FOCUS
Valley Presbyterian Church week of November 24, 2019
Poinsettias @VPC New Member Celebration Sunday, December 8 10AM-10:45, Landes Patio Meet thirty-four new VPC members. These new members add their unique stories and gifts to our congregation, please take the opportunity to get to know them! Celebrate with a slice of cake!
We invite you to donate a Christmas poinsettia in honor of loved ones. Deadline for acknowledgment in the Christmas Eve bulletin is Tuesday, December 17.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES!
A NEW SERMON SERIES BEGINS DECEMBER 1 Devotionals will be available in Worship Centers and online: vpc.church/devo
Accepting donations ($15) through Christmas. Proceeds benefit orphans in Malawi. Order online: vpc.church/christmas or fill out card available in all worship centers and in the church office.
VPC Construction Updates! • APS has cleared the building for power. • Roofing is complete. • Electrical / Lighting/ Audio Visual Conduit is installed. • Church bell has been installed in the masonry wall.
Service of REMEMBRANCE
Dove Tree Service of Remembrance December 3, 2PM, Memorial Garden Pastor David Turner presiding The tree will be installed Thanksgiving weekend. 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. Join us as we remember those who have passed.
How do we show guests VPC is a place where they can belong? At VPC it's a priority to be a warm and welcoming church. Our new Deacon Hospitality Ministry, needs you! This ministry will consist of volunteer hosts, scattered throughout campus, to welcome guests on Sunday mornings between services. If you want to have some fun and meet great people, this new ministry is for you! If interested please contact David Turner: davidt@vpc.church
Care & Support Please pray for those recovering from recent medical procedures:
Sharon Arendt, Mimmo Brigandi, Sandra Gerlach, Will Gilbreath, Corenthel Green, John Hale, Millie Homan, Elizabeth Jessup, Jo Ann Jones, David Joynt, Keith Kerber, Margaret Kurtz, John Lee, Carole Marr, Jan McKenzie, Peggy Mullen, Lois Nuernberg, Lara Robinson, Nancy Savoy, Judy Schumacher, Nancy Sumner, Bob Turpin, Bob Rufenacht, Jim Unruh, Ellie Van Denburgh
Please pray for those at home or in a care facility:
Carolyn Bathurst, Kathryn Bennett, Joyce Black, Herb Blinn, Charles Buckley, Bonnie Domaz, Geoffrey Edmunds, Roger Fercho, Donna Gardner, Ginny Groom, Luella Gross, Sara Hammond, Louella Hermanson, Jean Hiser, Jeannette Huggins, Evelyn Jenkins, Sue Larson, Jim Lawrence, Jim & Mary Lorenz, Carolyn McElhaney, Dee Melde, John Mueller, Dorothy Nern, Janet Nielsen, Joyce Newlon, Judy Owens, Larry Parker, Roy States, Mary Strasser, Bette Vyskocil, Helen Wolfe 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 Wanda Biggs.
If you have any questions about Sanctuary construction, please contact Ed Glady: edward.glady@sandersparks.com, 602-738-8009 or Kris Williams: kgwilliams123@cox.net, 602-619-6578
Church bell installed.
Z-purlin canopy/patio cover installed.
Read more about these events inside the Focus!
VPC News Commitment Sunday Thank You
Over the past several weeks you have been Invited to See, Invited to be Made Whole, Invited to Reconsider, and Invited to Serve. Last Sunday 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. 184 households completed commitment cards, pledging $1,053,300. 263 additional households give to VPC regularly, and their expected commitment will total $707,000. We are so grateful for this support of over $1.76 million, a slight increase from 2019.
Advent.ure A great way to start the Christmas season
Praise God for your generosity and support of A New Heart for the Valley campaign, with over $11.6 million in pledges (and counting!) as of November 20.
Valley Presbyterian Church 6947 East McDonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, 480-991-6424 vpc.church Pastors: David M. Joynt, David L. Turner, Chris D. Woodard, Travis W. Kingma
ICM THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Bags available in worship centers. Last chance, bring back by tomorrow!
Belong
VPC is a place where you can
We're glad you are here today! 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. New to VPC? Welcome! We want to know what VPC can do for you. First Step Cards are available in all worship centers. Feel free to fill it out, drop it in an offering tray, or give it to a volunteer at the Welcome Center. Want to join our growing community? You can join today! If this is your first time at VPC or you've been coming for months and are moved to join our church, a Pastor and a church leader will be available after worship to talk and pray with you. If you’re here with kids, We have several fun and safe opportunities for kids: Nursery: Sunday School: If your kids stay in worship, check (Infants-2 years) 3 years-5th grade out the worship activity cart in 8:45-11:45AM 9:15-10 & 11-11:45AM each worship center.
Childcare is offered wherever you see an asterisk: * Questions? Email Brianne Bergfeldt: nursery@vpc.church
Calendar of Events
Advent.ure A great way to start the Christmas season
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 (during Oasis Community Wednesday) 6-7:30PM, LANDES CENTER & COURTYARD RSVP: Tina Gilbreath: tinag@vpc.church $10 donation requested for wreaths Two Food Trucks with food available for purchase It's a party to start the Christmas Season! Families of all ages are welcome to participate in this celebration. If you've observed Advent in years past, this is a great opportunity to join other friends and family. If you've never heard of Advent or don't know what it's about, this is fun and family-friendly way to start the season. There is so much to do at Advent.ure! • Make a family Advent Wreath • Help VPC Student Ministry make luminarias for Christmas Eve • Decorate delicious cookies for your family or to give away • Create and craft stars to decorate the Landes stage during Advent and Christmas • Wrap presents for MentorKids Christmas party (feel free to bring a present for MentorKids, if you haven't had the chance) • Christmas Photo Booth? Christmas Photo Booth! • Meet some of the same animals present at the manger at the Sounds of the Manger • Check out some great Advent and Christmas books picked by VPC Staff • Have dinner together with food from Queso Good & Hummus Express food trucks • Hear the Christmas Story and sing Silent Night
Tickets: vpc.church/music We will take you 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
Angel Tree Christmas Toy Drive MentorKids & Tuba City Toy Drive November 24-December 8 We will collect toys for the MentorKids Christmas Party, ensuring each child gets a gift. Remaining gifts are then delivered to our partners in Tuba City to help their celebrations. A list of possible gifts will be available in Worship Centers and online.
Join us to celebrate the start of the season! Here's the schedule for the evening: 5-7PM: Food Trucks; Hot Cocoa; Sights and Sounds of the Manger in Landes Courtyard 6-7:30PM: Activities available in Landes Center 7:30PM: Candlelighting and Silent Night in Landes Center
Advent Study
MentorKids USA Christmas Party
MentorKids USA Christmas Party December 14, 9AM-2PM, West Lot Volunteers Needed Contact Chris Woodard: chrisw@vpc.church Help put together an amazing celebration for the children and families of MentorKids! Bouncies, climbing wall, popcorn, face-painting, snow, food, and much more! Assistance needed for any length throughout the event.
at Oasis Community Wednesdays
ICM Thanksgiving Food Drive Chris Woodard: chrisw@vpc.church Bags available in worship centers. One more day, bring bags in by tomorrow morning.
Rick Warren’s The Purpose of Christmas Instructor: Jerry Sayre Wednesdays, December 11 & 18 6-7PM, Chapel
ICM Food & Clothing Bank meets the basic needs, six days a week, for up to 160 families. Monetary donations of any size also appreciated.
Rick presents and explains on the profound origins of Christmas and shows how we can welcome the season of peace into our lives. Video, short lecture, Q&A, and Christmas cookies.
Sunday, November 24 Worship Chancel Choir Rehearsal Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Kaleidoscope Community Group Middle School Gathering Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Boomer Community Group Sages Community Group Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) High School Lunch Bunch
Chapel Room 419 Nursery Landes Center Room 409 Landes Basement Rooms 404-417 Room 415-416 Calvin Center Nursery Landes Center Rooms 404-417 Landes Basement
8AM 8:30AM 8:45AM 9AM 9AM 9AM 9:15AM 10AM 10:30AM 10:30AM 10:45AM 11AM 12PM
Monday, November 25 Valley Day School (VDS)
Day School Rooms
9AM
Tuesday, November 26 Valley Day School (VDS) Mah Jongg & Mah Jongg Pickleball Boy Scout Troop 441
Day School Rooms Fireside Room Landes Center Landes Center
9AM 9AM 4:30PM 7PM
Wednesday, November 27 NO OASIS KIDS!/STUDENTS Men's Breakfast Fireside Room Alzheimer's Support Group Chapel Room 602
6:30AM 10AM
Thursday, November 28 Church Office Closed-Thanksgiving Holiday Friday, November 29 Church Office Closed-Thanksgiving Holiday Alcoholics Anonymous
Landes Center
7:30PM
Chapel Room 419 Nursery Landes Center Room 409 Kiva Field Rooms 404-417 Calvin Center Nursery Landes Center Rooms 404-417
8AM 8:30AM 8:45AM 9AM 9AM 9AM 9:15AM 10:30AM 10:30AM 10:45AM 11AM
Saturday, November 30 Sunday, December 1 First Sunday of Advent Worship Chancel Choir Rehearsal Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Kaleidoscope Community Group Parents vs. Students Kickball Game Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade) Sages Community Group Nursery (infant-2 y.o.) Worship Sunday School (3 y.o.-5th grade)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Chronicles 16:34 Thanksgiving blessings, The VPC Staff