Ministries

CARE

Care Ministries are focused on providing emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals facing various life challenges.  These ministries aim to take care of others by offering compassion, prayer, counseling, meals, visits, and assistance during times of illness, grief, crisis, or life transitions.  Rooted in love and service, Care Ministries reflect a commitment to being the hands and feet of Christ to those in need.

Care Coordinators: Sue John and Julie Porter

  • Cards and Calls: Mails cards and/or makes phone calls to members who are celebrating a birthday, experiencing health or personal challenges, and those members who have become disconnected from church.  Follow-up cards and emails to visitors who completed a Con”next”tion Card. Jan Underwood

  • Comfort Dog: Our Comfort Dog teams visit and provide care and comfort for members who are homebound and those in care facilities.  Additionally, they visit schools and other organizations and events, locally and out-of-town, to provide support, care and comfort. Marilyn Hunter

  • Deacons: Deacons’ teams visit and administer Communion to LoV members who are homebound, hospitalized or may be recovering from surgery or illness. Elayne Sandusky

  • Helping Hands: Manages the Helping Hands fund, which provides emergency financial assistance to our members and people in our community wo request help.  Also, may provide guidance toward other helpful resources if needed. Ray Porter and Chris Burton

  • Meal Train: Organizing, preparing and delivering meals for homebound, recently home from the hospital, and new mothers. Robin Taylor

  • Pastoral Visits: Visiting and providing comfort and support for homebound, hospitalized, and others needing comfort. Pastor George Matranga

  • Prayer Team: Each Tuesday, the team reviews Con”next”ion Card prayer requests and prays for those requesting prayer. Also, team members are available to pray with/for those who may want prayer following the first worship service each Sunday. Connie Grueter , Jan Underwood, Lauri Leach

  • Together We Heal (Grief Share): Providing support workshops and gatherings for those struggling with loss in its many forms and equipping them with tools to build a life filled with joy. Jill Batiansila, www.togetherwehealcommunity.org.

  • Widows Group: Monthly gatherings on the third Saturday for widows, including fellowship, prayer, devotions, support, games, food, crafts, etc. Pat Mason and Jeanne Bingaman

SERVE

Serve Ministries and volunteer roles are vital to the health and growth of the church.  They offer meaningful ways for every member to use their gifts, to service their church, deepen their relationship with God, and build community with others.

  • Connection Card:

  • Sunday Counters: Wendell Alff

  • Discovery Class: Pastor Jay

  • SHAPE Discovery: Helping members discover God’s purpose for their life – spiritual gifts, heart (passion) and abilities.

  • Stewardship:

  • Leadership Development:

  • LoV Kids (Children’s Ministry): Doris Dahle

CONNECT

Connect Ministries serve and support the needs of the wider community beyond our congregation. These ministries reflect Light of the Valley’s commitment to living out its faith through service and compassion. Our goal is to demonstrate God’s love through tangible acts of service by meeting the needs of the vulnerable and underserved in our community.

  • Meals on Wheels: LoV has partnered with Meals on Wheels to provide the venue and volunteers to serve one meal a day, Monday through Friday, for guests aged 60+.

  • Visions in Motion: LoV has partnered with Visions in Motion, an adult day program for people affected by developmental delays, to collect non-perishable foods for the EG Food Bank.

  • Families First: Summer Mitchell

GROW

Grow Ministries exist to help believers, old and new, move from a basic understanding of faith to a deeper, more mature and active Christian life. They help individuals deepen their relationship with God, develop a more mature faith, and live out their beliefs in practical, transformative ways. These ministries aim to nurture faith development, provide teaching, resources, and experiences that help people grow in their understanding of Scripture, prayer, worship, and Christian doctrine.

Grow Coordinators:  Linda Blauser and Terri Brandt

  • Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast: This men’s group meets year-round on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month in the Sanctuary from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. The Bible study and fellowship portions are also available via Zoom. Jim Connick

  • Ladies' Bible Study Groups: Two once-a-month studies: 1) Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in homes, and 2) Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in homes. Linda Blauser

  • Lights of Hope: This mixed group meets every Monday at 12:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary, beginning September 8. Carol Matranga

  • Burton Group: Chris and Letha Burton This mixed group meets at the Burton home the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 3-4:30 p.m. Letha Burton

  • Tuesday Evening Group: Clif & Connie Sweet: Beginning September 9, this mixed group will meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at LoV, and on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Connie Sweet 

  • Underwood Group: This mixed group will meet every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary, beginning September 4. Jan Underwood

  • Basic Bible Teachings: This mixed group will study basic Bible teachings at the Blauser home

  • Study of Genesis: This mixed group meets Wednesdays 7:00-8:30pm in various homes. Bob Anderson

WORSHIP

Worship Ministries exist to lead the congregation and its guests in meaningful, spirit-led worship that glorifies God and fosters a deep connection with Him. It creates an atmosphere of welcoming love, sharing, peace and caring for all who pass through the doors of the church. These teams are responsible for planning and leading worship services through music, prayer, scripture and other creative expressions.

Worship Ministries Coordinators: Pam Hogge and Elayne Sandusky

  • Music: Select songs, hymns and special music that will coincide with and enhance each Sunday’s message and church season, for Sunday services and special services/events, as required.

  • Sound System/Media/Technical Needs: Technical/Audio-Visual support for both Sunday services and other special services/events, including projection of information onto the front wall of sanctuary, live streaming, sound system, etc. Social Media postings. Maddie Brandt

  • Hospitality: includes Altar Guild, Altar Flowers, Greeters, Ushers, Service Elders, Acolytes, Readers, Fellowship Coffee Service and Fellowship Treats, for Sunday service and other special services/events, as required. Pam Hogge and Joyce Carey

  • Worship Planning: Services and Special Services/Events: Message topics, readings, approval of seasonal decorations, music, announcements, bulletin items, service enhancements, etc.

  • Decorating: Organize and plan decorations for the church sanctuary and other areas, as required, for Sunday services, special services, e.g., Christmas, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, etc. Organize sign-ups for donation of flowers, etc. when necessary Christmas, Easter, etc.) Leaders – Theresa Anderson, Cathy Leesha and Connie Parker.