Christmas is rapidly approaching, and if you remember last year, you’ll know what’s here… time to be a blessing to the kids of Casa de Mi Padre!

In case you’re not already aware, one of our members, Shane Sanderson, has founded an orphanage in Guatemala (Casa de Mi Padre), and currently ministers to 21 orphans there. Last year, we were able to be a blessing to these kids (VIDEO HERE) working together with other churches that support Shane to throw an awesome Christmas party for the children! Since then, some of the kids have been placed back with families, and there are many new faces… we’ve got another opportunity to bless their socks off!

John and Nancy Stickley work with Shane to help him with child sponsorships, special events like this, speaking opportunities, etc., and Nancy is coordinating the “Christmas Kids” program this year. She’s put together a wall display at the church where you can see what each of the 21 kids of Casa de Mi Padre would like for Christmas. Be sure to check this out next time you’re at Missouri Valley… grab a “snowflake” (or two or three, whatever you feel lead to do!), buy the gift on that snowflake, and get it back to Nancy by Sunday, December 2nd. Alternately, you can simply provide monetary donations to help buy presents! Either method works great.

In case you will NOT have an opportunity to be at church soon, and would still like to help (or if you’re one of those crazy Black Friday shoppers that finds AWESOME deals), here are some of the items on their wish lists:

• basketballs
• Spiderman items
• dolls that talk
• scooters (Nancy says these are a Black Friday item at Target!)
• MP3 players
• soccer balls
• LEGOs
• remote control cars (w/ rechargeable batteries!)
• character blankets
• monetary donations (for bikes, etc., that cannot be shipped)

 
The mission team that will be delivering these gifts departs on Saturday, December 8th, so it’s important to get these gifts to Nancy as soon as possible so that they can be packed to send with the team! There will be a box by the display where gifts can be left through December 2nd, or you can get them to her directly. Feel free to contact her if you have questions.

Thanks so much for your support of the kids! Having met many of them, we can certainly attest to how special they all are!

God bless,
John and Nancy

The “Big Reveal” for this year’s “Secret Sister” gift exchange is coming up on Sunday, December 2nd. If you’ve participated this year, or would like to participate in the fun for 2013, please come!

The party runs from 4:00-7:00 PM on December 2nd, and will be held at Catrina’s house (107 East Valley in St. Joseph). This year’s theme is “Vintage Christmas Whiteout”. Dinner will be served, so bring your appetite!

Please bring your Secret Sister’s Christmas gift with you. This is the big reveal, so you’ll finally get to find out who has been blessing you all year long with thoughtful gifts! New Secret Sisters will also be picked for 2013.

If you aren’t able to make it to the party, please be sure to drop off your gift at the cart in the back of the sanctuary along with a card telling your secret sister who you are. These need to be left by December 2nd so that your Secret Sister gets her gift at the party.

Again, if you didn’t participate in 2012, but would like to in 2013, be sure to come!

This event is free of charge, and will challenge everyone to get serious about making disciples for Christ. It’s what we’re here for, Christians!

If you’re interested in being part of this, please contact us, and we’ll get you connected with our hosts (Tom and Jodi Brager).

Here’s a short video introducing the event:

More information is available at the multiplymovement.com website.

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UPDATE, 11/5/2012: THE LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE MIDLAND CENTER!

Video of his message is found below, as he issues a POWERFUL challenge to Missouri pastors!

Well done, Jared!

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Missouri Valley will be observing this occasion in a few different ways: as part of our worship service, by a “ministry opportunities” table that will present several ways you can become involved in orphan care, and through the “Orphan’s Table” event that John and Nancy Stickley are hosting.

Please prayerfully consider how God is prompting you to respond! He has a huge heart for the fatherless… as His adopted sons and daughters, so should we!

It’s going to be a lot of fun, so please make plans to participate! Kids are welcome to come in costume!

Please note: this is a FAMILY FRIENDLY event. Please keep the level of scariness of your decorations / costumes to appropriate levels, as there will be young children present!

Perhaps you’ve heard that Highway 59 will be closing soon for road work? A news article was published this morning in the St. Joseph News-Press sharing some details. Obviously, this not only will impact traffic between Atchison and St. Joseph, but will impact access to Missouri Valley!

Based on the information we have right now, beginning March 19th you’re going to need a new route to our church. The map below should help. You can also download and print a copy by clicking here (note that you will need a .pdf viewer).

We are working diligently with MODOT to ensure that the roadwork does not impact the ability of people to get to Missouri Valley! They’re hosting their public meeting about the project at our church (that’s Tuesday, February 28th, from 4:00-7:00 PM if you’re interested). We’re also working to get signs printed to place along both the north and south detours to help you find your way.

Please contact us if you have any problems using the map below, or if you would like someone to personally contact you to help you find your way. We know this will be a bit of an inconvenience for everyone, but in the end we’ll have some safer bridges near the church thanks to the work MODOT is doing.

Pastor Jared taught on these things last week, and reminded us to focus on what is truly important. Jesus is to be everything to the believer!

Note that we have other recent sermons posted on our Vimeo page. Be sure to check it out!