2024 Week 42

Hello, Springers!

We all know people in our lives who are questioning Christianity.

We want to make Valley Springs a place where those who wrestle with doubt and skepticism can come and find people who will walk alongside them. We want to provide honest responses to honest questions.

This week during Dinner BELL, our Listen and Learn topic was Is the Bible Trustworthy? We spent most of the time deconstructing a particular doubt I’ve heard from skeptics. Someone will say, “Isn’t it odd to base your whole life on a book?” It’s a question that makes sense from a certain point of view. No one goes to the library, blindly chooses a book off the shelf, and then sets their life to it.

So, we talked about what makes the Bible unique in its history, context, and livability. In terms of its livability, we talked again about how the ethics and morals of the Bible are things that even now some atheists are calling for in the midst of a Western society that seems to be losing its moorings.

One important aspect of the Bible’s livability is that it calls on Christians to care for all humans because they are made in God’s image. Christ, in his parable on the good Samaritan, clarified that even our enemies are our neighbors. Importantly, Romans 5:8 reminds us that while we were Christ’s enemies, he died for us.

This truth that we are called to do good to our neighbors is at the heart of why we participate in Feed My Starving Children. Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian nonprofit dedicated to seeing every child and person around the world healthy, nourished and whole in body and spirit. They believe every child deserves a nutritious meal every day.

This year, Valley Springs volunteered to fill 80 slots over two days to pack FMSC MannaPack meals. There are still 30-35 unfilled slots on our roster. If you’ve been waiting to sign up, wait no more! Follow this link to sign up now.

The event will be held on next Friday 7-9pm, October 18th, and Saturday 12-2pm, October 19th, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (3785 Placer Corporate Dr Rocklin, CA 95765).

No special skills are needed. The packing party is an event for all ages with plenty of seating. You work with a group of friends from our church, so it’s also a great way to get to know someone new or deepen an old friendship by serving together.

In a world of doubt, let’s take this opportunity to live out our faith together.

in Christ,

Pastor Tag