Looking Ahead at PVUMC January 11, 2015

Thinking about Joining PVUMC, or Getting More Involved? Are you ready to make PVUMC your church home? We offer a New Member Orientation on Wednesday, January 21, 6:30-9 pm. It’s a great way to find out more about what member-ship means, more about this church, and more about the United Methodist Church in general. Following the orientation, you will be invited to join us in worship on Sunday, January 25. To RSVP, please call the church office at 602-840-8360. Free childcare is available for the orientation, and for all our events, clas-ses and offerings, with a 48-hour reservation. Just call 602-840-8360, ext 134 and request a spot for your child(ren). Don’t let the lack of a babysitter keep you from growing closer to Christ and to the Christian community. This January, while we are asking “Tough Questions of Faith” every Sunday in worship, we invite you to continue to ask and discuss faith questions in the Pathways class of your choice. Check out the many offerings in the enclosed booklet, and check our calendar in the Looking Ahead, and on our website, pvumc.org often.

UPCOMING SUNDAY SERMON Worship at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary Worship at 8:00 & 11:15 am, Chapel

NEXT SUNDAY: January 18, 2015 Series: The Tough Questions of Faith Part 3: Is Forgiveness Really Possible? Dave Summers Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

NEW Pathways Classes Begin We kick off our new Winter/Spring Pathways program this month. Pick up your new guidebook in worship, and check our website often for new classes and updates. Pathways: Growing, Deepening and Living Our Faith is PVUMC’s approach to faith formation and spiritual growth. We invite you to find a small group to help you ignite your faith, transform your life and connect with others in a community of love and acceptance.

Scan this code →

to go to our website,

pvumc.org, and

events calendar.

Community Feast Offers a Break from Cooking and Time to Connect Join us for our mid-week Community Feast, Wednesday, January 14. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:15 pm, and catered by UMOM's Helpings Café, Market and Catering. Suggested donations: $7.50/adult, $3/child (12 and under). Following the feast, we invite you to check out our new Pathways classes. Alpha meets at 6 pm in the Fireside Room, F8, and Keith Sobraske and Martha Rinne lead a new Living the Questions class called Painting the Stars: Science, Religion and an Evolving Faith, in H5, 6:30-8 pm. All materials will be provided at no cost. Both classes began last week, but it’s not too late to join either one. Read more about both of these new classes, and others beginning this month at http://pvumc.org/2014/12/24/alpha-course-and-other-new-classes-in-2015/.

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study Explores Richard Rohr Thursday Mornings The Men’s Breakfast Bible Study group began a new 10-week study on January 8 using Richard Rohr’s Alternative Orthodoxy DVD. Craig Prichard, who has studied with Richard Rohr, will attend when possible and give his insights, and we’ll have sessions available for viewing just in case you need to catch up. The group meets at 7 am on Thursdays in F5/6 in the Fellowship Center. Come hungry!

Self-Defense Class Offered TODAY in the Fellowship Center The Young Adult Lifegroup (YAL) hosts a Self-Defense Class led by Morgan Peel, a certified trainer and instructor for ATA who is a 3rd degree black belt, TODAY, Sunday, January 11, 12:30-2 pm in the Fellowship Center. All ages are welcome.

Interfaith Series on Abraham Continues with Salons at Other Locations It’s the 10th anniversary of the interfaith Abraham Series of 2005, and we’re celebrating the continued vitality of the Salaam-Chai-Paradise tri-faith group by offering a re-run of a popular program: “An Abraham Tri-alogue: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths.” This four-part series on the role of Abraham in Judaism, Christianity and Islam began last Thursday with an introductory session called “Abraham: The Father of Three Faiths,” here at PVUMC. The three other sessions, the Salon Series, will focus on interfaith small-group

discussions based on the national bestseller, Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths by Bruce Feiler, and its associated study guide. Copies of the book are available for purchase ($14) at the church gift shop, Serendipities. Mark your calendar to attend the following: Salon I: Life of Abraham, on Monday, January 26 at the Islamic Center of NE

Valley, 12125 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale; Salon II: Children of Abraham, on Thursday, February 12 at Temple Chai, 4645

E. Marilyn Rd., Phoenix; and, Salon III: Legacy of Abraham, on Thursday, February 26 at PVUMC.

Read more at http://pvumc.org/2014/12/24/join-us-for-a-trifaith-series-on-abraham/.

Join us for PVUMC’s Ministry Match Meet & Greet, January 25 At the end of January, we roll out the carpet to help you discover how you can be more involved with PVUMC’s many ministries. Do you like to greet? We’ve got a place for you! Do you like to host parties, and decorate? We can use your help! Whether you’re interested in being on a committee, serving on a task force, leading a ministry team, or just helping out from time to time with special events or programs, we invite you to come by the ministry team tables and chat with us. The Meet & Greet is just what it sounds like: an opportunity to meet others in ministry here at the church, introduce yourself, see where you might use your talents and God-given passions, and build relationships.

Take Control of Your Personal Finances

in 3 Weeks with

“Three Simple Rules”

Presented by: Janet S. Kaiser

Member Development/Member Service Specialist

United Methodist Federal Credit Union

and hosted by Paradise Valley United Methodist Church

Thursday Evenings January 15, 22, & 29, 2015

6:30 – 8 pm

$10 per person/couple for the three-week series, including the manual

~ Space is Limited ~

Contact PVUMC to reserve your seat today.

Call 602.840.8360 or email:

bbrunliebprice.pvumc.org

This workshop is offered with the assistance of the Desert Southwest United Methodist

Foundation Stewardship Committee whose primary mission is to educate and assist

individuals in ways that help them better manage their personal finances.

Saguaros (55+ group) Welcome Lenny Lizzard at January 15 Potluck Join the Saguaros, PVUMC’s social group of people age 55 and older, at 10:30 am in the Fellowship Center on Thursday, January 15 for a potluck and entertainment by a Sinatra-style singer, Lenny Lizzard or JJ Kennedy. Bring a dish for the potluck by the first initial of your last name: A-I, Dessert; J-Q, Main Dish; and R-Z, Salad.

Serendipities: Stop by for 2015 Bargains, Books and Treasures Besides offering books, like the Abraham book featured in the Trifaith series, Serendipities offers a variety of cards, gifts and more. Our “profits-for-missions” gift shop, located just around the corner from the Sanctuary, carries many made-in-the-USA, Fair Trade and handmade items. Open Sundays, 9 am-12:30 pm, and Wednesdays, 9 am-12 noon.

Centering Prayer Small Groups Offered TODAY and Throughout January Even if you missed the “Introduction to Centering Prayer” on Saturday, we invite you to join us on Sundays, January 11-February 8, at 9:45-11 am, for centering prayer in small groups in H7/8/9. This simple contemporary expression of an ancient Christian practice allows us to take time every day to rest in God's presence and refill our wells.

Enneagram Events/Classes Offered at PVUMC, home of the AEA PVUMC, in conjunction with the Arizona Enneagram Association (AEA), offers classes and special events throughout the year. To register for AEA events, please visit http://arizonaenneagram.org/. You may also email or call Diane Shevlin at db.shevlin246@gmail.com or 480-367-1998. Partial scholarships are available online. Special one-day events include the Foundations of the Enneagram of Personality Types led by Rev. Andrea Andress and Adele Swan on Saturday, January 24, 9 am-5 pm, in H1. The cost is $80. See more details at http://arizonaenneagram.org/.

Disciple III Bible Study Continues with Letters of Paul in January New participants are welcome to join Disciple III as the class continues to study the Letters of Paul in the New Testament in this semester’s eight-week class, meeting weekly on Tuesdays, January 13-March 3, 6:30-8 pm in H5. The class starts with the book of Romans. Continuing participants, please bring your books. Newcomers will need to purchase a book for $40. Copies are limited. If you have questions, please email Disicple III’s leader, Robin Kreutzberg, rhkrobin@cox.net.

Register Now for Youth Winter Retreat, February 14-16, 2015 Students in grades 7-12 are invited to join us for a weekend of faith and fun at the Mingus Mountain UMC Camp and Retreat Center in Prescott, AZ, February 14-16, 2015. There will be large-group worship sessions, breakout sessions for different age groups, fun games, and even a campfire to warm you up. If there's enough snow, we might even go sledding! The cost is $125. For more information, or to register, go to http://www.icecoldretreat.com/ or email Christopher Wurpts, youth ministries director, christopher@pvumc.org.

Events this Week at PVUMC Sunday, January 11, 2015 Adult Bible Study 8:00AM A2 Worship Service 8:00AM C1 Open Table/Jim Bateman 8:30AM F5/6 Children's Sunday School 9:30AM E10 E11 | E12 | E4 | E7 | H1 | H3 | H4 | H6 Home Improvement 9:30AM G2 Jr. High Class - "Disruption" 9:30AM E14 Modern Family 9:30AM H5 SPIRIT Sunday School 9:30AM F8 Worship Service 9:30AM A1 Centering Prayer 9:45AM H7 H8/9 Children's Elementary Choir 10:30AM H1 MiniSingers 10:30AM E9 Immersion Bible Study Series led by Garry Lozier 10:45AM H7 Covenant Group 11:00AM F8 Doug Norris' Book Study 11:00AM F5/6 Wesley SS Group 11:00AM G2 Caring Ministries Team Mtg 11:00AM H4 Ignite Worship Service 11:15AM C1 Guatemala Mission Trip Mtg 12:15PM G2 Self Defense Class 12:30PM F1 Memorial Service 2:00PM A1 Memorial Service Reception 2:45PM G2 Youth Choir 4:00PM A4 Paradise Perk Training 5:00PM Perk Jr. High VIBE: Games 5:00PM E14 Boy Scouts Troop #30 Mtg 6:00PM H1 Monday, January 12, 2015 Mustard Seed Bible Study 9:00AM F8 Men's Emmaus Covenant Group 5:00PM F8 Men's Prayer Group 5:00PM H6 Open Table #9/Veteran's 6:00PM H3 Church & Society Team Mtg 6:30PM H5 Fellowship & Connectional 6:30PM H4 Boy Scouts Troop #30 7:00PM F1 Boy Scouts Troop #30 Crew 7:00PM G2 Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Staff Meetings 9:00AM G2 Vinyasa Flow Yoga 9:10AM H1 Open Table/St. Patrick's 10:00AM H4 Caring Bible Study 10:30AM A2 Biblical Garden Task Force 4:30PM H6

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 (Continued) Pastor/Staff Parish Relations 5:30PM G2 Audrey's Angels Meeting 6:00PM F5/6 Adult Learning Meeting 6:30PM H3 Disciple III - 4th Semester 6:30PM H5 New Member Team Meeting 6:30PM F8 Stephen Ministry Training 6:30PM H4 Christian Group of Young Men 7:00PM E14 Worship, Music, and Fine Arts 7:00PM A3

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Preschool Board Meeting 9:00AM H5 Susanna Circle 10:00AM A2 Pastor's Bible Study 10:30AM F8 Paradise Singers 11:30AM A1/4 Prayer Ministry Team 11:30AM F5/6 Best Friends in Faith Meeting 2:00PM F8 Sojourners 4:00PM G2 Music Makers 4:30PM A4 Community Feast 5:30PM F1 Bells of Paradise Rehearsal 6:00PM A3 Stewardship Committee 6:00PM H9 After the Feast Class 6:00PM Perk Alpha Course 6:00PM F8 Painting the Stars Class 6:30PM H5 Women's AA 7:00PM F5/6 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30PM A4

Thursday, January 15, 2015 Men's Breakfast Bible Study 7:00AM F5/6 Saguaros Program/Potluck 10:30AM F1 Lunch Conversations 12:00PM H1 AEA Postcard Mailing Event 1:30PM H1 Finance Ministry Team Mtg 6:00PM G2 “Three Simple Rules” Course 6:30PM H1 Stephen Minister Training 6:30PM H4 Friday, January 16, 2015 Brown Baggers Bible Study 12:00PM G2 Youth: 30-Hour Famine 5:00PM F1

Saturday, January 17, 2015 William Sejen Memorial Service and Reception 11:00AM A1/2 12:00PM F1

A1=Sanctuary C1=Chapel G2=Library E14=Youth Lounge F1=Fellowship Center F8=Fireside Room

2015 International Mission Teams Need Stakeholders PVUMC has two international and overlapping mission trips to Latin America in March, 2015. One team leaves March 7-16, going back to Costa Rica for the 4th year in a row. The second team goes to Guatemala the 2nd week in March for the 9th year in a row. The Guatemala trip will be similar in nature to previous trips, with a medical team working in several clinics providing medical services to poor people in the rural areas of Guatemala. The team going to Costa Rica will be working on two projects: 1) Building housing for homeless children via Methodist Orphanage Ministries, and 2) Organizing and leading Bible Schools for children in the poorest barrios of San José. Last year, more than 175 children attended our Bible School program. We invite you to become a 2015 Stakeholder by praying for our teams and supporting the work we will be doing by investing in these trips. A gift of $25 or more will help pay for our in-country supplies for these two PVUMC Mission Teams and will underwrite the following:

Construction materials to build group homes for children at the orphanage Medical supplies for the Guatemala medical team Children’s Bible School education material supplies for both teams

Each Mission Team Stakeholder will receive a postcard from a team member during the trip. We will also have meetings when we get back to re-cap the highlights of our trips, and invite you to attend. Please complete the form below, attach your check for $25 or more, and return your form and check to the church office by February 4, 2015. Thank you for helping us share God’s love in action.

Costa Rica/Guatemala Stakeholder Registration

I want to be a stakeholder in support of the PVUMC 2015 International

Mission Teams. Enclosed is my gift of $__________ to help underwrite the work of our PVUMC Mission Teams in 2015.

____ I will support the team members with my prayers.

Name:___________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________

City:__________________________ State:_____ Zip:____________

Phone:________________________ e-mail:____________________

Please include “2015

Mission Teams” in the memo line on your check.

Inviting Prayers of Intercession Joys: Remembering your baptism – re-commitment of faith as we begin the New Year Hospitalized: Ward Calvert Glenn Gasser Hospice Care: Nan Range, PVUMC’s oldest member, at age 102, and mother of Kay Pickerill Deaths: Lucrecia Beverage, mother of Bill Beverage Our Church: New Pathways classes beginning this month International Mission Trips/Stakeholders #ToughQuestionsofFaith - Your questions posted daily @PVUMC on Twitter and on the church Facebook page, with responses from the pastors, and comments and discussion

Our Community, Nation and World: To see and know God’s grace and Christ’s love Guidance and wisdom to our newly elected and re-elected leaders Family and friends serving in the military Continuing Concerns: Phyllis Averill; Michelle Bray, sister-in-law of Dave Summers; Jonathon & Johnna Foster and family, friends of Brian Leiphart; Norm Henry; Carolyn Lasley, mother of Teri Lasley; Steve and Sharon Mettler, friends of Jan Elsea; Evelyn Parker, sister of Frieda Bateman; Dwight Peters; Helen Price, mother of Mickey Price; Randy Stauth, son of Mike and Helen Stauth; Ed Sucato, father-in-law of Courtney Sucato; Rev. Dan Turner; Carolyn Woods, mother of Deborah Esquer

To make a prayer request, go to our website at http://pvumc.org/contact/prayer-requests/ or fill out a prayer request card in the pew pocket and place it in the offering plate. To join our prayer team and

receive prayer requests via email, contact gholt@pvumc.org.

Pastors on Call 24/7 We have a pastor on call 24/7. When you call the office, 602-840-8360, after hours, follow the instructions or press “2” and leave a message to have a pastor return your call.

Chancel Flowers

Flowers are given by Karen Tittle, in loving memory of her husband, Joe, from his family.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon If you drive to church, we want you to be aware of road closures and detours due to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, Sunday, January 18. See http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/arizona/road-closures for maps and other information.

Website / Social Media Scan the code to the right to go directly to our website at pvumc.org. Our bulletins are online at the “News” tab. Click on this web address: http://pvumc.org/news/newsletter-e-news-and-bulletins/ to access them online. The Desert Scroll, our bimonthly newsletter, and the weekly Looking Ahead are available there too, as is the weekly From Paradise E-news, which is emailed every Friday. Subscribe to our email list via the subscription form on our website.

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ParadiseValleyUMC or follow us on Twitter @PVUMC

Andria Fennig (Above, Left) Joins PVUMC as Accompanist We welcome a new interim accompanist to PVUMC, Andria Fennig (pictured above, left), who will also be playing at our next Community Concert on Friday, January 23, Musical Theater Night, accompanying soloist Kristi Rice. See details and register on our Eventbrite link, https://pvumc.community-concerts-2014-2015.eventbrite.com. Fennig, a native of Minneapolis, MN, moved to Phoenix in 1995 to complete her graduate studies in music. She received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance from ASU in 2002. She is on staff at Grand Canyon University serving as accompanist for the vocal and instrumental departments. Dr. Ashley Snavley has assumed the position of interim Music & Arts Ministries Director, in the wake of Brett Robison’s departure, who is now working for Waldorf College in Iowa, where his family lives.

Mark Your Calendar for February’s “Night at the Opera” On February 27, join us for “A Night at the Opera,” at 7 pm in the Sanctuary with two of our Chancel Choir section leaders, Michael Talerico and Asleif Willmer, pictured above right. They performed at a fundraising event at the Badge’s home in November to support the Chancel Choir Section Leader Scholarship Fund.

Kindergarten Readiness Parent Education Class Offered January 26 Is your child ready for kindergarten? The PVUMC Preschool will offer a kindergarten readiness parent education class on January 26, 2015 from 6-7 pm in the Chapel with Pediatric Neuropsychologist Dr. Jennifer Gatt, who will highlight activities and tasks in younger children that should be introduced and monitored in order for the "whole child" to be ready to move on to elementary school learning. A sign-up will be outside the preschool office in January and the cost is $5 per person. Childcare will be provided.