March/April 2026
Vol. 71, No. 2
IN THIS ISSUE:
How the Church is like the Natural World
Pastor David Joynt
Holy Week & Easter@VPC
A Legacy of Leadership Opportunities to recognize & appreciate Pastor David Oasis in Lent
Called to Lead
Valley Presbyterian Foundation It's Scholarship Season!
Chapel Renewal & Preservation Update
Tune My Heart
VPC's Spring Concert
Highlighted Events
Finance & Operations Updates
Kris Bahr
Session Report
Mary Artigue
The Church is like the natural world. The natural world, at every level, from the atomic to the interstellar, has unchanging characteristics and dynamic elements. We have discovered 32 physical and chemical constants that prevail throughout the universe, in the small cells that make up our bodies and among the arbitrary planets in the heavens. Yet the natural world is not immutable! There is growth, development, and change.
The church is like the natural world in this regard. There is constant change with the possibility of growth and development. But underneath there is the unchanging presence and purpose of God, the spiritual constant of our world. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.
Communities of faith feel that power of change. Dear friends move from the church militant to the church triumphant, shifting places within the communion of saints that unites heaven and earth. We miss their presence and wisdom. At the same time new generations of young people rise, and new members add their gifts and perspectives to our life together. Week to week no pastor really pastors the same church! In the same way leaders retire or move, new ones arrive, and it can feel as if a spiritual home is less familiar.
As I move into my final Lent and Easter as Senior Pastor of a church, it is good to remember that God’s presence and purposes remain the single most important constant in the universe and in our lives. His mission to make disciples remains a challenge and a joy. His compassion for the struggling still motivates our generosity and care. His peace is still given to us as a gift to be shared. His truths still resonate, penetrate, and inspire our worship and obedience. His spirit still fills our hearts with joy and purpose.
Be confident that our great God is at work with unerring purpose in this season of transition at VPC! He is at work among our wonderful staff, our faithful Session, our determined PNC, and in our individual lives as well, just as He is at work maintaining the constants in our world and creating new possibilities. May these next two months together be an affirmation of this truth.
Yours faithfully,
He is Risen!
Sunday, April 5
7AM, Sanctuary 9 & 10:30AM, Sanctuary & Livestream
Palm Sunday,Sunday March 29 9 & 10:30AM, Sanctuary & Livestream Featuring Children's Ministry Palm Sunday Processional
Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 2, 6:30PM Sanctuary & Livestream
Good Friday Friday, April 3, Noon Sanctuary & Livestream
In the coming months we take time and space to wish Pastor David well as he moves into retirement. This is also a season to celebrate God's work at VPC over the past 11 years! We hope you will join us as we celebrate David, Julia, and the entire VPC community. Below are the three opportunities to recognize and appreciate Pastor David for his career or ministry.
9:30AM: service | 11AM: reception
This special single service will feature moving music, Pastor David's final VPC sermon, and a chance to come together as a community. We'll look back on where we've been and look forward to where God is leading. Join us at a reception following the service to say goodbye to David and Julia.
5PM: Food served | 6PM: Program begins | Programming available for kids 3 years through 5th grade
This event will be a party to remember! You're invited to celebrate as voices from the community and a career of service in ministry share stories, reminisce, and express their appreciation for Pastor David and Julia. We'll hear from kids, colleagues, staff, and some surprise guests! RSVP requested but not required.
If you would like to show your appreciation through a financial gift, Pastor David has requested that be directed to the efforts to build a
school built to train up to 500 students per year. The chapel will be a place for them to worship, pray, and connect. Check out more details online!
With Pastor Chris Woodard & Pastor Jackie Parks
March 4,11, & 25, 6-7PM, Sanctuary
Join Pastor Chris and Pastor Jackie on our annual Lenten journey. On this pilgrimage we will prepare ourselves for Easter morning through study, prayer, and fasting. This 40-day period of renewal will grow our faith and connect us deeper to the truth of resurrection.
For kids 3 years old—5th grade, 6-7:30PM Register today! OasisKids! is a safe and fun environment to learn about the world in creative ways. Your child will build, draw, play, craft, sing, have fun and learn more about Jesus with staff members from Children’s Ministry.
Middle School: 6-7:30PM
High School: 7:30-9PM
Connect and dig deeper with other students. Awaken Café will also be open as a homework room available for students and families to use after program is over.
Learn more: vpc.church/oasis Dinner available starting at 5:15PM: ($5/person, $20/family)
In a church of our size, it is not possible for the All-Church Nominating Committee (ACNC) to know of everyone who could be a passionate and committed leader at VPC. The ACNC is charged with identifying members who feel called to lead by serving a three-year term as Deacon, Elder, of Foundation Trustee, beginning February 2027.
We invite you to prayerfully nominate those members who could serve our church in leadership positions.
vpc.church/lead Nominations are now open!
Scholarship Applications open March 1!
Valley Presbyterian Foundation is proud to assist our college students in their educational endeavors as they prepare for productive and faithful lives as God's children.
Our scholars have served their church and community by displaying their faith and using their God-given talents.
Our goal is to offer greater financial help in the future for students requesting help to further their studies and attain their career goals.
We are excited to be nearing completion this spring! Thank you to all who contributed to the vision, financing, and execution of this incredible project. Take a look at the updated timeline below, and stay tuned for opportunities to celebrate the reopening of the Chapel!
• Completed necessary structural repair to the Chapel Nave
• Removed additional damaged & corroded faceted glass window panels
• VPC hosted faceted glass contractor, Willet Stained Glass Studios' annual workshop, with 40 of their team on site
• Willet installed 81 repaired or re-cast faceted glass panels
• Completed replacing 40-year-old original roof
• Continuation of project work: faceted glass protection, interior drywall, paint, electrical work, flooring preparation, and new security system
• Completion of aluminum and acrylic plexiglass insert protective system for faceted glass
• Cabinet installation
• Partial flooring & furniture installation
• Organ repairs
• Audio/Video installation & system check
• Organ re-install
• Clean, repair, & polish marble flooring
• Complete altar platform
• Final flooring & furniture install
• Surrounding landscape refresh
*Anticipated future work & schedule remain flexible
VPC Chancel Choir & Valley Singers Songs that explore grace, mercy, & emotional connection with God.
Sunday, April 12 4PM, Sanctuary, Free Learn More: vpc.church/music
Saturday, March 7, 7:30AM Eldorado Park East Ramada mentorkidsusa.org/events
Canyon Chorale &
Thursday, March 12 7PM, Sanctuary, Free
Kris Bahr Finance & Operations Director 480-991-6424 ext.
0112 krisb@vpc.church
Once again, in 2025 VPC reached its goal of having a balanced budget of $2,665,000! We are grateful to each of you and the faithful support you provide through your faith giving dollars.
In April Print & Publications Manager Katrina Carney retired (we are thankful for her help a few days each month!) In June Pastor David Turner accepted a call in Bozeman, MT. Following Katrina’s retirement, Brianne Bergfeldt moved to the Communications Team full time, after previously having both Communications and the Nursery responsibilities. Olivia Holliday and Shay Jennings were added to Student Ministry to address that rapidly growing area. Shay splits her time between Students and the Nursery.
Helped by a “milder" summer, APS bills were a lower amount than budgeted. A generous donation was made to quickly address a/c needs over the coming years, as many of our units are 20+ years old. Some major repairs continuing into 2026 include replacing a cracked refractory plate on the boiler, repair and/or replacement of chiller pumps, motors, and chiller coils. A spare Sanctuary projector was purchased, as well as repair of an existing projector (one of six total in that space). Blinds were installed in the Student “orange” room, B108 and B110.
Session approved a 2026 balanced budget of $2,821,075, an increase of 6% over 2025, at its January 27 meeting. Session worked closely with F&O to prioritize spending, while acknowledging that a large part of the budget goes toward fixed costs. While F&O continues to meet monthly throughout the year and closely monitors actual vs. budget, it will be particularly important during this year of transition.
Mary Artigue
Clerk of Session
602-677-7080
artiguemary@gmail.com
Session continues to prayerfully and faithfully guide the mission, ministry, and stewardship of our church. We are grateful for God’s ongoing work and are pleased to share the following updates:
Fall 2025: Session worked closely with the Valley Presbyterian Foundation, Finance & Operations, and Property Committees to oversee the renewal and preservation of the Kilgore Chapel. We are thankful for the generosity of our congregation and VPF to help complete this vital project! Session also approved a missional component to this project; additional funds over and above what is needed for the Chapel may help support the construction of a chapel in Malawi through our partnership with Urban Promise International.
Session welcomed new Covenant Partners through reaffirmation of faith, baptism, and transfer from other congregations. Baptisms, memorial services, weddings, and pastoral care continue to be reminders of God’s presence and grace within our church family.
We received staff updates from Communications Director Mike Vreeland in November and Finance Director Kris Bahr in December. In December Session also approved the VPC & VPF 2024 financial records report prepared by CBIZ, and engaged CBIZ to conduct a 2025 review. Session also affirmed Next Generation Ministry Director Wes Cates as he begins the ECO ordination track, and we look forward to supporting him in his calling.
In January, Session thanked the Class of 2025 Elders for their faithful service and welcomed the Class of 2028. With deep appreciation for 25 years of dedicated leadership, Session received the resignation of Karen Meyer as Clerk of Session. We are grateful she will continue serving as Assistant Clerk, and welcome Mary Artigue as our new Clerk of Session. Minister of Music Jennifer Hamm provided a Music Ministry update.
Session approved a balanced 2026 budget of $2,821,075, reflecting our commitment to faithful stewardship.
In February, Session heard an encouraging report from Elders and Staff who attended the ECO National Gathering in Atlanta. The experience was enriching, inspiring, and educational. We also received an update on Awaken Café, which continues to be a welcoming expression of our outreach ministry to the community.
We thank God for His faithfulness and for the privilege of serving together as a church family. Please continue to keep your Session, Staff, Pastors, and ministries in your prayers.
