Pleasant Valley Church Of the Brethren 91 Valley Church Rd Weyers Cave, VA 24486 (540) 234-9921 Email: pvcob.alive@gmail.com Web: Pleasantvalleyalice.org Sunday Schedule 8:45 am Contemporary Worship 9:50 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship 5th Sunday Schedule 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Combined Worship Church Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 8:30am - 12:30 pm Our Staff Interim Pastor Ron Wyrick Church Administrator Cole Scrogham Director of Music David Tate Administrative Asst. Anne Bowman A new spring Botanists say that trees need the powerful March winds to flex their trunks and main branches, so that the sap is drawn up to nourish the budding leaves. Perhaps we need the gales of life in the same way, though we dislike enduring them. A blustery period in our fortunes is often the prelude to a new spring of life and health, success and happiness, when we keep steadfast in faith and look to the good in spite of appearances. -Jane Truax
If you wish to place flowers in the sanctuary in March, please contact Ann Shultz at 234-8410 David Weade March 1 Don Landes March 2 Daniel May March 2 Ashley Houff March 3 Lena Fitzgerald March 4 Henry Heatwole March 4 Michael Cook March 7 Olivia Dodson March 8 Chloe Emerson March 8 Maxine Shreckhise March 9 Steele Caricofe March 10 Helen Silvis-Miller March 10 Tyler Harris March 11 Jessica Houff March 13 Laura Wampler March 15 Rachel Halterman March 16 Janet Bush March 17 Linda Farrar March 17 Kern Houff March 17 Cory Sutherland March 17 Jessica James March 18 Dylan Lantz March 18 Duane Harlow March 20 Martha Stout March 20 Stephanie Flick March 21 Ellen Ashby March 23 Mark Flora March 23 Cecil Wright March 25 Jessica Mongold March 26 Adam Wampler March 26 Evelyn Wiseman March 26 Ruth Wright March 26 Betty Driver March 29 Renee Shifflett March 30 Virginia Meadows March 31 Nathan Riddle March 31 Loretta Stewart March 31 Andrew Sutherland March 31 Howard Sayre Joe Andes Hardenia Zigler Nancy Leake Betty Miller Janet Houff Bonnie Houff Betty Eutsler Please check your church mailbox lots of exciting new info will be placed in boxes the next few weeks... If you are not sure if you have a mailbox, there is a list on the side of the boxes. If you do not have a mailbox and would like one, please let church office know. THANKS!!! Dorcas Circle will meet at Karis for Lunch Thursday, March 12th More details to follow... March Nursery Helpers 11:00 am Worship CRIB & TODDLER 1 Barbara Glovier 8 15 Barbara Glovier 22 29
Living Like Jesus: Lessons from James Worship Themes for March 2015 March 1 Thankful for Every Good and Perfect Gift (James 1:1-18) March 8 Blessed in Disciplined Caring (James 1:19-27) March 15 Mercy Toward Ourselves and Our Neighbor (James 2:1-13) March 22 Faith That Works (James 2:14-26) March 29 Majesty Rides Humbly (Mark 11:1-11) Palm Sunday: 9:30 am-sunday School & 5th Sunday Coffee, 10:30 am-combined Worship April 2 Love Feast and Holy Communion Women s Fellowship is selling Communion Soup Spoons - $2.00 each - on display in narthex. Please see Ellen Ashby or Teri Sumey if interested in purchasing one or more. April 5 Easter Sunday Easter Lilies If you would like to remember someone special at Easter with a lily, you may place your order in the narthex March 8th, 15th, or 22nd. Lilies are $10.00 each; make checks payable to PVCOB. Lilies will be in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, and should be picked up after 11:00 am Worship. Order forms on table in narthex. Karis is in NEED OF ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS TO WORK IN STORE, CAFÉ, etc Pleasant Valley is asked to provide Ramen noodles and pudding cups. Please place donations in the designated box in the narthex. THANKS! We pack every Wednesday night at 5:30 pm at Karis; help is always needed so please join us if you can lend a helping hand.
Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren Church Board Retreat January 24, 2015 The following members were present at the January 24, 2015 board retreat held at the Shenandoah Airport conference room: Neil Houff, Rusty Rothgeb, Lynda Sheffer, Shenan Brittle, Chris Auville, Jackie Woolf, Suanne Scrogham, Ben Garber, Mindy Garber, Leyla Sumner, Pastor Ron Wyrick, Peggy Huffman, Bo Hammond, Matt Ruff, Emily Reedy, Linda Farrar, Beth Gimbert, Sherry Emerson, Jen Landes, Jeannie Garber, and Keith Wilson. Neil Houff, Board Chair, welcomed new members and opened with a devotional. The following business items were addressed: Shenan Brittle Peace, Pies and Prophets on January 18 th raised $3,768. Appointment of Vice Chair: Motion was made to nominate Bo Hammond for this position; seconded and approved. Affirm licensing for Cole Scrogham: Motion made to affirm; seconded and approved. Neil reminded Focus Teams of the payment voucher system for items purchased. The book case in the corner of the ushers room has a slot with blank vouchers: fill out, attach receipt and place in Treasurer s slot. Treasurer s Report Neil Houff in Alan Landes absence - Checking $157,942, committed funds $21,592; General funds $136,350. Annual Conference Delegates: Continue to come up names. There will be further discussion at the next board meeting. This concluded the business portion of the retreat. Respectfully submitted, Regina Rothgeb, Church Clerk Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren Church Board Meeting February 1, 2015 The following members were present at the called board meeting on February 1, 2015 at noon: Neil Houff, Rusty Rothgeb, Cole Scrogham, Shenan Brittle, Ben Garber, Mindy Garber, Bo Hammond, Matt Ruff, Linda Farrar, Beth Gimbert, Sherry Emerson, Jeannie Garber, and Sharon Reich. Neil Houff opened with prayer. Approval for use of church by non-members: Kyle Shull and Hailey Davis have requested use of the church for their wedding the first weekend in October. Motion to allow the use of the church; seconded and approved. Focus Team Goals: a member from each team presented their focus team goals to the board for approval. Discipleship Ben Garber; Worship Matt Ruff; Fellowship Linda Farrar; Life Development Bo Hammond; Stewardship Rusty Rothgeb; Evangelism/Missions Shenan Brittle; Ministry - Sherry Emerson. Motion made to approve the goals for 2015; seconded and approved. Next board meeting will be the second Sunday in March. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Regina Rothgeb, Church Clerk
Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren Congregational Business Meeting February 8, 2015 The congregational business meeting was held on February 8, 2015 immediately following the worship service. Wayne Pence, Moderator, opened with prayer and called the meeting to order. It was noted that the October 12, 2014 minutes were in the packet the congregation received. Motion made to dispense with the reading of the minutes, seconded, and approved. Treasurer s Report Alan Landes presented handouts of balance sheet, cash sources and uses, and expenses actual vs. budget thru December 31, 2014. Checking $158,568.07; committed funds $29,029.56 with the bulk of that NYC ($9327.16) and Haiti ($11,519.46); general funds $131,348.91. There was overall favorable budget to actual for expenses for the year with the largest under the pastoral ministry; due to budgeting for a full time pastor and not hiring one. There was excess capital outlay for heat pump, water heater, and improvements to the narthex. Treasurer s report was accepted by the congregation. Audit Report Linda Scrogham - The audit committee consisting of Linda and Valerie Mongold met and reviewed the financial records as of 12/31/14. Everything was found to be in good order. Youth Report Bo Hammond The search for a youth pastor/director continues to be on hold until a senior pastor is hired. Bo continues to serve as an interim director with great help from the parents. There are 16 Junior Highs and 10 Senior Highs with something fun and a study time planned for each group every month. The youth are still working on the Not a Fan Bible study. A youth newsletter has been started to help with communication. They have gotten some new ideas for fundraisers. The goal is to raise $5000 a year for the next NYC. Upcoming activities: February 14 th a fun night for Jr Highs; February 22 nd is Youth Sunday with a combined worship service; February 27 th Christian concert in Charlottesville for both groups. Cemetery Trustees Report Ronnie Ritchie There weren t any lot sales in 2014. The main expenditures were for mowing the cemetery and maintaining the cemetery at the corner at the stoplight. The Brethren Foundation earnings had an increase of $20,072.35 for the year. The Cemetery Trustees audit Committee, consisting of Fred Shultz and Barry Ebling, reviewed financial transactions for 2014 and found all in order. Karis Report Teri Sumey Karis had its most successful year in 2014 with record sales surpassing all previous years. Thanks to all the volunteers, consignors, customers, and cooks in the café, Karis gave away $42,200 in 2014 to 18 local non-profit agencies and to the Haiti project. A trailer for delivering and picking up furniture was donated to Karis this year. Over the Christmas holidays, furniture was moved and floors waxed. The Karis board was recently reorganized. Members are Dennis Miller, Ann Shultz, Linda Greene, Holly Ruff, Don Garber, Linda Scrogham, Millard Driver, and Teri Sumey. Chuck Flick, Doug Tutwiler and Tom Dodson went off the board. Karis, as always, needs and welcomes volunteers to help in the store. Pastoral Search Committee Chris Auville The committee wants to find the best fit for the church and there has been much discernment in the process. They do feel they are making strides even though there are not a lot of candidates out there. They have had several interviews. Church Board Report Neil Houff 2014 was a year for self-reflection, an inward focus with activities geared toward building community within the church family. There was also outward focus with Karis, disaster relief trips, and NYC. He would like 2015 to be a year of prayer and preparation to see what God has in store for us and the church. continued
Focus Team Reports on the highlights for 2015: Worship Leyla Sumner The top goal for this year is to hire a director of worship for the contemporary service. Other goals include replacing sound equipment as necessary and either purchasing or making Chrismons for the Christmas tree in the sanctuary. Fellowship Linda Farrar Many of the activities for 2015 will be the same as in the past with two new ones for 2015. There will a Picnic at the Pavilion on May 31 st and a surprise get away trip in the fall. Life Development Suanne Scrogham They will be working with the Ministry Focus Team to develop a plan for the post high school graduate age young adults. Discipleship Ben Garber There will be two prayer events; one will be in a new format and two Bible studies with the first one starting next week on the book of James. They also plan to upgrade TV s and other hardware for the Sunday School classes. Ministry Sherry Emerson They will be working with Life Development in regards to post high grads and would still like sponsors for those in college as well working on new ideas for keeping in contact with them. New member recognition is February 22 nd during the combined service. Evangelism/Missions Shenan Brittle The team is continuing six of the goals from the past. A new goal is to sponsor a child for the Preschool with Love Inc. to determine the family/child in need. They will continue the mugging program for visitors. Stewardship Keith Wilson The main goal for 2015 is to finish the picnic shelter. To date, donations are around $40,000; expenses around $44,000. With additional pledges to come in and the expenses left to incur, we will be about $10,000 short. There is a church workday on Saturday, April 25 th with lunch provided. A list of projects will be out in the narthex a couple of weeks prior to the 25 th. Other projects for the year include installing wooden doors in the narthex and at the fellowship hall and replacing the kitchen ceiling. Barry Ebling gave a report on the Brethren Foundation money. In 2008, we invested $96,000 in the foundation. In the six years since, Mountain View COB has paid back $60,000 of their loan ($10,000 per year) and the investment has earned around $130,000 leaving a current balance in the fund of almost $286,000. Focus Team Goals were adopted by congregational vote. Church Administrator Report Cole Scrogham The past three months have been focused on supporting the board, pastor, and the deacon ministry as well as performing normal administrative duties. His duties are starting to be less since the search committee was established and has been working on getting a new pastor. Interim Pastor Report Ron Wyrick The past several months have been busy with special events and the experience of extending the call of the church to persons to serve as deacons. Pastor Ron will be away February 22 nd and the youth will be leading the combined service in his absence. See full pastor s report attached. Pastor Ron closed in prayer and blessed the meal to follow. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Regina Rothgeb, Church Clerk
Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren, Interim Pastor s Report February 8, 2015 Some special events during the past several months have been the Community Thanksgiving Service here at Pleasant Valley, the Jimmy Fortune Christmas Concert and the Christmas Eve Service led by David Tate, the choir and very special musical guests. I actually attended the Jimmy Fortune Christmas Concert this time around--and even got to help out with parking. Both of those are experiences not soon forgotten. What a great event this is for our community and for those in need. Unless you are a church mouse, you will never know how many phone calls and visits there are before the concert. We owe Anne Bowman a special debt of gratitude for her gracious, yet business-like work selling tickets. Of course, without Kern Houff s planning, we would be lost. There are many more people who make this a quality event. Another fantastic event was Peace, Pies and Prophets with Ted and Company. Thank you to everyone who provided pies and to the Fellowship Focus Team for refreshments and preparations. Our own Tim Ruebke acted with Ted in I d Like to Buy an Enemy and in those outrageous pie auctions to benefit The Fairfield Center. Tim is Executive Director at The Fairfield Center the oldest community mediation center in Virginia. Speaking of old, as your interim pastor, I am provided with a week off every quarter. I want to thank Cole for preaching on November 2, only a week before he served as moderator-elect for the Shenandoah District Conference. As a side note, it s not too early to mark District Conference on your calendar. It will be November 6 and 7 at the Bridgewater Church with Cole as Moderator! Cecil Wright presented the work of the Gideons on January 11 at both of our services. I know those were excellent services and I appreciate everyone working to make them meaningful. I ll be away again on February 22. This time the youth and Bo Hammond will be leading a combined Youth Worship Service. Anointing services, Home Communions, prayers and visits keep us connected with one another and with the One whose love binds us together. I give thanks for the work of the deacons and the opportunities that we have to partner together in these ministries. A great experience in these past several months has been to extend the call of the church to persons to serve as deacons. Thinking of those special events that I mentioned earlier, it occurs to me that each one of them played to a full house. We ve got two more events coming soon a small group study of the Book of James and the Love Feast and Holy Communion on Thursday, April 2, before Easter Sunday. Wouldn t it be something if we could look back on those events next fall and say that they were full too? Serving with you is the icing on the cake of my ministry. Thank you! Isaiah reminds us that God s Word always produces joy and peace. Sometimes that joy and peace may seem to be taking its time. Please remember though, God has promised that they will come: 10 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. 12 You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! (Isaiah 55:10-12, New Living Translation) Ron Wyrick
Contact Brethren Woods at 540-269-2741 (phone or fax) camp@brethrenwoods.org, (email) or on www.brethrenwoods.org Women s Retreat: Garden Getaway - March 13th 14th Need time to slow down or savor a cup of hot chocolate beside the fire while chatting with friends? Join us for Garden Getaway - a Bible-based, gardening themed retreat with time for worship, Bible study, fun activities, laughter and quiet reflection. Together, we ll engage at a much deeper level as we experience the life-changing power of God s love and grace. Take time to relax, to make new friends, to worship, and to find peace in God! This fun, casual getaway will be held at Brethren Woods Retreat Center with the leadership of Karen Cassell and Dana Cassell. Participants are invited to arrive anytime after 4:00 pm on Friday, March 13th, with dinner served from 5:30-6:00 pm, and our first session starting at 6:30 pm. The weekend will close at about 4:00 pm 0n Saturday, March 14th. The cost for the weekend is only $85 per person and covers everything you ll need including three delicious and healthy meals, fun and refreshing activities, comfortable lodging in our retreat facilities, retreat leadership, and fun extras like a music CD! Registrations are due by March 2nd! Big & Small Retreat: Bound Together and Finely Woven - March 27th-28th This year we will be combining Mother Child and Father Child to have our first Big and Small Retreat. Just like the predecessors, this retreat is for one adult (parent, grand- parent or significant figure) and one child, ages 5-15. Led by Chris and Amanda Zepp from the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, this weekend is sure to help you connect with God and the special small person in your life. We will be learning how we are bound together in Christ. Participants are invited to arrive any time after 4:00 pm on Friday, March 27th with dinner being served at 5:30 pm. The weekend will close around 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 28th. The cost for the weekend is just $85 per pair and covers everything you ll need including three meals, fun activities, comfortable lodging in our retreat facilities, and retreat leadership. Registrations are due by March 20th! Spring Workday - March 28th We have a lot to do in preparation for our first Outdoor School groups and summer camp! Join us for Spring Workday on Saturday, March 28th. We ll start with coffee and donuts at 8:00 am, have a wonderful lunch break together and finish about 3:00 pm. Indoor and outdoor work will be available so mark your calendars and let us know you are coming! Spring Festival - Saturday, April 25 For more information or registration forms for these programs opportunities, contact Brethren Woods at 540-269-2741, camp@brethrenwoods.org,
Shenandoah District Disaster Ministries - Disaster Response Teams Need Volunteers The Shenandoah District's disaster response crews will be working in New Jersey through the spring of 2015, continuing to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. The remaining Shenandoah District schedule for 2015: Feb. 8-14; March 8-14;; April 5-11; May 17-23; June 14-20; July 12-18; Aug. 9-15; Sept. 13-19; Oct. 4-Oct. 10 with Staunton Church of the Brethren as lead team; Oct. 11-17 with Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren as lead team; Nov. 15-21; and Dec. 6-12. Contact Jerry Ruff (540-447-0306 or 540-248-0306) or Warren Rodeffer (540-471-7738) to claim your week (or weeks). Bridgewater Home Auxiliary Spring Benefit Dinner Friday, March 20 4:30-6:30 pm Featuring Pasta Served by Local Pastors Bridgewater Retirement Community, Houff Community Center Menu includes pasta, plain alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, meatless marinara sauce, marinara with meat sauce, salad, rolls, iced tea, coffee, angel food and pound cakes with strawberries and whipped cream Donations benefit Scholarship Fund for Bridgewater Retirement Community Staff Followed by CONCERT BY THE ROCKINGHAM MALE CHORUS in Lantz Chapel at 7:00 pm Free and Open to the Public Experience Bridgewater College - Check out an Open House March 28, 2015 Bridgewater College offers a special financial aid award to Church of the Brethren students: $2500 to students who live on campus and $1500 to those local students who qualify to apply as commuters. If you would like additional information, please contact Bridgewater College at admissions@bridgewater.edu or 800-759-8328. Kit Assembly Room Now Available! Our disaster ministries utility building at the Shenandoah District Office is now even more functional. Under the leadership of Gene Counts of Mt. Bethel Church of the Brethren and a loyal band of volunteers, a 16- by 17-foot room has been constructed, specifically to store supplies for Church World Service kits and to serve as a kit assembly room. It is insulated, heated and has lights, plus 10 sets of shelves to hold supplies and tables for processing and assembling kits. Congregations across the District will be invited and encouraged to schedule service days at the Kit Assembly Room. A coordinating committee of Carolyn Halterman, Nancy Harlow, Catherine Lantz and Karen Meyerhoeffer will oversee the inventory and the volunteer schedule. Beginning April 7 and continuing through May 14, the room will be a collection point for kits and emergency clean-up buckets. Congregations can drop off their completed kits from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. We hope to have mountains of kits and buckets ready for the truck by mid-may! For a description of each kit, plus instructions on making the bags for school kits, go to: http://www.cwsglobal.org/get-involved/kits/ When you deliver your kits, forms will be available for you to send your shipping fees ($2 per kit, $3 per bucket) directly to Church World Service.
Calling all wood-workers! Joe Rhodes has cut down a very large white oak tree from the parking lot at Wakeman's Grove Church of the Brethren and offers kiln-dried wood to anyone who would make furniture or another item to be auctioned at the Shenandoah District Disaster Ministries Auction in May. Joe has estimated there is enough "really good" wood to raise $10,000 at the auction. If you will make an item (or two) for the auction, the wood is free! If you claim some for personal use, there will be a charge. Contact Joe at 540-335-5801. Youths Invited To 'Explore Your Call' High school students are invited to Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., this summer. Live on campus. Study with professors. Expand your mind - and your circle of friends. Explore where God is leading you. The annual Explore Your Call conference will be held July 24-Aug. 3 on Bethany's campus. Apply now or find more information at www.bethanyseminary.edu/eyc. Due to a generous grant, all qualified applicants will receive a full scholarship! STAUNTON CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN Stanley Noffsinger, General Secretary of the Church of the Brethren Saturday, March 7: 4:00-5:30 PM Town Hall Meeting on International Ministries 5:30-6:30 PM Fundraising Meal by Mexico Workcamp Team 7:00 PM Worship Imagine God s Intention Sunday, March 8: 10:00 AM Youth/Adult Classes on US Ministries 11:00 AM Worship Who Me? 12 NOON All Church Carry In Meal 1615 N. Coalter Street, Staunton, VA, 540-886-8655 God s tug on us An old man saw a child holding on to a piece of string that went high up in the sky. Son, he asked, why are you holding that string? The kite is out of sight. The boy answered, I know it s there. I can feel the tug of it. That s how we know God is active in our lives. We can feel his tug on us. Clarice Bowman
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Valley Highlights Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren 91 Valley Church Road Weyers Cave, VA 24486 Return Service Requested