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 Pat Mason
Cards and Calls: Mailing cards and/or making phone calls to members who are celebrating a birthday, experiencing health or personal challenges, and those members who have become disconnected from church. Jan Underwood
Helping Hands: Manages the Helping Hands fund, which provides emergency financial assistance to our members and people in our community who request help. It may also 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: Providing support workshops and gatherings for those struggling with grief and loss in its many forms and equipping them with tools to build a life filled with joy. Jill Batiansila, www.togetherwehealcommunity.org
Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministers Are Care-Givers, God Is the Cure-Giver. The role of Stephen Ministers is to give care. They listen, empathize, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support on a weekly basis to hurting people for as long as the need persists. God works in and through them to bring hope and healing. If you are feeling lonely, experiencing a crisis, struggling through a difficult time, or simply stressed by everyday life, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders to learn more about Stephen Ministry. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to care for you! Sharleen Hoth
Visitation Teams: Visitation teams visit and administer Communion to LoV members who are homebound, hospitalized or may be recovering from surgery or illness. Elayne Sandusky
Widows Fellowship Group: Monthly gatherings on the third Saturday for widows, including fellowship, prayer, devotions, support, games, food, crafts, etc. Pat Mason and Jeanne Bingaman
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.
Connect Coordinator: Marilyn Hunter
Comfort Dog: LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams visit and provide care and comfort for members and others who may be homebound or in care homes. Additionally, teams also make visits to schools, various organizations and events, locally and out-of-town, to provide support, care and comfort. Marilyn Hunter (See below about how we are expanding this ministry.)
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+.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML): LoV’s LWML organizes and hosts Mite Box Sundays, Annual Spring Tea and Annual Fall Bake Sale. Proceeds from these events are used to help support LWML missions and LoV charities/ministries. Pam Hogge
Youth For Christ (YFC) : LoV is partnered with Youth for Christ to provide a venue where YFC can reach out to local youth to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus. Omar Turner/Brian Wiese
SINGLES’ GROUP: Providing an opportunity for adult singles to gather, fellowship, play games and enjoy activities in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. Connie Grueter
Continuing the Comfort Dog Ministry at LoV
Our Comfort Dog Ministry has been a beautiful source of peace, hope, and connection for so many people. To continue this ministry for years to come, Light of the Valley is in-process to welcome a second comfort dog—and that means building a second caring, committed team.
Could This Be You?
Do you have a heart for serving others? Do you love dogs and enjoy seeing how God uses them to bring comfort and joy?
We’re looking for new team members to join us in roles such as Caregiver, Handler, and Ministry Partner. Being part of the team gives you a front‑row seat to watching God work through our furry friend to bring peace, encouragement, and smiles to those who need it most.
How Can I Help?
• Step into one of the ministry team roles
• Support the ministry through a donation (select Comfort Dog Ministry in the giving menu)
• Pray for our team, our future dog, and the people we serve
• Learn more about how the Comfort Dog Ministry makes a difference
• Share this ministry with friends, neighbors, and our community
• Contact Jeanne Bingaman at comfortdogmicah@yahoo.com or (916) 691‑3568
GROW
Grow Ministries 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, Christian doctrine, and service. Through classes, small group studies and fellowship, they encourage personal transformation, promote discipleship, foster community and equip ministry and mission.
Grow Coordinators: Linda Blauser and Terri Brandt
LoV Kids: For children ages pre-K through 3rd grade. Providing spiritual guidance while teaching about Jesus and His love through God’s word with fun, pre-planned curriculum, activities, Bible stories, crafts and more. Teachers work in teams of two and are members of Light of the Valley. In addition to our teachers, there is an adult volunteer who ensures that each of our children receives a special birthday card from their Kids for Jesus teachers. Doris Dahle
ADULTS: LightHouse Groups: “LightHouse:” is an umbrella term for Light of the Valley’s adult small group studies, which are comprised of Bible study groups, support groups, special studies, etc. To see our current list of groups, click HERE.
LoV University (LOV U): Workshops and classes to help members grow in their faith. Pastor Jay Reed
Leadership Development: Workshops and classes to help members develop into leadership roles. Pastor Jay Reed
SERVE
SERVE Ministries help individuals feel connected, supported, and equipped within the church community. Through prayer follow-up, new member classes, spiritual gifts assessments, and ongoing guidance, the ministry nurtures faith while helping each person discover their strengths and find meaningful ways to serve.
Connection Card: Weekly collects Connection Cards and ensures that the request/information on the card is given to the appropriate group or person for action/follow up. Cindy Gustafson
Discover LoV: A class for those seeking to learn about Light of the Valley and what it means to be a member of the church and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Pastor Jay
SHAPE Discovery: Helping members discover God’s purpose for their life – spiritual gifts, heart (passion) and abilities.
Next Step & Engagement: Encouraging and guiding members as they discover their gifts, grow in service, and step confidently into volunteer and leadership opportunities. Cindy Gustafson
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. These teams work in collaboration with church leadership and each other to create an atmosphere where people are encouraged to engage in worship and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
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. Madelyn Brandt
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. Madelyn Brandt, Malachi Wossne
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. Pastor Jay Reed, Erica Prior
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.) Theresa Anderson, Cathy Leesha, and Connie Parker.
Funeral Care Team: Supports families with compassion and assistance in planning and carrying out funeral and memorial services and food as needed. Pam Hogge
Baptism Team: Helps prepare families/individuals for baptism. Organizes the materials and food as needed. Assists the pastor as needed.
Sunday Counting Team: This team faithfully and discreetly counts the weekly Sunday offerings/gifts, enters a detailed breakdown on a count form and completes the bank slip for timely banking. Wendell Alff