the
Valley Vine
August 2021 Vol. 66, No. 6 Valley Presbyterian Church
IN THIS ISSUE: The Beginning of a New Adventure! Pastor David Turner Forced to Rely on God Tina Gilbreath How do you Deal with Conflict? Chris Woodard Planning for Success Cooks' Tour Co-Chairs VPC 2.0 Update Session That's a Wrap! Kris Bahr News from Session Karen Meyer Memorial Garden Fund Kris Bahr
Senior Pastor
DAVID JOYNT Dear friends,
wasfortunatetoattendgametwooftheNBAQnals betweenthePhoenixSunsandMilwaukeeBucks. Whatawonderfulnight!Stellarplay,aSunsvictory, anddancinginthestreets.Thegameitselfwas exceptionallyloud.ThecombinationoftheDJblastin tunes,theliverockband,andthedecibeldefyingcro wasdeafeningattimes.
ButitisnotjustatNBAgamesthatwedealwithno inourlives.Youandareinundatedwithads,music, ambientsounds,phonebeeps,andmiscellaneous voicesthatdistractus.NowGodcouldspeakinavoic loudenoughtoshakethemountainsyetHedoesnot. HeistheDivineWhisperer.
ThisAugust,wewillexaminefourbiblicalpassages thathelpustolearntolistenforHisvoiceandto discoverwhatismostdistinctiveaboutthewayHe communicatesHisloveanddirection.nanoisy world,learningtolistentoGodisamostvaluablea necessaryskill. YoursFaithfully,
The Divine Whisper Sermon Series August 8 August 15 August 22 August 29
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Small Voice Night Voice Necessary Voice Decisive Voice
1 Kings 19 1 Samuel 3 Matthew 7:24 Matthew 13:1-9
SERMON SERIES BEGINS AUGUST 8
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) KICKOFF! Meet-and-greet & kid playdate Friday, August 20, 9AM, Landes Center
More details coming soon! We are so excited to start in-person MOPS again at VPC! MOPS is for Moms with preschool-aged kids and is devoted to the idea that "mothering matters." Join us for this huge playdate!
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THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ADVENTURE!
Congregational
CARE
The Open Door…the Beginning of a New Adventure! Doorscanservetwofunctions-theyeitherlimitwhere wecangooropenustonewadventures.Anopendoor canbeckonusdownapathwaytoanexcitingfuture,new friendships,anddeeperinvolvementinourchurch,butwe havetowalkoverthethreshold. Startingthisfall,youwillhearmore Theabout Open Door adventure,andhowyoucanbepartofsomethingbrand newinourchurch.twon$ tbethesamewithoutyou!
David Turner
Likemanyadventures,itwillinvolvegatheringinnew places,tryingnewfoods,andmeetingnewpeople as wellasenjoyingourclosestfriends.t$sallsetinarel andcasualenvironmentthatisfreeRowingandallowsf impromptuconversations.
PastorofCongregationalCare Curiousaboutthisnewadventureandwantmoredeta 4 80 -916 4ext. 2 12 You$llbegintoseemoreinformationinthecomingmonths davidt@vpc.church andhaveanopportunitytostepthroughtheopendoort aworldoffun.nthemeantime,knowthatthe Door to this newministryisstarting Open.to
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Christ is with you every step of the way, and as a part of His church, we are privileged to offer programs that provide Christian support and fellowship to believers and nonbelievers alike. Coming in September...
For those experiencing grief
Beyond the Broken Heart
Thursdays, September 16—November 11 10-11:30AM, Chapel Contact Tammy Gallagher to register: tammyg@vpc.church, 480-991-6424, ext. 163 Facilitator: Pastor David Turner
Find support and encouragement as well as experience personal and spiritual growth through the healing power of God's presence.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
September 24 & 25, 8AM—2PM, Landes Center Appointment: redcrossblood.org, Sponsor code: vpc
Donors are strongly urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving blood products are available for patients. Hospital demand continues to outpace donations, and your help is vital.
September 15—November 3, 6—8:30PM, Room 409 Register: education@namivalleyofthesun.com Contact: Elizabeth Weiss, esweiss1231@gmail.com
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FORCED TO RELY ON GOD
Children's & Family
MINISTRY
Change… Change is hard for most of us. recentlylearnedthatalmost90percentofpeoplewould rathernotchange-evenwhenitmeanslifeordeath! haveakindoflove-haterelationshipwithchange.t makesmeuncomfortable,butknowitbringsblessings!
Wearejustcomingoutofaseasonthatwasfullof changeandanxietyformanyofus.AsreRectonthe lastmonths, 81 seealotofgoodthatcameoutofthese challenges, especially righthereinChildren$sandFami Tina Gilbreath DirectorofFamilyMinistry MinistryatVPC.Wewereforcedtoreexaminedierent tinag@vpc.church aspectsofourministry,tocomeupwithcreativenew options,andinsomecasesmoveawayfromprogramsthat werenotmeetingourexpectations.Wewereforcedtorel onGodinnewwaysaswetrustedHimtoleadusthrough thisunprecedentedseason.Wheneverythingisbusines asusual,it$seasytogetcomplacentinourcreativitya ourfaith.amespeciallygratefulforfreedomtotrynew approaches,tosimplify,andtotrustGodtoprovideina moreprofoundway.
OurprayerforChildren$sandFamilyMinistryasweplan thiscomingacademicyearisthatwetakeallwe'velearn andputitintopractice.
Wearegratefultobemeetinginpersonthisyear,butwe arecontinuingtoengagefamiliesvirtuallyatvpc.chur andVPCChildren$sMinistryYouTubechannel.
Vacation Bible School 2021
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EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES IN AUGUST!
Sunday, August 8, 8:30 & 10:30AM Worship
Thistraditionofblessingstudentsof ( allages)fromourcommunityastheystarttheyearisoneofour Sundays.WearelookingforwardtocelebratingthistraditioninpersonintheSanctuary,andinaneww
WELCOME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL: Bring Your Parents to Sunday School Sunday, August 15
Welcome to 3 & 4 y.o., 8:30AM Welcome to 2nd & 3rd grade, 10:30AM
Sunday, August 22
Welcome to Kinder & 1st grade, 8:30AM Welcome to 4th & 5th grade, 10:30AM
Pleasenoteeachclassisonlyoeredonce.Allfamilies ‑ regardlessoftheservicetheyregularly ‑ areattend invitedtoparticipateatthetimeindicatedfortheirchild$sagegroup.Parentscanvisit 7 thei Schoolclass,participateinalesson,andlearnage-appropriatetipsfordisciplingtheirchildt
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH CONFLICT?
Pastor Chris Woodard
PastorofDiscipleship Spiritual & Growth
chrisw@vpc.church
Discipleship &
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
It is hard to imagine that Max is 16 months old! Everyweekitseemshehashitanewmilestone.Hismost recentaccomplishmentisforminghisownopinions.Max$s newfoundtalentmakeslifeattheWoodardhousehold muchmoreinteresting.BriannaandQndourselvesin conRictwithoursononhowhebehavesandwhatourday lookslike.Lefttohisowndeviceshewouldeatrocksand sticksallday,butforhishealthandsafety,wemodifytha behavior.ThisleadstoconRict;Maxcryingandbeingupset atus.ConRictishard!
WealldealwithconRict:inourhomes,work,school, church,teams,clubs,relationships-AsfollowersofJesus wehaveauniqueperspectivetodealwithconRict,tobe bringersofpeace. Jesusteaches: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. -Matthew:95
AtOasisCommunityWednesdaysthisFallwewilllearn togetherhowtobepeacemakers,dealwithconRictwell andhowwecanbringreconciliationinrelationshipsof types.UsingtheFallsermonseries, Body Building, as our guide,Wednesdaynightswillfeaturespeakerstoteach andfacilitateconversationonhowtohandleconRict Breakoutsessionsaftereachpresentationwillfurt dialogueonbeingpeacemakers.Wearelivinginaunique timewherepeopleareatoddswitheachotherandconRi abounds.wanttoencourageusalltojointogetherasa churchtolearnandputintopracticethehighcallingo peacemaking.
TheLorddidpowerfulworkinmylifethroughmyseminary cohorts.Theeightofusmetweeklytopraywitheach other,commiserateoverthedizcultiesofseminary, andcelebratethegoodinourlife essentiallytodolif together.Lookingbackonthatexperienceitiseye- openi toseehowGodusesasmallgrouptodoamazingwork inpeople$slives.ThiswasalsothepracticeofJesusand theearlychurch,anditisthebestpracticeforustoda VPCwillbelaunchingasmallgroupministrythisFallin conjunctionwiththeFallsermonseries.nsmallgroups peoplewillbeabletoconnectwitheachother,support eachotherandgrowdeeperintheirrelationshipwith Jesus.
fyouareinterestedinjoiningasmallgroup,startinga smallgrouporfacilitatingasmallgroupcontactBecky Bennett: becky22bennett@gmail.com.
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PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
WANT TO HELP MAKE COOKS' TOUR A SUCCESS? Planning & Volunteer Meeting Saturday, August 14, 9:15AM B106 (formerly Calving Center)
Everyone is welcome! For more information contact Co-Chairs: Jeanne Campo: rjcampo@cox.net Sandra Gonzales: whiskchop@gmail.com Wandie Hulick: wild4uofa@aol.com
NEW ROOM LOCATION: Crafter's
Celebrating
COOKS' TOUR
For the past 50 years, Cooks' Tour has tied VPC andthesurroundingcommunitytogetherbydonating toandpartneringwithlocalandglobalmissions,andby creatinglastingfriendshipswithinourcongregation TourhasbeenrunninglongerthananyothereventatVPC AfteraCOVD-inducedpauselastyear,1will 20 markfive decadesofmakingadierenceinParadiseValleyand beyond.
Cooks'Tourbeganin0with 79 1 adesiretoconnectnew memberswitheventsoncampus.Manyinvolvedin PresbyterianWomenatVPCbandedtogethertocreatea specialeventtoengagethepublicandfostercamarade Byblendingentertainmentoptionslikecrafts,aTeaTa TheGardenShop,Grandma$sPantry,WhiteElephantSale, SilentAuction,HomeToursandSanctuaryTours,Cooks' Tourbecameahighly-anticipatedstapleeachyear.t requiredincredibleamountsofvolunteerwork,andth VPCcommunitywasuptothetask.Overtime,theevent grew,requiringtrolleysandbusestoaddressthehigh attendance.
MembersofthecommunityRockedtothisevent,and opportunitiestoaidmissionsinandbeyondthePhoeni metrogrew.Over these 50 years, proceeds from Cooks' Tour have raised upwards of $1,000,000. MentorKids USA,MinistryofHope,Malawi,SunshineAcres,Medical BenevolenceFoundation,Haiti,andHelpingHandsfor SingleMomsarejustafewofthemanyorganizations Cooks'Tourhasbeenblessedtosupport.
Tuesdays, 9AM, Room 512 (Piano Lab) Questions? Contact Margaret Wheeler: 480-483-2609
JOIN US FOR THE CELEBRATION Saturday, November 6 8AM-2PM, VPC Campus Festivities will include a look back at the past 50 years. Crafter's Boutique, Kitchen Treasures, White Elephant, Tiffany West (costume jewelry), Silent Auction, and Lunch. 9
VPC 2.0 &
SESSION
AUGUST UPDATE
VPC'sSessionisgivingperiodicupdatesregardingtheVPC2.0Committee$srecommendationsondenominat reazliation.Pleasetakeaminutetoreadthepointsbelow.AnyquestionsorcommentsemailLaurenPe ExecutiveAssistanttoPastor laurenp@vpc.church, Joynt, 480-991-6424, ext. 146. • TheteamfromthePresbyteryisworkingtosend This gives all members of our community time to outaletterandemailwithasurveyforcongregation think and pray more deeply about the VPC 2.0 report members.TheletterwillcomefromthePresbytery and its recommendations. andtheemail(whichisidentical)willbesentbyVPC. • Feelfreetosharequestionsorperspectiveswit • ThenvestigativeCommittee(C)willholdmeetings ourleadersthroughLaurenPearson. onSunday,August.More 1 detailsareforthcoming. • Questionsandpointsofviewwillbesharedwitht • SessionmetwiththeAdministrativeCommission CfromourPresbytery,unlessotherwiserequeste (AC)oftheGrandCanyonPresbyteryonJune 2todiscussVPC'sconsiderationofleavingthe PresbyterytojoinECO(EvangelicalCovenantOrder ofPresbyterians)andtolearnmoreabouthow Please continue to pray for the Grand Canyon theprocessworks.TheACCommitteehasalreadyPresbytery and for VPC’s Session in this season of interviewedthepastorsandsta. discernment!
Finances &
THAT'S A WRAP!
OPERATIONS A NEW HEART FOR THE VALLEY
AhugeTHANKYOU A New Heart for the Valley toeveryonewho by the numbers: participated A New in Heart for the Valley NumberofPledges: 333 (ANHFTV), whether it was bybeinginvolvedwith TotalPledged: $12,780,000, 97% of project cost thebuildingproject, orbeingpartofthe ProjectCost: $13,180,000 overwhelmingQnancial (Building: $11,918,000/Mission: $1,262,000) support.Withallmajor billshavingbeen Shortfall: $400,000, 3% of project cost presentedforpayment, Kris Bahr weareabletoprovidea FinanceOperations & Director PledgesPaid: $11,850,000 Qnalaccountingforthe 4 80 -916 4ext. 2 21 project. krisb@vpc.church PledgesyettobePaid: $930,000 Thegoodnewsisthatwhenunpaidpledgesarepaidin T o t a $12,780,000 l : fulltherewillbesuzcientfundstopayothemargin loan,whichiscollateralizedbytheinvestmentsinthe SchwabMarginLoanBalanceat06/:3 12 $917,000 VPFaccountmanagedbyAutus.Wearegratefultohave hadthisQnancingoptionavailabletohelpwithcash Rowaspledgesarepaid. VPC finances year-to-date as of June 30, 2021: Allbuildingrelatedexpenseshavebeenpaidinfull.The Actual $ Budget $ Variance $ Income remainingmissiontithehasnotyetbeencommitted to Faith Giving0 7 , 0 5 0 , 1 1,040,000 0 7,01 speciQcprojects,andiscoincidentallyalmostthesame Otherncome 0 7 , 1 0 1 102,800 -1,100 amountastheadditionalfundraisingneededtosatisfy Total Income 1,152,400 1,142,800 9,600 boththebuildingandmissioncomponents ANHFTV. of Expense
PastoralMinistry 234,400
235,100
07 -9,500 500 0 8,7 800 300
81,200
9,900
fyoumadeapledgeto ANHFTV and are not sure where AdminFacility & 483,500 0 0 , 4 7 4 youstand,pleasecontactme.Asmuchaspossible,we Mission,Outreach,Cong.Care 22,200 0 7 , 2 ChristianEducation 163,600 0 4 , 1 7 1 wouldliketoseethesepledgespaidinfullsothatwe WorshipMusic & 0 6,751 158,400 canpayotheremainingdebt. Total Expense 1,061,300 1,061,600 Net Income fyouwouldliketocontributetowardtheshortfall, we less Expense 10 wouldlovetohearfromyou.
91,100
News from
SESSION
JUNE/JULY MEETING REPORT
Sessionapprovedco-optingGaryEdentotheStewardshipCommitte
VPCisworkingwithKivaElementarySchooltokeeptherebuildsafe ezcient.Thecontractor,McCarthyBuildingCompanies,nc.,started projectinJuly.
SessionalsovotedtomaketheSanctuarymasks-optionalthroug entirespace.
Karen Gill Meyer ClerkofSession 4 8 0 -3 6 8 - 6 5 7
fyouhaveanyquestionorconcerns,pleasedonothesitatetocont m e . —Blessings, Karen Gill Meyer
Valley Presby terian
FOUNDATION
MEMORIAL GARDEN FUND
Theideaofamemorial Thereare9total 1, 0 spacesintheMemorialGarden,of gardenforValley whichhave 087 alreadybeensold,leavingavailable. 94 1 PresbyterianChurch Thegardenisdesignedforusebythemembersof wasapprovedby VPC;andothers,uponapprovalofourclergy.There Sessioninthefallof isalsoaMemorialWallwherethosewhohadaclose 6.Construction 79 1 connectiontoVPCbutarelaidtorestelsewhereca beganinMay, 79 1 memorialized. and the “garden” was dedicatedinaspecialWeencourageyoutodowhatsomanyothershave serviceonNovember, 72 donesince6,and 79 1 considerincludingVPFinyour Kris Bahr .Since 79 1 thattime,it estateplanning,thusbecomingpartoftheValley FinanceOperations & Director hasservednotonlyasaLegacySociety. 4 80 -916 4ext. 2 21 repositoryforcremains krisb@vpc.church ofchurchmembers, fyouhaveanyquestionsaboutValleyPresbyterian butalsoasagardenofbeautyandaquietspaceforFoundation,pleasecontactme. meditation. nadditiontointerments,otherspecialservices areheldthroughouttheyear,suchastheMemorial Dayservicehonoringourveterans,aServiceof RemembrancebeforeEaster,andaDoveTree ceremonyinDecember. AdesignatedMemorialGardenfundwasestablished withinVPF;theearningsareusedexclusivelyfor theongoingmaintenanceandrepairsofthissacred ground.AsofJune,the 3 1 02 principalbalanceof theMemorialGardenfundisjustunder56$0, withannualearningsofabout$25,0 availablefor maintenanceandrepairs. Projectscompletedininclude 1 20 masonryrepairs ofthebrickwallsbyRobertE.PorterConstruction Company.Pedestalsignsandwroughtironfences werepainted,andnewsignagewasinstalledatboth entrances.Anoutsidelandscapertendstothegarden weekly,withadditionaltreetrimmingasneeded.Also, adedicatedgroupofvolunteersspendstimeeachweek throughouttheyearpruningtheplants.
Memorial Garden This place of quiet and beauty is dedicated to the memory of loved ones who have departed from us. Please use discretion when placing items on cremation spaces as a memento to a loved one’s memory.
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