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Published: 10 July 2020

Dear Church Family and Friends,

Recently, our Fine Arts Team gathered together to record Daily Praise. As you well know, it is one of the many amazing ministries this team produces. Following that day, one of the team was tested at work and was found COVID positive.

All involved with the team were informed and now are quarantined. We’re glad to tell you that for all the worship team who have been tested as a result of the situation have come back negative; not one other case. Praise the Lord! Everyone on the worship team is healthy, but please continue to pray for our family member.

Additionally, for the protection of our congregation, the quarantine causes our Fine Arts Team not to be in Church for 2 weeks beginning July 12th and then on July 19th. What this means is we will be welcoming Joe Garate to lead us in worship at our 9 am and 11 am services. If you do not know Joe, He is the worship leader for our Spanish services. He and his family have been part of Valley Community for decades. Also, we will not be able to have our live streaming service available on the dates mentioned above due to the technological complications that have come because of the situation. Therefore, we will have the recent prophetic series entitled “This is not the End, Just the Beginning” available to watch on YouTube and Facebook. We will video record Sundays services and have each Sunday’s message available on myvcc.org as soon as possible.

Finally, we want you to know that our campus is clean and sanitized according to state and local requirements. We look forward to gathering again with you to worship our Lord and Savior. If you are at home, please know that you are prayed for on a daily basis. We are so thankful for you!

Continue to walk in His Covenant protection.

In His Grace,

Pastor Gary

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Published: 05 June 2020

Hello Church Family and all who have joined us online,

Today, my heart is still heavy with all we are experiencing in our country! To see protests which are right, turned into riots, does not honor George Floyd. It does not honor his family and those who were close to him feeling the pain of Mr. Floyd's senseless murder. 

• Please, please pray for his family that the Holy Spirit would bring them God's Heart towards them. From this evil action of this one person that it would never happen again. 
• Please, please pray for the over 40,000,000 people of color, many feeling emotions that I do not pretend to understand but I do know that I love them.
• In the same focus, please, please pray for the over 700,000 Police Officers of which 99 percent of them get up every day wanting to serve and protect all who live in these United States of America; some of them worship with us in our Church (We are praying).
• Last but not least, please, please pray for those who have the power to change this story for our future. 

Church Family, I love you and desire you reach deeper into the heart of God and rise up, and change your world around you by steering all to God's heart. “Greater is He that is within you then he that is in the world.” Turn your anger into faith and let God use you in a mighty way. Turn your disgust into love to bring many into a healing that is more than our emotions or even with this virus physical sickness. It is a love that gives honor to all around you by respecting all of God's creation, recognizing each are gifted by God to LIVE God's sovereign plans for them. By the way, love You!!!!

Even with a heavy heart I also have a heart that has been listening to what the Lord is saying to Valley Community Church. In hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying, my heart is excited -- excited for what most are calling a “Reopening!” That is a great word, but not the word the Lord has given me. The word given is, "Reimagining or to Reimagine". 

What does Reimagine mean?

Reimagine means to imagine again or anew: to form a new conception of, and to recreate. Another explanation is to take what you are already doing and re-conceptualize and or re-envision. 

HERE IT IS: We are going to re-open Sunday, June 21st, 2020. We will celebrate Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and put a little Easter into the day.  During our re-opening, we will also Re-Imagine our future. We will only have our morning and afternoon Services until July 19th where we will have a soft opening of what God has said. From June 21st thru July 14th, we will proclaim the new. Our English services will be at 9 am and 11 am, and our Spanish service at 2:00 pm. Invite all of your friends, it is going to be amazing. We also will be giving on myvcc.org according to all the protocols our governor has established.

In getting ready for this great Re-Imagining we have done many things:

First: Pertaining to all of these things done in the spirit of serving the kingdom of God, you can be so thankful for our staff.  I am also thankful to Pastor Angel Martinez and his team as well.

Second: You can be so thankful for many volunteers who have come and released their gifts to prepare us for such a time as this. Every protocol has been followed. Every toy, chair, door, pew, carpet, etc. has been sanitized and cleaned. Much has been fixed, painted, the courtyard changed, and much more, so come and see!

Third: For the many who have journaled on Zoom, the ladies’ Bible study taught by Doctor Mila, the many on Sunday morning who pray with us for the services that day, and so many others who did things behind the scenes.

Fourth: The Fine Arts Department putting together worship in such a unique way that touches so many on Sunday.

Fifth: For our Daily Praise with everyone diving in deep to do this, directed and produced by an amazing couple JD and Lucanda (Stella) Orozco.

Sixth: Ryan Rufener and Jessica Martinez for their expertise in video and editing to present our English and Spanish services.  (Hands down, online we really look good).  To all who assisted, thank you.

Seventh: For the most amazing congregation who simply went above and beyond in every God-given way: you gave, you prayed, you fixed and cleaned, you walked in faith while you faced challenges in your own home, but it did not hinder you following Christ. Well done to all, and I cannot wait to get back together, because we are so strong when we gather. I am a better person when I rub shoulders with you. Oops, we have to watch our protocols. LOL

A few days ago, Pastor Dan called the health department and got the okays for us to gather. We filled out all forms and are set today. The health department said we are the only church that had called so far to get their okay. Church, we have done our part, now let us let God do His part.

See you on Sunday, June 21st

Teri and I love you,

Pastor Gary

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Published: 20 June 2020

Hello VCC Family!

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU! We have been working really hard getting our facilities ready, knowing that this day would eventually come. Here are just a few things that we’ve been doing to ensure your safe return: Carpet cleaning, deep cleaning all the classrooms (this includes cabinets, toys, carpets, etc.), painting, courtyard gardening, sanitizing all portable chairs and tables…just to name a few. We know it’s going to be a special time when we get back together again!

We also know that safety is of utmost importance at this time, so we want to make sure that we are all ready for the changes that local and national governments are requiring. To ensure that everyone’s safety is sustainable when we start our services again, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, below are some steps that we are asking every person and/or household to be aware of before they attend ANY of our church services:

1. Bring/Wear masks (this is a requirement by the county health department)
   1. It is required that you wear a cloth face covering while on campus.
   2. Note: Masks are not required for children under age 2 or others with impaired breathing.
      
      
2. Social Distancing measures will be practiced while on campus. This includes (but not limited to):
   1. Refraining from physical greetings (handshakes, hugs, etc.)
   2. Following ENTRANCE/EXIT signs on campus.
   3. Adhering to seating arrangements while on campus:
      1. Every other row will be roped off. Please sit in open rows only.
      2. Members of the same household can sit together.
      3. Any family member or unit of a different household must sit 6 feet apart from the family next to them.
         
         
3. Measures for infection control
   1. Church attendees will be verbally screened for respiratory symptoms and fever. Note: If you or anyone in your household has recently been sick or feverish, or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, then we ask that you do not attend church services, but you may utilize our livestream online.
   2. Notes and tithe/offering-
      1. Envelopes will be available to you. Please allow the ushers to hand them to you.
      2. You may request multiple tithe/offering envelopes if needed.
      3. There will be no physical offering plates passed. However, there are new Tithe/Offering Donation stations in the foyer. You may drop off your tithe/offering at any time or give online at www.myvcc.org/give.
   3. Touching surfaces and Hand-washing:
      1. Please refrain from touching door handles/knobs unless it’s necessary. Most of the main entrance and exit doors will be opened for you.
      2. Hand sanitizer will be available. Please DO NOT pump it yourself. There will be an usher available to pump it for you.
      3. When washing your hands in the restrooms, please wash your hands, with soap, for a minimum of 20 seconds.
   4. Food and Communion:
      1. At this time, we will not be providing any refreshments in the courtyard.
      2. For communion services, we will give out disposable communion packets towards the conclusion of the service. Upon leaving, individuals may dispose of the package contents as they exit the service.
   5. Bibles: we will not be supplementing Bibles at this time.

Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to worshiping with you again.

 If you have children, please also check out our Kingdom Kids Reopening Guide.

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Published: 19 April 2020

During the last supper, the night before Jesus was crucified, Jesus spoke of His departure and that He would send the Holy Spirit as the Helper and Comforter who would not only be with them but would be in them. Then He said: If you love Me keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Forty three days later, after His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus is again with His disciples ready to depart from the earth and ascend into heaven. He looks intently at each one and commissions them with the task of bringing the truth of the Gospel to each person throughout the world.

In Acts 1:4 Jesus commands them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, stating in vs 5: “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."  Then He spoke of the benefit of this special baptism in vs 8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

These men had been with Jesus for nearly 3 ½ years. They had heard His preaching, His wisdom, and His knowledge. They saw the miracles and had even experienced His power to heal the sick and cast out demons. They could have gone out on their own and had some success in conveying these truths and convincing others that Jesus is the Messiah, the true Savior for mankind.

BUT Jesus said, there’s something more than a keen intellect that’s needed for them to have a true transforming impact on people’s lives. They would need to be baptized with the Holy Spirit to accomplish this magnificent task.

In fact, Jesus Himself began His earthly ministry at 30 years of age when He was baptized with the Holy Spirit as He came up out of the water having been baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (Luke 3:21-23). Did you know that Jesus did not perform any miracles until after He was baptized with the Holy Spirit?

Then, as He was about to ascend into heaven, He commanded His disciples to follow this same pattern and begin their ministry to others with this same powerful baptism of the Spirit that brings about God’s supernatural results.

Acts Chapter 2 tells about this glorious event of being filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, just 50 days after the Passover. As the believers were filled with the Spirit, they began to speak with other tongues, in various languages, declaring the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11).

At this time we see a tremendous change in Peter, who had denied the Lord just 50 days earlier. Now he’s eloquent of speech, confident, bold and expounding profound Biblical knowledge, bringing forth a powerful, anointed message that cut straight to the hearts of many within the crowds around him and on that day 3,000 people gave their lives to Jesus! Miracles began to take place along with clarity, boldness and wisdom now flowing through each believer.

The disciples took this commandment of Jesus so seriously that when people were saved, having received Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they also made sure these new believers experienced the same Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as well. They understood this to be a vital part of the salvation experience.

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of this.

Acts 8:5-16 tells the story of Philip, a regular guy who was a believer and baptized with the Holy Spirit. Though not an Apostle, he traveled down to Samaria and began to share the Gospel and lay hands on the sick, doing exactly what Jesus had told the disciples to do. Miracles begin to take place and the multitudes in one accord gave their lives to Jesus and were saved.

News of this soon reached the Apostles in Jerusalem, and they immediately sent Peter and John to Samaria, a two-day journey traveling about 40 miles. Their sole purpose was to make sure these new believers would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. They heeded the command of Jesus, realizing that salvation and the Holy Spirit baptism were designed to work together.

Another example of this is found in Acts 19:1-7. While the Apostle Paul was in Ephesus, he came across 12 men he thought were believers. His first question to them was: “Did you received the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  Notice, he didn’t ask what church they attended, or who their pastor was, or what their favorite Bible passage was - no, he wanted to know if they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and if they were experiencing the fullness of the salvation package that Jesus had made available to all.

How did Paul know this was so important? He wasn’t there with the Apostles when Jesus ascended? The Apostles evidently passed along this important fact to Paul which  Jesus commanded them before His ascension.

Is this still for us today or was this only to launch the first-century church?

Look what Jesus said just before His ascension as recorded in Mark 16:15-18: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover,”

Do we still have the right to cast out demons today? Is healing still for today? Is God’s protection still for today? Is salvation still for today? YES!!! Then it’s obvious that tongues are still for each believer today as well.

Jesus said it’s His will for all “believers” in every generation to speak with new tongues, just as much as it is the will of God for people to be healed, delivered, set free and saved.

Notice what Peter declared through the inspiration of the Spirit in Acts 2:38-39: “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

Did you notice he said - and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call?  That includes us - the future generations of believers who are called by Him!

If you’ve received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then this precious gift is for you as well. It simply needs to be received by faith.  If you have not yet received this precious gift then I would suggest getting alone with the Lord in a relaxed setting and lift your hands in adoration to Him and begin to worship and honor Him. Don’t rush, take your time. After a bit, then ask Him to fill you with His Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues knowing it’s His will for you.

After a while, you may sense some “different” words apart from native tongue rising up within your spirit. Know that you have complete control over this, and you will have to make the decision, by faith, to allow them to come forth. You will have to move your mouth, make the sounds and move your tongue in cooperation with the Spirit for them to begin to flow.

Speaking in tongues bypasses the mind. It’s a language which flows from your spirit. It may seem a little strange at first because you’re now considering speaking without forming a thought. When speaking or praying in tongues you will not understand what you are saying (1 Cor 14:14), but you will be releasing His wisdom into your life.

1 Corinthians 14:2 - For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

This word “mysteries” in the original language means divine secrets.  Praying in tongues is a wonderful gift that releases His wisdom, understanding and revelation in abundance into our lives. When our natural intellect falls short of understanding, through this marvelous gift, we can tap into His vast resources. It’s here where we truly tap into the mind of Christ, becoming infused with the fruit of the Spirit and are empowered to reach the lost with His compassion and power.

Once you have your personal prayer language, I want to encourage you to exercise it daily. Over time, your vocabulary will increase and your sensitivity to the Spirit of God and His leading will increase as well.

While it’s not necessary to be baptized with the Holy Spirit to be saved and go to heaven since we are saved by faith in Christ alone. However, this wonderful gift opens the door to a beautiful dimension of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and power that will be largely missed if a person neglects this precious gift.

To be all that we were meant to be, we need to receive all that He has provided for us to receive.

Fasten your seat belt, your life is about to take on a new dimension of meaning and I can guarantee that you will never again be the same!!!