Rainier Valley Church - Seattle

A special Christmas Day message by Pastor Ken at Rainier Valley Church

Rainier Valley Church gathered together on Saturday, December 24th for a Christmas Eve Candlelight worship service to celebrate the birth of our savior. What's Christmas all about? It's Good News of Great Joy for All People!

Have a Merry Christmas! 

Announcements from Sunday, December 11 2022

Christmas Eve Saturday - Please plan to invite friends and family to join us for a beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Saturday, December 24th at 4pm. This is a family-style service with a children's choir, advent candle lighting, Christmas message and classic candlelight songs.

Christmas Day Service - Pastor @Ken Sabalza is planning a special Christmas Day worship service for Sunday, November 25th at 4pm. This will be a simple, stripped-down, family-style service with no amplification or projection - just a guitar, our voices and the Word of God. Feel free to have the kids come in their Christmas jammies. We'll have a wonderful time of worship together!

Christmas in the Revelation #3 "A Wartime Christmas" (Revelation 12)

Topic(s): Christmas, Spiritual Warfare, the Devil, Demonic Attack, Condemnation, Shame, Freedom, Gospel, Joy.

Big Idea of the Message: Christmas is the about the victory of God in the midst of an ongoing spiritual war.

Application Point: Know Your Enemy, Living in Your Victory, Keep Fighting.

Discussion Questions:

Christmas Fight "Know Your Enemy" (Revelation 12:1-6)
Spiritual warfare directly impacts the world around us yet we cannot see it. What are things like radio signals or germs that we cannot see yet they have a powerful, practically and daily impact on our lives? What does the sign of the woman that John sees mean and how does the sun, moon, and 12 stars lead to our understanding of who this woman represents? The devil is seen symbolically as a vicious red dragon with 7 heads (complete intelligence), 10 horns (Vicious weapons of temptation and accusation) and 7 crowns (princely rule). How have you seen the impact of the dragon's lies, temptations and accusations in your life, your family and the world around us?
The devil is attempting to destroy the child (the messiah) from the woman (God's people) as she is giving birth. Where do we see the devil trying to destroy God's people in the scriptures? What means do he use? How does the devil try to destroy Jesus in the Christmas Story? How does the devil both seemingly win but then lose by trying to destroy Jesus?

Christmas Victory "Living In Your Victory" (Revelation 12:7-12)
Because Jesus' life, death, resurrection and ascension, the devil is thrown down so that he can no longer accuse God's people, he no longer holds any legal authority or to put it simply, the devil isn't the boss of us anymore. We live in the victory that Jesus purchased by overcoming the devil with the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. How does the blood of the lamb help you to overcome the lies, temptations, and accusations of the enemy? How can you renounce and replace the demonic lies you have believed with the truth of God? How do we overcome the enemy by the word of our testimony? How does your story show the power of God over lies, temptations, and accusations of the enemy? Who can you share your story with this Christmas?

Christmas Warfare "Keep Fighting" (Revelation 12:13-17)
Satan is defeated yet still on the attack against the woman (the people of God). The serpent is pouring water, like a mighty river out of his mouth against God's people through lies, heresy, false teaching, and cults. How have you seen and experienced the spiritual warfare of Satan's river of lies? The woman is giving wings (God's guidance) to fly to the wilderness (our current state between slavery to sin and the entering the promise land of heaven) where she will be nourished. Israel was nourished in the wilderness by the manna, the water and the cloud. How does God keep this promise to nourish his people today? How have you been nourished by God this week (His Word, His Spirit, His people)? Why is the dragon furious with God's people? How are you experiencing the fury of the dragon in your life? How can we as a community protect and care for one another in the midst of this spiritual warfare? Pastor Kyle shared the image of the Roman Army holding their shields together to protect one another, how can we hold our shields of faith together to protect one another against the enemies attacks this Christmas season? How can we be praying for one another? How can we be meeting each others needs this week?

Announcements from Sunday, December 4th 2022

Bible Reading Plan - Join us on #bible_reading_plan channel on Slack to discuss our daily Bible reading. We will be finishing up 1 Samuel and starting 2 Samuel. If you haven't joined us yet, jump into the same page Bible reading challenge and read the scriptures with us each day. The PDF is attached on Slack and can be printed out and put in your Bible as a daily reminder. Feel free to leave any thoughts, questions or insights in the #bible_reading_plan channel here on Slack.

Nursery Help Needed - Thank you to all those who have done such a great job helping to serve our church family, visiting families, and our kids by caring for babies in the nursery and teaching children in the kids ministry. By God's grace and your willingness to serve, we have teams for each week. There is one spot currently needing coverage and that's help in the nursery on the third week of the month. If you're able to help out, please contact @Steve Pratt. Thanks so much!

Ladies Craft Night - Shelly Lischke and Lauren Soini are hosting a ladies craft night this coming Thursday, December 8th at 6:45pm at the Soinis house near the church. You can bring a Christmas craft you are working on, Shelly will bring materials for a craft if you don't have anything and you're more than welcome to come and enjoy fellowship even if you don't like crafts. Kids are welcome but please RSVP in advance so Lauren Soini knows how many kids to expect. We're excited for the ladies to get together for fellowship and fun this Thursday night at the Soinis.

Joy’s Birthday Party - Join us at Rainier Valley Church after our worship service on Sunday, December 11 for a very special birthday party for Joy Mipalar. The Birthday party will have an English Tea Party theme and ladies are encourage to bring a fancy hat if they would like. Joy will be provided some incredible food. Please plan to celebrate Joy's birthday with us on Sunday, December 11th.

Christmas Eve Saturday - Please plan to invite friends and family to join us for a beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Saturday, December 24th at 4pm.

Christmas Day Service - Pastor Ken Sabalza is planning a special Christmas Day worship service for Sunday, November 25th at 4pm. If you're in town, please plan to join us to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the first and greatest of all Christmas gifts ever given.

Christmas in the Revelation #2 "Christmas Worship Fulfilled in the Revelation" (Revelation 4-5)

Topic(s): Christmas, Advent, Hope, Nativity, Revelation, Worship, Praise, Holiness, Sacrifice, Worthiness, Promise. Big Idea of the

Message: We Worship God as the Holy Creator and Gracious Redeemer of the World

Application Point: Beholding his wonder in creation, praising his grace in redemption and trusting his hand in providence.

Discussion Questions:

Worshiping God as the Holy Creator - Beholding His Wonder in Creation (Revelation 4:1-11) What sorts of things does the Apostle John see in his Heavenly vision around God's throne (Rev 4:1-8)? How does seeing God in his exulted state impact our understanding of the Christmas story? God throne is surrounded by thunder and lighting, signifying his power, reflecting the story of mount Sinai in Exodus. What are times in your life when you have experienced the raw power of nature and how did that experience change you? The Angelic throne guardians cry out that God is Holy (Rev 4:8) What is God's holiness, why does it matter and how does it contrast with us? The 24 elders cast their crowns before God as an act of worship (Rev 4:10) What things in our own lives do we need to lay before the throne of God as an act of worship? The Elders worship God as the Holy Creator of the universe. What do the elders say in their song in Revelation 4:11? How can we cultivate a heart of worship as we consider God as the creator? What aspect of God's creation amazes you right now?

Worshiping God as the Gracious Redeemer - Raising His Grace in Redemption (Revelation 5:1-14) The scroll (God's ultimate purposes of judgement, mercy and the renewal of the world) is unable to be opened by anyone (Rev 5:1-4). What would it mean for the world if Jesus never came as our redeemer and savior? John weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll (Rev 4:4) According to the elders, angels, and all creation, what makes Jesus worthy in Revelation Rev 5:5,9b-10,12,13? According to the elders song in Rev 5:9-10, what does Jesus' redemption save us FROM and what does Jesus' redemption save us FOR? In the final song of Revelation 5:13 all of creation joins in the worship of Jesus as the redeemer of the world. How will Jesus redeem not just individual souls but the whole cosmos? How can we be praying for and encouraging one another this week?

• Bible Reading Plan - Join us on #bible_reading_plan to discuss our daily Bible reading. as we read through Ruth, 1 Samuel and continue reading a Psalm each day. If you haven't joined us yet, jump into the same page Bible reading challenge and read the scriptures with us each day. The PDF is attached and can be printed out and put in your Bible as a daily reminder. Feel free to leave any thoughts, questions or insights in the #bible_reading_plan channel here on Slack.
• Joy’s Birthday Party - Join us at Rainier Valley Church after our worship service on Sunday, December 11 for a very special birthday party for @Joy Mipalar. The Birthday Party will have an English Tea Party Theme and ladies are encourage to bring a fancy hat if they would like. Joy will be provided some incredible food. Please plan to celebrate Joy's birthday with us on Sunday, December 11th.
• Christmas in the Book of Revelation - Join us this Advent season, beginning on Sunday, November 27th as we light the Advent candles, reflect on Jesus' birth and study how Christmas is fulfilled in the book of Revelation.
• Christmas Eve Saturday - Please plan to invite friends and family to join us for a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Saturday, December 24th at 4pm.
• Christmas Day Service - Pastor @Ken Sabalza is planning a special Christmas Day worship service for Sunday, November 25th at 4pm. If you're in town, please plan to join us to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the first and greatest of all Christmas gifts ever given.

• The Hope of Blessing (Revelation 1:1-3)

• The Hope of Fulfillment (Revelation 1:4-8)

• The Hope of Glory (Revelation 1:9-20)

Announcements from Sunday, November 20th 2022

Bible Reading Plan - Join us on #bible_reading_plan to discuss our daily Bible reading. as we read through the challenging book of Judges together and continue enjoying a Psalm each day. If you haven't joined us yet, jump into the same page Bible reading challenge and read the scriptures with us each day. The PDF is attached and can be printed out and put in your Bible as a daily reminder. Feel free to leave any thoughts, questions or insights in the #bible_reading_plan channel here on Slack.

Joy’s Birthday Party - Join us at Rainier Valley Church after our worship service on Sunday, December 11 for a very special birthday party for @Joy Mipalar. The Birthday Party will have an English Tea Party Theme and ladies are encourage to bring a fancy hat if they would like. Joy will be provided some incredible food. Please plan to celebrate Joy's birthday with us on Sunday, December 11th.

Christmas in the Book of Revelation - Join us this Advent season, beginning on Sunday, November 27th as we light the Advent candles, reflect on Jesus' birth and study how Christmas is fulfilled in the book of Revelation.

Christmas Eve Saturday - Please plan to invite friends and family to join us for a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Saturday, December 24th at 4pm.

Christmas Day Service - Pastor @Ken Sabalza is planning a special Christmas Day worship service for Sunday, November 25th at 4pm. If you're in town, please plan to join us to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the first and greatest of all Christmas gifts ever given.

When God Doesn't - The Book of Habakkuk
#4 "When You Feel Like Giving Up"
Habakkuk 3:1-19

Topic(s): Holy Discontentment, Wrath/Mercy, Remembering, Confidence, Rejoicing, Strength, Overcoming

Big Idea of the Message: Even among suffering and loss, Habakkuk has learned that he can trust God, and with that trust comes great joy—not in circumstances but in God himself!

Application Point: As followers of Jesus, we can express authentic worship of God in seasons of darkness, pain, and difficulties by remembering, rejoicing, and thanksgiving!

Discussion Questions:
As we approach Thanksgiving, what is one thing that you are thankful for? If you were at the Friendsgiving Potluck Dinner at Church, what were some of the highlights of that time for you?
As we finish up our series in Habakkuk, what is one thing that stood out to you from either this week’s message or the series?
"When You Feel Like Giving Up" remember that we have spiritual tools that we can use in the midst of injustice and suffering such as (1) A Holy Discontentment (Hab 3:1-2), (2) A Biblical Confidence (Hab 3:3-15), and a Remarkable Rejoicing (Hab 3:16-19)

A Holy Discontentment (Hab 3:1-2) Sometimes God allows us to see injustice and suffering in the world to create in us a holy discontentment. God often uses people to accomplish his holy will. What Holy Discontentment has the Lord given you? (Something you're passionate about, something you can stand, something you have to do something about!)
Habakkuk prayers for Revival, Revelation and Remembrance. What is the significance of each of these prayers?
Habakkuk asks God to remember mercy in the midst of his wrath. How does this request show the character of God and speak to the Gospel itself?
Application - What Holy Discontentment has God put on your heart and what are some steps you can take this week?

A Biblical Confidence (Hab 3:3-15) When Habakkuk can't see what God is doing, he goes back to what God has done. Habakkuk remembers and praises God for his powerful works throughout the Old Testament.
What passages and truths about God's character and work bring you comfort, encouragement, and boldness to live out your Christian discipleship when things get difficult? How are you being strengthened through regular Bible Reading?
Habakkuk references the Exodus, the giving of the law, the wilderness journey, and many other important moments in Biblical history. How does knowing our bibles give us confidence in God?
Application - Join RVC in our OT Bible Reading Plan (PDF attached below) Regularly take a moment in group discussion to share what you're learning from God's word as the whole church reads the scriptures together.

A Remarkable Rejoicing (Hab 3:16-19) This passage of Habakkuk is so important that Pastor @Kyle Van Tine recommend that you print it out, put it in a visible area (mirror, refrigerator, phone, etc) and memorize these important truths.
Habakkuk makes a defiant declaration of joy despite his circumstances. What were the horrific circumstances outlined in his poem? What were these circumstances so significant to Habakkuk?
Habakkuk says "Yet, I will rejoice" despite the hardships. What hardships are you going through that you must say "Yet, I will rejoice" even in the midst of the suffering, loss, or uncertainty?
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 instructs us to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” How can we apply these principles to our everyday lives?
Application - How can we, like Habakkuk, choose to rejoice in who God is, despite our circumstances? How can we pray for one another this week?

Video from yesterday's worship service - https://youtu.be/pQySOhrZ4co

1. Have you ever stolen something from someone--money, time, an opportunity, praise, the limelight?  Is someone crying “How long?” in response to something you done in life?  What does repentance look like?
2. When do you get angry?  If anger is a secondary emotion, what is the deeper motivation for your anger?  The big 4 motivators are power, approval, comfort, or control…all of which are idols.  Which one do you lean towards?
3. What does it look like to be angry and yet be without sin?  How does one do that well?
4. “Do you do well to be angry?”  (Jonah 4:4)  How can you talk to God honestly about your anger?
5. Think of a time where you have been bullied or coerced into doing something you didn’t want to do.  Or, think of a time when you were openly mocked for your faith? What does God say about mocking & bulling in Habakkuk 2:16?
6. If idols simply amplify what is already in our hearts…what are those idols (i.e. comfort, control, power, approval) you turn to?
7. We become what we worship.  Do you agree / disagree?
8. “The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep before him.”  In this verse, we learn that God chooses to make his dwelling place with man, even though man has rejected God.  How does this show God’s covenant love with his people?  How does it bring you comfort in times of sin?
9. What does it mean to sit before the Lord in silence?  What truths can you meditate on this week as you sit before him in silence?   Consider Psalm 20:7, Psalm 56:3, Psalm 32:10, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9.  How do these truths increase your faith in God in the midst of suffering & deep longing for justice?

• International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - Sunday, November 6th was the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians, a day set aside for Christians to join in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.  Voice of the Martyrs produced this video of Rebecca in Nigeria for this year's international day of prayer for the persecuted church. https://youtu.be/nUrz3xe9E7E

1. Christians Living on the world’s most dangerous frontier mission fields cherish God’s Word - Pray that every christian living in hostile areas and restricted nations will receive their own copy of the Bible to encourage, instruct and guide them in their Christian discipleship.
2. Persecutors around the world are threatened by God’s Word and seek to destroy or remove Bibles in order to discourage the witness of Christians - Pray that Christians will be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16) as they smuggle and distribute Bibles AND Pray that persecutors who seize Bibles will read them and place their trust in Christ.

• Bible Reading Plan This Week - Join us on #bible_reading_plan to discuss our daily Bible reading. we begin Joshua and continue the Psalms. The PDF is attached and can be printed out and put in your Bible as a daily reminder. Feel free to leave any thoughts, questions or insights in the #bible_reading_plan channel here on Slack.
  
  
• FRIENDS-GIVING - I want to formally invite you to Rainier Valley Church’s first Friendsgiving Potluck coming up on Sunday, November 20th
• This is the Sunday before Thanksgiving and RVC will be hosting a formal thanksgiving dinner together as a church family after service.
• We will take some time to reflect and share what we’re thankful for and enjoy a traditional thanksgiving meal together in the fellowship hall.
• @Crystal Van Tine has a sign-up sheet for people to bring all the classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc.
  
  
• Pastor @Steve Pratt Preaching Next Sunday, November 13th - The Van Tines will be out of town celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary. Pastor @Steve Pratt will be continuing the "When God Doesn't" sermon series in the book of Habakkuk. If you would like to study ahead, we will be finishing Habakkuk 2:6-20
  
  
• Hope Place Graduation - We have another opportunity to help UGM's Hope Place! Their quarterly graduation program is scheduled for Wednesday evening, Nov 9, and they could use some help with child care during the service. The timing is 6:00-8:00. If you can help you need to RSVP to the new Associate Director Julie Jenkins at [email protected] with your name and email address, and she'll need your RSVP no later than Nov 1 so that she has time to make sure that you either already are (or now get) registered in their system for background check. This has been a relatively simple but very much appreciated way that we can serve families who are guests at Hope Place. If you have more questions please contact @Chris Volk and @Cheri Volk.

• What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?

• Remembering Who God is (Hab 1:12-17) Habakkuk remembers who God is and honestly wrestles with questions and expectations
• Describe a time when a person or event did not meet your expectations? How did it impact your life? How did it make you feel?
• Discuss a time when God did not meet your expectations? How did it impact your life? How did it make you feel?
• How can our expectations in life toward God, people, and circumstances be a hindrance? How do you discern the difference between healthy and unhealthy expectations?
• In order to hold on firmly to our faith, we must let go of our expectations of how God works in situations and in answer to our prayers. What are some expectations of God and things you want him to do that you need to let go of?

• Waiting on God's Promises (Hab 2:1) Habakkuk waits for God to answer his prayers with patience and perspective.
• Describe a time in your life when you had to practice patience and the results of that patience.
• How can we cultivate the virtue of Christian patience in our own lives? What opportunities is God giving you to practice waiting on Him?
• Habakkuk goes to a tower or ramparts depending on your translation. Habakkuk goes somewhere specific to meet with God. Do you have a certain place you like to go to meet with God? Why do you think Jesus would command us to have a private prayer closet to meet with God? (Matthew 6:6)
• When we are suffering, we can often get hyper focused on ourselves and forget what God is doing in the world and within all of human history. What are some practices that can help us to gain a wider perspective and draw us out of ourselves and our own current suffering and uncertainty?

• Trusting God by Faith (Hab 2:2-4) Habakkuk receives word from God that justice will come in time but until then we live by faith.
• We defined Biblical Faith as 1. Intellect/Knowledge (Knowing the Truth of God's Character and Promises) 2. Emotional/Acceptance (Internalizing and Believing Truth for Ourselves) 3. Will/Obedience (Trusting and Living with Courage, Loyalty, and Obedience toward God). Given this definition, how is faith not a "blind faith" or a "leap in the dark"? What the difference between Biblical faith and Believing that God exists if even the demons believe that God exists? (James 2:19)
• How can we personally develop and cultivate our faith (Knowledge, Trust, and Obedience) in our lives this next week?

• How can we pray for one another to grow in what we've learned this week? (Remembering, Waiting, Trusting in Faith)

• Happy Reformation Day - STREAM THE LUTHER DOCUMENTARY FOR FREE October 31 marks 505 years since Martin Luther effectively—and unintentionally—sparked the Protestant Reformation with his Ninety-Five Theses. Discover Luther’s story by watching the award-winning documentary Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer. It’s available to stream for free on Ligonier Ministries’ YouTube channel. You can also download the accompanying study guide for free. Here is the great kids video on the life of Martin Luther we showed on Sunday. https://youtu.be/fVsdAIqHBWI
• Bible Reading Plan This Week - Join us on #bible_reading_plan to discuss our daily Bible reading. This week we are reading Deuteronomy 17-34 and Psalm 45-49. The PDF is attached and can be printed out and put in your Bible as a daily reminder. Feel free to leave any thoughts, questions or insights in the #bible_reading_plan channel here on Slack.
• RVC Women's Bible Study Kickoff - A Reminder to the ladies that RVC's Women's Ministry is hosting a Women's Bible Study on this Wednesday, October 26 from 6:45pm-8:45pm. For more details please follow up with @Shelly Lischke. All the ladies are invited!
• Hope Place Graduation - We have another opportunity to help UGM's Hope Place! Their quarterly graduation program is scheduled for Wednesday evening, Nov 9, and they could use some help with child care during the service. The timing is 6:00-8:00. If you can help you need to RSVP to the new Associate Director Julie Jenkins at [email protected] with your name and email address, and she'll need your RSVP no later than Nov 1 so that she has time to make sure that you either already are (or now get) registered in their system for background check. This has been a relatively simple but very much appreciated way that we can serve families who are guests at Hope Place. If you have more questions please contact Chris and Cheri Volk. 

• What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
• Have you ever had a season when you questioned whether God saw or cared about what was going on in your life? Tell us about it.
• Why do you think we sometimes struggle to admit that we’re frustrated with God?
• Can you think of other people in the Bible who struggled with what God was doing? How did they handle it? What was the outcome?
• When something difficult happens, or when people feel like God isn’t listening, they typically do one of two things: run from God in anger or run toward God in vulnerability. Why is it important to stay in dialogue with God through difficult seasons?
• How can we pray for you?