and emotional ills, confronting evil, and helping others to enter the kingdom through faith and repentance. This incident reveals that they did not always succeed. Sometimes they could not effect a cure. Sometimes people did not respond to the message of the gospel and they had to “shake the dust” from their sandals and move on to the next challenge.
This incident also reveals that some hard problems are only amendable to prayer. When the disciples asked why they had failed in their attempts to cast out a demon and relieve a child’s suffering, Jesus said, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” We too often underestimate the importance of simple and faithful prayer.
I hope that you pray for the church in general and VPC in particular. Every area of our life together and our mission and ministry needs prayer. So do I, and so does every member of our staff and our Session, Deacons, and Trustees. You may want to pray for a specific area of our common life or for the leadership of a particular ministry.
But I want to ask you over the coming month to pray specifically for a resolution to the current negotiation with Grand Canyon Presbytery to affect our transfer to ECO. Pray for our Negotiation Team: Jon Kyl, Mary Artigue, Jim Schaller, Jim Unruh, Bill McKee, Bryan Gottfredson, and Karen Meyer. Pray for the Presbytery’s Administrative Commission, led by George Prohaska. Pray for a result both sides can honor, an agreement that is just and fair.
These next weeks are crucial and some problems can only be solved by prayer.
Yours Faithfully,
Hosted by Presbyterian
community charities
Saturday, November 19, 9AM-4PM, Landes Patio
Sunday, November 20, 10:30-11:30AM, Room C9 Sweet treats, handmade pickles, jams, unique hand-crafted gifts, costume jewelry, live music, and food for purchase will be available. Something for everyone!
Pre-Purchase Lunch Menu: Celebrating Different Regions of the World Cost: $20 per person (advanced purchase required)
Tickets: vpc.church/fmsc or church office Salad inspired by Middle Eastern & Asian cuisine Entree inspired by European cuisine Vegetable inspired by the African cuisine Dessert inspired by the North & Central American cuisine
Al la Carte Menu: Hot dog & chips: $5 Vegetable Salad: $4 Children's Menu: $5 per child Hot dog, mac & cheese, fruit
Matt Rolland and Rebekah Sandoval Rolland met as kids at the Arizona State Fiddle Contest. Rolland was a frequent contestant in Payson, and both of them grew up in family bands, playing the Arizona bluegrass and acoustic festival circuit. When they both ended up at the University of Arizona, they started a band. The partnership led them through many musical projects over the years (including bluegrass sensations Run, Boy, Run), but none more fully to the both of them than RISO.
Presbyterian Women is excited for the Mission Marketplace! When asked about what this event means to them, here is what they had to say...
We are so grateful for this opportunity to use our talents to serve! By serving others we also serve each other because this fellowship is a wonderful antidote to loneliness and isolation.
We use needles, thread, denim, cotton, felt, recycled plastic bags, crochet hooks, knitting needles, and more as we glitter and glue, cut, stitch, embroider, and paint items to sell to benefit our charities. Anything from baby blankets to tote bags to lizard-motif jewelry to dish cloths and scrubbies may be a project on any given Tuesday morning.
As one of our dear members Ginny Strachan used to say, it’s our Tuesday morning therapy group, and it continues to be a blessing to all who are lucky enough to participate.
— Margaret Wheeler
We know people think we're crazy... who hangs over boiling pots of pickles or hovers by the oven for hours making tomato jam week after week when it's 110 outside? We love creating together and laughing at our crazy messes. We do all this to come together to share our treasures with others. The proceeds will bless people in need at the end and this is the blessing for the whole Marketplace event.
— Ruth Brannan & Kathy ArnerThere are several ways we can share our gifts from God. “Faith giving” is one way. The weekly, monthly, or annual giving provides the church with resources to help the Church in the following year. Expressed as a “pledge” it expresses an intention, not an obligation.
Jim & Candy Unruh Candy Unruh Stewardship Committee ChairFall has arrived signaling the commencement of new programs. Bible Studies are engaged in discovering more about our Christian life. A superb concert series is offered bringing our community onto the campus. Our congregation continues to answer the call to serve one another. Involvement in these activities encompass the act of “stewardship.”
Fall is also the season where we celebrate with joy the call to return to God what God has provided to us through the Stewardship campaign. Giving back is a recognition that all we have is a gift from God, and we are commanded by God to be good stewards of his gifts and use them for His purpose. “All shall give as they are able, according to the blessings of the Lord your God has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17
Tithing, meaning a gift of ten percent of your income, is another way of giving. Tithing is a historic Biblical direction to believers and can enable the Church to plan and flourish.
Make this time a season where you prayerfully consider how much to return to God—mindful that returning to the Lord should be our first priority. Put God first, giving Him what he can use and being assured He will provide for our needs. Returning God’s gifts should be a priority for our spiritual health. Jesus observed, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be, also.” Matthew 6:21.
We welcome and encourage you to be good stewards of God’s wealth.
You should have received a Commitment Card with your 2023 Stewardship Brochure in the mail. You can also fill out a Commitment Card online: vpc.church/give or during worship on Sunday, November 13.
Valley Presbyterian Foundation’s Legacy Society is made up of people who have chosen to remember VPC in their will or trust.
This year we are taking extra time to highlight VPF’s Legacy Society. It is a way to commit to VPC that will last beyond yourself and empower future generations to do God’s work locally and globally.
I/We are already members ofVPF’s Legacy Society!
I/We are interested to learn more about VPF’s Legacy Society
I/We have chosen to include VPC in our will or trust, but were not aware of VPF’s Legacy Society
the gifts you are intending to give. Your gifts are investments that help do God’s work at Valley Presbyterian Church.
If you have any questions about VPF’s Legacy Society, email VPC Finance & Operations Director Kris Bahr: krisb@vpc.church
Adventures in Learning classes mean opportunities to feel connected to the Valley Presbyterian Church community. It means fellowship, catching up with old friends over breaks. Classes are times for friends, which are there for the making. I’ve seen many people, myself included, make new friends after attending a couple of Adventures in Learning classes and connecting with the same people.
Time spent in classes means being able to hear from well-regarded and well known teachers such as Senator Jon Kyl, Pearl Harbor Survivor Jack Holder, and Major Network Sports Broadcaster Gary Bender. It's an opportunity for our teachers and instructors, most of whom are a part of the VPC community, to "feel relevant."
Book Club for Men and Women
Tuesdays, November 1 & December 6
10-11:30AM, Room C204
Leader: Judith Robins
Join us for enjoyable book discussions with delicious refreshments. Read each book prior to the class and come with your thoughts and impressions.
November: The Gospel According to the Son by Norman Mailer
December: Sparring Partners by John Grisham
Balance, Posture and Strength for Men and Women
Thursdays, through December 15
10-11AM, Room C204 (No class on Thanksgiving)
Facilitator: Lynn Webb
Please join us to have fun and feel better following instructors of two alternating videos.
Taking a class gives me the opportunity to try something new, from flower arranging to history and current events. I find out things I didn't know, and I stay current. It's a great way to expand my knowledge in different areas.
And these classes are fun! I’ve attended Seasonal Cooking classes, classes exploring the rivalry between ASU vs. UofA, classes about Old Movies, and How to Watch Football, and The History of Thanksgiving (complete with pumpkin pie and whipped cream) to name a few.
Food is always plentiful, delicious, and free, and flexible times give me choices between morning, afternoon, and evening classes. Adventures in Learning classes don’t overlap with each other or with Wednesday evening classes.
I find such fulfillment when I work with the Adventures in Learning Team, and when I volunteer before, during, and after classes, serving the Lord. Last but not least, these classes help strengthen my faith and efforts to follow Jesus. There’s a Christian education class every term, and a group prayer before every class.
vpc.church/classes
Dinner available starting at 5:15PM ($5/person, $20/family)
Childcare (0-3) available by registration
With Dr. Jeff Weima, Calvin Theological Seminary Professor Wednesdays, January 4, 11, 18 6-7PM, Sanctuary & Livestream
What is the right way to read the Bible? What guidelines should believers follow to properly interpret Scripture? Can we confidently know what God is saying in his Word? Dr. Jeffrey Weima will help answer these questions in an interesting, informative, and entertaining way. This seminar will likely change the way you read and understand God’s Word!
With Phil Eaton, Ph.D.
Wednesdays, January 25, February 1, 8, 15 6-7PM, Sanctuary
There is a lot of talk these days about how to become happy. But the promise of happiness sells us short. What we really long for is joy. Joy is much deeper, more lasting, more satisfying, and life changing. Complete joy is what Jesus promises to give each one of us, and yet we are not often joyful people. We will explore the path to joy through Scripture, Christian teaching, the stories of so many men and women, and art and literature. We will consider carefully how the ancient spiritual practices—prayer, reading Scripture, silence, solitude, and worship—can lead us toward joyful lives.
For kids 3 years old—5th grade 6-7:30PM Register today! Oasis Kids! is a safe and fun environment to learn about the world in creative ways. Your child will build, draw, play, craft, sing, have fun and learn more about Jesus with staff members from our Children’s and Music ministries.
Middle School: 6-7:30PM
High School: 7:30-9PM
Middle School Program, 6-7:30PM, B108 Homework Space, 7:30-9PM, Awaken Café Connect and dig deeper with other students. Awaken Café will also be open as a homework room available for students and families to use after program is over.
High School Program, 7:30-9PM, B108 Homework Space, 6-7:30PM, Awaken Café Connect and dig deeper with other students. Awaken Café will also be open as a homework room available for students and families to use before the program.
Senator Jon Kyl, narrating featuring Valley Singers & Chancel Choir
Sunday, November 13, 4PM
Tickets: $20 | $15 | $10 | Veterans Free
A True Family Christmas
Thursday, December 8, 7PM Tickets: $60 | $40 | $20
Chancel Choir & Phoenix Symphony members
Sunday, December 11, 9AM & 10:30AM, Free
Jenina Gallaway, soprano, with Valley Singers, & friends
Thursday, January 19, 2023, 7PM
Tickets: $25 | $20 | $15
Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning trio Sunday, February 26, 2023, 4PM
Tickets: $60 (includes meet & greet) | $50 | $40 | $20
Chancel Choir & Phoenix Symphony members Sunday, April 30, 2023, 4PM
Tickets: $10
During October's Session Meeting, Pastor David Turner presented his annual report on Congregational Care and the Deacon Ministries. In David’s words, “the entire purpose of these ministries is to identify the human needs that include the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of every person that calls Valley Presbyterian Church home.” It is amazing to see how many are serving and how many are receiving from these ministries.
Session approved six new members to VPC in October.
Karen Gill
of Session
There is a water problem in the basements of the Administration and Landes buildings. Some type of pumping system needs to be installed. Session approved using funds from the Jacoby Trust and the Maintenance Reserve. Several contractors are being asked for a plan and a bid.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns: 602-568-2196, kgmeyer@cox.net
—Blessings, Karen Gill Meyer
VPC is excited & blessed to welcome Class of 2025 Trustees, Deacons, & Elders
VPF Trustee
Allen Mills
Ginny Carter
Carol Dillon
Eric Groen
Deacon
Vanessa Beauchamp Mike Holliday
Laura Dineen
Bill Dineen
Sharon Eaton
Anne Molinaro
David Molinaro
Patricia Powell
Suzanne Fullerton Wayne Powell
Nell Herzer Joan Sleeth
Elder
Beth Allen
Steve Carter
Stephanie DeHaven
Tiffany Pondelik
Judy Schumacher
Matt Voris
& Operations Director
ext. 0112
Thank you for your faithful support of VPC. It is because of gifts like yours that we are able to provide so many opportunities for worship, mission, fellowship, and education. We look forward to seeing you not only on Sundays, but also at one or all of the upcoming events
Veterans Day concert on November 13, Feed My Starving Children MobilePackTM event and Mission Marketplace on November 19 - to name just a few, all happening in the next month.
As a reminder, there are many ways you can make your donations to VPC. In addition to cash or checks, here are some options: online giving at vpc.church/give; text to give 480-372-8548; VPC app on your phone; stock donations; IRA required minimum distribution. Contact Kris Bahr in the Finance Office with questions.
VPC finances year-to-date as of September 30, 2022:
Actual $ Budget $ Variance
Faith Giving 1,485,100 1,500,000 -14,900 Other Income 185,400 145,000 40,400 Total Income 1,670,500 1,645,000 25,500
Pastoral Ministry 353,700 353,200 -500 Admin & Facility 876,400 843,800 -32,600 Mission, Outreach, Cong. Care 68,700 49,200 -19,500 Christian Education 271,600 287,800 16,200 Worship & Music 216,300 219,900 3,600
Total Expense 1,786,700 1,753,900 -32,800
Net Income less Expense -116,200 -108,900 -7,300