Advent and Christmas at Valley

Transcription

1 Valley Community Presbyterian Church December 2015 Sundays at Valley Adult Education Class, 9:00 a.m. Early Coffee in Library, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 10:00 a.m. Sunday Funday, 10:20 a.m. Nursery Care, 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. Coffee Fellowship, 11:00 a.m. December 6 Second Sunday of Advent Communion Advent Fair, 11:30 a.m. 13 Third Sunday of Advent Pageant of the Holy Nativity Session Meeting with New Members, 11:15 a.m. Christmas Cookie Trays- Youth Mission Fundraiser Kidz Mart, 11:30 a.m. 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent Cents-Ability Offering Dining for Women Meeting, 11:30 a.m. 24 Nativity Tableau, 6:00 p.m. Candlelight and Communion Worship, 8:00 p.m. 27 January 3 Communion Advent Fair December 6 see page 4 Advent and Christmas at Valley Advent means coming. It s the first season of the Christian year, and we wait with great anticipation for the coming of Christ. It s a season of Holy waiting: waiting for God s peace to come to earth waiting for the light of Christ to shine waiting for the shepherds, the angels, and the Christ child. We light the Advent candles, one more each week, as we watch for the light of Christ. We sing Advent hymns first as we wait for the Christmas hymns to begin. We hear the stories leading up to Jesus birth from the gospel of Luke. We wonder and marvel with the shepherds and hear the angels announcement with great joy. We journey to Bethlehem in our hearts and minds, waiting for the birth of the Christ child. December 6 Advent Fair Second candle of Advent is lit. After worship, all are invited to Davis Hall/ Gym for the Advent Fair. Start the season with wreath making, children s crafts, fellowship and treats. December 13 Pageant of the Holy Nativity Third candle of Advent is lit. The Pageant of the Holy Nativity in Worship tells the Christmas story through classical music and dance presented by Valley s Sanctuary Choir, Youth Choir, and King s Kids Choir. It ends with a child soloist on Silent Night; you will leave Worship with the peace of the season. December 20 Fourth Sunday in Advent Fourth candle of Advent is lit. The Sanctuary Choir sings Hayden s Run Ye Shepherds to the Light with guest soloist, Catherine Olson. The Christmas Joy Offering is received. December 24 Christmas Eve 6:00 p.m. Worship features the Children s Nativity Tableau. If K-5th grade children would like to participate, contact the office by December 14. 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship with the Sanctuary Choir and Communion. Christmas celebration continues through Epiphany, January 10. Awakening Souls, Sharing Joy, Serving God in Christ - TRANSFORMING LIVES

2 Pastor s Column ADVENT: Waiting Preparing The Advent season has a long tradition in the history of the Christian Church, beginning somewhere near the end of the fourth century. In the past, Advent was observed as a season of penitence in preparation for the joyous celebration of Christmas. Now we celebrate Advent as a season of waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ. But for some, this holy season, with all its brightness and magic, can suddenly turn into a nightmare of panic and guilt as one tries to do it all in preparing for Christmas. Some people decide to let go of old traditions in order to put simplicity and sanity back into the season, but then wonder why they just can t get into the Christmas spirit. Sometimes it s hard to find a Pastor Ben Paroulek calm place when our culture surrounds us with a celebrative frenzy. This is also a season when people who are alone or who have lost loved ones struggle with loneliness and isolation. Then, of course, we deal with the fear and anxiety around global terrorism and the sad reality of war. My prayer for all of us is that we can find an oasis of calm and spiritual renewal by turning to our church family. Sometimes it seems like church activities are just one more thing to get crowded into our calendar but I urge you to make Valley Community Presbyterian Church a top priority this year, for your sake and for the sake of others who will value your presence. Consider all the activities we offer and invite a friend to join you. You may be an angel of healing for them. Let us wait together and prepare for the birth of Christ in our world and in our hearts. THE MESSENGER VALLEY COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 8060 SW BRENTWOOD ST. PORTLAND, OR FAX mail@valleycommunity.org PASTOR BEN PAROULEK NEWSLETTER STAFF: SHIRLEY HERCHER AND ANGELA GRAHAM PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA BY DECEMBER 15 FOR THE JANUARY ISSUE: messenger@valleycommunity.org THE NEWSLETTER STAFF RETAINS PERMISSION TO MODIFY SUBMISSIONS FOR CLARITY, SPACE, CONTENT AND STYLE. Financial Report Thank you Valley members and friends reflecting Christ s love in continued support of our church, local and world-wide missions. Even so, please note that we are a little behind our financial goals for It would be very helpful to our ministries if you would be sure to pay your pledge by the end of the year. Secondly, if your family is like mine, you may find yourself making more purchases online, especially using Amazon as a vendor. Did you know that Amazon will route 0.5% of the funds you spend with them to a charity of your choice? There are no additional funds from you - Amazon donates on your behalf! How awesome is that?! Go to Smile.Amazon.com, click on Your Account, and look for Charity. It really cannot be more simple once you ve chosen a charity. My family has designated the Valley Community Presbyterian Church Foundation (the only account set up for Valley so far). Frank Powers, Valley Treasurer Valley Christian Preschool still has openings for children ages 2 ½ - 5 years, and it s not too late to enroll your child! Contact Kristina Kurtz at or kristina@valleycommunity.org for more information. Join us! Page 2 Valley Messenger December 2015

3 Christmas Joy Offering Promises Made, Promises Kept The Christmas Joy Offering is one of four special offerings received during the year. This year, the theme is Promises. During Advent we remember God s promises to us. We wait in hope for the coming of the promised Emmanuel, God with us. And God, who has promised, is faithful. On Christmas Day we celebrate that the promise is kept in the birth of Jesus Christ! We have the opportunity to join this celebration of God s faithfulness by supporting those in need of help and hope. By supporting the Board of Pensions, the Christmas Joy Offering honors the faithfulness of current and retired church workers, many of whom spend their working lives serving small congregations for little pay, in their time of need by providing financial assistance to support them through life s challenging circumstances. These actions of generosity bear witness to our faithful response to God s charge to love one another as Christ commanded. PC(USA) has long promoted education and leadership development through the establishment and support of racial ethnic schools and colleges. Our future racial ethnic church leaders are able to receive much-needed assistance while they discover and pursue their professional goals at Presbyter-related schools and colleges. Your gifts allow these ministries, which Presbyterians have carried out for decades, to continue. Menaul School in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Presbyterian Pan American School, in Kingsville, Texas; and Stillman College, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, are the schools whose students are assisted by the Christmas Joy Offering. Dining for Women Meets December 20 Learn about The Little Sisters Fund in Nepal All are invited! Dining for Women meet December 20 at 11:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room after Worship. The featured non-profit for the month is The Little Sisters Fund in Nepal. They have submitted a grant request for $40,000 to Dining for Women and were chosen to be the recipient of donations from the 450+ DFW chapters across the country. Our Valley chapter will contribute to filling that grant. Through the provision of school scholarships and holistic support encompassing health, mentoring and raising awareness, the proposed grant will combat child trafficking for the sex trade, exploitative child labor, child marriage and lack of education for economically disadvantaged and marginalized girls in the districts of Banke and Dang, Nepal. Join us for our December meeting! Our fellowship is genuine and lively. Our program is both educational and moving. Visit the website ( and be amazed at how we are helping to change the world, one meal at a time. Adult Education The Sunday Adult Education classes in December are A Season of Hope and Anticipation: Advent Themes in the Four Gospels. Meet in Armitage Hall at 9:00 a.m. on December 6, 13 and 20 (no class on December 27.) This study examines the four Gospel portrayals of Jesus origins: Who is Jesus? Where did he come from? What do these narratives tell us about what to expect of Jesus in the remainder of each Gospel? These studies will encourage participants to explore and discuss who Jesus is for us today. Bible Book of the Month The Bible Book of the Month for December is Matthew. The story of Jesus doesn t begin with Jesus. God had been at work for a long time. Matthew opens the New Testament by setting the local story of Jesus in its world historical context. He makes sure that as we read his account of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we see the connections with everything that has gone before. Matthew provides the comprehensive context by which we see all God s creation and salvation completed in Jesus. Women s Monthly Bible Study Women s Horizons Bible Study meets for their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 1, at 11:00 a.m. in the Office Conference Room. We will be studying the third lesson, Absence of Water: Thirst and Longing. All women are invited to join in this time of study and reflection. December 2015 Valley Messenger Page 3

4 Meet Valley s Family Phil and Karen Miller Phil was born and raised in Southern California and Karen moved from North Dakota to California with her family when she was 11 years old. They met as teenagers while attending North Hollywood Methodist Church, started dating in high school and married the summer before Phil graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Upon graduation in December 1964, Phil received his commission as an officer in the Marine Corps and in January 1965 he and Karen moved to Pensacola, Florida, where he went through flight training and received his wings in February He was sent to Vietnam in 1966 and flew helicopters on combat missions in support of fellow ground Marines, during his 13-month tour of duty. Upon his return from Vietnam, he was assigned to the Naval Air Basic Training Command in Pensacola as a flight instructor in fixed-wing aircraft until the end of 1969 when his military commitment ended. Their two children, Debbie and Eric, were born while Phil was in the military. Upon return to civilian life, Phil worked for TransAmerica Insurance Group in Los Angeles as a computer programmer and then joined the FBI as a Special Agent. He and his family spent one year in Phoenix, AZ, then were transferred to Portland, his second office, in They lived in Portland from 1972to 1983 when Phil was transferred to Harrisburg, PA. Karen and the children stayed in Portland an additional year so Debbie could graduate from Beaverton High School and attend OSU. Karen and Eric joined Phil in Harrisburg in 1984 and Eric finished his last two years of high school and then returned to Oregon to attend OSU in In 1988 Phil was transferred to Phoenix and spent the rest of his career there, retiring from the Bureau in A year later they returned to Portland as planned and moved into their house, which they had rented out during the years they were gone. While living in Portland the first time, they became members of Valley shortly after their daughter began attending Valley s Midweek program when she was in the 4th grade. They were active in the Nor Westers Mariner group. Their daughter was married at Valley in Phil and Karen s daughter and son-in-law and five grandchildren moved from Beaverton to Southern California five years ago and live not too far from where Phil and Karen grew up. Their son and daughter-in-law live nearby in Happy Valley. The Millers are happy to be members of the Valley family and the Clipper Mariner Ship, all of whom have been so warm and welcoming. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on July 10. Advent Fair Sunday, December 6 What to know when you come to the Fair: Hours are following Worship to 1:30 p.m. Bring your own tools and gloves to work with fresh greens. Crafts, ornaments and lunch snacks for all ages to enjoy. Tables available for purchases from Youth Jars and Equal Exchange tables. Birthday baskets for gifts for homeless high school students Extend the Table offers crafts and information for the Bible Book of the Month. Advent is a season of expectation and anticipation. Valley joins this looking forward to Christmas with our annual Advent Fair. This is a chance for you to invite your neighbors and friends to join you. Let s put the community into our Advent Fair at Valley and reach out to others to join in this seasonal event at our church. Thank you for sending your check for $28.00 for the 2015 Per Capita (for wider church expenses) for each Valley member. For more information about what per capita is, and how it helps, go to: oga.pcusa.org/percapita Page 4 Valley Messenger December 2015

5 Mission Notes Project Back Thank you: Valley received a very nice thank-you note from the coordinators of Project Back at Raleigh Park School for our congregation s contribution of 44 backpacks to the effort to keep schoolchildren fed through weekends and holidays this year. It s important for the development of young minds to assure that they have adequate nutrition, and we re fulfilling the commandment to Feed my sheep. Help homeless in local area? A letter from Sonrise Church at Orenco Station invites members of Valley to participate in the SOS Shelter again this year. In the past year, 231 homeless people were served with two daily meals, showers, clothing, hygiene products, employment opportunities and other vital resources. Multiple pairs of socks, underwear, t-shirts, deodorant, bus passes and other necessary items were distributed in an effort to serve this population with dignity and respect. Nineteen of this mission s guests were helped to secure employment, and 34 were helped to find housing. Anyone wanting to help at the shelter, which will be open December 1 through March 1, should contact Anne Vandecoevering, Director, at ; at annev@isonrise.com. Valley supports The Joining Hands Partnership between Cascades Presbytery and UMAVIDA in Bolivia, or which Valley is a part, continues to operate under the guidance of network facilitator Chenoa Stock. UMAVIDA works on human rights, on mining and environmental justice in Bolivia, and with Bolivia s poor to help them improve their own lives. Several Valley members have visited Bolivia as part of this mission partnership in the years that we ve been involved, and we continue to contribute to Chenoa s support in Bolivia. Equal Exchange Products Equal Exchange works with farmers in many regions of the world to help them grow high-quality organic products efficiently and productively by working with them to develop farmer cooperatives, earth-friendly farming techniques, and improved product quality. Instead of being grown on enormous plantations that often require the removal of rain forests, Equal Exchange coffee can be grown in the shade of the forest, saving rain forests, migrating songbirds, and providing livelihood for small farmers who receive better prices for their products that they would from the big coffee companies. In Palestine, farmers on the West Bank harvest olives from trees that are hundreds of years old and process them into organic extra virgin olive oil that is cold-pressed without any refining. Cashews are grown sustainably by innovative farmers in India and El Salvador, and almonds come from small-scale farmers in California. Small farm-grown tea from India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka is revolutionary in an industry dominated by large plantations. In 2010, through a grant from USAID, Equal Exchange began a long-term project to promote product quality, production and capitalization among a select group of co-ops. Over the last five years, there s been tremendous growth, innovation and collaboration between farmer co-ops, especially in the realm of cocoa. The successes have been sweet and have resulted in more empowered farmers offering an even better product to the market. Purchase Equal Exchange products, which help provide better livelihoods for many small farmers, provide fairlytraded organic products, and help our world s ecology. Bread for The World Bake Sale: Twelve bakers made 64 loaves, which brought in $ in sales during the Congregational Luncheon. Thank you to everyone who participated. We sent $200 to become a Covenant Congregation and retained $35 to cover our 2016 mailing costs for our Offering of Letters Campaign. Mission Market Thanks: This year s Mission Market hosted 11 Mission projects and collected a total of $2, in support of these groups. A few of our tables will be set up through December 6: Jars for Youth Mission, Equal Exchange, CDs for Living Waters of the World, Beaverton H.S. Birthday Baskets, and non-perishable food for the St. Matthew s Food Pantry and Project BACK. Thank you to all who purchased and contributed to these groups. December - Warm Hats, Gloves & Scarves: Luke Dorf can use warm hats, gloves and scarves, instead of Christmas toys this year. Their population have changed this year to almost no children, but hats, scarves and gloves could be used by all. Please bring your new, or gently used items to the table in the gym from December January - Sock it to Em: We will be collecting new, warm, crew or longer socks for the homeless of the Greater Portland area. Last year we gave just over 200 pairs of socks to Night Strike and Nightwatch, who distributed them to the homeless. There s nothing worse than having cold, wet feet when you can't get warm or in out of the weather. December 2015 Valley Messenger Page 5

6 Senior Adult Luncheon Dec. 9 Christmas Senior Lunch Celebration features music, singing and a holiday luncheon on Wednesday, December 9 at noon, in Armitage Hall. We will be entertained by the sweet voices of the Valley Christian Preschool children, accompanied by Pastor Ben as they sing a few of their favorite holiday songs. Then it s our turn to sing! Bob Hinson, our new organist is joining us and playing Christmas carols. Bob says that Christmas carols are his favorite music to play. What is your favorite hymn or carol? Let s welcome Bob (see article below) to Senior Lunch and get to know each other better. Tis the season to share joy! If you need a ride to Senior Lunch let us know. Please RSVP to Karen at or to yaklaka@aol.com. Organist Bob Hinson Joins Valley Staff Gamble Library News Library News The church library has over 150 titles about Christmas, from children's stories to adult fiction as well as books on crafts and ways to celebrate Christmas as a family. Many titles will be on display during this Holiday Season, so be sure to drop in and pick up a good read. Library Book Club Due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the Book Group will have a combined meeting on Friday, December 4, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. The book for the December 4 meeting is Martin Marten: a Novel, by Brian Doyle. The story is a coming of age tale of two creative animals, one human and one pine marten, set in the wilderness on Mt. Hood in Oregon. All are welcome, and we especially welcome new people to join in the lively and fun discussions. Just bring your own coffee. Looking ahead: The book selection for the January 22 Book Club meeting is Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Meet Bob Hinson, Valley s organist Bob was born and raised in Portland. After graduating from University of Oregon, he was transferred to Albuquerque, NM serving Weyerhaeuser Company as a sales representative. It was there he became active in Central Presbyterian Church. Later, he was transferred to Southern California where he served the Van Nuys First Baptist Church for over nine years. Here he was able to give a voice on the installation of a 62 rank Casavant Pipe Organ. He later was appointed organist of Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena. During his time in Southern California, he was fortunate to privately study organ with Catharine Crozier, formerly of the Eastman School of Music, later Artist in Residence at Trinity Cathedral, Portland. He received a call from First Baptist Church, Portland, where he served as organist for 20 years. There he and a former member of Valley, Larry Hawkins, were able to team together in enhancing the 42 rank Austin Pipe Organ. Bob later was appointed organist of Lake Oswego United Methodist Church, serving this church for another 20 years. Bob welcomes the opportunity to serve with the staff and congregation here at Valley. There s something magnetic when having coffee with Ben Paroulek and David Jimerson and then being asked, When can you start? Pledging Update Give thanks, sing praises, declare God s steadfast love, that all might have life in fullness. (From Psalm 92) We are grateful for the pledges already received toward our 2016 annual budget and Building in Christ Campaign! There is a blooming of confidence, mission and readiness alive in our church today. Our pledge campaigns are winding down and we are grateful for the generosity of our Valley Community. Let us meet the renewed spirit with a strong foundation of financial commitment. You may have noticed that our building renovations have already started with improved sanctuary lighting and the removal of the front door canopy, revealing the original architecture of our main entrance. More improvements will soon emerge! This month our church leaders will be following up on pledges and forming a budget for Enthusiasm is in the air and, thanks to your generosity, we will continue the progress we have made and maintain program innovations. If you haven t already pledged, stated an intention of financially supporting your church, please search your heart for the importance of what Valley offers to you and your family. If you have already pledged and /or increased your pledge, thank you for your faithful giving. Page 6 Valley Messenger December 2015

7 Valley Notes Opportunities The Deacon s Red Cross Blood Drive is Tuesday, December 8 from 2:00-7:00 P.M. Please contact Bonnie Reeder to sign up or for more information. Christmas Cookies are Back in Town! Calling all bakers at Valley...we would love your help again this year to make our cookie exchange fundraiser for the youth mission trip and triennium a success. Please stop by the table during coffee hour to sign up for cookie donations and to pre-order your lovely tray of cookies. Collection of cookies is set for December 12 by noon, and delivery of trays is after church on December 13. Cost for the tray of assorted cookies is $15 for a small tray of 18 cookies and $25 for a large tray of cookies. Thank you! Look for the Salvation Army Giving Trees in the church office lobby and the front entryway. Valley is again hosting trees for the holiday season. Stop by to pick up a tag from the trees and help a deserving family have a blessed Christmas! Gift items may be dropped off in the office. Kidz Mart needs your gently used gift items for the store! Books, costume jewelry, kitchen linens, stationery, knick-knacks, etc. can be left in the large Kidz Mart basket located in the office lobby. The Kidz Mart Store is open December 9 (4:00-7:00 p.m.) and December 12 (9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) for children s shopping only, and then for adults and kids on December 13 (following worship to 1:00 p.m). All proceeds go to Children s Ministries. Thanks Produce Table: All of our gardens are quiet during this season, and the Valley Produce Table is taking a rest until Spring. There were herbs, berries, greens, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, zucchini (large and small!), beets and much more! All of the monetary donations are collected for one check at the end of the growing season. This year Valley sent a check for $ to the Oregon Food Bank to help fill the tummies of the hungry in our state. Thank you so much for your generous contributions to the table and to the donation box! Armitage Hall closet: The Fellowship committee tackled cleaning out and organizing the storage closet in Armitage Hall recently. It now looks beautiful, tidy and clean. Please do your part in helping to keep this closet usable, accessible and organized by returning items to their place and only those items, not extra things that have no other home. Many thanks! Congratulations - to Greg Banning and Betsy Kolberg who were married at Valley on Saturday, November 21. Prayers We pray for those with health concerns: David Sanderman, Connie Nielson, John Bettencourt (Katie Simenson s father) We pray for those who mourn: Family and friends of Wynn Price who died October 29, and John Elliot and family on the recent death of his wife, Marlys Elliot. Valley Christian Preschool Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Our families are excited about the holidays! We re exploring the many ways Christ loves us through crafts and activities, sharing our blessings with others and actively planning for Find us singing a few Christmas songs with Pastor Ben at the Senior Luncheon, gathering gifts for families through Christmas Family Adoption Foundation and celebrating together with our school Christmas Sing-A- Longs before our Christmas break. Lots to do, and lots for which we are thankful. In January we begin to enroll our current families into our classes for the school year, and in February we open enrollment for everyone. We will host an evening Open House on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, allowing young families to come and see who we are, and how we play and learn at VCP. Do you know someone who would like to inquire about our wonderful preschool? Please contact Kristina at kristina@valleycommunity.org or at x146 to schedule a tour. Now is the time! Check out our website at and our Facebook posts under Valley Christian Preschool. Here s a quick peek ahead: -Dec. 9: VCP kids sing for the Senior Luncheon -Dec. 16, 17 and 18: Classroom Christmas Parties -Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, 2016: Christmas Break (No School) -Jan. 4, 2016: Classes resume -Begins Jan. 4, 2016: Current families enroll for Jan. 12, 2016: VCP Open House -Begins Feb. 1, 2016: Enrollment open for all families Wishing you all a Merry Christmas season filled with laughter and love, Kristina Kurtz and Teaching Staff Valley Christian Preschool December 2015 Valley Messenger Page 7

8 Valley Scrapbook Kirkin o the Tartan Sunday celebrates Presbyterian Scottish roots. The piper leads the procession during worship on Kirkin o the Tartan Sunday High Schoolers visit college students during Valley s recent College Tour. Above: Youth played the human version of Hungry, Hungry Hippos at Cascades Fall YouthCon 2015 in Turner, Oregon. Right: Middle School youth take a break during Cascades Fall YouthCon Page 8 Valley Messenger December 2015

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday December 2015 BICC - Building Improvement Campaign Committee 1 11:00a Staff Meeting 11:00a Women s Bible Study 1:00p Prayer Shawl Ministry 4:00p Communication and Social Media Meeting 6:45p Christian Nurture for Youth Meeting 7:00p Facilities Committee 7:00p Prayer Shawl Ministry 2 8:00a Men s Bible Study 5:00p Cherub Choir 5:00p King s Kids Choir 5:00p Pageant of the Holy Nativity Rehearsal 6:30p Youth Group 3 10:00a Alanon 6:00p Christian Nurture for Children 6:30p Bear Den Meeting 6:30p Cub Scout Den Mtg. 7:15p Sanctuary Choir 4 8:00a Women s Aerobics 10:00a Gamble Library Book Group 4:15p Royal Ringers Bell Choir 4:30p Camp Fire Meeting 5 11:00a Youth Choir Rehearsal 12:00p Youth Choir to sing at Doernbecher 6 9:00a Adult Education Class 9:15a Youth Handbell Choir Rehearsal 9:15a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 9:30a Early Coffee in the Library 10:00a Worship 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 11:30a Advent Fair 1:30p Pageant of the Holy Nativity 7 10:00a Baby Blues Connection 11:00a Century Club Christmas Tea 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:00p Portland Highland Games Association 8 11:00a Staff Meeting 2:00p Red Cross Blood Drive 5:00p Worship and Music Committee 6:30p Cub Scout Pack 592 7:00p Session 9 8:00a Men s Bible Study 12:00p Senor Adult Luncheon 4:00p Kidz Mart 5:00p Cherub Choir 5:00p King s Kids Choir 6:00p Royal Ringers Bell Choir 6:30p Girl Scout Troop :30p Wolf Den Meeting 10 10:00a Alanon 6:00p Tiger Scouts 6:00p VCP Board Meeting 7:15p Sanctuary Choir 11 8:00a Women s Aerobics 12 9:00a Kidz Mart 10:00a Pageant of the Holy Nativity Rehearsal 13 8:45a Youth Choir Rehearsal 9:00a Adult Education Class 9:15a King s Kids Rehearsal 9:15a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 9:30a Early Coffee in Library 10:00a Worship-Pageant of the Holy Nativity 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 11:15a Session Meeting with New Members 11:30a Christmas Cookie Trays - Youth Mission Fundraiser 11:30a Kidz Mart 4:15p Youth Handbell Choir 14 10:00a Baby Blues Connection 10:00a Former Mariner s Group Get-Together 6:00p BICC 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 7:30p Girl Scout Troop 15 The Messenger Newsletter Articles Due 11:00a Staff Meeting 7:00p Deacons Meeting 16 8:00a Men s Bible Study 5:00p Cherub Choir 5:00p King s Kids Choir 6:00p Royal Ringers Bell Choir 17 8:00a Soup Kitchen 10:00a Alanon 6:30p Cub Scout Pack 592 7:15p Sanctuary Choir 18 8:00a Women s Aerobics 4:30p Camp Fire Meeting 6:00p Camp Fire Meeting 19 10:00a Camp Fire Baking Party 20 9:00a Adult Education Class 9:15a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 9:30a Early Coffee in Library 10:00a Worship 10:20a Sunday Funday 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 11:30p Dining for Women Meeting 21 10:00a Baby Blues Connection 10:00a Meals on Wheels 11:30a Kids Day Off 6:00p BICC 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 22 11:00a Staff Meeting 6:30p Young Adults Christmas Dinner 23 8:00a Men s Bible Study 5:00p Nativity Tableau Rehearsal 6:30p Girl Scout Troop 24 Christmas Eve 6:00p Christmas Eve Nativity Tableau 7:00p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 8:00p Christmas Eve Worship 25 Christmas Day - Church Building Closed :15a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 9:30a Early Coffee in Library 10:00a Worship 11:00a Coffee Fellowship 28 10:00a Baby Blues Connection 6:00p BICC 6:00p Girl Scout Troop 29 11:00a Staff Meeting 30 8:00a Men s Bible Study 31 10:00a Alanon

10 THE MESSENGER VALLEY COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 8060 SW BRENTWOOD ST. PORTLAND, OR RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED TIME DATED MATERIAL December Events at Valley Community Presbyterian Church December 6 Advent Fair in Davis Hall/Gym - following worship with wreath-making, children s crafts, sweet treats, fellowship and more! December 13 The Pageant of the Holy Nativity during 10:00 a.m. worship, tells the Christmas story through music and dance presented by Valley s Sanctuary Choir, Youth Choir, and King s Kids Choir. December 20 The Sanctuary Choir will present Haydn s Run Ye Shepherds to the Light with string trio and organ accompaniment. December 24 - Christmas Eve 6:00 p.m. - Worship with Children s Nativity Tableau 8:00 p.m. - Candlelight Worship with Chancel Choir and Communion