Focus11 26 2017

Women's Ornament Exchange

Need prayer?

Boy Scout Troop 441

Christmas Celebrated

CONCERT

SERIES

Celebrate Christmas with the women of VPC! We'll relax with food and friends around the tree. Bring a snack, treat, or drink to share, and a wrapped ornament for the white elephant exchange.

Stay healthy with a blood pressure test

Sunday, December 3 8AM, Chapel 9AM, Fireside Room 10:30AM, Landes Patio

VPC prayer chain We welcome requests confidentially for you or someone else.

Please have permission from the individual before placing your request.

Church office: 480-991-6424 prayers@vpc.church

VPC Mental Health Team

Care & Support

valley presbyterian church The Royal Renaissance Singers Sing we now of Christmas Saturday, December 16, 6PM Landes Center, Free Christmas celebrated as it was in Merrie Olde England with beautifully dressed singers a caroling.

Hilarious festive fun for all ages!

VPC's Boy Scout Troop 441 Pick up Holiday Greens orders December 3 Thank you for helping to make Troop 441 Greens sale a success! They raised over $10,000 to fund activities and scholarships.

Eagle Court of Honor Tuesday, December 5, 7PM, Chapel Join us as we celebrate three new Troop 441 scouts receiving the coveted Eagle Rank: Kees te Velde, Carter Boyd, and Michael Rowe. The event will be followed by a reception in Landes Center.

VPC News Office closed for Thanksgiving

BLOOD PRESSURE TESTS

Member Marti Combs and a group of nursing students from Brookline College will be performing Blood Pressure Tests and providing educational materials.

The VPC offices will be closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Coping with Stress During the Holidays (adapted from Mayo Clinic resources) • Keep expectations manageable. Try to set realistic goals for yourself. Pace yourself.

Organize your time.

• Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations, going window shopping or doing an activity with children. Pray!

• Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.

A unique charitable opportunity: IRA Rollover

If you own an IRA and are 70½ years old or older, you may transfer a large annual amount directly from your financial institution to Valley Presbyterian Church or the Valley Presbyterian Foundation.

For more information go to vpc.church/give or email Kris Bahr: krisb@vpc.church

Elizabeth Weiss: esweiss1231@gmail.com, 713-203-5544 Mental Health 24-hour Crisis Line: 602-222-9444

Marilyn Armstrong, Carol Bedillion, Bobbie Bischoff, Linda Brady, Howard Briggs, Ginger Bunker (Jody Hass’ mother), John Churley, Dick Coffelt, Marti Combs, Helen Farmin, Bill Gass, Sandra Gerlach, Gary Green, Barbara Jewett, Helen Lawlus, Jim Lawrence, Mary Lorenz, Dee Melde, Dorothy Nern, Ruth Rehfeldt, Charlotte Reynolds (Debbie Cox’ greatniece), Neil Smith, Nancy Sumner, Virginia Tatum, Marjory Terrey, Ellie Van Denburgh, Liz Walter, Andrea Winius

Please pray for those at home or in a care facility:

Helen Adams, Don Akins, Carolyn Bathurst, Kathryn Bennett, John Berta, Joyce Black, Charles Buckley, Dottie Cober, Mary Corbin, Jane Corley, Bonnie Domaz, Lorraine Fercho, Donna Gardner, Luella Gross, Carol Hanson, Jean Hiser, Jeannette Huggins, Evelyn Jenkins, Jo Ann Jones, Claire Kooi, Jim Lorenz, Lois Nuernberg, Joyce Newlon, Todd (Helen) Orme, Judy Owens, Charlotte Phillips, Martha Sarchett, Mary Strasser, Edna Thomas, Jane White For more information about those in our community, call Tammy: 480-991-6424 x163

Prayer Chain

Church office: 480-991-6424, prayers@vpc.church We welcome requests confidentially for you or someone else.

Please have permission from the individual before placing your request.

Our church family extends its Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Carol Jenkins, and Jesse Pogue.

Learn more about these events inside the FOCUS:

ADVENT.ure A great way to start the Christmas season

Sunday, December 3 4:30-6:30PM, Landes Center VPC's Advent Wreath & Luminaria

Dove Tree Service of Remembrance

Please pray for those recovering from recent medical procedures:

Sympathy

week of November 26, 2017

2017-18

ORNAMENT EXCHANGE Sunday, December 10 4-6PM, Tina Gilbreath's home RSVP: kellyn@vpc.church

FOCUS

valley presbyterian church

Tuesday, December 5 2PM, Memorial Garden Remembering your loved ones.

Visit VPC Session page!

Read bios and see photos of the Session team.

vpc.church/session

valley presbyterian church A Community Where Jesus Christ Transforms Lives 6947 East McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, 480-991-6424 vpc.church Pastors: David M. Joynt, David L. Turner, Kelly Nieto, Mike Nieto

Christmas Concerts @ VPC Phoenix Girls Chorus: A Merry English Christmas Saturday, December 9, 4PM, Sanctuary VPC Chancel Choir featuring Phoenix Symphony Members Son of the Highest: A Christmas Cantata Monday, December 11, 7PM,Sanctuary The Royal Renaissance Singers: Sing we now of Christmas Saturday, December 16, 6PM, Landes Center

Welcome to VPC New to VPC? We’re glad you’re here!

Let us know about you by filling out the Friendship Pad. We invite you to visit the Welcome Center after worship to learn more about VPC!

If you’re here with kids We have several fun and safe opportunities for kids from birth-high school: Nursery: Infants-2 years 8:45-11:45AM Sunday School: 3 years-5th grade 9:15-10:15 & 10:45-11:45AM The Gathering: Jr. & Sr. High, 9AM, Landes Basement If your kids stay in worship, check out the worship activity cart in each worship center.

New series starts December 3

Who We Are: Gifting a Child with God's Word Why we are here 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.

Get connected at VPC Want to learn more about what’s going on at VPC? Grab a Ministry Brochure, go to the Welcome Center after worship or visit vpc.church for information about classes, events, opportunities to serve, and anything you see in the FOCUS.

*childcare available by reservation: nursery@vpc.church

A prayerful advent opportunity

In the Shadow of Advent Christmas at the Movies Starts December 3 How does popular culture look at Christmas? What do they get right and where do they miss the point? Join us Sundays during Advent and take the journey to Bethlehem.

Adventures in Lifelong Learning™

Thursdays during Advent December 7, 14, & 21, Chapel Time: TBD No Santa, no Jingle Bells, no shopping.

Just an opportunity to contemplate and pray about the significance of the coming Christ child.

Family Promise

VPC will give each MentorKids child a Bible and a gift card. Outside of each worship center there will be an angel tree with cards of the age and gender of all children in the program. Please chose a card, personalize it with a note, hand it to the mission team member by the tree and they will make sure the Bible, gift card, and note are wrapped and delivered to every child. Suggested donation: $20 per child.

MentorKids Christmas Party December 9, 10AM-1PM Be a part of putting together an amazing Christmas celebration for the children and families of MentorKids!! Bouncies, climbing wall, popcorn, face-painting, SNOW, food, and much more!! Volunteers are needed for any length of time from 9:30AM-2PM to help set up, run the party, and clean up. Sign-up: vpc.church.church/mission

Advent Study

Advent Study: The Trinity* Wednesdays, November 29-December 13 6:30–7:30PM, Calvin Center Registration & Childcare: vpc.church/classes, or kellyn@vpc.church

The season of Advent is a time of anticipation, waiting for God’s kingdom to come. Jesus Christ, God made flesh, is the physical representation of a spiritual community in the triune God. Each week, we will explore the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in preparing to celebrate Christ’s birth!

Remember those who have gone

A great way to start the season

ADVENT.ure Sunday, December 3 4:30-6:30PM, Landes Center Tina Gilbreath: tinag@vpc.church Join us for our annual Advent Wreath and Luminaria Party! Email Tina to reserve your wreath supplies. We'll also assemble 1,000 luminarias for Christmas Eve. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share.

Getting in the Christmas spirit

Calendar of Events Sunday, November 26 Worship Nursery (infant-2 y.o.)

Worship 40s-50s Community Group Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Nursery (infant-2 y.o.)

Worship 70s+ Community Group Bible Study Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Worship Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Worship

Chapel Nursery Sanctuary Room 409 Rooms 404-417 Nursery Landes Center Calvin Center Rooms 404-417 Chapel Rooms 404-417 Chapel

8AM 8:45AM 9AM 9AM 9:15AM 10:15AM 10:30AM 10:30AM 10:45AM 11:45AM 10:45AM 11:45AM

Monday, November 27 Jumpbunch (ages 3-5) Jr. High Midweek

Landes Center Landes Center

2:15PM 6PM

Tuesday, November 28 Bridge & Mah Jongg B.O.Y.S. Club Valley Day School Chapel Jumpbunch Mini (age 2) Explorers!

Pickleball Session Boy Scout Troop 441

Fireside Room Chapel Parlor Chapel Landes Center Calvin Center Landes Center Fireside Room Landes Center

9AM 9:30AM 11:30AM 12:10PM 3:45PM 4:30PM 6PM 7PM

Wednesday, November 29 Valley Day School Chapel Sportball Grief Share Valley Ringers Rehearsal Youth Choir Advent Study "Wired that Way" Sr. High Midweek Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Chapel Landes Center Chapel Parlor Bell Room Choir Room Calvin Center Fireside Room Landes Center Choir Room

11:30AM 2PM 1PM 5:30PM 6:15PM 6:30PM 6:30PM 7PM 7:30PM

Thursday, November 30 Men’s Basketball Martial Arts Pickleball Women's Bible Study

Landes Center Calvin Center Landes Center Room 415-416

6:30AM 4:30PM 4:30PM 6:30PM

Friday, December 1 Women's Bible Study Line Dance Tumble Masters (age 2-3) Tumble Masters (age 3-5) Alcoholics Anonymous

Room 415-416 Landes Basement Room 409 Room 409 Landes Center

9AM 10AM 12:15PM 2:15PM 7:30PM

Chapel Fireside Room Nursery On Campus Sanctuary Youth Room Room 409 Rooms 404-417 Nursery Landes Center Calvin Center Rooms 404-417 Chapel Landes Center Room 409

8AM 8AM 8:45AM 8:30AM 9AM 9AM 9AM 9:15AM 10:15AM 10:30AM 10:30AM 10:45AM 11:45AM 4:30PM 6PM

Saturday, December 2

Winter Term: January 23-February 22, 2018 Spring Term: March 6-April 12, 2018 Catalogs available Register online: encoreuniv.org Mike Nieto: miken@vpc.church Shelby Trimaloff: shelbyt@vpc.church We offer a diverse program of courses, lectures, speakers, travel and seminars designed to engage persons “50 and better." So come along and experience the adventure!

VPC Hosting Family Promise December 24-31 Chris Woodard: chrisw@vpc.church Family Promise rescues homeless families from the streets and provides emergency shelter and basic needs in program designed to assist their return to selfsufficiency. Family Promise partners with VPC to provide safe overnight shelter, food, and compassion to families in crisis.

Contact Chris if interested in getting involved.

Service of REMEMBRANCE

Dove Tree Service of Remembrance December 5, 2PM, Memorial Garden If you have lost a loved one, feel free to come to the Garden, write their name on a dove, place it on the tree, and offer a silent prayer. Paper doves and pens are available in the Memorial Garden.

Phoenix Girls Chorus A Merry English Christmas Saturday, December 9, 4PM, Sanctuary Purchase tickets: girlschorus.org or at door Chancel Choir presents Son of the Highest: A Christmas Cantata Monday, December 11, 7PM Sanctuary, Free VPC Chancel Choir and Phoenix Symphony members. Reception to follow.

Sunday, December 3 1st Sunday Advent Worship The Screwtape Letters Class Nursery (infant-2 y.o.)

Brookline Blood Pressure Testing Worship The Gathering (6th-12th grade) 40s-50s Community Group Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Nursery (infant-2 y.o.)

Worship 70s+ Community Group Bible Study Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Worship ADVENT.ure Boy Scout Troop 441