Vistas
PINNACLE
the newsletter for pinnacle presbyterian church, scottsdale, az |
Happy 25th, Pinnacle! from Dr. Wesley Avram
At the foot of the mountain, God's story unfolding . . . ! That's been the theme of our 25th anniversary recognition this past year. We conclude that time with a great weekend coming up. It begins with a formal celebration dinner, to thank our founders, on the evening of October 23. We'll then have a grand Sunday on the 25th with one service at 10:00 am, a sermon from our founding pastor and Pastor Emeritus, Larry Corbett, a word of recognition from our founding congregation in Paradise Valley, and a blow-out party after church! All are invited. Come as you are. Come to give thanks for all God has done, is doing, and will do among us. You'll find details on the centerfold pages of this issue of Vistas. Alongside this, our Pinnacle Vision team has been hard at work, even over the summer, to bring to Session ideas for some exciting ministry initiatives for the next period of our ministry. We're
October 2015
introducing a new worship service later this fall for Sunday evenings. We're putting plans in place for an exhilarating advance in our adult education ministries. We'll be on our way to being debt free by the time of our celebration. And more.
Do you sense my excitement? I believe God is at work among us, which gives us confidence as we take on our challenges, hope as we imagine new initiatives, and faith as we embrace a future that's assured to us by the faithfulness of God we've already experienced. Happy 25th, Pinnacle! Thanks be to God. INSIDE... WORSHIP ANEW, is our new Sunday evening service SEE PAGE 3 READ MORE about our 25th Anniversary Celebration SEE PAGE 10
Tracings A Letter from Dr. Wes Avram
Dear friends, This is my first Vistas letter since returning from sabbatical. I'm grateful for Pinnacle's prayers and encouragement as I took the summer away. My own time was rich and full, and I'm so glad my family was able to join for part of it. I also know that many of you were away on various journeys over the summer too. Welcome back! I look forward to opportunities over the next months both to tell you more about my time in the Holy Land and to welcome visitors from there to tell their own stories. There are many stories in that area of the world, and much tumult. What's for sure, though, is that these are difficult days for the whole region. Dr. Wes Avram, Conflicts are intensifying, insecurity is high for Senior Pastor everyone, injustice is deepening, and desperation among many is palpable and growing. Yet individual people and small groups of folk still rise up and try to make a difference. We can be humbled by so many there, and surely all over the world, who do acts of mercy, seek to stem evil, call for justice, pray for a reconciled future, and put their own well-being at risk to speak truth and show love. They are the faithful ones: Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. After watching faithful folk keeping on keeping on, one can't (or I should say better . . . I can't) think about the many challenges we face even here in quite the same way. God calls us into life, to trust in the Spirit and follow the way of Hope. It's what Micah asks, isn't it, that we "do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with our God" (from Micah 6:8)? May you hear that call in whatever way God has for you to hear it. And may we all find hope in the vision. Joyfully,
2
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
OUR COMMON LIFE
Worship ANEW Begins November 1 Sing to God a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy. Psalm 33:3 Join us as we Worship ANEW Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm beginning November 1. Worship ANEW is just that, a NEW way to worship through song, movement, participation, and communion, which is open to all. This casual service will be held in Fellowship Hall and communion will be served most Sundays. We invite you to renew your spirit, sing a new song, break bread in the fellowship of others and experience God in a new way...Worship ANEW!
Emily Beghin Ordained at Pinnacle Sunday, October 11 | 2 pm | Sanctuary Reception to Follow in Fellowship Hall It is with great pleasure that we celebrate the ordination of Emily Beghin, Pinnacle’s first seminarian to be ordained. All are invited to this meaningful and special occasion as Emily is consecrated as clergy. Emily graduated in 2012 from the University of Arizona, Tucson, with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in German. She went on to study at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas, and graduated in 2015 with a Emily Beghin Master of Divinity. She was one of three chosen as resident ministers for a two-year term at First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, MI, funded by a Lilly grant. During this two-year period, Emily will be on a rotation model to allow her to chose a specialty while she is there. We wish Emily much success and many blessings. Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
3
OUR COMMON LIFE
Pinnacle Hikers Second and Fourth Tuesdays | 8:30 am Please join us for this month’s hikes! October 13: Brown’s Mountain Summit Trail Brown’s Ranch Trailhead (30301 N. Alma School Road) Easy loop; 4 miles; 528 ft. elevation gain; dogs ok; bring water. October 27: Gateway Loop Trail Gateway Trailhead (18333 N. Thompson Peak Parkway) Moderate loop; 4.1 miles; 737 ft. elevation gain; dogs ok; water available.
4
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
OUR COMMON LIFE
WOMEN inC, Women in Christ, Presents
Fall Afresh on Me TEA AND FASHION SHOW
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 2:00 - 4:00 pm Fellowship Hall $20
Donations of socks, underwear (any size/sex) and disposable diapers for UMOM will be gratefully accepted.
JOIN IN! Find ways to get connected by viewing all the various ministry and social groups here at Pinnacle! Go to MyPPC at https://pinnaclepres.ccbchurch.com, and from the Home page, click the Groups tab. To see all groups, click the Advanced Search link and then Search at the bottom of the page. See a group that interests you? Click Join Group or Request to Join. Don’t have a login? If you are a member or attendee of Pinnacle, click Sign Up from the login page.
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
5
PINNACLE FINANCE
Finance Report 8/31/2015 YTD Actual
8/31/2014 YTD Actual
2015 vs 2014
%
Total Income
$260,065
$190,141
$69,924
27%
Total Expenditures
$287,818
$306,108
$18,290
6%
(Over)/Under
($27,753)
($115,967)
$88,214
Cash Avail. for Operations
$119,791
$168,339
Cash Balance-Restricted
$157,473
$155,381
Total Cash Balance
$277,264
$323,720
The YTD (July-Aug) is above normal due to one member contributing and satisfying their entire pledge for the year. Also, a contribution was made by a member of the church to purchase a car for a family that the church is assisting.
Stewardship Update Your Stewardship Ministry Group wants you to remember that October is the month when we ask that you prayerfully consider your pledge for next year. The 2016 Stewardship Campaign materials will be sent out soon, so please be on the lookout. Pinnacle relies on your financial commitment, and we are truly blessed and thankful for a church family who gives generously to support our ministries.
DID YOU KNOW that it is easy and convenient for you to give to Pinnacle Presbyterian Church? You can use our safe, secure online Donation Central at www.pinnaclepres.org/online-giving/ for one–time or recurring gifts to Pinnacle using check or credit card.
6
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
MISSION AT PINNACLE
Disaster Assistance Mission Trip November 1-7 | Tulsa, OK Tornadoes and flooding in Oklahoma left many homes damaged and destroyed. Join our Pinnacle Team for a week of supporting those in need. For more information contact Doug Brown at missiontrip@pinnaclepres.org or you may contact Pastor Kelsy at kbrown@pinnaclepres.org. FEMA-Marvin Nauman
Haiti Connections Haiti Infrastructure & Development By Steven Loken Haiti Infrastructure and Development (HID) was created to develop technologies from the “bottom up”. In other words, our solutions must be easily adopted by the poorest and least educated in the country UofI and UNOGA students stand beside a new without the support of weather station any government agency. Low cost, low technology solutions to address the most basic human needs such as water, food and electricity have been HID’s focus. Please see HAITI on page 8 Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
7
HAITI from page 7 During my first visit to Haiti in April 2011, I quickly became sensitized to the level of poverty that surrounded me in the rubble-strewn capital of Port-au-Prince. Upon my return to Arizona I began searching for a team with the right blend of intellect and compassion to address Haiti’s poverty. I found this team with the University of Illinois’ Learning in Community class in the College of Engineering. In partnership with the University of the Nouvelle Grand’Anse (UNOGA) in Jeremie, Haiti, Illinois students strive to develop financially and environmentally sustainable business solutions. Over the last 5 semesters students have developed river-run hydroelectric strategies, greenhouses from trash, weather stations, soil labs, deforestation literature for children and solar cell phone chargers. The University of Illinois has supported student trips to Haiti over the last 2 summers, and another trip has been planned for the fall of 2015. For more information or to get involved with this program please contact Steve Loken at sloken.hid@gmail.com. MISSION FOR ALL AGES
This month’s Read to Me is October 27. This is a wonderful way for your family to fellowship with some amazing kids. Contact Diana Englund at readtome@pinnaclepres.org for details or to sign up. 8
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
ADULT FORMATION
INTERFACE Faith & Science @ Pinnacle
Wednesday, November 4 | 7 pm | Chapel Library
FAITH FORMATIONS
fellowship, prayer, meditation on God’s word
Rev. Kelsy Brown Wednesdays | 6 pm Fellowship Hall, Room 2
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
9
10
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
11
MUSIC AT PINNACLE
Calling All Pinnacle Instrumentalists The music department is looking for instrumentalists who are interested in sharing their talents in a musical ensemble for the Worship ANEW Sunday service at 5:00 pm in Fellowship Hall beginning November 1. If you play guitar, drums, violin, sax, banjo or any other instrument, please contact Brent Hylton in the church office (480) 5859448 x213 or bhylton@pinnaclepres.org for more information.
Pinnacle Hosts Michael Hawn in Worship Workshop Saturday, November 7 | Watch for Times As part of the November launching of our Sunday 5:00 pm Worship ANEW service, Pinnacle will be presenting a worship workshop on Saturday, November 7, featuring Michael Hawn. Dr. Hawn is Professor of Church Music, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas and is a world renown expert in global music. He will be presenting a wide variety of resources in music and liturgy as one part of the workshop as well as preparing Pinnacle participants to lead the Worship ANEW service the following day, November 8. The workshop is free, and all Pinnacle members are invited to attend. Watch the website, eblasts and Sunday bulletins for updates regarding details of the day. You may also contact Brent Hylton at bhylton@pinnaclepres.org or 480-585-9448 x213 for more information.This workshop is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. 12
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
Pinnacle Concert Series Phantom Night Friday, October 30 | 7:00 pm Free Concert - a donation is requested* The whole family is invited to an evening of classic Halloween music. You'll be treated to selections from The Phantom of the Opera by Pinnacle's soloists as well as other deliciously spooky songs. "The Phantom of the Organ" will make a special appearance playing all those scary tunes on the Richards, Fowkes, Inc. organ, and a spectacular array of carved pumpkins will help to set just the right mood. Come if you dare! *FREE. Donations will be received to further the fine arts program of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church.
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
13
YOUTH MINISTRIES AT PINNACLE
Come Decorate Teen Center for Halloween! Sunday, October 25 | 5:00 - 8:00 pm | Teen Center This Halloween, Pinnacle will host our first-ever Trunk-or-Treat. This is a community outreach event involving the entire church. One of the attractions this year will be a Haunted Teen Center, and your help is needed to make the space into a spooky experience for all those who attend. The transformation process will begin after The Well the evening of October 25. Any youth, parents or friends who want to help transform the Teen Center into something truly haunting are encouraged to join us. Pizza and beverages will be provided for all who would like to serve. Contact Frank Harmon at fharmon@pinnaclepres.org for more information.
Trunk-or-Treat Comes to Pinnacle! Saturday, October 31 | 3:00 - 5:00 pm | All Ages Trunk-or-Treat is a safe alternative to Halloween, where members of Pinnacle and our friends decorate the trunks of their cars and pass out candy. There will also be bounce houses, games, a haunted maze, snow cones and much more. This truly is an all-church event with a place for everyone to serve and be served. If you are interested in serving at this amazing community event please contact Kelly Horn at khorn@pinnaclepres.org or Frank Harmon at fharmon@pinnaclepres.org. 14
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
YOUTH MINISTRIES AT PINNACLE
Winter Jam November 6, 2015 | 4:45 pm - 12:00 am | Cost $10 | All Ages Winter Jam is a Christian concert series featuring ten artists for just $10. Artists include For King & Country, Lincoln Brewster, Jamie Grace, Newsong and more. We will meet at the church at 4:45 and head down to Gila River Arena. Doors open at 6:00 pm with open seating, and the concert begins at 7:00. We will leave the concert early and return to the church at 12:00 am. Please join us for this fun and exciting night of Christian music.
Sr. High Mission Trip July 8 - 17 | Belize, Central America Sr. High students, have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel to another country; to see parts of the world that most people don’t get to see, all while serving others and the church? Next July, those currently in 8th-12th grade will have their chance to do just that as we head to Belize. Come and work with the local church as you serve alongside established ministries. Go beyond the tourist hot-spots and experience the real Belize, a culture that is rich with diverse history, values family, and contains innately warm and open people. Those students who are interested are encouraged to register soon. Contact Rev. Frank Harmon at fharmon@pinnaclepres.org for more information. Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
15
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES AT PINNACLE
October in Church School This month we will study the life of Timothy and learn from 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and how you live.” Each week the students will see this verse through a new and relevant perspective. October 4: We can all use our story to make a difference. October 11: When you discover your gifts, you can make a difference. October 18: Children’s Sabbath! October 25: We can make a difference right now. In Godly Play, the preschool and kindergarten students will learn about the resilience and faith of God’s people as shown to us in Exodus as Moses delivers his people from slavery to a new way of life.
Celebrate the Children’s Sabbath October 18 | 8:00 am and 10:00 am Services Christ calls us all to serve the last, the least and the littlest ones. We come together on the Children’s Sabbath as one family in Christ, all children of God, to celebrate and pray for the next generation. Services will include the children’s choir and bells as well as special messages and prayers from children…for children. Following the service, visit the Children’s and Youth Ministries car wash in the parking lot where all proceeds will benefit children’s mission projects in our neighborhood, in our community, and across the globe. 16
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
PINNACLE PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL
Developing Self-Regulation in Young Children Did you know that self-regulation is the key to school success? The term self-regulation refers to the capacity to control one’s impulses, both to stop doing something (even if one wants to continue doing it), and to start doing something (even if one doesn’t want to do it). It is a competency that leads to mindful, intentional, and thoughtful behaviors of younger and older children alike. Self-regulation is not to be confused with obedience or compliance; when children are truly self-regulated they behave in a positive way whether or not an adult is watching. During the month of September, the Preschool provided two workshops for parents and educators on self-regulation and resiliency in young children. The workshops were based on the work of Dr. Becky Bailey and her program, Conscious Discipline. This program is grounded in creating loving and caring classroom and home environments. To learn more about Conscious Discipline, visit http://consciousdiscipline.com/. Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
17
HAPPY OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS October 1 Linda Bobier Marian Bolliger Becca Hamilton October 2 Jenna Englund ReiAnne Reese Isabella Weis Devon White October 3 Michelle Gasparino Nathan Granger Karen Kraft Kendra Laurent Delaney Morris John Sutherland October 4 Annie Clearwater Emma Frey October 5 Lauren Kessler Alexa Tambellini October 6 Sherry Gray Mark Leinweber Susan Schroeder October 7 Alan Bryce Aidan Civalier Mike Conklin Lauren Hart Calvin Schapira Carol Skewes October 10 Catie Bossard Randy Corelli James Helt Nancy Prenzno Ethan Simpson Sue Stacy October 11 Tina Brown Andrew DeRuiter Ken Hesser October 12 Addison Baerveldt 18
Jill Brown Parker Espe Cathy Horrell Brian Wright October 13 Marla Armstrong October 14 Zoe Braun Susan Brown Chase Lauen Bruce Schrader Laura Wright October 15 Denise Beghin Bob Froehlke Angie Heuser Alan Stone October 16 Jean Cutler Logan Forsythe Diane Hall Mary Heitkamp Stephen Horrell, IV Cecelia Ralston October 17 Ann Frein Cassidy Skarnulis October 18 Laurel Davis Mary Mantle Michael McIntyre Conrad Morrow October 19 Phil Beasley Margie Mobley October 20 Tyler Bachinsky Glenn Hughes October 21 Kathryn Babits Sara Elich Nick Gibbons Julia Matura Bill Moran Wills Niemann
October 22 Ron Keyser Cathryn Newman Mary Walker October 23 Mary Ann Biermeier Matthew Mancini Betty Lou Summers October 24 Craig Heuston Susan Miller Will Pearson Sabrina Schapira October 25 Bonnie Ballard Sydney Boyd Katie Leinweber Heather Rittenhouse Sally Williams October 26 Harlan Baerveldt Darryl Menard Sarah Robertson October 27 Steve Crosby Iryna Reiss October 28 Dale Balvin Sabin Cranford Dani Gervase Sonja Hall October 29 Nigel Drummond Lauren Harper October 30 James Clarkin Marianne Mathews Gordon Pomp October 31 Zack Gray Frank Harmon Kaylee Manzeck Nancy Zinn Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
VISTAS CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME To submit articles for Pinnacle Vistas, please contact Carol Skewes at cskewes@pinnaclepres.org. The deadline for the November issue of Pinnacle Vistas is October 10.
PINNACLE ONLINE CHURCH WEBSITE Please visit Pinnacle’s website, pinnaclepres.org, for the weekly calendar and activity listings, photos and other important news. You can also listen to sermons online.
iTUNES PODCAST Subscribe to the free Pinnacle Sermon Podcast through the Apple iTunes
FOLLOW PINNACLE
VISTAS ONLINE Download PDFs of Pinnacle
Store and have sermons
Join Pinnacle’s
automatically downloaded
to your computer or iPod.
page or follow
Open iTunes and search
‘PinnaclePres’ on Twitter to
Find out more about
for “Pinnacle Presbyterian
keep up with church events,
all of this by going to
Church.”
news, and more.
pinnaclepres.org.
Vistas to read online or email to friends and family.
VISTAS, YOUR WAY Pinnacle Vistas is available in both printed and digital flipbook format. If you would like to change the way you receive your copy, please contact Carol Skewes in the church office at cskewes@pinnaclepres.org. Printed copies are always available in the church office and in brochure kiosks in the narthexes of the chapel and sanctuary.
Pinnacle Vistas • October 2015
19
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
25150 N. PIMA RD. | SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 480.585.9448 | PINNACLEPRES.ORG