the
Valley Vine
March 2022 Vol. 67, No. 1 Valley Presbyterian Church
IN THIS ISSUE: Marks of Genuineness Pastor David Joynt Lent @VPC Highlighted Events Life Full & Abundant Pastor Chris Woodard Connecting the Dots Tina Gilbreath Using the VPC Mobile App Candy Unruh VPF College Scholarships Susan Chappell Called to Lead Meet Mutsumi Mori February Session Report Karen Meyer Room D201 Transformed! Kris Bahr
Senior Pastor
DAVID JOYNT Dear friends, Take out a bill from your purse or wallet. How do you know it is genuine? Every true piece of currency has marks of authenticity, created through the printing process at the U.S. Mint. Close inspection reveals watermarks and a magnifying glass would show microprinted images. Color shifting ink, that changes from copper to green, is present too. UV light would allow us to notice security threads and ribbons woven into the fabric. A practiced observer could distinguish a lithographic imitation from a real bill since the latter is the product of a special “intaglio” process, complete with indented plates and tons of pressure. Why so many marks of genuineness? Because many try to counterfeit our currency, pretending the worthless is precious, the valueless valuable. Every year the U.S. Treasury impounds 70—200 million dollars, and much more circulates globally. Now you know how to authenticate a genuine item of American currency. How do we authenticate a genuine Christian life? What are the marks that distinguish a true disciple from an imitation? How does real faith mark our lives and our characters? These are the questions we will be exploring during Lenten sermon series, Marked. Each week we’ll explore one mark in our Sunday sermons and then have an opportunity to engage with it through our devotionals and discuss it during our Wednesday night adult classes. The world’s greatest need is the kingdom’s greatest asset—genuine followers of Jesus.
Yours faithfully,
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Cover art by Magda Ehlers, Pexels.
Lent @VPC
Familyfriendly Start to the Lenten season
Wednesday, March 2 6:30PM, Sanctuary & Livestream Pastor Travis Kingma preaching
New Sermon Series begins March 6 New Class with Pastor David Joynt
Journey to the Cross: An All-Church Lenten Study & Dinner
Wednesdays, March 9, 23, 30, & April 6 5—7PM, Landes Center Dinner served before & during class Look to God's word to guide us on our journey
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Highlighte d
EVENTS
Saturday, March 19, 5-7PM David & Stacy Turner’s Home RSVP today: vpc.church/opendoor Open Door exists to connect people in a relaxed social atmosphere, where we have the time to get to know people better.
Valley Presbyterian Church presents:
An Afternoon with Mark Hayes Featuring VPC Chancel Choir & GCU’s “Critical Mass” Choir
Sunday, March 27 4PM, Sanctuary Tickets ($10): vpc.church/music Presented by
Valley Presbyterian Foundation
Casual or festive costumes optional but encouraged!
Dinner | Silent Auction | Live Auction | Live Music
Friday, April 1, 6PM
Valley Presbyterian Church Awaken Café & Plaza 4
Tickets ($75) on sale at: vpf.givesmart.com
LIFE FULL SPIRITUAL GROWTH & ABUNDANT Discipleship &
Pastor Chris Woodard
Pastor of Discipleship & Spiritual Growth
chrisw@vpc.church
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. This African proverb greeted me as I stepped off the plane on my first trip to visit our friends in Malawi. For the past ten years, this proverb has helped shape the way in which I do church; it is a blessing that God gifted us a church community to navigate this life together. We have our church community to support us in the daily grind of life, through both the difficult and joyful times. We come together as a community and with one voice offer our praise and worship to our most Holy God. Through our church, relationships are formed where we support and inspire one another in our daily walk with Jesus. We go far in this life because we are willing to go together. As we approach the season of Lent we have an opportunity to journey together as a church. We begin our journey of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday worship is themed around the discipline of confession. Acknowledging that we all fall short of God’s glory, we repent and return to our loving creator. Acutely aware of our brokenness and frailty, we express our utter reliance on God’s saving grace. In this service we are marked with ashes—an ancient symbol of repentance, sorrow, and sacrifice. From this place of humility, we set out on our forty-day journey of Lent— forty days; like the flood of Genesis, Moses’ sojourn at Sinai, Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb, Jonah’s call of repentance to Nineveh, and Jesus’ time of testing in the wilderness. Lent is a season of growth in faith through prayer, spiritual discipline, and self-examination in preparation for the commemoration of the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this season, we thoughtfully consider our reconciliation with God and with one another through the grace of Jesus Christ—and we will do this together. I invite you to join us on Oasis Community Wednesdays during Lent in the Landes Center to connect over dinner and a study. Pastor Joynt will lead a discussion using the new sermon series, Marked, to unpack how to grow deeper in our walk with God and as a church. Oasis Kids! and Oasis Students programming will not change. My hope and prayer is that during Lent we can go far together in our walk with God; that we understand that God wants us to grow deep in our relationships; a process that begins with a recognition of our brokenness and forgiveness; and to know that God loves us so much that God will not leave us in that place of destitute but together brings us to a life full and abundant. An Invitation to Abundant Life: Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. —Isaiah 55:1
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Family
MINISTRY
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Ash Wednesday is March 2. The idea of Ash Wednesday—and, really, of all of Lent (the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter)—is to prepare our hearts for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This may not be something we have paid much attention to in the past, and it is often very disconnected from our children’s experience. Not to mention that the truth of Easter can be tough to dig into with children. One author’s funny take points out the inherent challenges:
Tina Gilbreath
Director of Family Ministry tinag@vpc.church
So you know how we always talk about Jesus in church? Well—he died. No, no, stop crying, it's OK! He came back to life! But first he was bled to death on a giant torture device. And then he was alive again, except still dead. And that's why you get this chocolate bunny! Happy Easter!" —Gwynne Watkins Lent is an opportunity to share and dig into our faith. Little ones often enjoy connect-the-dot puzzles. They get excited seeing the hidden shape appear after connecting each letter or number in order. The goal of VPC Family Ministry for Lent this year is to help families ‘connect-the-dots’ from Ash Wednesday to Easter. We do so with the hope that as they make that connection, they grow in faith as disciples of Christ experiencing the excitement of understanding the true blessing of the Easter season. Dot 1: Ash Wednesday worship & special Children’s Program Families will be invited to receive ashes together in worship. Following this moment children fifth grade and younger will be dismissed to attend a special children’s program where they will participate in prayer stations and activities connected to the themes of Ash Wednesday—redemption and forgiveness. Dot 2: Lenten Garden Activity Kit Each child attending Ash Wednesday will receive a special Lenten Garden Activity Kit to support families making the journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The kit will include a family discussion guide, activities, and sticker page. Dot 3: Sunday Morning Sunday School Sunday mornings our wonderful team of volunteers will be leading special Palm Sunday and Easter lessons. Children will dig into scripture retelling the events of Palm Sunday and Easter with interactive stories, activities, art, and more. Parents can check out our weekly Sunday School parent guide with tips to continue the conversation at home. Dot 4: Oasis Kids!—Wednesday Nights Worship is an important part of Christian Discipleship, but it is a skill that must be learned and practiced like any other new habit. During Lent, Oasis Kids! will help kids understand various aspects of worship: praise, confession, thanksgiving, and prayer. Sticky Faith research shows that being in corporate worship contributes to lifelong faith and discipleship, so we want to help kids understand and enjoy worship! Dot 5: Palm Sunday Processional: April 10, 9 & 10:30AM Worship Children learn best when they have the opportunity to interact with information through different modalities, such as dramatic story telling. On Palm Sunday, VPC children will have the opportunity to bring the Palm Sunday story to life in worship, helping not only them but the whole congregation grow in understanding of this special day in history. Children who wish to participate should plan to attend the mandatory rehearsal on April 3 at 11:45AM in the Sanctuary.
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Dot 6: Bunny Business: April 9, 9-11AM, VPC Campus We hope you will join us for this year’s fun event! There will be candy, photo booth, inflatables, food truck, Awaken Café, and a scavenger hunt. Kids may want to focus on the candy, but you can have fun using it to remind them of the Easter story with something like the Jelly Bean Prayer: happyhomefairy.com/the-jellybean-prayer-freeprintable/. Images telling the Easter story from Palm Sunday, to the crucifixion, to the cross and resurrection will be hidden as part of the scavenger hunt. Parents and families can use these images to retell the story to each other as they walk through the scavenger hunt or later at home. Dot 7: Easter Sunday: April 17 Easter is a wonderful time to worship as a family. Children three years and older can attend worship with their parents. (Nursery is available for children under three). The celebration of Easter worship after the 40 days of Lent is like the closing and opening Olympic ceremony! Like any special occasion, Easter is so much better when celebrated as a community. The Children and Family Ministry Team will have special worship packets for your kiddos. You can also plan ahead and include one of the Easter children’s books recommended in our blog (coming out in March) in your child’s Easter basket so they can bring it to church. At VPC our Family Ministry Team is always looking for ways to support and encourage parents as they disciple their children. Parents are their child’s number one influence. If you would like more tips and resources for discipling your child, check out the resources on our Family Ministry page: vpc.church/resources/articles/memberresources/ and click on Family Workshops. We hope to see you and your family throughout this Lenten season. Blessings!
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USING THE MOBILE APP COMMITTEE TO GIVE @VPC Stewardship
VPC's Mobile App is a great new way to stay connected! You can read the order of worship for the 8AM and 9AM services, find important information about resources and events, and listen to daily devotionals and previous sermons. I also wanted to show you how the app can be used to give. It's simple, convenient, and secure:
Jim & Candy Unruh
Candy Unruh
Stewardship Committee Chair
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1. Open the VPC Mobile App and select 'Give' along the icons on the bottom of the screen 2. Touch the 'Give' image on the next screen (select 'Continue' to be taken to VPC's EasyTithe page) 3. Using VPC's EasyTithe giving portal, give the amount with which you want to support VPC! (you will have the opportunity to input credit/debit card information)
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TOUCH 'GIVE'
INDICATE THE AMOUNT
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SELECT 'GIVE'
If you have any questions, email Kris Bahr: krisb@vpc.church
Valley Presby terian
FOUNDATION
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Since the early 2000’s, Valley Presbyterian Foundation has been pleased to offer scholarships to VPC members. Over the past 20 years, 70 different students have received academic scholarships, with many students being multi-year recipients. A total of 183 scholarships totaling $195,000 have been awarded. Likewise, many students who would not otherwise have been able to participate in student trips received partial or full scholarships from the Horak Fund.
Susan Chappell
VPF Scholarship Chair
Hear from some scholarship recipients!
My scholarship has made it much more affordable for me to begin my seminary journey and path toward ministry. I'm exceedingly grateful for Valley Presbyterian Church and their supporting me with their generous financial contribution. —Charles Gillett Thank you VPC Foundation! With the scholarship I was provided to Whitworth, I’ve been able to focus on classes and new subjects in university while enjoying the outdoors sports I love! I am immensely grateful for the continued support of the Foundation for myself and other students. —Nate Kerber I am so grateful for Valley for all your support during my college experience. Thank you for being generous in so many ways! —Camille Kerber I am very grateful to have received this scholarship! It allowed me to experience education and campus life to the fullest. Thank you to the Foundation for investing in my success and my future. —Linnea Kerber Thank you so much for the scholarship! The Foundation has supported my education for the past few years and has allowed me to be on campus and more active in my academic community! —Emily Martin I appreciate the Foundation for their generosity and opportunity for this scholarship which has positively impacted me and my educational journey greatly. Thank you so much! —Jackson Martin
Scholarships fall into two categories: Academic and Student Trips. Academic: for tuition, room, and board. VPC members who are high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate, seminary students or trade school students are eligible to apply. • Erickson Scholarship: Established in 1992 with a $1,500 donation. • Simmons Scholarship: Established in 1997 with a $2,500 donation from Mary Simmons in honor of her late husband, Harold. • Patterson Scholarship Fund: Established in 2018 with a $200,000 donation from the Barbara Patterson bequest. Student Trips: provide resources for all youth to participate in camp and mission trips, regardless of financial situation. • Doris Horak Scholarship Fund: Established in 1997 with $10,000 donation from Joseph Horak in honor of his late wife, Doris. We are accepting applications now through April 15 for the 2022 VPF Scholarship at: vpc.church/vpf. We encourage you to do what so many others have done since 1976, and consider including VPF in your estate planning, thus becoming part of the Valley Legacy Society. Contact Kris for details: krisb@vpc.church.
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In a church of our size, it is not possible for the All Church Nominating Committee (ACNC) to know the names and potential of all the members who could be passionate and committed leaders. The ACNC is the team charged with identifying VPC members who feel called to lead in the church. We invite you to prayerfully nominate those members who could serve our church in leadership positions. You are an important part of this process, and we want you to participate in the nominating process! Nominations are now being accepted for the positions of Deacons, Elders, and Trustees of the Valley Presbyterian Foundation. The term of service is three years beginning in February 2023. How do I nominate someone? • Email the ACNC: acnc@vpc.church or call Committee Chair, Mike Ek: 704-965-6361, ekma99@hotmail.com • On the VPC website: vpc.church/lead • Fill out a nomination card in the church office What do volunteer leadership positions do? VPC has a large and talented staff, but much of the work of the church is done through these three areas, which focus on different areas of ministry: Elder • Should have the church’s plans and best interests as their priority • Are responsible for the mission and government of the church • Should be persons of good faith, dedication, and good judgment • Should show a willingness to be a leader Deacon • Serve as leaders of ministry teams • Emphasize relationships over tasks • Should be persons of warm character and sound judgment • Should be willing to serve the church and its community Trustee • Help develop unrestricted and restricted Funds to support the capital needs of the church • Oversee investment opportunities • Distribute the investment income as prioritized
Music &
WORSHIP
MEET MUTSUMI MORI
Mutsumi Mori holds a master’s degree in Collaborative Piano and Vocal Coaching from the University of Minnesota where she studied with renowned vocal coach and collaborative pianist, Margo Garrett, and bachelor’s degrees in Piano Performance and Choral Music Education from Northern Arizona University where she studied with Dr. Frank Scott.
Mutsumi Mori
Organist mutsumim@vpc.church
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Mutsumi is a collaborative musician who is very active in the community, playing for several high school and middle school choir programs, as well as a music therapy group for people with Parkinson's Disease, The Original Tremble Clefs. She enjoys collaborating with a variety of instrumentalists. Mutsumi grew up in a Methodist household in Japan and is passionate about preserving many beloved traditional hymns for generations to come. She also enjoys contemporary worship music very much. Through the sharing of the Word and music, she has found strength in difficult times and prays others do as well.
News from
SESSION
FEBRUARY MEETING REPORT
The Session approved seven new people for membership: William (Bill) Dineen, Laura Dineen, Vickie Falen, Johnny Kissko, Brenda Kissko, David Tindel, and Sandra Tindel. Session approved VPC entering into a new agreement for improved network service, a better server environment, and comprehensive Voice Over IP phone system. This will give VPC the IT service and support we need now and in the future. The church received a dedicated gift that will cover most of the one-time cost for the network and phones. The 2022 communion schedule was approved.
Karen Gill Meyer Clerk of Session 480-368-6567
The property appraisal from Presbytery should be ready at the end of March. The Negotiating Committee will report on reaffiliation progress at the next meeting. If you have any question or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. —Blessings, Karen Gill Meyer
ROOM D201 OPERATIONS TRANSFORMED! Finances &
When the March 2020 Foundation Dinner was cancelled due to the pandemic, the majority of those who had purchased tickets or made early donations generously redirected those dollars to Fund the Need. The focus for 2020 fundraising was audiovisual upgrades in the Chapel and two-story Education building. Those upgrades were all completed by the end of 2020, leaving about half the funds for other projects. In a continuation of efforts to enhance the spaces on the north half of campus, the Property Committee obtained bids on carpet and paint for not only the second floor classrooms but also the Administration Building. These buildings were completed early in 2002, so after 20 years they are deserving of some TLC.
Kris Bahr
The entire project is the fundraising focus for the April 1, 2022 Foundation Dinner, but Finance & Operations Director with funds still available from 2020, we were able to start with one of the rooms, and 480-991-6424 ext. 112 redo the flooring and paint in D201 (formerly known as the Upper Youth Room). krisb@vpc.church These “before” and “after” pictures show the dramatic transformation. We invite you to stop in and take a look when you are on campus—then be sure to join us on April 1 at the Foundation dinner and help us reach the goal of completing the other classrooms and Administration. Special thanks to Becky Bennett for her design expertise, and to Darvin, Will, and Ray for all their help in taking apart and putting back together.
VPC finances year-to-date as of January 31, 2022: Income
Actual $ Budget $ Variance $ Faith Giving Other Income Total Income
263,500 4,700 268,200
250,000 4,300 254,300
13,500 400 13,900
Pastoral Ministry Admin & Facility Mission, Outreach, Cong. Care Christian Education Worship & Music Total Expense
38,100 108,200 400 26,700 26,100 199,500
38,700 110,900 600 34,100 25,700 210,000
600 2,700 200 7,400 -400 10,500
68,700
44,300
24,400
Expense
Net Income less Expense
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Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 East McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, 480-991-6424 vpc.church
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Pastors: David Joynt, David Turner, Chris Woodard, Travis Kingma