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Valley Vine October 2020 Vol. 65, No. 9 Valley Presbyterian Church
Senior Pastor
DAVID JOYNT
Dear friends, For two months, we have been studying the biblical prophets. These courageous figures were not so much soothsayers as truth-sayers, less foretellers than forth-tellers. They were not primarily predictors or prognosticators, but instead discerners. They listened intently to God, and looked at their own circumstances with a steady realism, in order to discover how Yahweh was at work in their world, amid its confusions, troubles, and pressures. Their words changed history, helped to define our faith, inspired social movements, and marked the path of divine justice on the broken terrain of human society. Over the next two months, we shall take up the prophetic mantle! For the prophets are an example for us to follow as we lead VPC in the third decade of the 21st century. In October and November, we will look at the future of this congregation, endeavoring to listen to God while keeping a steady eye on the changing circumstances of our day. The sermon series is called VPC 2.0, and the title reflects a dual truth. We owe everything to the men and women who have worked and served before us, but we have unique challenges and opportunities ahead of us. No previous generation in our church faced the collapse of the mainline Protestantism, or a rising tide of aggressive secularism, as we do. Bitter political divisions, cultural revolt and protest, and fierce debates about the past and future of our nation, intensify the claims we make to offer a gospel of life and health and peace. The shape of ministry in the wake of the pandemic is also uncertain. At the same time, there are great opportunities for teaching, equipping, and outreach through new technologies. There is much to be learned from other communities of faith that are thriving in our city and region. Our new facilities provide a platform for new ventures in faith and the arts, and new strategies for building community and initiating conversation. I have asked an ad hoc committee, led by Jon Kyl, current Session member, to examine these issues and provide analysis and recommendations to Session. Members include Mary Artigue, previous elder and member of the Planning and Organization Committee; Karen Meyer, current Session Clerk; Jim Unruh, previous Elder; and Tiffany Pondelik, lifelong VPC member. But this conversation includes our entire faith community. Where do you see the opportunities and challenges, the problems and possibilities? I am more excited about ministry right now than at any other time in my life. Part of that excitement is rooted in the creativity and faithfulness of my colleagues on our staff. Part of it is generated by my trust in the quality and insight of our lay leaders. But a great deal of my excitement is born from seeing God at work in the lives of this congregation and from my strong conviction that his spirit will lead us “from below� as all of us pray and listen together. Share your perspective with our staff team, our session, or with our new committee this fall. As we study key moments in salvation history, let us trust that God is creating one right now, right here, among us. Yours in Christ,
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New Sermon Series begins October 4
A look at the opportunity for us to rise as a church to address the unique challenges facing our community. 3
YOU BLESS VPC SO GRATITUDE VPC CAN BLESS YOU Stories of
We are so grateful for the generosity of our VPC congregation’s faith giving because of the many ministries it supports—including all of our music activities.
Jennifer Hamm Minister of Music
We are blessed to have a growing choir that supports our worship services and acts as a welcoming, prayerful community for our singers. The Chancel Choir is “on pause” right now due to the pandemic. But, because of your financial support, we can continue making music for worship services. Because music is so valued at VPC, our musicians still have jobs! We were also able to hire four more Valley Singers to temporarily replace the full choir. We are pairing volunteers with paid singers to allow us to have smaller ensembles. To do this, we've purchased special “singer’s masks” for our paid singers to be able to sing safely. Our volunteers are purchasing their own masks, which are expensive, but our volunteers are willing to buy them to sing!
In these times, we are being more creative in worship and adding instrumentalists to our traditional services. This helps enhance our worship services, and it helps the musicians in our community support themselves. We have faith in our great God, and we are finding new ways to continue music safely! The choir sings beautiful anthems each Sunday that must be purchased and each singer must have their own piece of music. The average cost to sing one new anthem on a Sunday morning is $115. We have a huge library of beautiful, classical music and are continuing to add to it with more up-to-date music. For our contemporary service, we must pay an annual fee for a license that allows us to offer the music that we do each Sunday. We have several volunteers who enhance that service, but also pay several core band members to provide a solid foundation to the music at 10:30AM. For me, music was a huge part of growing up in the church. I know the importance of being raised with music. Children singing in worship gives them valuable experience, and young people that participate in choir are more likely to be in music as an adult. VPC offers music through Oasis Community Wednesdays (hopefully returning soon!) and children sing in worship a few times a year. When children are in worship they are in awe of our organ and other musical instruments! This gives them an opportunity for musical enrichment during worship. We are privileged to be able to present two concerts a year. The Valley Presbyterian Foundation supports these concerts financially, but your financial support helps our music program thrive year after year. We now have a beautiful remodeled Sanctuary, restored organ, and state of the art sound system! We are blessed by these upgrades, but they come with big financial implications. VPC hired a full time Technical Director and are working on changes to make the newly-installed systems even better. Another important factor to keep our two organs and pianos healthy is tuning them regularly. This is costly as well. We can do all of these things because of your weekly giving or annual pledges. Looking to the future, your continued support adds so much to our ministry. Our goals include community outreach through the arts. We would love to be able to create a concert series, offer music/arts classes to young people and house artists in residence at our church. While this is all exciting, it takes financial support. But I believe these things are important to continue to build the Kingdom of God. We hope we can continue to count on your generosity, not just for music, but just your weekly giving or annual pledge continue to support our music ministry and so much more.
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GOD'S WORK IS IN OUR HANDS: Taking time to talk about stewardship and giving WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP?
It's the premise that everything in the world belongs to God. We're entrusted with many gifts, and it's our responsibility to manage these gifts and resources the best we can. It doesn't mean all Christians will make the same choices about how to spend their time and money. It means we do our best and God will make good with what we've given.
Stewards of the Gospel
Understanding the Good News of Jesus Christ, which we are called to live out in the power of the Spirit and share with others.
Making the most of the time God has given us, striving to find healthy balance in work, rest, play, and service.
Stewards of truth
Embracing the life and lessons of Jesus Christ in all things.
Stewards of our time
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
-1 Peter 4:10
Stewards of each other
Accepting responsibility to relate to those around us in loving, open, and compassionate ways.
Stewards of the earth
Its natural beauty, resources, and living things. God placed us in relationship with creation and entrusted us with its care.
Stewards of our gifts
Identifying them and assessing how we can put them to work for our own growth and to share God's love with others.
WHAT'S KEY TO ALL THIS?
Ultimately stewardship is about relationships. Our relationship with God, our relationship with each other, and our relationship with God's creation.
How is God calling you to use your gifts? Learn more: vpc.church/give
Adapted from content by Peter Whitelock, Maria Showalter, and Tapan Munroe.
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RESERVE HAS RETURNED YOUR SEAT! In-person Worship
Sunday Worship | Sanctuary 8:30AM, Traditional 10:30AM, Contemporary We are excited and thankful to be able to return to in-person worship with you! Session approved a detailed mitigation plan that outlines the steps VPC and the community will take each week. We know that this will be a new and different way of attending in-person, so we ask that you familiarize yourself with the new requirements:
Reservations Required
If you plan to attend on a given Sunday, you must RSVP for you and your family. (The form requires contact name, number of those attending with you and their names, and which service you plan to attend.) The link to RSVP will go live each Monday at 9AM for the following Sunday. You must RSVP each week by Friday at 11AM if you plan to attend. Seats are limited!
When You Arrive
All attendees will have their temperature checked when they arrive on campus. Masks are to be worn by those three years old and above. We discourage the use of valved or vented masks. Masks are also required for those who wear face shields.
Nursery- 2 to 24 months
We are dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of our congregation. To do so, we are limiting the number of children in the nursery and toddler rooms at this time. Registration included on In-Person reservation form. We want to support all of our VPC families—if you are unable to register due to capacity limits, please contact Tina Gilbreath, tinag@vpc.church, so that we can make the proper accommodations for your child(ren). We are excited to see your little ones!
Not Ready Yet? That is okay! Please put your health and safety first. We understand these are still uncertain times, and while we are grateful to return, we know it's not for everyone yet. Services will still be live-streamed. There are three easy ways to watch the VPC livestream: vpc.church, YouTube, and Facebook.
Ushers Needed
Join the VPC Usher Team and serve God and your local Church community. Ushering provides a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and be involved in 6 VPC. If you would like to serve contact John Lee, 602-318-3008 or email, jwlims@aol.com.
So many things are different in our world today, but we want to assure you that we will be keeping all the important things the same at Sunday School as we reopen this month! You can still count on… • Biblically based content. • Weekly bee-line (connection) to Christ and the salvation message. • Fun and interactive lessons. • Personal connections with wonderful volunteers and peers. • Keeping our children safe! We always follow our VPC Church Protection Policy and require our volunteers to be trained and background checked. With your help we will be taking the following additional measures to keep our children, families and volunteers as safe as possible: • Reservations will be required each week. • All kids should pass through mitigation stations atthe Sanctuary with their family. • Ages 3 and up should wear masks. • Check-in inside the north Sanctuary doors and receive name tag and guardian receipts. • Children stay seated with parents during the children's message. • Following the children’s message kids will be dismissed out northwest double doors. • Staff/volunteers will meet children there and walk them in two groups (upstairs/ downstairs) to the classrooms. • Following worship parents will exit the east Sanctuary doors and head north to classrooms to pick up children. • All students will be picked up at door of classroom by parent or sibling age 12 or older at conclusion of service. • Please return to your car/parking lot via West side of church to avoid incoming service foot traffic. For more information contact Tina Gilbreath, Director Family Ministry: tinag@vpc.church
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Student
MINISTRY
EXCITING TIMES IN STUDENT MINISTRY! Oasis Student (Middle School) 6-7:30 PM Oasis Student (High school) 7:30-9PM VPC CAMPUS (with proper safety measures) Contact Travis Kingma: travisk@vpc.church
Wednesday night Oasis gatherings are a fun-filled part of VPC Student Ministry where students are invited to hang out, make friends, and grow deeper in their walk with Christ. These gatherings include exciting events and activities along with age relevant curriculum aimed at forming students in new ways to help them discover God's calling on their lives. Invite friends and get ready for an amazing time—we can't wait to see you there! VPC Welcomes Faith Anderson, Assistant Director of Student Ministry Faith grew up on the East Coast among the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Since she came to Christ in her teens, she has had a passion and interest in learning about other cultures. She received her undergraduate in Biblical Studies, and worked for TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) mentoring, training, and coaching future missionaries. Later, she lived in Thailand for two years, discipling middle school, high school, and university students. She enjoys outdoor activities, old films, and all things chocolate (but gluten free). She also has a feline companion named Kit with a big personality and bigger appetite. She's very excited to join and connect with our community!
Congregational
CARE
REFLECTING CHRIST IN CHALLENGING TIMES
One lesson I seem to be learning over and over is that happiness is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather on the choices we make in the midst of those circumstances. Look for the good, despite the challenges, and be grateful. For David Turner happiness does not Pastor of Congregational Care lead us to gratitude, but rather gratitude leads to happiness. I share this with you, because the past eight months with COVID-19 have been challenging to say the least. Many of us are feeling a little weary, but here's something I’m grateful for.
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On Sunday, August 23 we began in-person worship services with mitigation measures outlined by our Session based on the CDC, Arizona Department of Health, and the Grand Canyon Presbytery. They were designed to make our return as safe as possible. We’ve taken measures we’ve not had to before: • Asking attendees to register so that we have a means to notify all who attended in the case of an illness.
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We’ve asked that worshippers wear face coverings, wash their hands, take a temperature reading. Ushers seat us from the front to the back in order to take every precaution for physical distancing.
This is very different from what we are used to. Your grace, patience, and follow through with these measures are so appreciated. Thank you for taking the extra effort to ensure your safety and others' safety! I'm also grateful for those of you who tune in to our live-streaming worship services. I appreciate your wisdom and dedication to our church family. Finally, our return to in-person worship would not have happened without the dedication of our ushers and mitigation team members. They have volunteered countless hours planning and serving, so that we can worship our great God in person—confident that our health and safety is a high priority. In the midst of challenging times, I’ve witnessed your care and love, and I consider myself privileged to be part of your caring church family. Thank you for your patience and thank you for reflecting Christ in these stressful times.
VP C
FITNESS
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Mind, Body, Spirit (MSB) CHAIR FITNESS Tuesdays, 10-11:00AM, via Zoom Instructor: Mary Beth Senechal Register: vpc.church/classes
GENTLE FLOW CHRISTIAN YOGA Wednesdays, 5-6PM, via Zoom Instructor: Mary Beth Senechal Register: vpc.church/classes
Get your body moving, stretch, strengthen, improve your circulation, breathe, and enjoy an uplifting message! All you need is a chair, your computer, and a bottle of water. Join us for fun and the fellowship!
Join us for rejuvenating worshipful stretches and poses that are centered on Jesus Christ. Enjoy awesome Christian music, prayer, and a devotional, too! These classes, presented by Glory Christian Yoga, provide stress relief, flexibility, increased strength, better breathing, pain relief, and improved circulation.
Cost: (per household): $8 for a single class, $28 for a 4-pack
News from
MISSION
Cost: (per household): 10 for a single class, $35 for a 4-pack
A NEW HOME A GRATEFUL FAMILY
You may remember a little girl named Liksina, from the Village of Mponela, in Malawi. She had an eye infection and was unable to get a $3 tube of medication. She was permanently blinded by the infection and unable to attend elementary school because of her handicap.
Liksina was discovered by our friend Peter Barbano during a children’s program held in her village. Through a series of small miracles we got her into the Malingunde School for the Blind. She has excelled! VPC supports the school through the Lean Season Program. Liksina has graduated with honors and will be attending a tertiary school. Liksina has two younger twin sisters. Her father left after the birth of the twins. Liksina’s mother has been disabled since Liksina was in grade two. She cannot walk, her grandmother (Agogo) keeps everything going. Daniel Moyo, from Ministry of Hope, does regular home visits to the students VPC supports. During this lockdown he felt it was even more important to reach out to families of vulnerable children. It was during this visit he noticed Liksina’s family’s home was falling apart. It could not be repaired, and a whole new structure for the five of them was needed. After learning it would cost $4,000 to build a new, sound home for the family, Daniel contacted VPC. The Mission Committee prayerfully considered the project and
granted $4,400 towards this new home. The family was so excited and grateful. They are encouraged to know that VPC was willing to lend a hand during these especially difficult times. In struggling families, girls sometimes don’t stay in school but marry early to get out of the overwhelmingly poor situation. This act of kindness has encouraged the girls, and they are motivated to stay in school! Construction is going well, Daniel is overseeing each step of the project. They are so thankful for your generosity and faithfulness! The Traditional Chief of the Village came by the construction site to say they are praying for our good health and God’s blessings on us. Continue to pray for Liksina, her family, and all the children of Ministry of Hope.
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News from
SESSION
SEPTEMBER MEETING UPDATE
David Joynt reported that an Ad-Hoc Committee has been appointed to envision the future for VPC, its opportunities, and challenges. Jon Kyl will chair the committee composed of Mary Artigue, Jim Unruh, Tiffany Pondelik, and Karen Meyer. They will report to Session. Ed Glady announced the Building Project including the Classroom Building and Café will be finished in late October. Consensus was that in-person services and on-campus meetings are going well. The mitigation process is being followed. The Risk Management Committee will evaluate and pass on each ministry that wants to offer hospitality.
Karen Meyer Clerk of Session 480-368-6567
Kay Keck reported on the All-Church Nominating Committee's recommendations for Elders, Deacons, and Foundation Trustees. There will be a Congregational Meeting in late October to vote on the ACNC's nominations.
Faith Elizabeth Anderson will join VPC as Assistant Director of Student Ministry on October 1, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Karley Wilke-Nadler. Gary Greene, Bob Aldag, Doug Eaton and Marilyn Cage will serve as Delegates to Presbytery through the end of the year. The American and Christian flags will be re-hung in the Sanctuary now that it is open. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
2021 OFFERING OPERATIONS ENVELOPES Finances &
Until recently, putting the offering envelope in the plate each Sunday was the way most of our members made their tithe and offering to VPC.
In the past few years, more and more of you have chosen to make your donation by way of the required minimum Kris Bahr Finance & Operations Director distribution from your IRA.
480-991-6424 ext. 112 krisb@vpc.church family foundations.
Still others have donated appreciated stock, or have given from personal or
Finally-and especially over the past six months-more and more of you have started to make your donations online. Many also set up bill pay through your bank accounts. We are grateful for all your donations, no matter what form they take! It does raise the question of offering envelopes, however. Traditionally, we order a box of envelopes for each member for the upcoming year. With so many people giving in so many different ways, the envelope order has gradually been cut back over recent years, and that pattern will continue for the 2021 envelopes.
If you use envelopes on a regular basis, your name is already on the list for next year, and 2021 envelopes should be here by mid-December. If you don’t currently use envelopes but would like them, please email me: krisb@vpc.church. We cannot say it enough—thank you for your faithful support always, but especially during this unusual and challenging year!
WAYS TO GIVE: Offering Envelope (mail or in person) vpc.church/give Text to Give:480-372-8548 VPC finances year-to-date as of August 31, 2020 Income
Actual $
Budget $ Variance $
Faith Giving **Other Income Total Income
1,200,000 1,195,000 146,000 71,600 1,346,000 1,266,600
5,000 74,400 79,400
Pastoral Ministry Admin & Facility *Mission, Outreach, Cong. Care** Christian Education Worship & Music Total Expense
299,100 301,000 641,700 696,300 150,400 59,600 166,300 237,000 133,500 150,300 1,391,000 1,444,200
1,900 54,600 -90,800 70,700 16,800 53,200
Expense
Net Income less Expense
-45,000
-177,600
132,600
*In addition, $61,700 mission support to MentorKids, Family Promise, Ministry of Hope and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance provided upon repurposing of VPF Kurz Scholarship Fund. **$95,100 in special giving was allocated to Navajo churches, Family Promise, MentorKids, and Malawi.
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