A beautiful Christmas tradition
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Presbyterian Women
FOCUS
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CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS We invite you to donate a Christmas poinsettia in honor of loved ones. Deadline for acknowledgment in Christmas Eve bulletin is tomorrow, December 18. Plants will festively decorate our worship centers. We will be accepting donations ($15) through Christmas. Proceeds will benefit Family Promise.
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
Order online: vpc.church under ‘What’s New’ or fill out order form and return.
VPC Grief Support
You are not alone!
Have questions about your faith? Wonder what it means to join a church? Interested in becoming a member?
Concert: Everyone is welcome! Saguaro High School Choir 12:30PM, Chapel, Free will offering This wonderful choir will sing Holiday Songs of the Season. We urge everyone to attend and bring family and friends. This will be a delightful Christmas program for all.
week of December 17, 2017
Christmas Eve Service times:
Sunday, January 28 12:30-2:30PM, Fireside Room
PW Luncheon & Concert December 20, 11PM (lunch) Fellowship and the opportunity to shop for Cooks’ Tour crafts at ½ off.
valley presbyterian church
3PM* • 5PM* • 7PM Sanctuary
*Childcare for 0-2 years available
9PM, Chapel
Register: vpc.church/inquirer or contact Jane Russell: 480-694-1186 Childcare: nursery@vpc.church
Sunday Morning
9:30AM, Sanctuary
VPC News
A unique charitable opportunity: IRA Rollover
If you own an IRA and are 70½ years old or older, you may transfer an annual amount directly from your financial institution to Valley Presbyterian Church or the Valley Presbyterian Foundation. For information go to vpc.church/give or email Kris Bahr: krisb@vpc.church
Transfer shares of stock to support VPC Coping with Grief During the Holidays
(Excerpted from Lin Sue Cooney, AZ Republic)
No matter what you do, the memory of your loved one will be with you this holiday season. Find a way to honor and acknowledge that while creating new family traditions to share going forward. Accept help when it’s offered. Don’t be afraid to say no. Choose activities that will make the holidays enjoyable for you. GriefShare Begins Wednesday, January 3, 2018. If you are interested please contact Pastor David Turner: davidt@vpc.church.
The Mental Health Ministry team would like to extend holiday wishes to all! We hope that you and your loved ones have a safe and blessed Christmas season. We are grateful to the VPC community for its support in 2017 and wish everyone a healthy and peaceful 2018. Elizabeth Weiss: esweiss1231@gmail.com, 713-203-5544 Mental Health 24-hour Crisis Line: 602-222-9444
Care & Support
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 & Marti Combs, Helen Farmin, Sandra Gerlach, Doris Goss, Gary Green, Lee Henry, Harlen Hesler, 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
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
Sympathy
Our church family extends its Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Bill Gass.
Recently a VPC member told me they had purchased Apple stock at $22 per share back in the early 80’s. Today that stock is selling at $172 per share! Do you have stock that has appreciated over time that could help support the ministries at VPC? You can advise your broker to transfer shares of the stock directly to VPC (very important- transfer, don't sell the stock). You will receive a charitable contribution equal to the value on the date the stock is donated. This example illustrates one of the unique ways to make your contributions to VPC go farther. Please contact Kris for more information: krisb@vpc.church.
Learn more about these events inside the FOCUS:
VPC finances year-to-date as of November 30, 2017 Income
Actual $
Budget $
Variance $
Faith Giving Other Income Total Income
1,599,877 326,000 1,925,877
1,568,600 367,380 1,935,980
31,277 -41,380 -10,103
Pastoral Ministry Admin & Facility Mission, Outreach, Cong. Care Christian Education Encore Worship & Music Total Expense
450,574 929,776 159,916 224,569 78,997 167,995 2,011,827
438,817 934,885 168,808 232,199 116,911 178,773 2,070,393
-11,757 5,109 8,892 7,630 37,914 10,778 58,566
-85,950
-134,413
48,463
Expense
Net Income less Expense
Visit VPC Session page! vpc.church/session Read bios and see photos of the Session team.
The Alpha Course* Wednesdays, January 24- March 28 6-8PM, Calvin Center, Free Register: kellyn@vpc.church Childcare: nursery@vpc.church
Advent: Preparing our Hearts for Christmas
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
Thursday, December 21 Chapel, 6:30-8PM A quiet space in the busyness of the Season
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.
You have questions. Try Alpha.
Alpha Course* Wednesdays, January 24-March 21* 6-8PM, Calvin Center, Free Facilitators: Kelly & Mike Nieto Register: vpc.church/classes The Alpha Course is a comfortable and safe place to learn more about Christianity and ask questions in a pressure-free, casual environment. Each session includes a meal, a DVD lesson, and discussion. *Childcare email: nursery@vpc.church
A prayerful advent opportunity
Advent: Preparing our Hearts for Christmas Thursday, December 21 Chapel, 6:30-8PM No Santa, no Jingle Bells, no shopping. You are invited to this Advent opportunity for self-guided, individual reflection and contemplation. A quiet place to make space in the busyness of the Season. Come and go as your schedule permits.
Who We Are: More than just tradition 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
In Matthew 18:2-3 Jesus called a little child to stand among them. “Truly I tell you," He said, “unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Each year our children reenact the Christmas story, set to scripture and song, and each year I see individuals of all ages transported to an innocent, childlike space. I believe the Holy Spirit uses that space to renew our faith. While watching the nativity pageant, for a moment we forget our doubts and embrace little hearts full of wide-eyed inspiration. Is God going to be there when I need Him? A child would say, “Yes!” Childlike faith, along with childlike love, open the road to God’s heart. May God use our Nativity Pageant tradition to make room in your heart for a childlike faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. -Tina Gilbreath, Children's Ministry Director
Adventures in Lifelong Learning™
Winter Term: January 23-February 22, 2018 Spring Term: March 6-April 12, 2018 Catalogs available Register online: encoreuniv.org Shelby Trimaloff: shelbyt@vpc.church Stop by the Information Table
3PM* • 5PM* • 7PM Sanctuary 9PM, Chapel *Childcare for 0-2 years available
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!
Family Promise
Calendar of Events Sunday, December 17 3rd Sunday Advent Worship The Screwtape Letters Class Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) 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
Chapel Fireside Room Nursery Sanctuary Youth Room Room 409 Rooms 404-417 Nursery Landes Center Calvin Center Rooms 404-417 Chapel
8AM 8AM 8:45AM 9AM 9AM 9AM 9:15AM 10:15AM 10:30AM 10:30AM 10:45AM 11:45AM
Monday, December 18 Jr. High Midweek
Landes Center
6PM
Tuesday, December 19 Bridge & Mah Jongg B.O.Y.S. Club Pickleball Boy Scout Troop 441
Fireside Room Chapel Parlor Landes Center Landes Center
9AM 9:30AM 4:30PM 7PM
Wednesday, December 20 Presbyterian Women Luncheon Valley Day School Concert Saguaro High School Choir
Landes Center Sanctuary Chapel
11PM 11:15AM 12:30PM
Thursday, December 21 Men’s Basketball Valley Day School Concert 60s-70s Community Group 70s+ Community Group Advent, Preparing our Hearts
Landes Center Room 409 Crossing 104 Fireside Room Chapel
6:30AM 11:30AM 1PM 3PM 6:30PM
Friday, December 22 Line Dance Alcoholics Anonymous
Landes Basement Landes Center
10AM 7:30PM
Nursery Sanctuary Nursery Sanctuary Nursery Sanctuary Sanctuary Chapel
9:15AM 9:30AM 2:45PM 3PM 4:45PM 5PM 7PM 9PM
Saturday, December 23
Holiday Sunday Morning Worship Schedule
Sunday, December 24 Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Worship Worship
Christmas Eve
VPC Hosting Family Promise December 24-31 Chris Woodard: chrisw@vpc.church
Monday, December 25 Christmas day Church Office Closed-Holiday
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.
Tuesday, December 26 Church Office Closed-Holiday
December 24
December 31
David Turner, preaching
Chris Woodard, preaching
9:30AM, Sanctuary
9:30AM, Sanctuary
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