The New Valley Photoblog

Fall Picnic

2008-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

Our first Fall picnic went pretty well. It was a little windy/dusty. But all had a good time. Elk chili, softball, big subs. Good times. :)

New Valley Drama/Surprise 40th for Barry W

2008-11-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

Just recently, one of our own, Liz Polen, performed her original one-woman play at New Valley. It was an autobiographical look at her life condensed from old journal entries. She did great. Afterwards, we had a surprise bday party for Barry Willows. Excellent cake. Just excellent.

The Star (Liz)

The Cake

Ahwatukee Spring Fling

2008-09-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

Check out the pics from a fun event we did this past spring. For the second year in a row, we set up a booth at our local community fair and did free face painting, spin art, and balloon animals. The kids love it.

Oldies But Goodies

2008-08-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

Don't have many new pics right now. So, here are some blasts from the past. If you have photos to submit, go for it.

Scott and Becky's pooch

The Camping Trip

2008-07-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

Looks like some folks had some fun in the woods...

But c'mon..chocolate covered strawberries? Not sure this was real camping. :)

Fun in the Tent

Blue Mandy

Talk about fun...

Scott's 1st Roll

2008-07-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Look who got a new camera. Not bad shots, Pastor... :)

This one captures what the Lehrs are really like..

A little blurry but still cool...

At Becky's (Scott's wife) 40th Birthday Bash. Check out Scott's gift to her.

More from the birthday bash...

Save Room 4 Dessert

2008-06-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

A few pics from our church-wide progressive dinner we call Save Room 4 Dessert...

New Valley Unplugged

2008-04-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

Check out the pics from our first ever concert at New Valley! It was a great night. Thanks to everyone for coming out. If you have a favorite musician that you'd like New Valley to host, just let us know!

Scott's First Entry

2008-04-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks, our pastor just got a brand new camera and is excited to be a part of the photoblog. The blog is open to anyone. So if you have some pics, send them along. Check out Scott's first pics!

More Picnic Pics

2008-04-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

Picnic Pics

2008-04-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

Easter

2008-04-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

A few pics from our Kidz Easter Egg Hunt...

Mercy

2008-01-28T21:44:00.000-08:00

We are learning a lot at New Valley about this thing called Mercy. We are learning that it's often times more fun to look outside of ourselves and our living rooms and our cable TV. And to get up off of our couches and find neighborhoods we've never been to. And meet those people and serve those people. We are learning, too, that we can share the gospel by getting up off our butts and serving people with our hands and feet..even more than our mouths. We are learning that community development and God's redemptive plan involves building relationships with people different than us.

This past Saturday we had an awesome time (and an awesome turnout) painting the home of an elderly woman in Tempe. We joined up with the very cool folks at First Pentecostal Church in South Phoenix. Here are some pics.

Work Night

2008-01-12T22:54:00.001-08:00

We had a blast working on our new facility together. About 15 folks showed up. We made some great progress! Thanks to everyone for coming.

Here are some shots Scott (our pastor) took...

Lunch with the Westbergs

2007-12-22T23:11:00.001-08:00

We miss the Westbergs. Eric and April were with New Valley from close to the get-go. They are folks who love God and desire to serve them with their whole lives. A few months ago, Eric took a position in a new city. Actually, a new continent. They now live in Germany. But this week, they were in town for (literally) hours. A few of us got together at Pei Wei for their return.

Scott, our pastor, is just plain weird around a camera...

One of New Valley's cutest...Rhys

Phoenix Rescue Mission Christmas Fun

2007-12-19T05:31:00.000-08:00

Having tried a number of different things for our Mercy Ministry (serving the poor, social justice, playing a part in redeeming the world) - some good, some not so good - we tried a staple in this realm..the Rescue Mission. If you're not familiar with them, they are pretty much in every major city in America. Their role is to rehabilitate homeless men. And they are pretty good at it.

We are trying to find something we can commit to on a regular (monthly) basis, and the Rescue Mission is one of the places we are considering (we are still looking for someone to own it). So..we decided to take part in their annual Adopt-a-Family for Christmas event. It was a lot of fun! It was their biggest one to date, giving gifts to over 1500 people.

When we arrived (7:30am and about 45 degrees)(yes, it was in Phoenix), there was tents to set up and two tractor trailers full of gifts in garbage bags to pull out.

Kira and the Trailers

Leland, the Moving Man

Erin, The Servant Queen

Mike, The Servant King

Erin was everywhere!

After all the bags were pulled out and organized into groups, folks started arriving in droves to get their gifts. They went through the little Disney line we created, went to chapel, and then got to Kira and me (Jeff). We basically served as traffic cops, holding folks up until there was room at their designated table to get their gifts. This was the best part as we were able to interact with pretty much every family that came through. We brushed up on our Spanish, that's for sure. :)

Yes, even the mascot from Red Robin was there!

The Crew

All in all, we had a great time! Thanks to each of you who showed up! Thanks to Katie Olmstead, too! (She was with the late shift). :)

Christmas Shindig

2007-12-12T22:02:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay, folks. Check out some pics from our Christmas Party last Friday. Despite the Seattle-like weather, the firepit was burning til around 1am. Check out the Kidz Winter Wonderland, too. You go Becky Brown.

Charades was a big hit. Some embarrassing photos perhaps. But fun. :)

Jay spent most of the evening grazing at what was coined "The Man Bowl"

Mary Goes to Uganda

2007-11-05T09:16:00.001-08:00

It's so neat when one of our own sees themselves as a "Sent One" and goes out into the world to do their part in redemption. Mary Euler, a member of the New Valley Mercy Team, recently traveled to Uganda with Food for the Hungry. Mary will be sharing more about her trip at church on November 11.

Chilibrate Good Times, C'Mon

2007-10-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, we had a great time at our Chilibration after church. We even had the Maricopa Chili Cook-Off winner in our midst. Definitely some good eats, y'all.

A little out of focus...sorry...

Bob Harter sports his college colors...even when they stink. :)

Jon Griffith's mug shot :)

Our New Home

2007-10-02T01:24:00.000-07:00

Starting this Sunday, New Valley will start meeting at a new and permanent place. We are psyched. Tonight we unloaded our trailer for the LAST TIME! We needed to have a little fun while waiting on the trailer to arrive. Enjoy.

No, he's not levitating. That's just our drummer being silly.

A fun one with our pastor...

And the original...

These are just plain silly..and not the best Photoshop..didn't feel like selecting everything so closely..

Vision Day

2007-09-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

This day was a bit momentous for New Valley. God seemed to have dropped a new facility in our laps when we were hoping for one but not feverishly looking. This was our first service to 'try it out'. We are excited to soon have a new home...a place we can make our own.

This is our worship leader, Carson, doin the strut.

David K, quite the cutie.

David's very cool parents. Jean is an elder at New Valley.

Scott (our pastor) and Jack listen to Jack's iPhone. He recorded Scott saying, "Carson's a tool." (Scott said it by mistake in a sermon. He was describing all the things..tools..God has used at New Valley). Trust us, it's funny.

Jaden, another one of NV's Kidz

Lobbyville

Jeff and Shelley, two of the best greeters you'll ever meet.

Cookies anyone? Lauren, our Impact Director, serves it up.

Brandon's 30th

2007-09-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

A few of us celebrated one of New Valley's finest birthday last Friday night. Brandon turned 30, so we surprised him at his fav coffee spot, Lux.

Carson (our worship leader) and Kacie (his beautifal and talented fiancee) silly it up.

Jay, still on his new iPhone, and Herry

Lauren (our Director of Impact) and Kerrith (one of Brandon's good friends from San Diego)

Carson and Kacie's Surprise Wedding Shower

2007-09-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

We took a few pics at the small, intimate gathering the Kutskos hosted for soon to be wed Carson (our worship leaders) and Kacie (our head sound tech)(what a great combo, eh?). There are pictures of random people in here..and none of Carson and Kacie. That's b/c the few pics that weren't taken of them just didn't turn out. We will have to get a good one of them and post it soon.

Here is our host..

Another one of our soon-to-be-wed couples..Jeff and Sarah. They are awesome.

Mandy and Rhys, the cutest child in the entire world.

Jay and his new iPhone are one. As it should be.

Inn-n-Out 'n Other Stuff

2007-08-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Church on 8.19.07

Becky (our pastor's wife) handling announcements gracefully...

Carter (one of our pastor's sons) handling the door NOT so gracefully... :)

The Formisano Family...ALWAYS looking good...

A few of us went to In n Out after church. Jack was making fun of me (Jeff) for my Facebook activity. He will soon be judged. :)

Prayer

2007-08-17T15:29:00.001-07:00