We go to church up north

Valley Community Church, Sumas, WashingtonIn the news, thousands of people are walking toward the United States border. On Sunday, Mindy and I were the only ones walking toward the border. We were coming from Canada in the north, rather than through Mexico from the south, but I wasn’t completely anxiety-free.

This month we’re going to the furthest north, south, east, and west churches in Washington State, and this week we went north. Mindy came across Sumas, a town that’s right on the Canadian border. It’s the northernmost town in Washington -- and in the contiguous US -- because of a surveying error that placed part of the town north of the 49th parallel. Post office boxes seem to be the main business in town; among other things, we read that Canadians have their Amazon purchases delivered to mailboxes on the US side of the border.

Mindy had her passport with her, but mine has expired. She wanted to cross the border for the fun of it, so we walked toward the checkpoint, and I figured I’d wait while she crossed and came back. Instead, a border guard greeted us and told us we’d already crossed the invisible line. I ended up going through the border with just my (not enhanced) driver’s license, but we made it back in plenty of time for church.

Valley Community Church is just a block and a half south of the border, on the south side of Garfield, the street the 49th parallel runs through. We were surprised to learn that we were further north than everything in Maine. We had another surprise when we looked closely at the sign for the church. In new clear print we could read, “Valley Community Church, Sun. 10:30 AM - Youth Ministry - MOPS - Food Bank.” But we could also read, in very faint, faded lettering, a former incarnation of the sign: “Desperado’s Saloon - Pull Tabs - Dining - Dancing”. (We briefly debated whether this would also count as our bar visit for the week. We ruled it out.)

We walked in the front door from the street, and we soon saw that most people came through the back door by the parking lot. We missed picking up a bulletin, but we were greeted by Philomena. “You came on a good day, we’re having a potluck...We’re all family here.”

As the worship service began, Pastor Jeff introduced himself and said, “All you kids that are part of the Christmas program, you are dismissed.” As they headed to another room to practice, Jeff played a guitar and led the singing. He told people, “Feel free to stand or sit, sing or be quiet in the presence of God.”

Pastor Cliff came forward to lead “Body Ministry” time. “This is the time in the service when it is important to share. A word of knowledge, a word of wisdom.” Some people shared Scripture and others shared what was on their hearts. One man asked for prayer for “children going through things they should never have to go through.” Obviously there were congregants with a charismatic backgrounds, because during this time many joined in, “Thank you, Jesus.”

Pastor Jeff dismissed another group, “The teens can go to your class. You’ll be missed, but you can go to your class.” He then gave some announcements, “Before we go to the Word -- next week is Harvest Festival. You know the drill. Because of the festival we won’t have prayer meeting next Sunday night.” He finished with an announcement about what was happening after the worship service, “Please stay for the potluck. We need your help to eat all the food.”

Pastor Jeff’s sermon continued a year long series on “Like Jesus.” This sermon was part three of “A Friend of Sinners… Like Jesus.” The Scripture passage was Luke 6: 27 - 42, which included Jesus’ instructions on loving your enemies. Jeff took some time to talk about the need to be kind to people you disagree with on social media. (Even if they disagree with your politics? Wow. That seems rather counter cultural.) Insulting people, he pointed out, is “not the will of God. How are we advancing the Word of God in that person’s life?”

After the sermon, we shared communion. Oyster crackers served as the bread, a very practical and tasty choice more churches should consider. It seemed the service was over, but Marguerite said not yet. October is Pastor Appreciation Month and she, along with Philomena, brought forward gifts for Pastors Jeff and Cliff. (There is another pastor, Bud, who was home sick. His gift was left at the church for him.) Marguerite said, “Not only does Pastor give us good words, he works full time, and raises a family, and is a good man.”

We stayed for the potluck and enjoyed the chili, meatballs, salad, and carmel corn (and all the other desserts, too). I asked Jim what he appreciated about Valley Community Church. He said he came for the opportunity to lead Royal Rangers, an Assemblies of God boys’ scouting-type ministry.

Later, when we were able to talk to Pastor Jeff. He came when the church was planted over a decade ago. He was then an associate pastor, but when the founding pastor moved to Colorado, he asked Jeff to take his place. As Marguerite mentioned, Jeff is bi-vocational, working full-time at a door company. (I worked for a door manufacturer myself during college summers -- Cal-Wood Door in Rohnert Park.)

Mindy and I began to this project to see how God is working in HIs church in this country, and it was good to see He is doing good things even at the far edges.