Poinsettias @VPC VPC Hosting Family Promise December 22-29 Chris Woodard: chrisw@vpc.church Family Promise provides emergency shelter and basic needs designed to assist their return to self-sufficiency. Family Promise partners with VPC to provide safe overnight shelter, food, and compassion to families in crisis. Contact Chris if you're interested in getting involved.
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. We will accept donations ($15) through Christmas. Proceeds benefit orphans in Malawi. Order online: vpc.church/christmas or fill out an order form available in all worship centers and in the church office.
You are not alone. vpc.church/mentalhealth
We will discuss suicide awareness, the warning signs of suicide, and how to effectively provide bereavement support to community members after a suicide has occurred.
Ornament Exchange
Supporting a loved one who is experiencing holiday depression, anxiety or stress can be difficult. You may not understand why your loved one feels or acts a certain way. Here are some general tips to help: • Ask your loved on how you can help them. • Be patient – learning and practicing new coping strategies takes time. • Listen and offer support, but avoid pushing unwanted advise. • Set boundaries and seek support for yourself, if needed. -Canadian Mental Health Association/Alberta
Care & Support
Please pray for those recovering from recent medical procedures:
Sharon Arendt, Sandra Gerlach, Corenthel Green, John Hale, Alan Hartley, Kathy Hazslip, Millie Homan, Elizabeth Jessup, Jo Ann Jones, Margaret Kurtz, John Lee, Dick Lockwood, Carole Marr, Jan McKenzie, Peggy Mullen, Lois Nuernberg, Lara Robinson, Nancy Savoy, Judy Schumacher, Nancy Sumner, Bob Rufenacht, Bob Turpin, Ellie Van Denburgh
Family Worship
Women's Ministry Ornament Exchange Today, 4-7PM Register: vpc.church/women Contact Karley Wilke-Nadler for address: karleyg@vpc.church Celebrate the Christmas season with the ladies and friends of VPC. Dinner is provided and some carols, too. Bring an appetizer or a dessert to share, an ornament to exchange, and a friend!
Note: Only one worship service on Sunday, December 29 9:30AM, Landes Center Tina Gilbreath: tinag@vpc.church
ADVENT SERMON SERIES Devotionals are available in Worship Centers and online: vpc.church/devo
Children ages three and above are invited and encouraged to join the congregation during worship. Family Worship is an important opportunity to teach the next generation what worship is all about!
Rev. Rex Sample Book Launch Party Wednesday, December 18, 2-4PM, Room 409 Rev. Rex Sample has been an influentuial presence in the lives of VPC members who spend time in Munds Park, AZ during the year. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear Rev. Sample, longtime pastor at Munds Park Community Church, who has been preaching for 70 years, here is your chance! Rex has recently published his autobiography, One Man’s Search for God. As a teen, he gave his life to Christ, but circumstances turned his life away from the church. Learn how God brought him back. Angel Tree Tuba City Toy Drive Please bring by December 18 We are collecting toys for Tuba City ensuring each child gets a gift. Gifts will be delivered to our partners in Tuba City to help their celebrations. Take a tag off the Angel tree in Worship Centers.
Carolyn Bathurst, Kathryn Bennett, Joyce Black, Herb Blinn, Charles Buckley, Bonnie Domaz, Geoffrey Edmunds, Roger Fercho, Donna Gardner, Ginny Groom, Sara Hammond, Louella Hermanson, Jean Hiser, David Horton, 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, Bette Vyskocil, Helen Wolfe For more information about those in our community, call Tammy: 480-991-6424 x163 Our church family extends its Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Mary Strasser.
Read more about these events inside the Focus!
Ornament Exchange
Looking for a simple way to support what God is doing at VPC? vpc.church/give
If you are 70.5+ or older, you may transfer up to $100,000 per year directly from your financial institution to support: • Valley Presbyterian Church, Annual Faith Giving • A New Heart for the Valley, Capital Campaign • Valley Presbyterian Foundation, Legacy Giving
VPC FINANCIAL SUMMARY: Year-to-date as of November 30, 2019 Income $1,986,841 Expenses $2,003,747 For a more detailed update, check out the latest edition of the Valley Vine, online: vpc.church/vine or contact Kris Bahr: krisb@vpc.church, 480-991-6424 ext. 112
Please pray for those at home or in a care facility:
Sympathy
week of December 15, 2019
VPC News
MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY
Suicide Prevention and Postvention Workshop: Understand the Warning Signs of Suicide and How to Support Those Bereaved by Suicide Hosted by La Frontera Arizona/Empact Suicide Prevention Center Community Monday, January 13, 6:30-8PM, Room 409 Facilitator: Steve Schiro, EMPACT Register: vpc.church/care
FOCUS
Valley Presbyterian Church
LANDES CENTER 2:30PM* Worship Band 4PM* Worship Band
(4PM Chapel overflow with simulcast sermon)
6PM*
Chancel Choir & Brass
Women's Ornament Exchange Today, 4-7PM Contact Karley Wilke-Nadler: karleyg@vpc.church
Christmas Eve @ VPC
*Childcare available for kids 0-2
CHAPEL 8PM Valley Singers & Communion SOLD OUT! Wait-list only. If you bought tickets but can't use them, please return them to the church office.
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