The 2015 Lenten Bible Study will begin on Sunday, February 22nd, following our worship service and coffee hour. The study will be based on the book entitled The Lord Is Our Salvation, written by Katie Z. Dawson.  Here is the way Cokesbury describes the study:

During the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves to experience Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter. In The Lord Is Our Salvation, Katie Z. Dawson invites us to a deeper understanding of the salvation Christ offers by exploring the various ways God restores us and our world to wholeness. Through each week of Lent, Dawson opens the Scriptures to show God’s redemption at work in the men, women, and communities of the Bible. In her personal and deeply insightful reflections, you are called to see and embrace Christ’s salvation in your own life and in the world around you.

The Lord is Our Salvation is based on the Revised Common Lectionary scriptures for year B of the church year, a three-year cycle of Bible readings. The study includes commentary and reflection on readings from the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Epistles, offering the opportunity to explore these Bible readings in a seven-session study.

Anyone is welcome to attend so if you are interested in coming, please contact Pam in the church office at 860-379-2157 to reserve your spot and order your book (approximately $8).

We’re looking forward to this time of study and relection, and we hope you’ll join us!

The first 2015 edition of the Link is now available at the tab at the top of the page. Due to unforseen circumstances, the January Link was not completed. Please take a minute to check out the happenings at our little white church by the river in Pleasant Valley, CT.

Our church men will once again be hosting the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 17th, beginning at 6:00 pm. The menu will include pancakes, sausage, potato pancakes, and real maple syrup.  This event is open to the community.  A ‘good will offering’ jar will be available to accept donations should you wish to help support the missions of the church.  Tell you friends and neighbors…and come have supper with us.

Today’s sermon was an especially good one as Pastor Trudy spoke about Kintsukuroi Christianity.  Click on the link below to read her message and see what you think.

Kintsukuroi sermon

If you’ve been trying to leave a message at the church office, you need to know that our answering machine isn’t working at the moment.  We are also unable to get the messages that may already have been left.  If you need to connect with someone, please call the church office (860-379-2157) during office hours which are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.  We hope this situation is resolved in the very near future.

Come join us at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 14th at 3:00 pm, as we once again share in the joyous songs of the season!  We’ll have some special guests to get us in the spirit and opportunities to raise our voices in song.  Following the music there will be refreshments in our Fellowship Hall.  This FREE event is open to the public so come spend some time making a joyful noise!!

     This year Pastor Trudy will lead a Bible study based on the book by Adam Hamilton entitled Not A Silent Night. Below is the description of the study from the Cokesbury website. If you would like to participate, please call the church office (860-379-2157) and speak with Pastor Trudy to order your copy of the book. This 6-week course will begin on Sunday, November 30th, following coffee hour.

Imagine Jesus from Mary’s point of view—proud of her son, in awe of his gifts and mission, guided by love for him as a person and so much more. In this book, Adam Hamilton begins at the end, with Mary at the crucifixion and resurrection; travels back in time as she witnesses his life and ministry; and ends at the beginning, with the Christ child born in a stable, Mary’s beautiful baby. This year, experience Advent and Christmas with Mary. The five sessions are: 1. Beginning with the End 2. The Piercing of Mary’s Soul 3. Amazed, Astounded, and Astonished 4. Mary, Full of Grace 5. It Was Not a Silent Night

The December 2014 edition of our church newsletter, The Link, is now available.  To see what’s happening this month in Pleasant Valley just click on The Link tab at the top of the page.  We have listed many of the Christmas events that will be taking place at our church, so please take a note of them and plan to attend.  We’d love to have you join us for any or all of these festive occasions.