1st Baptist Church of Great Valley, NY

1st Baptist Church of Great Valley, NY Weekly Service Schedule
Sunday:
Sunday School for all ages - 9:30 am
AM Worship Service - 10:45 am

Wednesday
Prayer Mtg. - 7 pm

Interim Pastor - Matthew Herdzik

06/03/2026

Sunday 6.3.26

05/28/2026

Thursday Thoughts May 28, 2026
Fulfilling The Task
1 Chronicles 15:14, 16, 27
King David has prepared the Tabernacle, in Jerusalem, to receive the Ark of the Covenant. He completely understands the importance not only of the Ark itself, but what it represents: the presence of the Almighty God, in Israel. In light of the understanding, he directs three things to occur.
The first is in verse 14: sanctification. David directed all the Levites – the priests – to sanctify themselves. He wanted them to take a look inward at their own lives, and to clean out any sin that might be there. David knew they were about to carry the Ark, and he wanted each of them cleansed from any sin, so that God would not be displeased with him or them.
Secondly, there was singing. In verse 16, David directs that the Levites also prepare to sing and paly musical instruments. This singing was to be in honor of the almighty and to express the joy and happiness and thankfulness of the Levites, on behalf of David and the people, at having the Ark moved into its proper home. Music, in all its forms, enhances worship f God.
Finally, there was service. When everyone has looked at their own lives to cleanse sin, and when everything was prepared to move the Ark, then, and only then, did the actual service of moving begin. (Verse 27). There were hundreds of men carrying the Ark, preceding it, following it, singing, and playing instruments, for the many miles it was moved. Nothing was left to chance and everything made it clear that the Ark, and the God who gave it to them, was important.
Where do we stand today? Are we trying to serve without proper preparation? Have we taken time to look at ourselves, and to see what sin may be in our lives? Have we asked God to expose sin that we don’t see, don’t realize is there, or have hidden deeply even from ourselves? Have we taken time to prepare ourselves to minister: practiced our instrument, prepared a lesson, studied the material, or whatever else may be necessary? Are we trying to serve based on what we know rather than what God wants? And when time to serve does come, do we do it with our best? Do we put our highest effort into it?
And by the way, I count at least seven different manners of service in this event from verse 15 through verse 24. No type of service was overlooked, and no type of service was unnecessary. That still holds true today, for you and me. Whatever service God has given you is important. Let’s do our best for our Almighty God.

05/24/2026

Sunday 5.24.26

05/21/2026

Thursday Thoughts May 21, 2026

1 Chronicles 1:1

Why Do I Have To Read Genealogies?

Biblical genealogies may be some of the most difficult passages to read in all the Bible. Lists of names after names after names of people, most of whom we don’t know anything about, appear several times in Scripture. But we need to look at the context of the writing of the genealogies to understand why they are there.

In Matthew 1: 1 - 17, we read of the genealogy of Jesus, through Joseph’s line, back to Adam. Matthew’s theme is that “Jesus is King”. Thus, everyone needed to see the “king” in Jesus, through His genealogy.

In Luke 3: 23 - 38, we see the genecology of Jesus through His earthly mother, Mary. Luke’s point of view of Jesus is that He is the “Son of Man”. Thus, Luke wanted to show the humanity of Jesus, in his genealogy.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written at an interesting time in the history of Israel. It was written at the time the people in the Babylonian exile were returning to Judah and Jerusalem. For them, it was critical to know the history of the nation, and their ancestors. Part of that reason was where they would live. God was very specific in the location of each of the 12 tribes in the Promised Land. Those returning had to know who they were descended from, who other returnees were descended from, and where their ancestral homes were located.

First Chronicles also eventually focuses on King David, and his family. Why? God had promised him a descendent to occupy the throne, forever. The returning Israelites needed to know who was in King David’s line, and who would, possibly, be set up again on the throne of King Dvid. They wouldn’t want someone not in David’s royal line, to attempt to be king.

Finally, 1 Chronicles focuses on the faithfulness of King David and following God. That led to the returnees rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem (and not in some other city); for understanding how to worship; how to rely on God’s mercy in the face of sin; and more.

Almost all the people returning had never been to Israel or Jerusalem before. The nation had been out of their land for 70 years; there were only a few who had seen the original Temple. The rest of the people were born in Babylon and are now coming to a brand-new land, for them.

As you read 1 Chronicles, read it as not only a genealogy, but a summary of a people’s proud past, and an opportunity for them to start over. Then take a moment to remember those who have come before you, both in your earthly family and in your spiritual family.

05/17/2026

SUNDAY 5.17.26

05/14/2026

Thursday Thoughts May 14, 2026
2 Kings 11: 1,2
Waiting For The Right Time
How patient are you?
My wife and I started working out at a local gym about 15 months ago. After 15 months of training, three days a week, we have developed muscles we didn’t have before. The muscles developed, but not after just one gym class.
King Ahaziah had been assassinated, and his mother Athaliah took over as queen. It appears that one of the first things she did was have all his siblings and cousins killed, too. That way, no one could challenge her as queen. Yet Ahaziah’s sister hid one of his children. He was named Joash, and he was only a year old. Six years later, Jehoiada the priest gathers the leaders of the nation, tells them that Joash was alive, and to prepare to name him king. They did so, Athaliah came and claimed treason, but she was then killed for her prior, wicked actions.
For six years, Jehoiada and Joash’s aunt Jehosheba kept Joash hidden and cared for. Six years! What patience they must have had!
How patient are you? Do you have to have everything done now? Or can you wait for God to act in His timing? We all want what we believe is proper as soon as possible, but our time is not the same as God’s time. He knows when it is right for us to have what He has in store for us. Otherwise, it will be wasted or underappreciated or missed altogether.
During the six years of waiting, Joash’s family and friends cared for him. They did what was necessary to feed him, clothe him, teach him, and prepare him. If we are waiting for God to act, we can still do what we see is necessary and proper while we are waiting.

05/13/2026

Wednesday 5.13.26

05/10/2026

Sunday 5/10/26

05/07/2026

Thursday Thoughts May 7,2026
1 Kings 19:4
Overcoming Post-Victory Let-Down
At the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games, Eric Heiden won all five individual speed skating events from 500 meters all the way up to 10,000 meters, setting an Olympic record in every one. In the 1500 meter he almost fell halfway through, before recovering to win by 37 hundredths of a second. In his final 10,000 meter victory, Heiden broke the world record by 6.20 seconds. After the Olympics were concluded, he immediately began competing in competitive bicycling, eventually riding in the Tour De France. Then he went to medical school, becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
As we read 1 Kings 19, Elijah had just won the battle between him and the 450 prophets of Baal. He is undoubtedly physically tired and emotionally drained. When Queen Jezebel threatens his life, he runs away, lays down, and asks God to take his life. God didn’t; He let him sleep, fed him by an angel, let him sleep some more, fed him again, and then started to talk to Elijah.
Doing any kind of work for God is tiring physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And when a major task is completed, a let down is normal. But we need to follow the example God gave us in Elijah: eat well, get some extra sleep, and listen to God speaking to you again. Then, you will be more likely to not experience the let down. Rest and food are important all the time; they are more important after a major victory or task has been completed. So, too, is listening to the Lord.
Don’t be discouraged because you get tired doing God’s work. Get the food and rest you need, and be ready for another task. Food and rest are critical to a good mind set and to a healthy, productive life.

05/06/2026

wed/ 5/6/26

Address

PO Box 146, 5049 Route 219
Great Valley, NY
14741

Opening Hours

Wednesday 7pm - 8pm
Sunday 9:30am - 12pm

Telephone

+17162129138

Website

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