesus healing ten lepers, and yet only one returned to say thank you. The images in that book often come to mind as a reminder to be a person of gratitude, to walk in thanks, and to try to have a generous heart. Also the book reminds me of my Great-Grandma, who was also a generous, kind woman, someone who could feed an army of cousins from her small farm kitchen.
Fellowship Hall Grand Re-Opening
It was just over a year ago, last July, when we launched the fund-raising effort for renovating the Fellowship Hall. Now on Sunday, August 20th, we will have the Grand Re-opening and take time as a church to give thanks for how generous God has been with us this year. We will spend that morning celebrating and giving thanks, not only for the new Fellowship Hall, but also for the 85 years of ministry He has given us as a church. I wasn’t here when Valley View started, but there are a few around who go back pretty far, and they have shared memories that will help us all remember and give thanks for God’s faithfulness over our four score and five years.
Our plan is to focus the August 20th worship service on remembering God’s faithfulness and giving thanks for His generosity for the new Fellowship Hall and for 85 years of ministry. Immediately after the service, we will have a ribbon cutting to re-open the Fellowship Hall, along with a reception in the Fellowship Hall filled with some surprises. Isaac Sanchez and Melinda Kolb have been working really hard to prepare for this, so make sure to tell them thanks.
I’m looking forward to what God is going to do in and through our church this fall. I believe He has many powerful ministry moments in store for us as we begin to regather for Wednesday Night Suppers (more to come on that in a few weeks). I can’t wait to see how He works in our lives to reach more of our community in Valley Station, PRP, Shively, and all over Southwest Louisville!