Ten for Ten

September 9th, 2025

Lenape Valley, thank you for celebrating the 10-year mark in my ministry with our faith community. Cards, cake (yum!), and a contribution to two missions that are dear to my heart- Cornerstone and Peter Powerhouse- what a special way to celebrate 10 years together! Yet, as our city and our nation prepare for the Semi-quincentennial- the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation- ten years seems like just a drop in the bucket. But then I think back over all the little miracles and big moments. Those ten years are packed with God’s blessings. So today I want to take a moment to highlight just a few… ten for the ten years God has been working in our midst.

Worship is the gathering call of our faith community. I love how Lenape Valley can raise the roof with joy! From Sunday worship to a Christmas Eve- Silent Night, from our special concerts to Easter’s hallelujahs, the song of our people lifts us into the presence of God in such beautiful ways. When I gather with our Lenape Valley family, I know there will be joy in the house of the Lord!
The Church Has Left the Building was my introduction to the visionary lay leadership of Lenape Valley, who launched this mission focus during the interim time. Each year, the vision grows, the projects expand, the participation increases. In 2015 we had 100 people participate in 9 mission projects. Last year we had over 300 people working on 27 projects. I am excited about what God will do in and through us this year!
Genesis invites our teens to explore the faith from the ground up- to question, to wonder, even to doubt as they consider the claims of the faith. And along the way they meet Jesus. It has been a special privilege to walk with our teens on that journey. They have made that journey so much fun, flipping water bottles, taking cold dips in the ocean, eating more ice cream than I dare to admit, and sharing life along the way. A new Genesis group starts in October. I look forward to their faith journey and the shenanigans along the way.
25,000 Meals. We started out with 10,000 meals in our first adventure and quickly learned that we are rather good at the meal packing dance. Put on some good music and give us hairnets to wear, and before you know it, 25,000 meals are packed and ready to send to schools around the world. Those meals fill bellies so that children can learn, lifting families out of poverty and into the future God has for them.
Free Fall Fest- What a privilege to invite our neighbors to a free day of fun on the Lenape Valley lawn. In our world, we know that if it is too good to be true it probably is too good to be true. We know that there is no such thing as a free gift- there is always a catch, always some trick that will leave us regretting that we ever took the bait. But grace has no strings attached. So, we followed our Savior’s lead and offered our neighbors a truly free day… free food, free gifts, free entertainment and games… no strings… no expectations… just grace. I think many of our neighbors were pleasantly surprised! How fun to give ourselves away in the name of Jesus.
VBS- There is nothing like little ones singing and dancing with abandon. I love the Bible stories acted out and Bible verses taught through food. I love the crazy games and the beautiful crafts. But most of all, I love watching our people give themselves away so that the children of our community can meet Jesus.
Leaders- I am privileged to serve with visionary, sacrificial leaders. Our staff, Elders and Deacons. move and shape our ministry behind the scenes to give us direction and purpose. The strength of our ministry is not in the pulpit; it is in the pews! How blessed we are to have such godly leaders! Be sure to mark your calendars: our Elders have invited us to share in a Visioning Event- on Sunday, September 28th after worship, enjoy a continental breakfast and share your ideas as we seek God’s next steps in our ministry.
The Pandemic- Who could have imagined the good that God would bring through such a difficult time. The mission heart of our people expanded exponentially through those pandemic days, bringing groceries to feed our neighbors, donating money to care for the needs of those we do not know. I am grateful that your generosity has continued because the need of our neighbors has not abated. You are the graceful people of God!
Children’s Moments- I love welcoming our children in worship. Many would call them the Next Generation, but really, they are the Now Generation. They are not just our future; they are our present. They are not just our hope they are our teachers. Reaching the emerging generations must be our passion in the years ahead, that they would come to know Jesus, love Him, and serve Him.
Moments of Great Need and Great Joy- Thank you for welcoming me into your homes and your hearts in moments of sadness and joy. To hear that first cry, and to be with you as your loved one takes their last breath in this world… I am blessed by your gracious invitation to share those moments that shape our lives. What a privilege to have a front row seat to witness God at work!

In the ten years I have been with Lenape Valley, the Eagles have gone to three Super Bowls and won two of those contests. How exciting! But to see God at work in our faith community day in and day out, is the story of a million little miracles. I look forward to a million more!

With you witnessing God’s grace at work,
Anita

Posted in From The Pastor

1 Comment

Add Your Comment

Peter Gregory - September 11th, 2025 at 5:57am

Sept 11 2001 started for me like any other. I remember how the sky was deep blue not a cloud in the sky. At the command center of Strike Force Mid Atlantic we were numb as the events of the day unfolded in Manhattan Pentagon and Shankaville Pa. In the space of under 3 hours over 3,000 Americans died and as I spent the next few months among the smoldering pile of ruins of lower Manhattan I thought about more theological concepts of sin death forgiveness evil grace redemption and hope. Before I left got a call from Doug

nHood who I had gotten to know as Kris and I made LVC our home at the time

nwhen we moved to this area. And on evening of 11 Sept we held a memorial prayer service at tje church. Standing room only. In memorial of what happened 23 years ago today and today in light of all things that happened in Utah yesterday. I prayed this prayer that night

n

n Lord God giver of life and source to hope. Heal

nOur nation . Heal our hearts. We grieve and mourn we cry and our hearts and souls want to break. But as people of faith we are resurrection people. We proclaim that we will not be overcome by the darkness the hate the evil we have witnessed today. We will proclaim

nYour love and power. We will heal and we will rebuilt the your grace. God bless our military our police and fire those who run into chaos while others ran away. God bless our nation God bless our souls. We will proclaim your name to tonight and tomorrow. Help us to see You to trust. To love and overcome. God bless us all

nAmen