And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your

soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

Luke 10:27

A Stewardship of Grace

The month of May tends to sneak up on you. Perhaps it is the joy of the

spring with the fresh air, or the landscape coming alive with a lush, deep

green beauty. Maybe it’s getting out and enjoying life on the warm

evenings. Yet May seems to be one of the busiest months of the year.

As our Life Group was planning our meeting schedule for the month, we

realized that every weekend was full of activities.

As I look at the landscape of May, I realize that this season is a

celebration of relationships. At Valley, we have a child dedication

scheduled – a celebration of new life, of family and of community.

Mother’s Day is part of the schedule – a time to remember just how

important our moms are in our lives. Later in the month, we celebrate

our children’s ministry at Valley with Children’s Education Sunday. It is a

celebration of the year with our kids, of our community of families and

of God’s on-going work in our kids and families.

Community and Family are two of our values here at Valley. Each is worth investing in and celebrating.

In fact, our value of generosity also plays into the depth of our relationships. While we usually think of

generosity in terms of resources, it can also be a measurement of both community and family. The

Scriptures make it clear that the generosity of our love for one another is a clear indicator of the health

of our relationship with the Lord.

Maybe that is another reason that the busyness of May is not so much a burden. It is a culmination of a

season of relationships. God is blessing us with ministry to children, investing in the next generation.

We celebrate the connectedness of family and community.

This grace in relationships is not to be taken for granted. None of our values happen automatically.

Community, family and generosity are all motivated and realized only because we give ourselves away

for the sake of others. As God’s grace reigns in our own lives, we are prompted to joyfully invest in the

lives of others.

May the community of Valley Free grow in this grace of generosity in our families and our community!

M A Y 2 0 1 2

Worship

Word

Generosity

Mission

Community

Family

P A G E 2

Special thanks to the F3 small group for giving a spring clean-up to the playground. Everyone pitched in, clearing debris, leaves, branches, raking the sand, and giving all the toys and equipment a good scrub! Thanks to the Chock, Plath, Ranzau, Schmit, and Weber families. The playground is open for business!

Life Group in Action

S ummer is fast approaching and with it comes a transition in our

student ministry. Andrew Peterson is concluding his time with

us as our pastor of student ministries on June 10. In preparation for

this transition, we have been developing plans for the future of the

ministry. We have sought outside counsel from Glenn Olson, the

Free Church district consultant for youth ministry. We have also met

as a leadership team, including youth leadership, college leaders

and adult leaders, to seek the Lord on the future steps. At our most

recent gathering, we had a wonderful time meeting Glenn Olson

and talking about the dynamics and steps involved with a transition

like this. The Lord was in the discussion!

As our discovery process has unfolded, it has become evident that

we need to look at two major steps in the process.

First, we will be looking at interim steps to make sure that youth

ministry continues over the coming months and that we build on

the strong program we have today. Accordingly, we will be hiring an

interim student ministries director. This will be a part-time,

temporary position to lead us through the summer and possibly into

the school year. We will begin our search for this person quickly.

Second, we will be looking to fill the position of a full-time student

ministries director. We have been encouraged to take our time with

hiring this person to make sure that it is a good fit for our students

and church family. Pastor Mike and the elders will be working with a

small group to refine the job description and review potential

candidates. Our desire is to have this person in place early in the

school year.

Your prayers for the student ministry and the process of transition

are much appreciated! We have seen the Lord at work in our

discussions and we depend on Him for His leading into the future!

Dates to Remember!

June 3 – Celebration and commissioning for Andrew and Brittany Peterson. We will be praying for Andrew and Brittany during the worship service on this Sunday and then enjoying a time of testimony and farewell at a gathering later in the day. Plan to join us in celebrating their ministry at Valley Free.

June 10 – Graduation Sunday. We are very proud of our graduating seniors this year and will dedicate our worship service to God’s blessing in and through them here at Valley.

A New Season of Student Ministry By Pastor Mike Sindelar

A mong the many critical events of American history, the civil

war battle of Gettysburg stands as one of the most pivotal

moments in the shaping of our country’s future. The battle is

legendary for its violence, its strategy and the unbelievable

dedication and sacrifice of the men who fought those three days.

The battle is also known for the leaders and their leadership. These

living illustrations of leadership have been studied for decades. The

shining examples and the sad failures all serve to teach us valuable

lessons today as we live out our Christian lives.

Pastor Mike will be leading a group from Chaska in April 2013, to

study the leadership lessons of Gettysburg . The group will be

participating in a four-day course of leadership on the fields of

battle at Gettysburg. Presented by the organization “If Properly

Led”, this leadership training weaves together the lessons of the

battle and principles of leadership woven through Scripture.

GETTYSBURG and the ar t o f Leadership By Pastor Mike Sindelar

P A G E 3

Unfortunately these things are all too common in life. While they can

be found in every community, they seem to have manifested

themselves very obviously in Norwood Young America (NYA). As I

write this, we are still feeling the effective from two teen suicides in

NYA over the past few months. Tragic.

We struggle to find the right words to say and wrestle through the

questions of why this happens. While seeking solace in a variety of

ways is a good step, there really seems to be nothing more powerful

for healing than prayer. The book of James makes this clear, “Is any

one of you in trouble? He should pray” (James 5:13).

The Cross: a Visible Reminder By Pastor Andrew Peterson

We would very much like to

have a delegation from Valley

Free participate in this training

(and adventure!). The group

will also include local civic and

government leaders. An

informational meeting will be

held on May 21. You are

welcome to come and hear

about this unique equipping

opportunity.

Would you like to learn more?

Please contact Pastor Mike at

mikes@valleyfree.org for details on the informational meeting and

for more information on the trip itself. Don’t wait to find out more!

Spaces are limited and will fill fast.

This is precisely why CruX responded to this tragedy teaming up

with others to lift up NYA, Central High School, and one another in

prayer. On April 1, 2012, about 60 of us joined together to deal with

our pain at the foot of the Cross. Our intent - walk around the

school praying and reflecting on God’s love displayed through Jesus

on the Cross. Little did we know that as we covered the school in

prayer, a cross would literally show up, giving us a visible reminder

that Jesus saves!

P A G E 4

As we are celebrating the resurrection

from dead and the power of our great

Savior I want to give you a reason to

pray for.

Anca is 26 years old and almost two

years ago she receive Christ in her

heart and decided to follow Him. She

is coming from an orthodox family and

I would say that she is having a very

controlling and manipulating parents.

Because she knew her parents attitude, for more than a year she

was hiding the fact that she is coming with us to the church every

Sunday morning and joining us in almost all the Bible study

meeting that we had as a church.

A few months ago her parents found out about her decision and

started to persecute her every day. Forcing her not to leave the

house, not only for church but for almost everything, controlling

her calls from friends, and finally for about two weeks now, her

By Cristi Golas, Romanian Pastor

parents exploded like never before. They were accusing her that she

is taking drugs or she is crazy because she is saying: “I love Jesus

more than anything!”

They are asking her right now to give up coming to church and give

up this religion. They called Gianina, a sister from our church, and

talked very bad with her. Also they want to call police to the church

that we destroyed her. They want to go to her work (she is a dentist

assistant) and ask the boss not to receive her anymore.

I think this girl, Anca is paying a price for her faith right now, in 2012,

Eastern Europe, when nobody expected. She is in love with Jesus,

helping us with the kids in Razboieni, serving everybody whenever

she can, and facing persecution from her orthodox family.

The resurrection is having a special meaning for her this year and

actually the real meaning….

She is an example for me, and I just want to share this with you and

in the same time to ask you to join us in prayers for Anca as we are

celebrating Christ!

He is Risen...For HER!

Reserve your

tickets

on-line at

valleyfree.org

beginning

May 7!

P A G E 5

BUT, WE NEED YOUR HELP! There are many opportunities

to be a part of this year’s VBS team. Areas of service include

Registration, Decorating, Supply Coordinator, Praise Dance

Team, Bible Lesson teachers, Crafts, Snacks, Karaoke Leader,

Games, Missions Leader, Group Leaders, Nursery Workers,

Photographer, Drama Team, Prayer Warriors, and Office

Assistant. Think about your gifts and talents. What area on

that list is a good fit for you? Pray and ask God where He

would have you serve. Sign-up online at

www.valleyfree.org and I will be in touch and let you

(Cont’d on page 6)

By Mary Lou Menning

PRAISE! Where kids get down and lift God high!

A ccording to the Westminster Catechism, what is the

chief and highest end of man? If you took

catechism classes as a child, the answer is familiar. The chief

and highest end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him

forever. But ask the man or woman on the street why they

exist and their answers are uncertain, vague, self-centered,

and even hopeless. The answers they receive from the

culture are the same. Existence on this planet is about

looking out for number one, making as much money

possible, having fun, working hard to get ahead, earning

fame and fortune, becoming someone important. The world

is all about bringing glory to oneself.

Over the last year, the board has worked very hard to come

up with the purpose for why this church family at the corner

of Engler and 41 exists. The answer: We exist to bring glory

to God by calling all people into an abundant life with Jesus

Christ. Focus on the first part of that answer: We exist to

BRING GLORY to God. In an effort to communicate that

purpose to the young members of our congregation and

community, this summer’s VBS ogram will focus on that very

topic. “PRAISE! Where kids get down and lift God high!”

will teach kids that they exist not for their own glory, but to

give God glory and praise. We hope to show kids what it

means to have a high view of our amazing God. Each day

will focus on an attribute of God, such as His greatness,

authority, providence, power and love. In fun and creative

ways, the kids will have a chance to praise God in response.

Written and produced by the Go Fish Guys, this VBS is filled

with solid Biblical teaching, exciting games, crafts, delicious

snacks and awesome music from Go Fish along with Denver

and the Mile High Orchestra. This year’s VBS will be held

Sunday-Thursday, July 22-26 from 6:00 to 8:45 p.m.

July 22-26/ 6:00-8:45pm Ages 4 years to completed 6th grade $15/child or $45/family of 3 or more

Registration begins June 1st www.valleyfree.org

Dust off your dance moves and join the

Praise Team!

By Mary Lou Menning

PRAISE! Where kids get down and lift God high!

depend on the Bible as the standard for moral choices. Beliefs

that are embraced in childhood are not likely to change

throughout life.

Do you see the importance of reaching children while they

are young? We have a HUGE opportunity to point kids to

Christ through VBS. I pray that you will join the VBS team in

whatever way possible to help build God’s kingdom and lay

up eternal treasure in heaven. Through your gifts of time and

donations, you will help to fulfill the purpose of Valley. You

will bring glory to God by helping children grow in their

relationship with Jesus.

P A G E 6

know about the responsibilities in that area. We need LOTS of

volunteers to make this happen and I’d love for you will be

one of them.

George Barna, in his book Transforming Children into Spiritual

Champions, draws these conclusions from a series of studies

he conducted. If a person does not trust Jesus Christ as Savior

before reaching the teenage years, the chance of them doing

so at all is slim. By the age of 13, spiritual identity is largely set

in place. Only 3 percent of the nation’s 13-year-olds have a

Biblical worldview, which serves as the foundation for their

decision making. Young people are more likely to base

decisions upon feelings or what others expect, rather than

Registration Coordinator Karaoke Leader

Decorating Team Missions Leader

Sound/Video Technician Group Leaders

Supply Coordinator Nursery Workers

Praise Dance Team Photographer

Bible Lesson Teachers Drama Team (1 girl, 2 boys)

Craft Team Prayer Warriors

Snack Team Office Assistant

Games Leader

Opportunities are available in the following areas:

SIGN-UP on-line at www.valleyfree.org!

P A G E 7

P A G E 8

By Ron Schmit

I went to Wally's a couple of weeks ago to pick up some baseball

gear for my son, Philip. We had everything ready, but he

wanted to browse some more. After a bit, he approached me with

a basketball net. He asked if he could buy it with his own money

for a friend of his who doesn't have a net on his rim. I said that

was a great idea and was very proud of him for thinking of his

friend and that little act of generosity.

"We're all set, Les!" I called to the shop owner in the back He

came up to the counter, looked at our items and pushed the net

across the counter to us. "Happy Easter", he says with a smile.

That was a pretty cool moment. Philip had decided to do

something nice for someone, and within just a few minutes,

someone did something nice for him! What a lesson in generosity

he learned...what a confirmation of God's faithfulness to us.

Les rang up the rest of our items and sent us on our way with a

wave and a smile. Les is such a class act. It's people like him that

make this a great town and a great place to raise a child.

M y name is Brenda Gillaspey. I live in the rural Belle Plaine

area with my husband, Mark, one dog and one cat. We

have two adult children, both residing out of state. Jessica is

recently engaged, and lives in Seattle. Zach has been working in

Wyoming for almost four years. A few days a week, you will find

me at a veterinary clinic in Prior Lake, where I work as a Veterinary

Technician.

Mark and I have been attending Valley for about two and a half

years. I was asked to share a Sunday school class with Pam &

Peter Larson, teaching K – 1st graders and am in my second year at

that position. I take the fall and spring portion of the year.

Larsons teach their half out of the middle of the year. I have

taught Sunday school classes for over 20 years and the benefits

are the children themselves! Building relationships, listening to

their stories and watching them grow in faith and stature is ‘why I

do it’. They easily teach me as much or more than I teach them.

Just last year I also joined the Nursery ministry here at Valley. A

couple Sundays a quarter, holding babies or playing with toddlers

and missing a worship service is a very minor sacrifice on my part,

compared to the huge benefit that Nursery is to young parents! It

is also a place where I have gotten to know other adults as we visit

and share our lives with one another. As with most volunteer

experiences, where we step out to give to someone else, we are

blessed in return!

Giving as of

April 24th Thanks, Bren

da, and all our

other faithful volunteers!

We couldn’t do it

without you!

1 T 6:30 pm 6:45 pm

Missions Team Meeting Women’s Bible Study

3 TH 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

6 SU 8:45 am 10:00 am 6:00 pm

BABY DEDICATION Sunday School/SMS Worship Service CruX

7 M 12:30 pm 7:00 pm

White Cross Men’s Bible Study

10 TH 7:00 pm 7:00 pm

Worship Team Rehearsal Web Team Meeting

12 SA 7:30 am 1:00 pm

Men’s Monthly Breakfast 30-hour Famine Begins (CruX)

13 SU 8:45 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 6:00 pm

Sunday School/SMS 30-hour Famine “Break-fast” (CruX) Worship Service CruX

14 M 7:00 pm Men’s Bible Study

15 T 6:45 pm Women’s Bible Study

17 TH 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

20 SU

8:45 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 6:00 pm

CE SUNDAY Sunday School/SMS Worship Service CE Picnic—Firemen’s Park CruX

21 M 12:30 pm 7:00 pm

White Cross Men’s Bible Study

24 TH 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

27 SU 8:45 am 10:00 am 6:00 pm

NO Sunday School/SMS Worship Service NO CruX

28 M MEMORIAL DAY

29 T 6:45 pm Women’s Bible Study

31 TH 7:00 pm Worship Team Rehearsal

See bulletins for weekly updates/changes to this calendar

P A G E 9

Register NOW at www.loveincecc.org.

Click on Upcoming Events

952-448-6144

Fax: 952-448-5119

office@valleyfree.org

150 Engler Blvd

Chaska, MN 55318

Save the Date! May 12 & 13

5/12 - afternoon service projects

and evening worship

5/13 - "Break - Fast" at 9am before church

...and