Greetings all,

Laurie and I and the rest of the gang from the BC Conference arrived here in Israel on Thursday afternoon.  It was quite a flight–16  hours or so.

We spent Thursday afternoon exploring the beaches of Tel Aviv.  Awesome!  We also explored the old city of Joppa (biblical city) just south of the modern city of Tel Aviv. You may recall the story of Jonah and his sea odyssey via a rather large fish…

On Friday we did a whirl wind tour of Caesarea on the Mediterranean (built by Herod the Great as his capital), Mt Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal, Megiddo (amazing archaeological site), Nazareth (Jesus home town) and Cana (remember Jesus first miracle where he turned the water into wine).  It was quite a day I can tell you.

This morning we awoke in a lovely hotel.  We opened the curtains to our veranda and were greeted by the cooing of doves and a rainbow over Lake Galilee.  It was amazing.

I’ll try my best to keep you updated.  Take care.

Pastor Steve and Laurie

Hello everybody,                                                                                                                    greetings from the Holy Land…

Well, after 15 hours flying, between Vancouver – Toronto and toronto – Tel Aviv, we finally got here.

We landed today, while you were still sleeping, and we already took some time to visit the city of Joppa. If you remember, this city has a very interesting story that has to do with a big gigantic fish and second chances…

Maybe one day I will preach on that topic.

Well, mostly the reason I am sending this message is to praise those that are also travelling this weekend to the worship conference.

I sincerely believe that the a good worship service should have two main points: the worship that will prepare our minds to listen to God’s word, and the preaching of God’s word, Without either one, a worship service is incomplete.

So I am amazed at the level of importance that Son valley gives to the worship aspect of our service, to the point of investing money by sending a group of people to attend these seminars.

Blessed is the church that invests in praise and worship…and blessed is the church that has a group of people willling to take time from their daily lives to improve their worship leading skills.

I would like to thank you guys for doing this and I am sure that it will be a blessing to you and certainly, to us as well.

Jamie, if you can let the group know my thoughts

I also would like to ask you guys to include a thank you note in the bulletin/newsletter, thanking those that helped us last sunday unloading the truck. It was great!!!

Finally, I don’t know if I will have time again to send you another email before saturday so, have a happy sabbath and enjoy your time with God.

Your friend,

roger

WHAT IS 40 DAYS IN THE WORD?

Together with Rick Warren and Saddleback Church you’ve experienced 40 days of Purpose, Love and Community. Now come along with Rick on a journey of 40 Days in the Word, a journey of eternal significance as you and your church will learn how to be not only a “hearer” of the Word, but also a “doer” of God’s Word.

40 Days in the Word is a church wide weekly study of six principles of the Word of God. Together with Rick, the Saddleback Team and great pastors from across the country you and your church will explore the authenticity, reliability, power, comfort, interpretation and doing of God’s Word. This eight week journey, led by Rick Warren, will encourage spiritual growth in every member of your church.

>Pastor Rick Explains 40 Days in the Word (click to Link)

Roger Esteves has officially accepted a call from Ontario to be the pastor of Son Valley Fellowship and the Westbank SDA Church.  His first day with us will be Saturday, January 21, 2011.

Welcome to Son Valley Fellowship Roger, Ruth, Caleb(6) and Esther(3)

Link to Letter from Roger

Over 25 Christmas hampers were packaged up and delivered on Monday, Dec. 19.  With over 40 adults and children from both Son Valley and The Bridge — the project was completed quickly and a lot of laughs and smiles.   Love working with Pastor Mark and the Bridge folks.