Christmas Celebrated
Family Promise
A beautiful Christmas tradition
Thank you for your commitment
CONCERT
SERIES 2017-18
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 Mental Health Team
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.
You are not alone!
CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS
267 families made a financial commitment to support VPC in 2018, totaling over $1.28 million dollars. We are also blessed by those who continue to give generously, even if they did not fill out a Commitment Card. Thank you to those who also committed to pray and serve at VPC, as well. The commitment of 267 represents 34% of our congregation, and the $1.28 million represents a 2.5% increase from 2017, with the same number of responses. God has indeed richly blessed VPC through your generosity!
We invite you to donate a Christmas poinsettia in honor of loved ones. Deadline for acknowledgment in Christmas Eve bulletin is Monday, December 18. Plants will festively decorate our worship centers. We will be accepting donations ($15) through Christmas. Proceeds will benefit Family Promise. Order online: vpc.church under ‘What’s New’ or fill out order form and return.
Coping with Grief During the Holidays
(excerpted from Lin Sue Cooney, AZ Republic) Losing someone you love isn’t a one-time hurt. Grief has a way of sneaking up on us. Just when things seem to be getting better, a familiar song, a whiff of perfume, an old photograph can innocently trigger a memory. Instantly, we’re pierced with pain. There is no miracle pill to take away the pain. No magic wand that restores the sparkle of the season. There are ways to survive the holidays and celebrate moments. Our GriefShare program begins January 3, 2018. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Karen Annis, annisscottsdale@aol.com, or Pastor David Turner, davidt@vpc.church.
Care & Support
Elizabeth Weiss, Pastor David Turner, & Susan Krecker at the 2017 NAMI Walk
NAMI-Family Support Group 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30PM St. Patrick Catholic Community Information: vpc.church/mentalhealth or namivalleyofthesun.org Living Grace Support Group 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 6-8PM Oasis Community Church Information: jilliannhogan@gmail.com or 480-234-7073 Elizabeth Weiss: esweiss1231@gmail.com, 713-203-5544 Mental Health 24-hour Crisis Line: 602-222-9444
Please pray for those recovering from recent medical procedures:
Marilyn Armstrong, Bobbie Bischoff, Linda Brady, Howard Briggs, Ginger Bunker (Jody Hass’ mother), John Churley, Dick Coffelt, Bob Combs, Marti Combs, Helen Farmin, Bill Gass, Sandra Gerlach, Gary Green, Lee Henry, Barbara Jewett, Sam Kingma, Helen Lawlus, Jim Lawrence, Mary Lorenz, Dee Melde, Dorothy Nern, Ruth Rehfeldt, Charlotte Reynolds (Debbie Cox’ great-niece), Neil Smith, Nancy Sumner, Virginia Tatum, Marjory Terrey, Ellie Van Denburgh, Liz Walter
VPC News
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.
New Daily Devotional available today
week of December 10, 2017
Christmas Eve Service times:
3PM* • 5PM* 7PM • 9PM *Childcare for 0-2 years available
Sunday Morning
9:30AM, Sanctuary
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
Transfer shares of stock to support VPC
Last week one of our members came in to say they had purchased Apple stock at $22 per share back in the early 80’s. Today that stock is selling at $172 per share – not to mention the stock splits, etc. This example illustrates just one way you can make your contribution dollars go farther – maybe not to this extreme, but then again, maybe so! If you have stock that has appreciated in value since the time you bought it, you can advise your broker to transfer shares of the stock directly to VPC (very important –do not sell the stock, then donate the proceeds, as this will cause you to incur capital gain tax). You will receive a charitable contribution equal to the value on the date the stock is donated. Please contact Kris for more information: krisb@vpc.church
Learn more about these events inside the FOCUS:
Christmas Cantata @ VPC
Want to join the VPC staff team?
VPC is looking for full-time custodial help. Interested? Email your resume to Kris Bahr: krisb@vpc.church
Visit VPC Session page!
Read bios and see photos of the Session team.
VPC Chancel Choir featuring Phoenix Symphony Members Son of the Highest: A Christmas Cantata Monday, December 11, 7PM,Sanctuary
vpc.church/session
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
FOCUS
valley presbyterian church
valley presbyterian church
NATIVITY PAGEANT
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
Sunday, December 17 9 & 10:30AM Services Rehearsal: December 16, 10AM-Noon