Ah Summer!

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​Summer is here! We invite you to  worship with us at the Evangelical Free Church of Yucca Valley where we encourage a multi-generational community of followers of Jesus Christ. There is something for everyone!
Age 12 - 112 Sunday School  9 am
​    NEW Class starts June 7th led by Glen Kippel 
     Can You Trust the Bible?
Join us for fellowship, coffee and snacks 
     at 10 am
Worship Service 10:30 am
Tuesday:
Ladies' Bible Study 6 -7:15 pm
Wednesday:
Adult Sermon Discussion and Bible Study - 6:30 pm
Youth Group  - 6:15 - 8 pm
Second Saturday of Each Month:
Men's Breakfast and Bible Study 7:30 am
Women's Brunch 10 am-noon
Bi-Monthly Potluck Lunch:
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See weekly bulletin
 
For additional information call the church office Mon-Thurs, 10 am - 2 pm -  760 228-1747

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​Ah summer! It’s that time again when generally reasonable, responsible adults throw all caution to the wind. They generate major stress incidents in planning, and, go ahead and do what they said they wouldn’t do after last year’s summer excursion, max out their credit cards, all for the family vacation. From the kid’s perspective it’s not soon enough, it’s not long enough, and, when it’s over their analysis comes back, “We should have just gone to Disneyland?” From the parent’s perspective, “I need a vacation from our vacation.”
 
Now, for Tina and me, our kids have all grown up and are planning their own family vacations. So, our vacations are spent visiting them. And as we plan our summer adventures, I am reminded that we would all do well to ponder God’s constant presence and involvement in each of the moments of our lives. In other words, He never takes a vacation away from us! It amazes me how, when He spends time with us (even when we’re on vacation), it’s not in the form of ‘religious’ activity. He doesn’t wait until we arrive at our destination and enter some distant church; He’s there in the car as we travel. He doesn’t roll His eyes in quiet disdain as we double over in fun and laughter; He laughs with us, having made us with a sense of humor that pours forth from the creative beings that we are. He doesn’t sit pensively wondering when the family will get cleaned up and join hands around ‘the family altar’, He invades the very core of our beings as we enjoy His magnificent creation.
 
Thus, as vacation time approaches, I’m impressed with the importance of spending time with our Heavenly Father. I hesitate to refer to this time spent as prayer simply because the word “prayer” engenders so many misunderstandings, so much thought about religious activity. You see the reason God saved us in the first place is so that we would be able to spend time with Him. Without the blood of Jesus, no sinner (this includes me and everyone else) could even come near to God let alone spend any time talking with Him. But now, because of His shared righteousness with us, we can actually dare to come before God’s holy throne with confidence, even boldness (Hebrews 4:16).
 
Let’s remember this vacation season Who’s there enjoying our vacation with us. And let’s enjoy Him as we enjoy His creation (His creation includes each other as well as the mountains or oceans or wherever else your travels might take you). Also remember, prayer is simply talking with God. It’s not some sealed up activity, locked away behind a hard shell of ‘religious’ behavior. As you hike or snorkel or body surf or read a good book why not talk it over with the One who gave you the ability to enjoy such recreation. Spend time with your Heavenly Father, He’s not on vacation!
 
On another note, just a word of encouragement to take advantage the fellowship and outreach activities being planned here at the church for this summer. Watch the Town fireworks display from the comfort of the church parking lot. Enjoy coffee, tea and fellowship every Sunday morning at 10:00. Study the Bible on Wednesday nights. And may your summer be blessed with rich fellowship with our wonderful Heavenly Father.
 
Yours for making disciples of every nation,
Pastor Bill
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