December Valley Vine

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Valley Vine December 2021 Vol. 66, No. 10 Valley Presbyterian Church

IN THIS ISSUE: Advent & Christmas Eve at VPC Upcoming Events Remembering Our Loved Ones The Door is Open for You Make a Difference David Turner A Precious Gift to VPC Candy Unruh Of Concerts & Community Bev Cooper News from Session Karen Meyer You are a Part of What God is Doing Kris Bahr

Senior Pastor

DAVID JOYNT Dear friends,

David Joynt

davidj@vpc.church

What do Alvin and the Chipmunks, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey, and Bruce Springsteen have in common? They all recorded songs that are part of our new Series! Starting on the last weekend of November we will contrast one classic secular tune with a corresponding biblical theme. The series is Christmas Playlist.

Our individual experience of the season, like our individual experience of our faith, can be shallow and profound, intensely meaningful and utterly trivial. Often deep humanlongingsandpersistentquestionsre5ectedi songs we sing and in the art we create. With the arrival of Jesus, God enters into our story to reshape those longings and answer those questions.

Dig into the scriptural themes we are exploring each Sunday by engaging with our VPC devotional, which is available as a booklet, a study guide, or in daily video form.Taketimetore5ectonfamiliarscripturesfromne angles. Listen to the music all around you in the mall, on the radio, and at parties. Be ready to enjoy singing the classic songs of Advent and the great Christmas carols in worship.

May this season at VPC create new and beautiful memories that feed your fruit and enable fruitfulness.

Blessings,

Here are the weekend classic songs and scriptures:

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November 28 Pastor David Joynt Christmas Don't Be Late Ephesians 1:3-10

December 19 Pastor Chris Woodard I'll Be Home for Christmas Luke 2:1-7

December 5 Pastor David Joynt Blue Christmas Luke 1:21-25, 39-45, 57

Christmas Eve-December 24 Pastor David Joynt All I Want for Christmas is You John 1:1-5, 9-14

December 12 Pastor David Joynt A Wonderful Christmas Time Matthew 2:1-2

December 26 Pastor Travis Kingma Born to Run Matthew 2:13-15

Highlighte d

EVENTS

Advent.ure Wednesday, December 1 5:30-7:30PM, Awaken Café Plaza

Start the holiday season with friends, family, and fun!

Keeping Christmas

Featuring the VPC Chancel Choir & full orchestra including Phoenix Symphony musicians Monday, December 6 7PM, Sanctuary Tickets ($10): vpc.church/music

Service of REMEMBRANCE

Dove Tree Service of Remembrance Tuesday, December 7, 2PM Memorial Garden

Feel free to come to the Garden, write a name on a dove, place it on the tree, and offer a prayer.

Presbyterian Women Christmas Luncheon & Program Wednesday, December 22 11AM, Landes Center

RSVP for lunch: Ruth Brannan, zrbrannan@q.com Christmas music presented by Barbara Johnson & GayNell Cronin.

Everyone is welcome to attend!

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Sunday Mornings NATIVITY PAGEANT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

9 & 10:30AM services Celebrate the coming arrival of the Christ child with VPC's annual Nativity Pageant!

Events

ONE WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26

In-person & livestream Sanctuary, 9:30AM Bring 2021 to a joyous close at VPC.

ADVENT.URE

Wednesday, December 1, 5:30-7:30PM, Awaken Café Plaza, Sign up: vpc.church/events It's an event to start the Christmas season! Families of all ages are welcome.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: KEEPING CHRISTMAS

Featuring the VPC Chancel Choir and members of the Phoenix Symphony Monday, December 6, 7PM, Sanctuary, Tickets ($10): vpc.church/music Join us for our annual Christmas Choir Concert as we treat you to beautiful images on the walls of our renovated Sanctuary along with music and narration to prepare you for Christmas.

Sponsored by Valley Presbyterian Foundation.

DOVE TREE SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE

Tuesday, December 7, 2PM, Memorial Garden, Pastor David Turner presiding If you have lost a loved one, feel free to come to the Memorial 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.

VPC MOVIE NIGHT: THE STAR

Wednesday, December 8, 6-7:30PM, Awaken Plaza, Free Spend an evening under the stars watching the Nativity-themed animated move, The Star! Bring a blanket and a lawn chair. Snacks will be provided and food will be available for purchase.

MENTORKIDS USA CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday, December 11, 10AM-1PM, VPC South Parking Lot Email Chris Woodard, Pastor of Mission & Engagement to volunteer: chrisw@vpc.church VPC is excited to host another awesome holiday event for MentorKids USA! We need 250 gifts

by December 6. Please take a tag from a tree outside the Sanctuary, Awaken Café, or Chapel.

VALLEY VOCAL ENSEMBLES CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Monday, December 13, 7:30PM, Sanctuary, Free Come hear VPC'S resident community youth ensembles perform your favorite Christmas music, including Silent Night and Carol of the Bells.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A GCU CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, December 15, 7PM, Sanctuary, Free Festive performances by Grand Canyon University performing arts groups Canyon Chorale, Critical Mass Choir, and Members of the Canyon Symphony Orchestra.

HOSTING FAMILY PROMISE OF GREATER PHOENIX

VPC is Hosting over Christmas break Sunday, December 19-Sunday, December 26 Email Chris Woodard, Pastor of Mission & Engagement to volunteer: chrisw@vpc.church Family Promise rescues families from the streets to provide emergency shelter & basic needs in a 60-day program 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.

ANGEL TREE TOY DRIVE: FAMILY PROMISE & TUBA CITY, AZ

Return gifts by Monday, December 20 Email Chris Woodard, Pastor of Mission & Engagement with questions: chrisw@vpc.church Please take a tag from a tree outside the Sanctuary, Awaken Café, or Chapel and bring back an unwrapped toy. Gifts collected by December 6 (need 250 gifts) go to the MentorKids Christmas Party, all other gifts go to our other mission partners.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON & PROGRAM

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Wednesday, December 22, Landes Center, 11AM Christmas music presented by Barbara Johnson and GayNell Cronin RSVP: Ruth Brannan, zrbrannan@q.com Everyone is welcome!

Friday, December 24 In-person & livestream, VPC Sanctuary

2PM 4PM 6PM 8PM

Worship Band with drums & bass Worship Band with drums & bass Chancel Choir with organ, violin & harp Valley Singers with organ, violin & harp

Outdoor & overflow seating available at all services Childcare (0-35 months) available at 4 & 6PM

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REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES

David Turner

Pastor of Congregational Care 480-991-6424 ext. 121 davidt@vpc.church

Congregational

CARE

During Advent we acknowledge family and friends who have passed into God’s Glory. If you have lost a loved one, feel free to come to the Memorial Garden to write the name of your loved one on a dove, place it on the tree and oerasilentprayer.Thetreewillbeinstalled on December 1, and the doves & pens will be available.

This service is a moving and meaningful time; a chance to remember and a chance to heal. It's a tradition that becomes more sacred with each passing year.

Service of Remembrance Tuesday, December 7, 2PM, Memorial Garden

Service of REMEMBRANCE

Dove Tree Service of Remembrance Tuesday, December 7, 2PM Memorial Garden 6

Feel free to come to the Garden,write a name on a dove starting December 1, place it on the tree, and offer a prayer.

OPEN DOOR IS FOR YOU!

There are few things more enjoyable than spending time with old friends and becoming acquainted with new ones. Starting January 2022, VPC is launching our new Open Door Ministry, designed around a “happy hour” concept on a Friday or Saturday.

The goal of these events is to create opportunities for fellowship that may not always occur on a Sunday morning.

Eachvenuewillbedierentandnotwo Open Door events will be the same.

Registration for each event is required as space is limited.

Questions? Email David Turner, Pastor of Congregational Care: davidt@vpc.church January Open Door Event Saturday, January 22, 4-6PM Miles and Tiffany Pondelik’s home Register: vpc.church/events

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

David Turner

Pastor of Congregational Care 480-991-6424 ext. 121 davidt@vpc.church

Deacon

MINISTRY

The Tasty Spoon Ministry Needs You! Maybe you've been there—a season of life where you're struggling to just keep your head above water. Where life piles upon life, crisis upon crisis, and even day-to-day needs seem daunting? In the midst of those times, how great is it to have someone else prepare a meal for you?

It may seem simplistic, but sometimes the compassion and thoughtfulness of someone who cooked a simple meal made all the dierenceforyou.That'swhattheTasty Spoon Ministry does. If you enjoy cooking and wanttomakeadierenceforsomeone,thisis the ministry for you. Whether it be returning from the hospital or rehab, facing a time of grief, or even a time of celebration with the addition of a new family member, Tasty Spoon steps in and gives some delicious support.

You may be a budding chef or just enjoy making a simple meal and are looking for a way to serve in our church in a way that can makeadierenceforsomeoneelse;wed love to have you share in the Tasty Spoon Ministry. If you’re interested in being a part of this ministry or learning more about it, please contact Pastor David Turner.

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Stewardship

COMMITTEE Mega Qualified Charitable Distribution

A PRECIOUS GIFT TO VPC

What is a Mega QCD? • A substantial tax deduction only available in 2021 • A cash distribution from an IRA or company planasadonationtoacharityqualiQes • An unlimited dollar amount, unlike regular QualiQedCharitableDistributionstha a $100,000 limit

Attention those aged over 59½. A unique charitable Jim & Candy Unruh gifting opportunity exists this year, Candy Unruh Stewardship Committee 2021. The Mega WhocanbeneQtfromtheMegaQCA? QualiQedCharitableDistributionMQCD) ( has • IRA and retirement plan account holders been made available until December 31, 2021. age 59 ½ or older The Stewardship Committee would like to • Clients wanting to give money to charity in make those who qualify aware of this special 2021 opportunity for gifting to VPC. • Clients with itemized tax deductions on their 2021 tax return Why is the Mega QCD special in 2021?

• Clients still looking for a way to satisfy a • The CARES ACT allows the year end 2021 RMD if age 72+ deduction limit to be raised to 100% • Mega QCD allows retirement plan clients The Stewardship Committee encourages the opportunity to take advantage of this youtoconsultyourtaxorQnancialadvisor oer if interested in using the Mega QCD as a charitable contribution vehicle. We thank you for the precious gifts you give to VPC.

Presbytery Consultation Sunday, December 5, following worship services 9AM, Chapel | 10AM, B106 | 11:30AM, B106

Administrative Commission of the Grand Canyon Presbytery would like further information regarding how VPC members feel about Session’s decision to move to the ECO denomination from PCUSA. We would like you to visit briefly with the AC and share your opinions and perspectives.

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Valley Presby terian

FOUNDATION

This fall VPC introduced the 20212022 Concert Series!

All of the following concerts are made possible because of the present and past legacy monies that Bev Cooper Valley Presbyterian VPF Trustee Foundation has received for the music fund. VPF only uses the funds gained from the investing of legacy gifts. This means that VPF can continue to fund concerts and more far into the future. If you enjoy these events consider a VPF legacy gift so we can continue this very popular music series.

TheQrstconcert, Sounds of Autumn, featured renowned violinists Lan Qui and Joy Pan. Joy blew the audience away with her electric violin performance of “Storm” from “The Four Seasons!" Mutsumi Mori, VPC's new Organist, joined the concert with piano solos with oboe master Marian Buswell. We were also fortunate to have musicians from the Phoenix Youth Symphony. A quote from a letter sent to Jennifer Hamm stated, “I wanted to thank you for hosting this concert and providing us students with an opportunity to play for a real audience. The program was so well-organized - plus the sound in the church was amazing!”

OF CONCERTS & COMMUNITY

From Opera to Broadway, featuring Broadway Music Director/Conductor James May and San Francisco Opera Tenor Chad Millar presented some of the greatest moments from musical theater and opera. They received numerous standing ovations from the audience. Special guest artists brought more outstanding musical performances. An inspiring “My America” piano solo by James May was pictured on the screens of scenes put together

by VPC’s technical director, Pat Milleti. Almost 300 people got to enjoy this concert!

Now it’s on to Keeping Christmas! Tickets are going fast for VPC's annual Christmas Concert.

Get yours today! In 2022, we resume the Concert Series with David Phelps Live: Game Changer on January 28, 2022. David is one of today’s most spectacular Christian voices. Get your tickets now as both these concerts will sell out.

Our last concert, An Afternoon with Mark Hayes, with VPC Chancel Choir & Musicians on March 27 is sure to be a concert not to be missed.

Minister of Music, Jennifer Hamm, deserves credit for her venture into a concert series.

Her goal is to enrich VPC’s music program and community with professional talent at an aordableprice.

Valley Presbyterian Church

2021-2022

Concert Series

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Learn more & get tickets: vpc.church/music

News from

SESSION

Session received the Ministry Area Review on the Deacons and Pastoral Care from Pastor David Turner.

How these committees met the challenges of the pandemic and their achievements are amazing! VPC is Karen Gill Meyer Clerk of Session fortunate to have 480-368-6567 so many dedicated volunteers and their leader, David Turner.

The AC Commission of the Grand Canyon Presbytery is returning to get more feedback frommembersonVPC'sdisa]liationrequest.

241 households responded to their survey and they want to hear from more members. Session encourages everyone who is interested to stop by on the morning of December 5.

NOVEMBER MEETING REPORT

Session discussed the bankruptcy proceedings of the Boy Scouts of America. VPC has been a Charter Organization since the 1960’s. Risk Management and Ed Glady studied the situation and our options in depth and made recommendations to Session.

The Session voted to accept the Boy Scouts of America U.S. Bankruptcy plan and to assign any and all rights we have to BSA Insurance to the settlement fund to obtain immunity for all post 1975 claims.

Jim Arner reported that the A New Heart for the Valley Capital Campaign now has pledges exceeding the total cost of the project. All pledges should be paid by the end of next year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

—Blessings, Karen Gill Meyer

YOU ARE A PART OF OPERATIONS WHAT GOD IS DOING Finances &

On November 14, 2022 promises to be a very exciting year in the life we invited you to be of VPC.! Thank you for being on this journey with us. a part of what God is doing at VPC. In his From a long time member— message, Pastor Joynt I love Jesus and I want to give to Valley Presbyterian asked you to consider Church. the 10 Reasons to Pledge and Invest in From a winter visitor— VPCof ( thecountless We only wish we could share more in the life of what we reasons to glorify see as a very vibrant and loving congregation… We love God through our the remodeled Sanctuary… Blessings on your work!

Kris Bahr Finance & Operations Director generosity)what reasons resonate 480-991-6424 ext. 112 VPC finances year-to-date as of October 31, 2021: krisb@vpc.church most with you?

Your response has been overwhelming! We've received 181 pledge cards, totaling $1,116,168, for an average pledge of $6,167. Compared to last year, by the end 2020 we had received 213 cards totaling $1,182,616, averaging $5,552.

We are grateful for each person who submitted a card, and we are also grateful for those who do not submit a card, yet give faithfully. When considering that group, projected 2022 faith giving is about $100,000 greater than was projected at this same point last year.

Income

Actual $ Budget $ Variance $ Faith Giving 1,538,900 1,510,000 Other Income 303,100 300,500 Total Income 1,842,000 1,810,500

28,900 2,600 31,500

Pastoral Ministry 387,200 389,100 Admin & Facility 846,900 830,500 Mission, Outreach, Cong. Care 71,700 71,400 Christian Education 272,400 287,700 Worship & Music 247,200 250,400 Total Expense 1,825,400 1,829,100

1,900 -16,400 -300 15,300 3,200 3,700

Expense

Net Income less Expense

16,600

-18,600

35,200

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