2021 Faith Giving
Be a part of VPC's exciting future
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DAVID JOYNT
SENIOR PASTOR
"Money Talks.” What does your money say about you? When you give at VPC, you support expresses itself in so many ways:
Your money shouts, "Hallelujah!" because your giving supports choirs, instrumentalists, and band members that create moments of inspiration and praise.
Your money says, "be comforted"
to hundreds in distress, because it provides counseling and support groups, friendship, encouragement, and prayer.
Your dollars call, “shelter” to families experiencing homelessness, and “hope” to children in poverty who are helped to overcome the odds.
Your pledges speak “truth” to seekers and searchers, though classes, sermons, and videos.
Your gifts say, “gather” to the lonely and, “serve” to those who need purpose. Your generosity was heard in Africa as they built One Heart School and the Khanda Clinic in Malawi.
Your support proclaimed, "not forgotten" through food and supplies to the Navajo Nation.
Your commitments said, "connect" while isolated by the virus, creating livestream events, Zoom opportunities, and a new website.
Your gifts say, "open and welcome back" as Awaken Cafe and new spaces for kids, students, and adults open later this year.
To the grateful staff of VPC your tithe says, “provided for.” A checkbook or a credit card history is a biographical statement, a personality test, a heart exam. What does your money say about you? It speaks of your faith in God as the giver of every good and perfect gift. It speaks of your passion to see His kingdom come, His love made real, and His truth triumph.
Your Pastors and Session want to say, "thank you and well done."
In a year of financial turmoil and global pandemic we funded Mission Partners, reinvented ministries, and constructed new facilities.
In 2021, your financial support will shout, "love" to our community in
Christ's precious name. That is the promise from VPC's Session, Pastors, and Staff.
JON KYL
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
*The full version of Jon Kyl's article appears in the November issue of the Valley Vine. Some Christians are uncomfortable talking about faith giving and tithing. They shouldn’t be. Generously returning to God a portion of His gifts to us is as much a part of what makes us Christians as worship, service, study, and everything else we do in our faith journey. What’s not to talk about? Jesus taught that everything we have is a gift from God, and that we are to return a portion to Him. When we return our gifts to God through the Church we become more complete, more whole Christians, and we help do the work of the Church. It is a joyful pleasure to give to God in gratitude for His greatest gift to us—forgiveness for our sins and a life everlasting— by the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ! Each of us is on a different place in our faith journey; but I suspect we all have a ways to go. When we give back to God, we get further down that road. Regardless of age, income, or ability, we are journeying down this road together. That is why we should be comfortable discussing how much and how to give! Today you have an opportunity to pledge for 2021. A pledge is the most helpful way to indicate your support, but some prefer to just give regularly. Either way, I ask you to prayerfully consider how much you want to give next year. There is no magic formula for how much to give! Many families try to increase their support year over year, either by a percent or fixed amount. Focus on the ways you have been blessed, of the things for which you are grateful, and for which you thank God. If we match our giving to what we have received from God, we can’t help but give very generously. Matthew 6:21 says, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” May our support for God's work at VPC reflect where our heart is. Thank you for your faithfulness in 2020. During the pandemic you have increased giving, mostly by taking advantage of the many on-line giving methods. 2021 promises even more and new excitement at VPC. The current sermon series, VPC 2.0, is focused on the incredible opportunities provided by our new facilities and technologies, returning to in-person activities, and new strategies for building community. We are poised to begin a new era of numerical and spiritual growth at VPC, and you all can be a part of this! As you consider your pledge (or alternative commitment) for next year, the Stewardship Committee recommends you have a conversation about how much to give—with God. Give it prayerful consideration, and don’t be surprised if God gives you some good advice!
MEGAN NESVIG
VPC MEMBER
We knew right away that we had found our church home the first time we visited VPC. My husband, our two little girls, and I had just moved from San Diego, where we had been looking for a church for several years. We immediately recognized that VPC had everything that was important to us as a new family: a Christ-centered message, vibrant Pastors that moved us and challenged us to learn more, a welcoming atmosphere and acceptance no matter where people are in their faith journey, other young families to connect with, a sweet nursery for our children to enjoy, a variety of interesting programs for adults, and a robust children’s program. VPC met all of our needs. We were all in. VPC is invested in our family. We see how the Pastors, staff, and members of the church have invested in our children. One day I picked up my extremely shy and timid daughter from Mini Explorers, an after-school program for preschoolers offered for free by the Children’s Ministry. I asked my daughter how her class had been that day, and she proudly told me that her teacher had taken her aside and said her day was better because of my daughter’s presence. I can’t imagine anything more important or more special as a parent than to be part of a community that embraces your children, identifies and supports their individual needs, and truly wants to plant lifelong seeds of faith within them. My husband and I feel that it is important to invest in VPC, both financially and with our time. We choose to allocate some funds specifically to the Children’s Ministry because we feel so passionate about the work that they do. We view our financial contribution as both a thank you for all VPC has done for our family, and as an investment in our family’s continuing faith journey. We realize that planting these early seeds of faith in our children – and growing them in ourselves – is a community effort. We recognize all of the wonderful ways that VPC has already planted the seeds for a life-long faith in God within our three young girls. We give to VPC because we want to support the community that guides us as we grow in our faith, provides opportunities to strengthen our marriage, and forms a strong community around our children. We give to VPC because we trust this community to help us plant the seeds of faith in our young girls. We give to VPC because we believe in the Church’s many missions and ministries. We give to VPC because we want to support the growth of this beautiful church and do our part to support a community where other families feel comfortable cultivating their relationship with God. We cannot wait to see what the next year brings for this incredible Church and community!
VPC'S PLEDGE TO YOU
A pledge is a commitment to see something through. It’s an opportunity to come alongside in partnership to fulfill a vision. As a growing and vital community of faith, VPC pledges to you: To seek each day to follow in the ways of Jesus, full of grace and truth.
To center our life on Christ as He is
known in the scriptures and to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all our decisions.
To offer worship that thrills your soul,
challenges your mind, moves your heart, and glorifies God.
To give you support in crisis and
difficulty, offering our prayers, counsel, and compassion.
To create an atmosphere where
anyone can bring their questions, share their gifts, and find opportunities to grow in faith and love.
To serve the broken, struggling, and
homeless members of our community and world.
To honor and bless all generations in our life together.
To use all gifts given carefully and wisely and openly.
VPC'S SUPPORT
COMES FROM YOU
Annual VPC budget breakdown Administration
26%
Pastoral Ministry
21%
Facilities & Food Service
21%
Education 14% Music & Worship
9%
Mission & Outreach
9%
Annual Household contribution breakdown 2018 2019 $1-$500 264 190 $501-$1,000 96 86 $1,001-$3,000 166 162 $3,001-$6,000 74 66 $6,001-$10,000 33 37 $10,001-$18,000 29 37 $18,001-$25,000 6 7 $25,001-$50,000 5 3 $50,001-$84,000 2 3
VPC's Faith Giving budget was $1.9 million in 2018 & 2019. 2018 2019 Total # of Households 997 974 # of Households contributing 675 591 Households with no contribution record 322 383
INVESTING
Determining how to be generous with your Godgiven financial resources can be challenging. Here are some factors to consider when deciding what and how to give to VPC: A gift becomes a holy offering when it is given prayerfully and intentionally. Remember and give thanks for all your blessings. Reflect with your spouse, if you are married, and with your family, if they are close by, on the gifts God has given to you. Think about the ways your money is used to support charities and causes, as well as VPC. How do you rank these investments? Consider your likely income in 2021 and decide what percentage you want to give to bless the world and build the Kingdom. Pray about your intentions and ask God to confirm them, giving you a sense of joy about the gifts you are intending to give. Fill out the enclosed commitment card, trusting that the dollars will be used carefully and faithfully by VPC, knowing we are very grateful for your generosity.
IN VPC • • • • • •
SUPPORT VPC
1. Fill out & return your 2021 Commitment Card Sharing your commitment helps us forecast and budget for 2021. You can mail, submit online: vpc.church/give, or bring to Commitment Sunday on November 15. 2. Securely give online Your information is encrypted and never given to third parties. Setting up recurring giving is fast, easy, and safe. Automatic giving can be set up from a bank account or credit card. Try it out: vpc.church/give. 3. Request offering envelopes Envelopes help you keep track of giving and ease processing. 4. Text-to-give You can give right from your phone! Text the amount of your donation to 480-372-8548. (First-time users will be prompted to visit a secure URL.) 5. Securely give with your smart phone. Download EasyTithe from your app store, create an account or sync with your VPC online giving ID and password. Give conveniently from your device anytime! VPC welcomes the support of your prayers, and we ask that you lift our church up often. VPC is also blessed through the skills and talents of our community, and we invite you to find opportunities to give back with your time.
COMMITMENT SUNDAY @ VPC
Sunday, November 15, All Worship Services You are invited to join the VPC community and celebrate your commitment during worship at all three services. There will be an opportunity to turn in your completed Commitment Card. Additional cards will be available if you forget yours.
Your support matters! Thank you for taking time to prayerfully consider your 2021 commitment. Questions? Contact Kris Bahr: 480-991-6424 ext. 112, krisb@vpc.church