Poinsettias @VPC VPC Hosting Family Promise December 22-29 Chris Woodard: chrisw@vpc.church Family Promise provides emergency shelter and basic needs designed to assist their return to self-sufficiency. Family Promise partners with VPC to provide safe overnight shelter, food, and compassion to families in crisis. Contact Chris if you're interested in getting involved.
We invite you to donate a Christmas poinsettia in honor of loved ones. Deadline for acknowledgment in the Christmas Eve bulletin is Tuesday, December 17. We will accept donations ($15) through Christmas. Proceeds benefit orphans in Malawi. Order online: vpc.church/christmas or fill out an order form available in all worship centers and in the church office.
You are not alone. vpc.church/mentalhealth
We will discuss suicide awareness, the warning signs of suicide, and how to effectively provide bereavement support to community members after a suicide has occurred.
Ornament Exchange
Supporting a loved one who is experiencing holiday depression, anxiety or stress can be difficult. You may not understand why your loved one feels or acts a certain way. Here are some general tips to help: • Ask your loved on how you can help them. • Be patient – learning and practicing new coping strategies takes time. • Listen and offer support, but avoid pushing unwanted advise. • Set boundaries and seek support for yourself, if needed. -Canadian Mental Health Association/Alberta
Care & Support
Please pray for those recovering from recent medical procedures:
Sharon Arendt, Sandra Gerlach, Corenthel Green, John Hale, Alan Hartley, Kathy Hazslip, Millie Homan, Elizabeth Jessup, Jo Ann Jones, Margaret Kurtz, John Lee, Dick Lockwood, Carole Marr, Jan McKenzie, Peggy Mullen, Lois Nuernberg, Lara Robinson, Nancy Savoy, Judy Schumacher, Nancy Sumner, Bob Rufenacht, Bob Turpin, Ellie Van Denburgh
Family Worship
Women's Ministry Ornament Exchange Today, 4-7PM Register: vpc.church/women Contact Karley Wilke-Nadler for address: karleyg@vpc.church Celebrate the Christmas season with the ladies and friends of VPC. Dinner is provided and some carols, too. Bring an appetizer or a dessert to share, an ornament to exchange, and a friend!
Note: Only one worship service on Sunday, December 29 9:30AM, Landes Center Tina Gilbreath: tinag@vpc.church
ADVENT SERMON SERIES Devotionals are available in Worship Centers and online: vpc.church/devo
Children ages three and above are invited and encouraged to join the congregation during worship. Family Worship is an important opportunity to teach the next generation what worship is all about!
Rev. Rex Sample Book Launch Party Wednesday, December 18, 2-4PM, Room 409 Rev. Rex Sample has been an influentuial presence in the lives of VPC members who spend time in Munds Park, AZ during the year. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear Rev. Sample, longtime pastor at Munds Park Community Church, who has been preaching for 70 years, here is your chance! Rex has recently published his autobiography, One Man’s Search for God. As a teen, he gave his life to Christ, but circumstances turned his life away from the church. Learn how God brought him back. Angel Tree Tuba City Toy Drive Please bring by December 18 We are collecting toys for Tuba City ensuring each child gets a gift. Gifts will be delivered to our partners in Tuba City to help their celebrations. Take a tag off the Angel tree in Worship Centers.
Carolyn Bathurst, Kathryn Bennett, Joyce Black, Herb Blinn, Charles Buckley, Bonnie Domaz, Geoffrey Edmunds, Roger Fercho, Donna Gardner, Ginny Groom, Sara Hammond, Louella Hermanson, Jean Hiser, David Horton, Jeannette Huggins, Evelyn Jenkins, Sue Larson, Jim Lawrence, Jim & Mary Lorenz, Carolyn McElhaney, Dee Melde, John Mueller, Dorothy Nern, Janet Nielsen, Joyce Newlon, Judy Owens, Larry Parker, Roy States, Bette Vyskocil, Helen Wolfe For more information about those in our community, call Tammy: 480-991-6424 x163 Our church family extends its Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Mary Strasser.
Read more about these events inside the Focus!
Ornament Exchange
Looking for a simple way to support what God is doing at VPC? vpc.church/give
If you are 70.5+ or older, you may transfer up to $100,000 per year directly from your financial institution to support: • Valley Presbyterian Church, Annual Faith Giving • A New Heart for the Valley, Capital Campaign • Valley Presbyterian Foundation, Legacy Giving
VPC FINANCIAL SUMMARY: Year-to-date as of November 30, 2019 Income $1,986,841 Expenses $2,003,747 For a more detailed update, check out the latest edition of the Valley Vine, online: vpc.church/vine or contact Kris Bahr: krisb@vpc.church, 480-991-6424 ext. 112
Please pray for those at home or in a care facility:
Sympathy
week of December 15, 2019
VPC News
MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY
Suicide Prevention and Postvention Workshop: Understand the Warning Signs of Suicide and How to Support Those Bereaved by Suicide Hosted by La Frontera Arizona/Empact Suicide Prevention Center Community Monday, January 13, 6:30-8PM, Room 409 Facilitator: Steve Schiro, EMPACT Register: vpc.church/care
FOCUS
Valley Presbyterian Church
LANDES CENTER 2:30PM* Worship Band 4PM* Worship Band
(4PM Chapel overflow with simulcast sermon)
6PM*
Chancel Choir & Brass
Women's Ornament Exchange Today, 4-7PM Contact Karley Wilke-Nadler: karleyg@vpc.church
Christmas Eve @ VPC
*Childcare available for kids 0-2
CHAPEL 8PM Valley Singers & Communion SOLD OUT! Wait-list only. If you bought tickets but can't use them, please return them to the church office.
Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 East McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, 480-991-6424 vpc.church Pastors: David M. Joynt, David L. Turner, Chris D. Woodard, Travis W. Kingma
Belong
VPC is a place where you can
We're glad you are here today! VPC is a community that believes God calls us to be in relationship. Sunday morning worship is a time to gather, connect, and give thanks to the Creator who loves us without end. New to VPC? Welcome! We want to know what VPC can do for you. First Step Cards are available in all worship centers. Feel free to fill it out, drop it in an offering tray, or give it to a volunteer at the Welcome Center. Want to join our growing community? You can join today! If this is your first time at VPC or you've been coming for months and are moved to join our church, a Pastor and a church leader will be available after worship to talk and pray with you. If you’re here with kids, We have several fun and safe opportunities for kids: Nursery: Sunday School: If your kids stay in worship, check (Infants-2 years) 3 years-5th grade out the worship activity cart in 8:45-11:45AM 9:15-10 & 11-11:45AM each worship center.
Childcare is offered wherever you see an asterisk: * Questions? Email Brianne Bergfeldt: nursery@vpc.church
END OF YEAR SANCTUARY TOURS!
Today, 8:15-8:45AM, 10-10:45AM, 11:45AM-12:15PM Fountain Patio Come celebrate A New Heart for the Valley. Join us for tours of the Sanctuary, Christmas music, refreshments, and a special Christmas tree showing just how far we’ve come toward reaching our goal (and help us put the final star on top of the tree!)
Coming in January!
If yo SOL D u plea bough OUT! W se r t etur ticket ait-list s o n th em but can nly. to t he c 't use t h hur ch o em, ffice .
2020 is coming fast! Have you thought about how you and your family will start the year? Oasis is a great way for you and your family to grow and learn about faith.
Learn more and sign up: vpc.church/oasis Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Holy Yoga With Senior Pastor David Joynt Wednesdays, January 15-February 19 6-7PM, Calvin Center, free
Alzheimer's Workshop Part Two: Middle Stage For Care Partners With Melissa Johnson, Alzheimer’s Association Wednesday, January 15, 22, & 29 6-8:30PM, VPC Library
Parking information: Parking is available at the Civic Center Library lot on Drinkwater Blvd south of 2nd Street and in the garage off of 2nd Street and Wells Fargo near Los Olivos.
With Erin Lunn & Jennifer Cecil Wednesdays, January 15-May 13, 6-7:30PM Upper Youth Room (Room 512) Cost: $5 per class
Strong Families: The Blessing/2-Degree Difference in Parenting
With Dr. John Trent & Kari Trent Stageberg Wednesday, January 29, 6-7:30PM, Chapel
Christmas Eve Candlelighting Tuesday, December 24 LANDES CENTER
2:30PM* Worship Band 4PM* Worship Band (Chapel overflow with simulcast sermon)
Oasis Kids! 6-7:30PM, Room 415-416, Free Oasis Kids! is a safe and fun environment to learn about the world in creative ways. Your child will build, craft, draw, sing, and just have fun while they learn about the love of Jesus Christ!
6PM* Chancel Choir & Brass *Childcare available for kids 0-2
CHAPEL
8PM Valley Singers & Communion
Calendar of Events Sunday, December 15 Third Sunday of Advent Worship End of Year Sanctuary Tour Chancel Choir Rehearsal Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Kaleidoscope Community Group Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Sages Community Group/Christmas Party Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) High School Caroling
Chapel Fountain Patio Room 419 Nursery Landes Center Room 409 Rooms 404-417 Calvin Center/Fireside Nursery Landes Center Rooms 404-417 Landes Center
8AM 8:15/10/11:45AM 8:30AM 8:45AM 9AM 9AM 9:15AM 10:30AM 10:30AM 10:45AM 11AM 12PM
Monday, December 16 Valley Day School (VDS) VDS Christmas Concert Chancel Choir Christmas Concert
Day School Rooms Room 409 Scottsdale Ctr for Arts
9AM 11:30AM 7:30PM
Tuesday, December 17 Valley Day School (VDS) Mah Jongg & Bridge VDS Christmas Concert Pickleball Boy Scout Troop 441
Day School Rooms Fireside Room Room 409 Landes Center Landes Center
9AM 9AM 11:30AM 4:30PM 7PM
Wednesday, December 18 Valley Day School (VDS) VDS Christmas Concert Presbyterian Women Luncheon/Saguaro Choir Rev. Rex Sample Book Signing Oasis Childcare (0-5 y.o.) Oasis Advent Study-The Purpose of Christmas Oasis High School
Day School Rooms Landes Center Chapel Parlor/Chapel Room 409 Nursery Calvin Center Landes Basement
9AM 11:15AM 11:30AM 2PM 5:30PM 6PM 7PM
Thursday, December 19 Men's Basketball Sages Community Group-Mex Train & Card Making Martial Arts Pickleball
Landes Center Calvin Center Calvin Center Landes Center
6:30PM 1PM 4:30PM 4:30PM
Friday, December 20 Alcoholics Anonymous
Landes Center
7:30PM
Saturday, December 21 Men's Ministry Work Day Nativity Pageant Rehearsal
VPC Campus Landes Center
8:30AM 9AM
Sunday, December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Kaleidoscope Community Group Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Sages Community Group Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade)
Chapel Nursery Landes Center Room 409 Rooms 404-417 Calvin Center Nursery Landes Center Rooms 404-417
Family Promise on campus December 22-29
Nativity Pageant
8AM 8:45AM 9AM 9AM 9:15AM 10:30AM 10:30AM 10:45AM 11AM