Guatemala Mission 2017

Registration Opens Friday, December 16, 2016

Below is a message from Shawn Smith regarding this summer's mission to Guatemala.

"Feliz Navidad from Guatemala!

Next summer, Shawn and Damaris Smith, Directors of "Now Is the Time for Missions", are hosting their 12th annual mission to Guatemala to love and serve hundreds of children in the name of Jesus, who are living in extreme poverty.

Since 2006, Now Is the Time For Missions has safely hosted over 1,500 volunteers ages 7-77, from all over the U.S.

They know that many of you have talked about joining them on their mission someday, so they made this video especially for you…

If you have EVER wanted to go on a mission trip…

…and if you have EVER wanted to serve children living in extreme poverty in a powerful, transformational way...

...and if you EVER wanted to share this experience with your children, spouse, or friends…

...NOW is your chance, and NOW is the Time…

Shawn and Damaris really need your help next summer, more than ever…they are trying to serve more children next summer than ever before!

Please consider serving on one of their mission teams for a week or two next June or July. 

Registration launches on Friday, Dec 16th, and spots are limited to 40 volunteers/week.

If you are interested and want more information, please click here to email Pastor Stuart, and Click here to sign the Guatemala 2017 mailing list and find more information about this year's mission.

Guatemala Mission 2017 Information Page

This mission opportunity may never be offered again.

Now is the Time…because there's never a good time to go!

Thank you for your help and support of this important mission project, and Feliz Navidad from Shawn and Damaris, and our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Guatemala."

Christmas Eve Gathering

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Our Christmas Eve Gathering will be on Saturday, December 24 at 6pm.
It will be a fun time of signing Christmas carols, listening to Scripture readings, hearing children's Christmas story, and a candle lighting. Following the service there will be refreshments, so bring a plate of Christmas cookies. We look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with you! See you there!!

Back to School Shopping

As summer winds down, and we return from vacations, we start thinking of back to school shopping. It's an event/expense we're all too familiar with.

Did you know that your back to school shopping can benefit Valley Life Church and Santa Clara Christian School? In fact, all of your Amazon.com shopping can be a source of support for us.

Simply click on this link. It will take you to Amazon.com. Amazon will give us a percentage of any purchases you make during that shopping session. Once you follow that link into Amazon, make sure you bookmark that website address so that you can return to it anytime, not just for back to school shopping. Thank you for your continued support!

Guatemala Child Sponsorship

On Sunday, August 7, we are launching our Guatemala Child Sponsorship program. Our sponsorship program is a way for us to continue the benefits of our summer mission project to the children and families in the communities surrounding Antigua, Guatemala. Sponsorship provides the means for these children to stay healthy and get an education. The money you donate monthly ensures that child gets medical and dental care, school supplies, school uniforms, and other necessities. For more information or to sponsor a child, visit valleylife.org/sponsorship.

Fall Women's Retreat

Ladies, mark your calendars for this gathering, October 21-23. This weekend retreat at Old Oak Ranch with Margaret Feinberg is one you won't want to miss. Not only do you get to experience life changing ministry, you also get to hang out with friends on the beautiful Old Oak Ranch campus in the mountains above Sonora, CA.

If you are interested in going, please click here to let us know. Thank you!

Click here for retreat information and how to register. 

Guatemala Mission Sunday, July 17, 2016

The 20 members of our mission team to Guatemala returned home last Sunday evening, July 3. It was a fruitful trip. Many families were blessed through the service of our volunteers and many children heard the good news of Jesus during the VBS program. Hear these stories and much more as the team shares on Sunday, July 17, at our 10am worship gathering. 

You can also view daily team slideshows at nowisthetimeformissions.com.

VLC Shared Meal on Sunday, April 24, 2016 | Let's Have a Picnic!

Let's Have a Picnic!

On Sunday, April 24, we will be having a shared meal after our worship gathering. Please bring a side dish, salad, main dish, dessert, or finger food to share. 

The theme for the April's shared meal is Family Picnic!

What's your favorite picnic food? What's your family's "must have" when you're planning a picnic? I'm looking forward to sandwiches, salads of all kinds, fresh fruit, and maybe even pie! 

Please click here to let us know what you plan on bringing. Thanks for sharing your Family Picnic dishes with us on Sunday, April 24.

Cheers,
Brook

Collecting Donations for the Guatemala Mission this Summer

Now is the time to bring in donations for Guatemala!

We have begun collecting donations for this year’s mission to Guatemala. These donations help to make a difference in the lives of families in extreme poverty near Antigua, Guatemala. 

Children’s Clothing Items We’re Collecting:
New Items: 

  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • T-shirts/undershirts
  • Anything from the list below.

New or Gently Used Items:

  • Non-branded shoes for school or sports
  • Fleece jackets
  • Conservative children's clothes 
  • School uniforms

Please click here to go to our online sign-up sheet. As you see in the picture below, there are five categories to choose from. Please select a category and then one or more items to donate. Do this for one or all five categories. By signing up, it helps us in the overall collecting effort. Thank you for your participation! And, don't forget to share this with your family and friends!

Shawn Smith at VLC

On Sunday, April 10, Shawn and Damaris Smith will be joining us at our worship gathering to share about this year's mission to Guatemala through Now Is The Time missions organization. 

Shawn always comes with uplifting music and an encouragement to follow Jesus' lead, whether it's across the street or across the globe. We will also get to hear what this year's mission to Guatemala will entail. 

This will be a family style gathering with a "south of the border" lunch prepared by the SCCS chef, Cesar Alvarado. This is a gathering that you won't want to miss. All are welcome!

A Family Easter Celebration

Sunday, March 27, 10am — 12pm

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Easter is a time of celebration! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to invite all our Santa Clara neighbors to join in with us.

Bring your family and friends and help us celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This gathering is a family friendly church service with live music, dance performances, goodie bags for the kids, and refreshments for everyone after the service.

We will be gathering outside, so please come prepared for the elements.

Our hope is that as you join us, you will not only enjoy yourself, but will experience God’s love as we spend time celebrating the new life offered to us all in Jesus Christ.

Holding on to Jesus in the Tough Times

As sure as there are good days and good seasons, there will be bad ones too. God is fully aware of this and has given us Jesus to walk us through the tough times. This week Pastor Stuart shares with us lessons from the Scriptures reminding us to not be afraid, but rather reach out to Jesus, who is with us always.

Click here to view the digest of Pastor Stuart's Daily Scripture Reading email devotionals for the third week of February, 2016. 

Sunday Youth Gatherings

Gio & Lei Serrato will be gathering with the middle & high schoolers during our worship gathering this Sunday, February 7. It will be a fun introduction to a new season of getting together as young people! They have also scheduled Youth gatherings through April 2016.

February 14
February 28

March 6
March 13

April 3
April 17

Gio & Lei love spending time with the older kids in our church, sharing and encouraging them to live purposeful lives that bring glory to God and honor to those they come in contact with. Please click here if you have any questions.