2019 December Valley Vine

the

Valley Vine

December 2019

Volume sixty-four, Number eleven

Valley Presbyterian Church

IN THIS ISSUE:

'Tis the Season!

VPC's Christmastime guide

Jesus is the Reason

By Tina Gilbreath

Why and How

By Beth Glady

Senior Pastor

DAVID JOYNT Dear Friends, We will be spending December at the manger. Each Sunday we’ll add a character or two to the manger scene, starting with the shepherds and angels and concluding with the baby who changed everything. Along the way, the Christmas story will be seen from the perspective of those who were there that first holy night.

Christmas Eve will be different at VPC this year. We’ll offer services at 2:30, 4 and 6PM, in the Landes Center. At 4PM, there will be overflow in the Chapel with a simulcast of the sermon and live music. The 8PM service is in the Chapel with communion. Space restrictions are going to make December 24 a very intimate experience! We hope our members can spread out across the first three services to make room for visitors and new friends.

By Easter 2020, on April 12, we will be back in our renovated Sanctuary, where work is accelerating dramatically. On December 15, we’ll have tours so you can see the progress and get a sneak peek. Watch for a video walk-through of the finished spaces we’ll soon show in worship. Video will also be available online at vpc.church.

Are you curious about where we are with the rest of the A New Heart for the Valley project?

On November 19 your Session voted unanimously to finish all the remaining elements! Construction will begin in January on the Plaza, the Café, and the new spaces for youth, children, and adults, to be completed by fall 2020. We are 85% of the way toward our total goal of 13.7 million dollars for the completed project and expect to be fully funded in the coming months.

Many of the 180 families who gave initially are offering a second gift or extending their pledge for a fourth year. The coming months of construction provide an exciting period for new givers to participate.

Everywhere I look, I see the action of God’s spirit at VPC. With every age group and every ministry, there is passion and excitement. Thank you for being a congregation of visionary disciples.

Blessings for this special season.

Yours Faithfully,

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Highlighte d

EVENTS

Service of REMEMBRANCE

Dove Tree Service of Remembrance Tuesday, December 3, 2PM Memorial Garden

Feel free to come to the Garden, write a name on a dove, place it on the tree, and offer a prayer.

Advent.ure A great way to start the Christmas season Wednesday, December 4

6-7:30PM, Landes Center Begin the Advent season with an event for the whole family.

Rick Warren's The Purpose of Christmas Wednesdays, December 11 & 18 6-7PM, Chapel

Short videos, short lectures, Q&A, and Christmas cookies. Facilitated by Jerry Sayre, a member of a Bible study and a Stephen Minister Leader at VPC.

Poinsettias @ VPC We invite you to donate a Christmas poinsettia in honor of loved ones.

Dozens of these beautiful and festive plants will decorate our worship centers. Proceeds benefit orphans in Malawi.

Order online: vpc.church/christmas ($15) or fill out an order form and return to church office by December 17.

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'TIS THE SEASON! A guide to VPC Christmastime events

One of the best things about the weeks leading up to Christmas are all the ways there are to celebrate. From parties to presents, from carols to Christmas Eve, there are numerous ways to express what this season means to you.

Unfortunately, one of the most challenging things about the weeks leading up to Christmas are all the ways to celebrate, too! We know it can be easy to feel overloaded with activity during Advent, so we want to put all the VPCrelated information for December in one place!

Also check out all this information at vpc.church/christmas.

Join us this Christmas Eve to sing the carols that lift our hearts, be with family, and hear about the baby who changed everything.

LANDES CENTER*

2:30PM & 4PM Worship Band 6PM Chancel Choir

*Childcare available for kids 0-2

CHAPEL

8PM Valley Singers

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Sunday Mornings NATIVITY PAGEANT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

Landes Center, 9 & 10:45AM services Celebrate the coming arrival of the Christ child with VPC's annual Nativity Pageant!

Events

ONE WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

Landes Center, 9:30AM Bring 2019 to a joyous close at VPC with one last chance to sing the songs of the season.

ADVENT.URE

An Advent Wreath & Luminaria Party Wednesday, December 4, 6-7:30PM, Landes Center Cost: $10 donation for wreath. Food available for purchase.

It's a party to start the Christmas Season! Families of all ages are welcome to participate as we make Advent wreaths, luminarias, decorate cookies, wrap presents for MentorKids Christmas party, and enjoy time with each other.

DOVE TREE SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE

A chance to remember those who have gone before Tuesday, December 3, 2PM, Memorial Garden, Pastor David Turner presiding If you have lost a loved one, feel free to come to the Memorial Garden, write their name on a dove, place it on the tree, and offer a silent prayer. Join us as we remember those who have passed.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY ORNAMENT EXCHANGE

Sunday, December 15, 4-6PM, Contact Karley Wilke-Nadler for address: karleyg@vpc.church Register: vpc.church/women 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!

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC

Featuring the VPC Chancel Choir and members of the Phoenix Symphony Monday, December 16, 7:30PM, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, $10 Tickets: vpc.church/music Come on a journey that celebrates the importance of music in our lives and how music enriches the holiday season. Sponsored by the Valley Presbyterian Foundation.

NATIVITY PAGEANT

Sunday, December 22, 9 & 10:45AM (during worship) Rehearsal: Saturday, December 21, 10AM-Noon RSVP for your child: tinag@vpc.church This event is one of the highlights of the year, and there is a place for your kid to take part! Contact Tina Gilbreath to learn more about this Advent celebration.

Opportunities to Serve MENTORKIDS USA CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday, December 14, 9AM-Noon, VPC West parking lot Email Chris with questions or to volunteer: chrisw@vpc.church Thanks to you, each child in the MentorKids program will get a gift. Outside each worship center there is an angel tree with ornaments. They specify age, gender, and gift suggestion.

Feel free to take one and bring a gift by December 4.

Help with an amazing celebration for the children and families of MentorKids! Bouncies, climbing wall, popcorn, face-painting, carnival games, food, and much more!

HOSTING FAMILY PROMISE OF GREATER PHOENIX

VPC is Hosting over Christmas break Sunday, December 22-Sunday, December 29 Email Chris with questions or to volunteer: chrisw@vpc.church Family Promise rescues primarily first time homeless families from the streets and provides emergency shelter and basic needs in a 60-day program designed to assist their return to self-sufficiency. Our shelter includes a sanctuary for the family pet, the first such program in Arizona. Family Promise partners with VPC to provide safe overnight shelter, food, and compassion to families in crisis.

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JESUS IS THE REASON

It goes without saying ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season!’

Or does it? It seems like we are fighting the tide sometimes, trying to keep Christ at the center of this season. That is why celebrating the season of Advent is even more important today than ever!

Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas…the coming of Jesus into the world.

Do our actions communicate this message? In the pre-Christmas frenzy we can get so focused on the getting ready for Christmas we forget to ready our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ.

As Christians we have an opportunity to share the Good News everyday with non-believers and people seeking Jesus Christ. As parents we have the responsibility to teach our children through our words and actions.

By Tina Gilbreath Director Family Ministry

Tina: tinag@vpc.church

Celebrating the coming of Jesus with children is a blessing and a challenge. A blessing because children help us approach the season with fresh eyes and insight. They see all things Christmas with wide-eyed wonder and joyful expectancy. They challenge us as their parents and mentors, because they soak up the values of the culture that has had them anticipating Christmas since the beginning of November, a culture that is focused on the receiving of gifts more than the humble child in a manger. However, there is also an opportunity. It lies in the receptive nature of children, their ability to have fun and learn new things easily.

This time of year is rich for tradition and family memories. One simple suggestion is to tweak or elevate traditions your family has to focus on the miracle and birth of Jesus Christ. Baking cookies can remind us that Jesus is the bread of life; evergreen trees and wreaths can remind us of the eternal nature of our God; stockings can be an opportunity to talk about Christ’s humble beginning as a child in a manger. We will have a free devotional with more ideas just like these available at ADVENT.ure on December 4, in addition to other books for purchase.

Advent is such a special time of year. Advent celebrations and devotionals can help us keep Jesus at the center of our Christmas celebrations. The whole family can participate together and create memories that will last forever. Keep in mind these tips to help make Advent conversations fun and successful: 1. Keep it short and sweet.

2. Make it fun! You don’t have to do them all!

3. Talk while you are doing something (e.g, eating candy

canes, baking cookies, hanging the decorations).

4. Don’t give up…if you miss a day or two or three you can

still jump back in to it.

5. Use it as an opportunity to connect as a family.

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2018 VPC Nativity Pageant

Here are some other creative ideas from VPC families: “We all love going to church during the Advent season. We love Christmas hymns. We also listen to Christmas hymns at home during the Christmas season.” —Chappell family “We always display the Fisher Price nativity for the kids to play with. Last year we introduced The Wonderful Gift of Christmas book. Amazing. Every day you add an ornament to the tree (pops out of book) similar to the Jesse tree and it makes a beautiful reflective centerpiece. On Christmas Day you add the star. This year we plan to incorporate the giving manger as well.” —Canter family “In addition to lighting the Advent candles and attending Christmas events at church, when our kids were old enough to read we added a daily scripture or Christian Christmas symbol to our Advent countdown. They loved taking turns reading the scripture at dinner or guessing/explaining how the symbol was connected.” —Gilbreath family “We read a book at dinner every night that walks the kids thru the Christmas story day by day! It’s pretty cute and in December focuses our dinner conversations around Christ’s birth & what Christmas is all about.” —Livak family “We have a tradition every year with our Elf. He does all sorts of crazy things during the Advent season but one of the family favorites is that there are always a couple of mornings where our Elf 'Helper' remembers what the season is all about. One morning we will come out and see that he has read the Christmas story from the Bible to all of our stuffed animals, they usually have snacks and are all cozy with him in the center with the Bible. Also, usually one or more mornings he will be holding the baby Jesus from our nativity set. We enjoy the fun of our Elf but like to remember why we are celebrating this time of year. “ —Huseth family “Before the month of December begins, I wrap 25 books that we’ve collected over the years: classics like The Night Before Christmas or The Gingerbread Man, but most are about Jesus’s birth – God Gave us Christmas, A Birthday Party for Jesus, and more. You could even use books from the public library. The wrapped books sit in a basket, and each day we unwrap and read the next one together. It’s changed over the years as my girls have gotten older (now they’re the ones reading them to us), but it’s still one of their favorite parts of celebrating the Advent season.” —Gottfredson family “We have a massive manger scene and the kiddos get to pick each night one item from the manger scene and we talk about its importance within the story. We have also started a new tradition of watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special and the movie The Star.” —Bergfeldt family “We try to read a page a day of the advent book (the one where doors open on each day) but we almost never get it perfect!” Dunlap family

“Volunteering with MentorKids during the Advent season has helped bring the whole family together during a busy time and connect us more deeply with the meaning of Christmas.

It is meaningful for the kids to see their volunteer efforts impacting the people who directly receive them. We talked about how the gifts at the lunch may be the only gift they receive that year.” —Freeman family “Our family does two things: we adopt children from the church Christmas tree and take a shopping trip ONLY to focus on those children and their needs. It's fun, and humbling to know God has given you so much. We also go to ADVENT.ure! It is always fun and sets the tone for the season.” —DeHaven family “Every year, we rent a trolley or two and a group of family and friends go Christmas caroling. We go to nursing homes, shut ins, fire stations and even restaurants, spreading the gospel of Christ through song! Last year we sang in the homes of five people who were very ill, most battling cancer.

Four of those people went home to be with our Lord at the beginning of the year. To be able to bring joy to so many faces through Christmas carols is a blessing to me during the Advent season.” —Hamm family VPC's Family Ministry staff hopes you will be able to guard time as a family to talk about the meaning of this season with your family and friends. We pray that you will find peace, love, hope, and joy in all your family time.

Please join us at our ADVENT.ure Christmas Party. We will have cookie decorating, Advent wreath making, gift wrapping for MentorKids, book sales, devotionals and more to help you enjoy this season with your family at this special ALL church event!

Advent begins December 1! Merry Christmas! Be Blessed!

Other important VPC dates to remember for ADVENT: November 24 Christmas Angel Trees are up December 1

First Sunday in Advent

December 4

ADVENT.URE ALL Church Advent Party

December 14 MentorKids Christmas Party December 16 A Celebration of Christmas Concert at

Scottsdale Center for the Arts December 22 Nativity Pageant (Rehearsal December 21) December 24 Christmas Eve Worship

(2:30, 4, & 6PM, Landes Center. 8PM Chapel)

“Each year we make the advent wreath at ADVENT.ure and light a candle each Sunday of Advent, we buy toys to donate for the Angel tree, our kids participate in the Nativity Pageant, we watch The First Noel (a great little animation showing the story of Jesus’ birth).” —Bitticks family

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WHY AND HOW

Discipleship and Spiritual Growth (DSG) has spent time this fall developing a “Why Statement.” We believe that without understanding our Why we cannot effectively answer God’s call to serve the church. It is in response to our Why that we will carry out our call. How we develop ministries will be a direct result of meeting our purpose as found in our Why. The why of DSG: We are called by God to be at the heart of encouraging and preparing people at VPC to grow. We are called to increase the desire and ability of people to live their lives in devotion and service to Jesus Christ, not only as individuals, but also as the larger body of believers.

Ed & Beth Glady

By Beth Glady

Discipleship & Spiritual Growth Elder

Beth: beglady@gmail.com

The how of DSG: We will do this by helping people at VPC know and understand the word of God as it speaks to the church and them individually.

We will provide opportunities for people to grow in their prayer life.

We will encourage participation in and provide opportunities for serving the world around us.

Our current ministries: Oasis Community Wednesdays Bible study and Christian living classes offered as part of a full evening complete with music, children and student programs.

Community Groups Groups that come together to study and form community through fun, service and living life together.

Gloria & Jim Gabler and By Jim Gabler

Discipleship & Spiritual Growth Elder

Jim: jimgabler1@gmail.com

Men’s and Women’s Ministries Large and small group activities that include retreats, Bible classes, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), sports, fun and more. Basically, anything that interests men and/or women.

An exciting New Ministry Offering coming Spring 2020: Small Group Ministry is an exciting new ministry area that will roll out this spring. Small groups will provide opportunities for people to come together for the common purpose of growth in their faith and understanding what that looks like in everyday life.

A wonderful outgrowth of this will be new friendships formed and the community of faith strengthened.

We are very excited to encourage every member to find a small group that meets their needs. We will have small groups for men, women, singles and couples, young and old, activity-based, and topic-based. We will have groups that will use the sermon series as a launch point and those that will be pure Bible study. It is our hope to eventually offer every member the opportunity to study and grow their faith in a way that best suits who they are. If you are interested in facilitating or participating in a group, please contact Beth Glady or Jim Gabler.

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RESPONDING TO GOD'S INVITATION

From the Stewardship Committee

Bill Sturgeon, Jon Kyl, Kirby Kongable, Mark Fullerton, Webb Perryman, Carol Dillon, Tom Ambrose, Sarah Brammer, Brent Nichols, Keith Kerber, Mike Bergfeldt, Susan Waschler, David Joynt, Kris Bahr, Mike Vreeland, Katrina Carney

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. —Charles Dickens Dear Friends at VPC, The generosity of the VPC community is constant, and it was apparent on Commitment Sunday on November 17! Right now the church looks to enter 2020 slightly ahead of where we started this year. Besides providing our pledges and regular financial gifts during the 2019 Faith Giving season, as you have just accomplished, there are many other blessings we can offer to those around us. Many of these things are free! Our material possessions can be given to those who have very little. We can offer our time, knowledge, love, and other types of support that costs us nothing. Your Stewardship Committee will be thinking and talking to you about these things in 2020.

Building our 2020 Vision An old man came to a vast and deep chasm, crossed it and its swollen stream in the twilight. He turned and stayed for more than a day, building a bridge to span the chasm and stream. Many people who saw the brand new bridge told the old man he’d wasted his strength and time since it was unlikely he’d come that way again. The old man lifted his head and stiffened his tired body saying: “I’ve come over this difficult path and will not pass this way again. But, I know there will be others who will pass this way. I built this bridge not for me, but for them and those who follow them.”

As we leave 2019 and proceed toward the New Year, we do so with 2020 Vision. We give our heartfelt thanks to those who have already pledged and to those who continue to provide their gifts on a regular basis. Our hope is that many more VPC members will continue to provide their pledges to Kris Bahr. Thanks to you, too!

Your pledges and regular giving provide the basis for VPC’s mission to all the world. You have provided a bridge to the New Year and in doing so, we know you’ve received, as we have, the joy of giving.

Christmas Blessings from your 2019 Stewardship Committee!

God gives each of us a story.

What’s yours? vpc.church/stories

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News from

SESSION

At the November meeting, Session voted to charter Boy Scout Troop 441 for another year and to name Sam Kelsall VPC Charter Organization Representative. The troop celebrates its 60 th anniversary at VPC this year.

Travis Kingma reported on last year’s Student Ministry programs and outlined the goals for this year. The program is healthy and growing.

Karen Meyer Clerk of Session 480-368-6567

David Turner and Deacon Bobbie Swenson reviewed the many important Deacon Care Ministries. This coming year, At-home Care will change by having Deacons work in tandem with Stephen Ministry. A new Hospitality Ministry is also being developed.

Session concurred with Valley Presbyterian Foundation's recommendation to hire Autus Asset Management as asset advisor for VPF funds beginning January 1, 2020.

There was a vote to have the composition of the All-Church Nominating Committee be seven members: two Elders, one Deacon, and four people elected at large by the congregation. The slate of Elders, Deacons, and Foundation Trustees will be made public through regular church communication not less than 14 days prior to the vote. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

Thirty four people have joined VPC since February 2019. They will be introduced at the 9 and 10:45AM services on December 8.

Session moved to complete the South Classroom, the café, and the plaza remodel for a cost not to exceed $3,777,647. The total cost is being funded by pledges made through A New Heart for the Valley Campaign. A bridge loan is in place to cover costs due before all the pledges are paid.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns at 480-368-6567.

Blessings, Karen Gill Meyer, Clerk of Session

Finances &

OPERATIONS INVITATION ACCEPTED!

Over the past several weeks you have been Invited to See, Invited to Be Made Whole, Invited to Reconsider, and Invited to Serve. On November 17, you made a commitment to the work of Jesus Christ. In addition to your prayers, you also made a financial commitment to support the programs and ministries of VPC. 209 households completed commitment cards, pledging $1,144,000. 238 additional households give to VPC regularly, and their expected commitment will total $654,000.

We are so grateful for this support of over $1.8 million, a slight increase from 2019.

Praise God for your generosity and support of A New Heart for the Valley campaign, with over $11.7 million in pledges (and counting!) as of November 26.

Kris Bahr

Finance & Operations Director 480-991-6424 ext. 112 krisb@vpc.church

End of Year Sanctuary Tour!

Sunday, December 15, Fountain Patio, 8:15-8:45AM, 10-10:45AM, 11:45AM-12:15PM Come celebrate A New Heart for the Valley. Join us for tours of the Sanctuary, Christmas music and 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!)

VPC finances year-to-date as of October 31, 2019 Income

Actual $

Budget $

Variance $

Faith Giving Other Income Total Income

1,458,507 298,406 1,756,913

1,573,500 251,550 1,825,050

-114,993 46,856 -68,137

Pastoral Ministry Admin & Facility Mission, Outreach, Cong. Care Christian Education Worship & Music Total Expense

369,810 903,849 127,294 277,887 165,867 1,844,707

409,806 937,145 117,393 292,361 166,333 1,923,038

39,996 33,296 -9,901 14,474 466 78,331

Net Income less Expense

-87,794

-97,988

10,194

Expense

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

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