GROUPS
Choir – Our robed Choir meets weekly to enjoy music, learn new anthems and revisit old favorites. Several times a month, the choir provides musical inspiration during the Sunday service.
Bible Studies – Small groups of men and women read through a specific book of the Bible or follow suggested versus from a study regarding an aspect of daily life.
Women’s Circles – These study groups use study guides to talk about life’s issues and a Christian approach to the world around us.
Men’s Dinners – Men gather monthly from across the church to spend time together providing Christian support to each other through fun, food and informative discussions.
Youth Group – Youth gather weekly in fellowship for activities that fall into four general categories: STUDY, FUN, WORSHIP, & SERVICE.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) – An annual week of summer evenings for kids from toddlers to 11-year-olds to enjoy music, games, snacks, crafts and science as God’s gift to them.
The Bookies – The Bookies meet monthly (on the 3rd Tuesday each month) to discuss a current best seller or a past favorite.
Dinner and a Movie – Usually on the 4th Friday at 6:30, it’s a chance to eat, watch an inspirational from a faith perspective, and discuss it after. Lovelying referred to as “Video Divina,” a visual form of the ‘Lectio Divina’ worship that happens most Tuesday mornings at 8:30 (see below).
The Christian Food Pantry – Our congregation started the first food pantry in Valparaiso and we still run it, though now in partnership with other congregations.
PARTNERSHIPS
Boy Scout Troop 907 – Troop 907 meets weekly, learning outdoor skills and planning several ‘high adventure’ events for each year. Check Out Our Facebook »
Summer Camps – Through our regional staff, we offer summer camp experiences for all ages that focus on living in God’s world through fun activities. This congregation directly supports Rev. Dave in leading M.A.D. (Music, Arts and Drama) Camp. Sign Up Here »
WORSHIP EVENTS
Lectio Divina – Each Tuesday morning at 8:30, a small group gathers in the sanctuary to focus on God’s word. Called ‘Divine Reading’ or Lectio Divina, a short verse from the Bible is read, contemplated and then re-read two more times, looking for the inspiration from the reading that can open the presence of God in our daily life.
Special Worship – Special Worship times punctuate the year, celebrating God’s presence in our world. Fall is a time of Thanksgiving, and Advent is the season of preparing for the arrival of our Savior. (It’s also when we usually have a children’s musical.) Christmas Eve is traditionally punctuated with candlelight and the return of the holy presence through readings and communion. Winter usually includes a service led by our youth and the annual Scout Sunday in February. Spring brings unique worship experiences on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Outdoor Worship – During the summer, in addition to our normal, indoor, 9:30 A.M. service; we also have a service at 7:30 A.M. in our beautiful outdoor worship area. It includes special preachers and a guitarist who leads the hymn singing.
Cantatas, Plays, and More – Every few months, we will have a special service to make sure we don’t fall into a “worship rut.” These have included “Godspell,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Cantatas by our choir, and plays about church history. We also have a worship team that periodically comes up with themes for various periods. (For instance, one Advent we focused on stars and filled the sanctuary with them.)