Valley Methodist Church

The Pastor’s Pen

We recently celebrated Lew Bossenger’s funeral with +-300 attending. What a lovely celebration of his life and God’s faithfulness.  This funeral has been the last of a long line in and out the church over the last few weeks.

When this happens it makes me think about two things; firstly, what is God preparing us for? Is there something going to happen soon that we need to be prepared for? Maybe the rapture is around the corner or will I be called home soon?

This thinking leads to my second line of thought; when I die what will people say about my life? Lew was a special man but no different from the rest of us and if he could have got things right why can’t the rest of us, what is stopping us from following his example of faith?

We have said farewell to a number of our saints over the recent past, who will be next and will I be numbered amongst them? As importantly, are we raising up more saints to take their place, because it feels like God is making place for more amongst us. Don’t look around at others.., you are called to sainthood, are you on the journey?

Alan

Join a Cell Group!

My husband and I joined the cell group of Henk Serfontein at the beginning of this year and were immediately welcomed with open arms and warm hearts. Since then we have become family, not just cell members. We share each others joys and sorrows and support each other with prayer.

These past months we have poured tea at Harmony Old Age home and joined in at the Methodist Retirement Homes potjiekos competition (and won 3rd prize with a venison potjie). We have distributed more than 300 blankets to the needy initiated by Wayne in our cell and have all contributed to a family in need as well as having served as a cell group at church services.

Ray and I are the “old dearies” among the younger cell members but we are encouraged and inspired to do great things for less privileged people because of the loving attitude of our cell group family.

Ria Joynt

Valley: Cell Church

With Valley becoming a church of cell groups it means if we profess to be a member of Valley Methodist Church we belong to a cell group because this is where Church happens. On a Sunday all the cells then come together for a time of corporate celebration and worship, this is not church, church happens in and through the various groups during the week. To be a member means we belong to a community and here the community is a community of small vibrant and exciting groups.

It is very encouraging and great fun being part of a small group. This is where we make friends, grow spiritually, experiment in our gifting and explore the wonder of God. Groups are the place where we are welcomed and get to call home.

I have been encouraged by the faithfulness and passion of the cell leaders, shepherds and interns as we come together for prayer every Thursday
evening for half an hour. The evenings are definitely better than the mornings. In this time we soak the cells in prayer as they are the key instrument of God’s work in this community.  This has borne out time and again as folk testify to their cells support through difficult times.

If you are not a member of a cell group you are on the outside and missing out on some of the most amazing experiences of life.  There are groups to fit all requirements, join one a.s.a.p.

Alan