The Tissue of Every Day and Hour

A Happy New Year to you all! Your car has just depreciated $1000, and all your clothes are now last year's!

Isn't time a mysterious entity? I'm amazed that I've experienced 45 'new year's days' - time has sped by so quickly. For children, of course, time has a different quality; for them eternity is the period between birthdays.  Stephen Leacock once wrote: "How strange is our little procession called life! The child says, 'When I am big...' and then, grown up, he or she says, 'When I am married.' But then the thought turns to 'When I am able to retire.' Then when retirement comes, we look back over the landscape and think, have we missed it all?"

How does that happen? I think for most of us, we spend so much time worrying about tomorrow that we don’t really live in the now. Anxiety and fear of what tomorrow will bring drives our life to the point that we take very little risk and avoid embracing life as it comes. Life, we learn too late, is in the living, in the tissue of every day and hour.

In John 16, Jesus was talking very frankly to His friends about what was soon to happen. There was plenty to be fearful about. They would be persecuted by the Jewish authorities, and even martyred (16:1-4). He was going to leave them - in a world of sin, unrighteousness, and judgment. Like a woman in childbirth, their pain and trauma would be intense (19-22). And in the hour of trial, they would all desert Him (32). Their destiny: suffering (33)!  But the chapter ends with some of the most encouraging and hope-producing words Jesus ever uttered: "In the world you'll have trouble, but don't be afraid, I have overcome the world!" Just as Jesus was identified with us in our defeats and sicknesses and suffering, so, He says, we can be identified with Him in His victory. This opens up some amazing possibilities. His victories I can make my own.  If I adjust my life to His, when He overcomes I can overcome. I actually live by the life and victories of another. That doesn't imply the absence of trouble, but the transformation of trouble, and the transformation of my life.

This new year, adjust your life to practice living by faith in the now.  "I sought the Lord," said David, "and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

Live by the life and victories of another.

Ben Pitney
Lead Pastor

Winter Camp - February 21 - 24! Middle School and High School students are heading to California for amusement parks, camping and more! You don't want to miss this! You can register and pay online. Contact Julie Biagi at julie@vailchristian.com if you have any questions.

So far we as a community have sponsored over 70 children in the Limpopo Area Development Project. This amounts to more than $36,000 per year that VCC has committed to its partnership with World Vision! It has been very exciting to witness how God has been leading our body to give sacrificially to care for His children. If you already sponsor a child, please remember to communicate with him through letters. Your sponsorship shows your child that he is loved and cared for by God, and God's love gives all children great worth. Your letters are an important way to reinforce that message of hope. If you do not sponsor a child and would like to do so, or if you would like more information on VCC's partnership with World Vision in Limpopo, contact meghan@vailchristian.com.

Trailhead...Begin the Journey January 27 during the 10:45 service (BBQ February 1 ). Trailhead is where the VCC adventure begins. This class will walk you through our core values, our vision, our mission, and perhaps most importantly: opportunities for you to join the journey. Visit the kiosk in the courtyard or email tim@vailchristian.com for more information.

Project 168 is a challenge for the VCC community to pray. There are one hundred and sixty-eight hours in every week – Project 168 calls the members of the VCC community to pray during one of those one hundred and sixty-eight hours every week.

• Pray that in 2008 all of your plans, those made individually and those made corporately, will originate with God and His presence in your life.
  
  
• Thank God for the abundant wealth He has provided. Praise Him for His provision.
  
  
• Pray that the Lord would empower you with the Holy Spirit to overcome obstacles in this new year that have in the past distracted you from your mission and purpose.
  
  
• Ask the Lord to help you not only be a hearer of the Word, but also a doer, no longer quenching the Holy Spirit. Pray that you would act on opportunities instead of apathetically overlooking them.
  
  
• Pray for the role and responsibilities you have in your family. Ask the Lord to take you to a new level of maturity.
  
  
• Pray for the neighborhood, schools and businesses that are near where you live. Pray for opportunities to share your story.
  
  
• Pray for the election year of our government. Pray for our troops serving our country.

VCC Community Rewards
Coordinator: Donita Vogt ­ 731-0734 or donitavogt
@aol.com. Many grocery stores offer fundraising programs to churches, schools, and other youth organizations. When using gift cards or "club cards" stores will contribute a percentage of your purchases to your organization.  VCC just completed registration to participate in these programs. Funds raised will be allocated for use by the children and student ministries.
 
How it works:
• Fry's gift cards are available in $25 and $50 from the coordinator. VCC will receive 4% of each gift card purchase and recharge.  Gift cards can be recharged at any Fry's store.
• Basha's gift cards are also available from the coordinator.  VCC will receive 6% of each gift card purchase and recharge.  Gift cards can be used and recharged at any Basha's, Food City or AJ's store.
• Safeway will contribute up to 2% of all purchases.  Register your club card with the coordinator or through eScrip.com using the code #500016398 or search for "Vail Christian Church". Other on-line purchases through eScrip.com will contribute 2% to VCC.

Happy New Year from the VCC Staff!

Mission Project: Men, grab your tools and help us with a building project in Rocky Point Mexico. We are going to build a home in three days or less. If you have a son, aged 12 or older, we encourage you to bring him. We are headed out on February 14 and returning on February 16. The trip is $75 for men and $25 for younger men ages 12-16. Registrations are due by February 4. Contact tim@vailchristian.com for more information.

Classes Starting in February:

Crown Financial – The small group study is a 10 week in-depth study of what scripture teaches about money and possessions.  Graduates have confirmed that marriages are being strengthened and individuals are finding their way out of debt.  They are also becoming consistent savers, generous givers, and prudent consumers. Most importantly, people are entering into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as they learn to apply His Word.  The class will have an orientation meeting on February 10 during the 9:00 a.m. service and will start on February 24.  Cost is $55 for an individual; $65 for a couple.

BILD – Passing On Your Beliefs – Part of the First Principles of Family Life series, this class examines the breakdown of family life and ensures that our families are following the framework of God’s design.  It also explores the challenge of passing on our faith to our children.  The class starts February 10 during the 10:45 a.m. service.  Cost is $7.

Sign-up sheets for classes are located at the information table in the back of the auditorium.  For more information, please contact Tim Sheaffer at tim@vailchristian.com.

Baptism Celebration: One of the most exciting things that Vail Christian Church witnesses as a family of families is seeing both adults and children make commitments to follow Christ. As followers of Christ, one of the first responses of obedience is to be baptized. The act of baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It also symbolizes a washing away of our sin because of the forgiveness of God. May we who are VCC continue to seek after God and share Him with others. Join me in celebrating with all of those who publicly announced their commitment to follow Christ. VCC’s next Baptism Event will be March 16. Contact Tim at tim@vail
christian.com for more information. Congratulations to those who were baptized in 2007!

Megan Croft
Lysa Davis
Christina Espinoza
David Ingalls
Kayla Ingalls
Malachi King
Jacob Lesher
Elliette Owens
Darian Peele
Richard Pleake
Susan Seeloff Rodriguez
Noemi Vatthauer
Michael Williams

Parenting Presentation: February 17 - The Parenting Presentation is an opportunity for parents to share the joy of their child with the Church family and commit to raising their child to know and love Jesus Christ. This event is geared toward families with children ages birth to 2 years old.  Contact Julie Biagi at julie@vailchristian.com for more information.

SoundWave - VCC Children's Choir: Calling all singers and actors - SoundWave is gearing up for its Spring production!  The group is open to children in the 2nd-5th grades.  Registrations will be available starting January 6 and may be turned in online at www.vailchristian.com or at the children's table.  For more information, contact meghan@vailchristian.
com.

If you are interested in starting or joining a Community Group, or if you just want some more information, contact Tim Sheaffer at tim@vailchristian.com or Trent Schlecht at tanks@cox.net. You can also visit the Community Group page on our website at www.vailchristian.com.

Strategic Service Teams: SST’s are volunteers gathered together to serve within and outside the church. Volunteers are vital to Vail Christian and we look to them to facilitate environments and potentially lead people in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Contact tim@vailchristian.com or ben@vailchristian.com for more information. You can also visit the Strategic Service Team page on our website at www.vailchristian.com.