Church in the Valley

08/31/2026

What a JOY it was to celebrate the baptisms of Paz, Leila, and Sadie last Sunday! 🙌💦

We were so encouraged and deeply moved hearing each of their testimonies and seeing how Jesus has been at work in their lives.

This is what we love to celebrate as a church family—people hearing the Gospel, responding to Jesus, taking steps of obedience, and growing as His disciples.

Church, let’s continue to pray for Paz, Leila, and Sadie, encourage them, walk with them, and support them as they continue following Jesus.

We are so grateful for what God has done—and expectant for what He will continue to do in and through their lives!

This is why we exist: to make disciples who make disciples.

To God be all the glory! 🙌

08/27/2026

CIV Family Update

Last Sunday, we shared with our church family that our family is entering a new season of transition. We know that not everyone was able to be there, so we wanted to make sure you heard this from us as well.

While there are still details to work through, one thing we are certain of is this: we want to walk through this season together as a church family, prayerfully and faithfully.

This is not simply about what comes next for our family, but also about what God is doing in the life of Church in the Valley. We believe this is a season to seek the Lord’s face together and ask Him for wisdom, discernment, unity, and clarity for the next steps ahead.

Would you join us in praying:

🙏 That we would hear clearly from the Lord
🙏 For wisdom and discernment for our leaders
🙏 For unity and peace throughout our church family
🙏 That God would raise up the right people for the right roles
🙏 That CIV would continue to faithfully live out our calling to be a church for every nation and every generation
🙏 That above all, Jesus would be glorified through this transition

Transitions can bring uncertainty, but they can also become sacred moments where we learn again to trust the One who leads us.

We love our CIV family deeply, and we are grateful that we do not walk through this season alone. Let’s continue seeking the Lord together, trusting that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” — Philippians 1:6

Let’s pray. Let’s listen. Let’s trust. And let’s move forward together.

06/12/2026

🇵🇭 Happy Philippine Independence Day!

Today we celebrate the rich heritage, resilience, and faith of the Filipino people. Alberta is home to more than 200,000 Filipinos, with over 77,000 living in the Edmonton region. As we give thanks for their contributions to our communities, let’s also pray for Filipino families, newcomers, churches, and the next generation. May God continue to raise up leaders, disciple-makers, and church planters who will impact Alberta and beyond with the hope of the Gospel.

“From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36

06/05/2026

05/24/2026

DAY 11 — PRAYING THROUGH DELAY
“At the Proper Time”

Scripture

Galatians 6:9

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

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Devotional Thought

One of the greatest challenges in prayer is learning to trust God during seasons of delay.

We pray for breakthrough, healing, direction, restoration, or change—but sometimes the answer does not come as quickly as we hoped. In those moments, discouragement can begin to whisper:

* “God has forgotten you.”
* “Your prayers are not working.”
* “Nothing is changing.”

But delay does not mean denial.

Throughout Scripture, God often worked through waiting seasons:

* Abraham waited for the promised son.
* Joseph waited through years of hardship.
* Hannah waited and prayed for a child.
* The disciples waited in prayer before Pentecost.

God’s timing is never careless. While we wait, He is often strengthening our faith, deepening our dependence, and preparing us for what is ahead.

The Holy Spirit helps us persevere when answers feel slow. Prayer keeps our hearts connected to God even when circumstances remain unchanged.

Waiting seasons are not wasted seasons.

Sometimes God changes us in the waiting before He changes the situation.

Do not lose heart. The God who hears your prayers is still working behind the scenes, even when you cannot yet see the full picture.

Reflection Questions

1. What prayer request have you been waiting on God to answer?
2. How has waiting affected your faith or emotions?
3. What might God be developing in you during this season of delay?
4. How can you continue trusting God while you wait?

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Prayer

“Father, help me trust You in seasons of waiting and delay. When I grow discouraged, remind me that You are still working. Holy Spirit, strengthen my faith and help me persevere in prayer without losing heart. Teach me to trust Your timing, Your wisdom, and Your goodness even when I do not yet see the answer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Today’s Encouragement

God is never late. What feels delayed to you may actually be God preparing the right timing, the right growth, and the right breakthrough for your life.

05/23/2026

DAY 10 — PRAYING FOR HOLINESS

“Create in Me a Clean Heart”

Scripture

Psalm 51:10

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

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Devotional Thought

The Holy Spirit does more than comfort us—He transforms us.

In a world filled with distractions, compromise, pride, bitterness, and temptation, it is easy for our hearts to slowly drift away from intimacy with God. We may continue outward activity while inwardly becoming spiritually dry.

David understood this after his failure. Instead of hiding from God, he came honestly before Him in repentance and surrender. He recognized that what he needed most was not image management, but heart transformation.

Holiness is not about perfection—it is about surrender.

The Holy Spirit works within us to refine our motives, attitudes, thoughts, and desires so that we increasingly reflect the character of Jesus. Sometimes this process is uncomfortable because God lovingly exposes areas that need healing, repentance, and renewal.

Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to search our hearts deeply.

God does not expose our brokenness to shame us, but to heal us.

As we persevere in prayer, the Spirit purifies us from the inside out:

* replacing bitterness with forgiveness,
* pride with humility,
* fear with trust,
* and compromise with obedience.

True spiritual power flows from a surrendered heart.

⸻

Reflection Questions

1. Are there areas of your heart or life that need surrender or repentance?
2. What attitudes, habits, or distractions may be hindering your closeness with God?
3. How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to grow in holiness today?
4. What would deeper surrender to God look like in this season?

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Prayer

“Holy Spirit, search my heart today. Reveal anything within me that does not reflect Jesus. Create in me a clean heart and renew my spirit. Remove pride, bitterness, fear, and compromise from my life. Help me walk in holiness, humility, and obedience as I grow closer to You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

⸻

Today’s Encouragement

God is not finished shaping you. The Holy Spirit lovingly refines those He calls His own, producing a heart that reflects the beauty and character of Christ.

05/22/2026

DAY 9 — PRAYING THROUGH DISAPPOINTMENT
“We Had Hoped”
Scripture

Luke 24:21

“But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.”

Devotional Thought

Disappointment can quietly drain our faith. It happens when expectations collapse, prayers seem unanswered, or life unfolds differently than we imagined.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus knew this feeling well. After Jesus’ crucifixion, they were discouraged, confused, and heartbroken. They believed their hopes had died with Him.

What they did not realize was that Jesus was already walking beside them.

Sometimes God is still working even when we cannot recognize His presence.

Disappointment often narrows our vision. We focus on what did not happen instead of trusting that God may be doing something deeper, greater, and eternal beneath the surface.

The resurrection reminds us that God can bring life out of what feels dead.

Prayer helps us process disappointment honestly instead of allowing bitterness, cynicism, or hopelessness to take root. The Holy Spirit comforts us, renews our perspective, and reminds us that God’s plans are still unfolding—even in seasons we do not understand.

You may not see the full picture today, but God is still faithful.

Reflection Questions
What disappointment are you currently carrying before God?
How has disappointment affected your faith or perspective?
Can you identify ways God may still be working in this season?
What would it look like to trust God even without complete understanding?
Prayer

“Father, You know the disappointments and unanswered questions in my heart. Help me not to lose hope when life does not unfold the way I expected. Holy Spirit, comfort me, renew my perspective, and remind me that You are still working even when I cannot see it clearly. Teach me to trust You through every season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Today’s Encouragement

Your disappointment is not the end of your story. The same Jesus who walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus still walks with you today—even in seasons of confusion and waiting.

05/22/2026

Church family, please note that our worship gathering location for this Sunday has changed.

🗓 Sunday, May 24th
⏰ 11:00 am
📍 Four Points by Sheraton
18540 100 Ave NW, Edmonton

We’re looking forward to worshipping together as we continue to glorify God and make disciples of every nation and generation!

Invite a friend and we’ll see you Sunday!

05/21/2026

DAY 8 — PRAYING IN UNITY
“One Accord”
Scripture

Acts 2:1

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.”

Devotional Thought

Before the Holy Spirit moved in power at Pentecost, the believers gathered together in unity and prayer. They came from different backgrounds, personalities, and experiences, but they shared one heart and one purpose: seeking God together.

Unity is powerful because it reflects the heart of God.

The enemy often works through division, offense, pride, and isolation because he understands that disconnected people are weakened people. But when believers humble themselves, pray together, and pursue God collectively, the Holy Spirit moves with strength and power.

Praying in unity does not mean everyone agrees on every detail. It means we choose love over division, humility over pride, and mission over personal preference.

In a divided world, unified prayer becomes a testimony of the gospel.

The early church changed the world not merely because they had strategy, but because they had spiritual unity empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Ask God today to strengthen your relationships, your church, your family, and your community through the power of unified prayer.

Reflection Questions
Are there relationships where you need to pursue peace, forgiveness, or reconciliation?
How does pride or isolation sometimes affect your spiritual life?
What would it look like to pray more intentionally with others?
How can unity strengthen your family, church, or ministry community?
Prayer

“Father, help me walk in humility, love, and unity with other believers. Remove pride, division, and bitterness from my heart. Teach us to seek You together with one mind and one spirit. Holy Spirit, strengthen Your church through unified prayer and shared mission. Amen.”

Today’s Encouragement

When believers pray together in unity, the Holy Spirit builds strength, peace, encouragement, and spiritual breakthrough among them.

05/20/2026

DAY 7 — PRAYING FOR COURAGE
“God Is With You”
Scripture

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Devotional Thought

Courage is not the absence of fear; it is choosing faith in the middle of fear.

Every believer will face moments where obedience feels intimidating. Sometimes God calls us to step into unfamiliar territory, difficult conversations, leadership challenges, or seasons of uncertainty that stretch our faith beyond what feels comfortable.

Joshua experienced this after the death of Moses. He was stepping into enormous responsibility, but God did not promise him an easy path—He promised His presence.

That same promise belongs to you today.

The Holy Spirit strengthens believers to keep moving forward even when fear tries to stop them. Courage grows when we pray, trust God’s promises, and take the next faithful step.

Fear says:

“What if you fail?”
Faith says:
“God is with me.”

Fear says:

“You’re not ready.”
The Holy Spirit says:
“My grace is sufficient for you.”

You do not need all the answers before obeying God. Often, courage is built one step of obedience at a time.

Prayer connects you to God’s strength so you can walk boldly into His calling.

Reflection Questions
What is God calling you to do that requires courage?
What fears are holding you back from stepping into God’s purpose?
How does knowing that God is with you strengthen your faith?
What is one bold step of obedience you can take this week?
Prayer

“Holy Spirit, give me courage today. Help me to trust You even when I feel afraid or uncertain. Remind me that I am never alone because You are with me wherever I go. Strengthen my heart, calm my fears, and help me walk boldly in obedience to Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Today’s Encouragement

You are braver than you think when God is with you. Courage is not found in your own strength, but in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.