Good morning! This page is intended to both serve as a continuing worship option for those participating in our worship service from home, and to serve in place of print resources during our in-person worship. Following the worship service on Sunday, one or more video recordings from the service will be placed on this page, including the sermon. This may take several hours, due to the time needed to process the videos. We will email the congregation when the recordings have been posted. If you would like to be added to our congregational email list, please contact pvcob.alive@gmail.com.
- The Deacons are planning for Communion during worship on Sunday morning, October, 2nd. Following a brief worship service in the sanctuary, we will gather in the fellowship hall for Love Feast and Communion with optional feet/hand washing stations. We hope you will join us for this very special service as we celebrate World Communion Day.
- The following week, on October 9, we will have our Congregational Business Meeting. We hope you will be present to hear how we have been working together to continue the work of Jesus, to discuss our budget, and to confirm our leadership for next year.
- Backpack Pals are in need of pudding cups, ramen noodles, and we ask that you continue to donate your plastic grocery bags. Thank you!
Ephesians 4:11-16
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Worship Team Report
With the Board’s approval, we moved to our One-Service format to improve our sense of unity as a church body, using both Praise and Traditional music.
We have upgraded sanctuary equipment for better visuals and sound for both in house and recording purposes.
We have assisted Pastor Rebecca by securing Worship Leaders for Sunday Services.
We are in planning for some new and inspiring Thanksgiving and Advent services. Pastor Rebecca will be delivering the Advent messages and we look forward to increasing opportunities for the congregation to take a more active part in our worship services.
Call to Worship
(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
One: God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere, but they all come from God’s Spirit.
Women:God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere,
but they all originate in God’s Spirit.
Men: God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere,
but God is behind it all.
One: Each person is given something to do that shows us who God is.
Women: Everyone is included, and everyone benefits.
Men: All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit to all kinds of people!
One: The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust.
Women: Healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation.
Men: Discernment of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues.
One: All of these are activated by the same Spirit.
All: God’s Spirit gives us everything we need to work together as one body.
Thanks be to God!
Discipleship Team Report
Ministry Team Report
We have maintained sporadic contact with Susan Miller of Lydia House and His Light House .
Terri Simi and Jeannie Garber are continuing their work with this “Highlighters.”
We facilitated organizing sponsors for graduating seniors this past spring.
Goals number 4 and 5 have had no work done as this writing.
We have collaborated with the Evangelism Focus team to establish
procedures for identifying and reaching out to new church attendees. We
have nearly completed a new brochure highlighting basic information about
our congregation and will begin seeking several people who will serve as
contact persons for new attendees who have questions about our
congregation and,perhaps the local community. We will also be looking for
two people who will serve watchers each Sunday morning for new attendees
so that they be greeted and handed a brochure.
We have made appointments as needed.
Life Development Team Report
Children’s choir practiced in the spring.
Easter Egg Hunt with about 30 kids from the church and the local community. Most families saw the banner. Junior Highs assisted with stuffing candy. Activities were successful.
Kids Connect rebranded from Family Activity in February. Continuing to meet 1x per month on the third Friday. Have met in conjunction with the Young Adult Life Group. Will revisit having both on the same night.
Childcare is consistently being provided for worship and Sunday School.
Junior High class is assisting with Backpack Pals on the first Sunday of the month.
Senior High class is meeting at Valley Pike for coffee and class with their Sunday School teacher 1x per month.
Graduate recognitions in June.
VBS went well! Had 52 students and lots of positive feedback from the community.
Senior Highs went to NYC in Ft. Collins, CO.
Junior Highs went to FaithX in Harrisburg, PA
Worship in the Grove “New Beginnings” Event. Celebrated the children and Youth with t-shirts and snacks. Also plan to celebrate those who work with the children and youth on Sundays and throughout the year.
Looking forward to Trunk or Treat and the Children’s Christmas Program.
Trunk or Treat on October 29th from 1-3 pm in the parking lot.
Children’s Christmas Program on Dec. 11th from 9:30 am -10:15 am. (Sunday School hours).
Pastor’s Report
Worked with Life Development Team (LDT) on identifying people who could help with events that fell under the full-time Youth Pastor job description, and gave details of how things have happened in the past, while encouraging a new perspective on how things could change in the future.
Meet and work with LDT Gave support for all LDT events for the children and youth.
Coordinated with area churches to coordinate youth community service opportunities. Had one in January and March. Continuing to plan for future events.
Planning Kids Connect monthly.
Holding separate Junior and Senior High gatherings monthly, with other activities planned in between. These have included things like Ice Skating and cleaning the outside of the Karis building.
Leading Children’s Time during worship half of the Sundays and organizing leadership for the other Sundays.
Co-led Youth Discipleship class in the spring with baptisms in August.
Coordinated Youth fundraising Chicken BBQ in May.
Organized serving at the Houff Dinner in September as a youth fundraiser.
Traveled to National Youth Conference and FaithX with the youth over the summer.
Beginning in August:
- Visiting with those sick or in need
- Coordinating worship planning, with the help and direction of the
Worship Team - Planning the Community Thanksgiving Worship (Nov 20, 7:00pm)
with other community pastors
- Planned and led Love Feast during morning worship
- Planning Advent preaching
Evangelism Team Report
Evangelism partnered with the ministry focus group to develop a informational tri-fold brochure with information about our Church, to be shared with visitors. We also worked with Emily and Ellen Ashby to plan and host several community movie night events. We are currently working on planning for help with the Jimmy Fortune concert.
Sharing Our Gifts
In response to God’s forgiveness and great love for us, we joyfully and gratefully offer the fruits of our labor and our lives in these gifts. We give, knowing God’s power to bless and multiply them, so that the transformative power of the grace shown through Christ will be a reality in our neighborhood, community, and around the world. Will the ushers please come forward to collect our offerings.
Stewardship Team Report
Strengthen the church through the responsible stewardship of our human, physical, and monetary resources.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Fellowship Team Report
We Assisted/coordinated with other Focus Teams for community needs and planned church
projects accordingly.
We host Sunday Morning Breakfast (tentatively 5 th Sundays, dates to be announced) during the
Sunday School Hour. Host Breakfast for the 2 nd Sundays in February and October before the
Congregational Business Meetings.
We provided drinks and table service set-up for the Worship in the Grove Pot Luck luncheon in
September, with the help of Church Members.
We will provide drinks and table service set-up for the Hanging of the Greens Pot Luck Soup and
Sandwich luncheon in November.
We host and coordinate members making cookies for the Christmas Eve Service.
**All events will be modified as needed to comply with COVID restrictions**
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. 11Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Transition Team Report
Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren Congregational Survey Results 2022
*75 Total Responses (electronic and hard copy)*
- Please select a response below that most closely represents your age:
|
Under 16 |
4 total |
5.6% |
|
16-22 |
1 total |
1.4% |
|
23-45 |
12 total |
16.9% |
|
46-60 |
17 total |
23.9% |
|
61-80 |
29 total |
40.8% |
|
81 and over |
8 total |
11.3% |
- How long have you been attending Pleasant Valley?
|
Less than 1 year |
0 total |
0.0% |
|
1-5 years |
7 total |
9.7% |
|
6-10 years |
8 total |
11.1% |
|
11-20 years |
8 total |
11.1% |
|
Over 20 years |
46 total |
63.9% |
- Who do you think should lead Sunday morning worship?
|
Pastor and others from the congregation |
55 total |
75.3% |
|
Pastor |
18 total |
24.7% |
- Who do you think should plan Sunday morning worship?
|
Pastor, church staff, and interested people from the congregation |
35 total |
47.9% |
|
Pastor and church staff |
27 total |
37.0% |
|
Pastor |
11 total |
15.1% |
- How important to you is the connection between Pleasant Valley and the District and/or Denomination?
|
Not important |
12 total |
16.7 % |
|
Somewhat important |
45 total |
62.5% |
|
Very important |
15 total |
20.8% |
- Are you aware that Pleasant Valley has a presence that goes beyond the Church walls?
|
Yes |
63 total |
85.1% |
|
No |
1 total |
1.4% |
|
Not sure |
10 total |
13.5% |
- How far do you travel to attend Pleasant Valley?
|
Less than 5 minutes |
30 total |
41.1% |
|
5-15 minutes |
31 total |
42.5% |
|
16-30 minutes |
9 total |
12.3% |
|
Over 30 minutes |
3 total |
4.1% |
- How important is it to you that the Pastor visits you in your home on an annual basis?
|
Not important at all |
44 total |
62.0% |
|
Somewhat important |
21 total |
29.6% |
|
Very important |
6 total |
8.5% |
- What is the most important characteristic of an excellent pastor? Rank in order of importance from 1-5, with 1 being the most important:
|
Engaging Speaker |
#1 |
|
Biblical Teacher |
#2 |
|
Relates to all Ages |
#3 |
|
Ability to grow the Church |
#4 |
|
Effective Administrator |
#5 |
- As we are looking for individuals to fill our pulpit, do you feel we should:
|
Consider alternative forms of Pastoral Leadership (multiple part time salaried pastors, a part time salaried pastor, multiple non-salaried trained individuals, etc.) |
33 total |
45.2% |
|
Follow the traditional pastoral search process to identify one, full-time, salaried pastor |
40 total |
54.8% |
- Are you open to the idea of seeking qualified pastors outside of the Church of the Brethren?
|
Yes |
66 total |
93% |
|
No |
5 total |
7% |
- What type of training do you prefer in a pastor?
|
Bachelor’s degree and approved ministry training |
20 total |
28.2% |
|
Master of Divinity degree or higher from a seminary |
20 total |
28.2% |
|
No preference |
24 total |
33.8% |
|
Approved ministry training (non-degree program) |
7 total |
9.9% |
13) When thinking about pastoral leadership at Pleasant Valley, what ministries are most important to you? Rank 1-6, with 1 being the most important:
|
Sunday Morning Worship |
#1 |
|
Growing the Church |
#2 |
|
Bible Study |
#3 |
|
Involvement with Youth |
#4 |
|
Visitation |
#5 |
|
Mission/Outreach (local/international) |
#6 |
14) Please share any thoughts, concerns, questions, or ideas that you feel the Transition Team should consider as we move forward:
|
Comments were consistent with responses in the survey |
Nominating Committee Report and 2023 Slate
Church Officer: three-year term
Treasurer—Karissa Ruiz (2025)
Church Board:
Board Chair—Jon Garber, one-year term (2023)
Focus Teams:
Worship:
Lynda Sheffer—three-year term (2025)
Fellowship:
Linda Swope—three-year term (2025)
Life Development:
Emily Ashby—three-year term (2025)
Discipleship:
Gary Sheffer—three-year term (2025)
Jeannie Garber—one-year term (2023) to replace Mary Ellen Jantzi
Evangelism:
Mindy Garber—three-year term (2025)
Ministry:
Doug Houff—three-year term (2025)
Stewardship:
Tom Dodson—three-year term (2025)
Other Church Positions:
Nominating Committee:
Barbara Glovier—three-year term (2025)
Rhonda Harris—three-year term (2025)
Cemetery Trustees:
Tom Dodson—six-year term (2028)
Audit Committee:
Renea Harlow—two-year term (2024)
Annual Conference Delegates for 2023: Sharon and Ron Reich
District Conference Delegates for 2023: Rebecca House (youth pastor), Jon Garber (church board chair), Gary and Lynda Sheffer, Mindy Garber
Trustees Report
Brethren Foundations Funds
|
Balance as of January 1, 2022 |
$501,105.19 |
|
Admin Fees |
($937.58) |
|
Interest & Dividends |
$746.93 |
|
Market Value Fluctuation |
($42,046.45) |
|
Ending Balance as of September 30, 2022 |
$458,868.09 |
Karis Report
Karis has been in operation for 10 years and at the end of last year donations totaling $630,665.00 have been given to numerous local nonprofits and mission work in Haiti and Nigeria. In 2021 we supported 25 different organization and so far this year the Karis Board has given away $43,750.00. We continue to be amazed at the work God does through our organization and we are blessed with committed volunteers, great customers, and many regular consignors. Our weekly sales continue to be strong and in September we had record sales for the month. Recently our volunteers were treated to a delicious dinner at Bridgewater Retirement Community to show appreciation for their continued support.
The next several months will be a busy time at Karis with our Christmas Shop being open and preparing to make a move to a new location. Karis will be moving to the old Super Save building after the first of the year. The building is now being renovated to meet our needs and we look forward to being in Weyers Cave in a location that provides more parking, easier access to our consignment area, and new and updated lighting, bathrooms, and office space. As we plan for this move there will be opportunities for church members to volunteer to help.
Karis Board of Directors
Teri Sumey, Chairman
Dennis Miller, Treasurer
Millard Driver, Secretary
Jerry Brunk, Don Garber, Linda Greene, Renea Harlow,
Cathy Kuhlmann, Linda Scrogham, Holly Ruff
2023 Budget
| Proposed Annual Budget 2023 | ||||||
| Surplus of 23,485 | ||||||
| 2022 | 2023 | |||||
| Budget | Budget | $ Inc/Dec | % Inc/Dec | |||
| Discipleship Focus Team | ||||||
| Adult Sunday School Curriculum | 350 | 350 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Bible, Covenant, Membership study | 350 | 350 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Library | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Prayer Events | 100 | 100 | 0 | |||
| Total Discipleship | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Evangelism/Missions Focus Team | ||||||
| Annual Evangelism Event | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Serving Other Organizations | 0 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Advertising / Outreach | 150 | 150 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Mission Support for members | 0 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Flowers for Santuary (Mem & Vet day) | 100 | 100 | 0.0% | |||
| Preschool Miscellaneous | 700 | 700 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Welcome Packets and Materials | 0 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Total Evangelism/Missions | 1,450 | 1,450 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Fellowship Focus Team | ||||||
| General | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Paper Supplies | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Softball Team Fees | 0 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Total Fellowship | 2,000 | 2,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Gen Admin | ||||||
| Annual Conference-Delegates | 0 | 3,000 | 3,000 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Bulletins | 750 | 750 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Honorariums | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Maintenance-Office Equipment | 750 | 750 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Miscellaneous | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Moderator | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| FICA-Office Communications Director | #REF! | 1,790 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| Salary-Office Communications Director | 21,271 | 23,398 | 2,127 | 10.0% | ||
| Office Supplies | 1,250 | 1,250 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Postage | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Total Gen Admin | #REF! | 32,138 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| Giving to others | ||||||
| District (local) | 15,700 | 15,700 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| National Denomination (Richmond, IN) | 7,500 | 7,500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Weekday Religious Education | 3,900 | 3,900 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Brethren Woods | 2,600 | 2,600 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Disaster Relief | 1,500 | 1,500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Young Life Ministries | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| On Earth Peace | 400 | 400 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Weyers Cave Fire Dept | 400 | 400 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Love Inc | 350 | 350 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Valley Mission | 250 | 250 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Grottoes Rescue Squad | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Total Giving to Others | 33,300 | 33,300 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Life Development Focus Team | ||||||
| Bible School | 500 | 700 | 200 | 40.0% | ||
| Brethren Woods Fees | 1,600 | 1,600 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Children’s Ministry | 600 | 800 | 200 | 33.3% | ||
| Church School | 1,400 | 1,400 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Equipment & Supplies | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Gifts-Bible School & Graduation | 150 | 800 | 650 | 433.3% | ||
| Work Camps | 0 | 2,500 | 2,500 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Background checks | 0 | 200 | 200 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Youth | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Total Life Development | 4,850 | 8,600 | 3,750 | 77.3% | ||
| Ministry Focus Team | ||||||
| Highlighters | 300 | 300 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Photo Directories | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Miscellaneous Activities | 100 | 100 | 0 | |||
| Total Ministry | 400 | 400 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| P.V. Deacons | ||||||
| General Fund | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Total P.V. Deacons | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Pastoral Ministry | ||||||
| Total Pastoral Ministry | 90,000 | |||||
| Minister Annual Conference | 1,522 | 0 | (1,522) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Housing Allowance | 9,000 | 0 | (9,000) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Medical Insurance | 6,000 | 0 | (6,000) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Life & Disability | 643 | 0 | (643) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Pension | 8,346 | 0 | (8,346) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Prof Growth | 250 | 0 | (250) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Salary | 60,870 | 0 | (60,870) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Telephone – Base Rate | 300 | 0 | (300) | -100.0% | ||
| Minister Travel | 1,500 | 0 | (1,500) | -100.0% | ||
| Youth Pastor – Travel | 400 | 0 | (400) | -100.0% | ||
| Youth Pastor Annual Conference | 1,522 | 0 | (1,522) | -100.0% | ||
| Youth Pastor Prof Growth | 125 | 0 | (125) | -100.0% | ||
| Youth Pastor Pension | 3,362 | 0 | (3,362) | -100.0% | ||
| Youth Pastor Insurance | 3,000 | 0 | (3,000) | -100.0% | ||
| Youth Pastor Life & Disability | 300 | 0 | (300) | -100.0% | ||
| Youth Pastor Salary | 27,564 | 0 | (27,564) | -100.0% | ||
| Total Pastoral Ministry | 124,704 | 90,000 | (34,704) | -27.8% | ||
| Stewardship Focus Team | ||||||
| Capital Outlay | 0 | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | ||
| Custodian Cleaning | 10,400 | 10,400 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Electricity | 12,500 | 12,500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Fuel/Propane | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Water & Sewer | 1,500 | 1,500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| General Expenses | 10,000 | 10,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Finance & Personnel | 800 | 800 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Mowing | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Rent Income – Custodian House | (5,400) | (5,400) | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Telephone / Internet | 3,120 | 3,120 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Technology Development & Support | 3,000 | 3,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Total Stewardship | 36,520 | 36,520 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Title Trustees & Workman’s Comp | 6,000 | 6,000 | 100.0% | |||
| Worship Focus Team | ||||||
| FICA-Director of Music | #REF! | 982 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| FICA-Early Service Director | #REF! | 800 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| FICA-Organist | #REF! | 800 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| FICA-Worship Media Director | #REF! | 303 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| Flowers | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Guest Instrumentalists | 600 | 600 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Instrument Care & Maintenance | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Miscellaneous | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Music – Choir | 800 | 800 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Music – Hand Bells | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Music – Praise Team | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Music – Organist | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Hand Bells – Purchase / Maintenance | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Salary-Director of Music | 11,667 | 12,834 | 1,167 | 10.0% | ||
| Salary-Early Service Director | 9,500 | 10,450 | 950 | 10.0% | ||
| Salary-Organist | 9,500 | 10,450 | 950 | 10.0% | ||
| Salary-Worship Media Director | 3,600 | 3,960 | 360 | 10.0% | ||
| Substitute Compensation | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Worship in the Grove/Homecoming | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total Worship | #REF! | 44,679 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| Total Budgeted Expenses | #REF! | 256,587 | #REF! | #REF! | ||
| Total Budgeted Expenses | 256,587 | |||||
| * | Projected Actual Expenses – 98% of budget | 251,455 | ||||
| ** | Projected Income | 272,000 | ||||
| Income vs Actual Expenses | 20,545 | |||||
| Giving Per Week | 5,231 | |||||
| * | Projected Actual Expenses Based on previous years trend vs budgeted | |||||
| ** | Projected expeses as a percent of budgeted | 98.00% | ||||
| ** | Projected Income based on previous year trend | |||||
