November 22, 2017
Paradise Valley United Methodist Church
Change the World Day
Participant Survey
If you were one of the more than 250-300 people who participated in our annual Change the World Day event, THANK YOU. We showed some photos in worship last Sunday, and have posted a sampling of the projects in a Google album on the church Facebook page. Please take this short survey and let us know how to make next year's event even better.
Pastor's Message

  Dear Friend in Faith,

Many of us will gather around Thanksgiving meals this week. We’ll share in good food and animated conversation. I pray it will be civil for all of us!

In the tiny letter of Titus, towards the end of the New Testament, it reads, “be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone.” (3: 1-2). That’s a recipe for a better conversation! Sunday we will talk about civility, which is an important and touchy subject these days. We seem to see less of it in in our civic discourse. We get emails and tweets that are far from civil. Can we lead the way here?

I believe we are in a time when a Christian witness to kindness, decency and grace are essential. Our world needs...


Christmas Gifts for Congolese Refugee Family and Navajo Families
Every year, we have an opportunity to donate gifts to those living on the Navajo Reservation. The gifts are presented at a Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 2 in Leupp, AZ. Gifts can be practical like socks and warm clothes for children and adults or fun, like games and puzzles. Click here for a list of what's needed and how to donate. We also would like to help our newly sponsored refugee family with gifts. They arrived last week and were settled into a newly furnished apartment thanks to RAFT and Lutheran Social Services. Read More
Worship and Fellowship at PVUMC
Paradise Valley United Methodist Church (PVUMC) invites you to worship at 8 am, 9:30 am or 11 am this Sunday. The first two services are more traditional, while the later service - Ignite - is a distinctive alternative. This Sunday, Ignite invites you to bring your Thanksgiving leftovers to share.

Please visit the website  calendar and news blog to read all our announcements online.

See the Looking Ahead, our bulletin insert, for news, the weekly calendar, a prayer list, and more. Purchase your Advent book this Sunday, and take a look at the class offerings, including three offered in members' homes. We launch our Advent blog with daily devotions beginning on December 1, and invite you to share a "Coming Home" holiday story with us.

The Prayers of Intercession are included in the Looking Ahead. Unless otherwise requested, prayer requests are e-mailed to the 200+ Prayer Team members and shared with pastors and staff. Submit a prayer request using our online request form or call the church office at 602.840.8360.
Christmas Concert at PVUMC: Gloria!
Enjoy Christmas music performed by PVUMC's children, youth and adult choirs, with handbells and instrumental music. The Chancel Choir will perform the Randol Alan Bass “Gloria.” The concert also features The Warehouse Brass. This event weaves music, poetic texts and audience sing-a-longs for an uplifting evening fitting of the season. A dessert reception follows in the Fellowship Center. Childcare is available; call 602.840.8360, ext 134 at least 48 hours in advance.   Register for the concert TODAY
Blood Drive Sunday, December 3
Donating blood is a life-saving gift. Every year, our church hosts a blood drive, and this year, PVUMC has partnered with the American Red Cross for a holiday blood drive. If you are eligible to give blood, we encourage you to sign up to give on the morning of Sunday, December 3, 8 am-1 pm. Use the easy online sign up, with the sponsor code “PVUMC” or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767). Alternatively, you can sign up this Sunday after worship. Together, we can save lives.

Turn Hunger into Hope December 2
PVUMC participated in its first Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack event at the Phoenix Convention Center in 2013. Like Change the World Day, it was an event that brought the whole church together by mobilizing more than 300 volunteers who turned hunger into hope. Since then, we've participated in similar events, registering up to 100 adults, youth and children to help pack meals for hungry children around the globe.

On Saturday, December 2 , from 3-5 pm, you have an opportunity to turn hunger into hope with your own two hands by participating with others from PVUMC at FMSC's Holiday MobilePack event. We have 130 spots, so register today by emailing Jim at jnbateman@aol.com . Donate the day of the event ($50 suggested, but anything will help). Watch the video above to see how fun it can be to change lives. Together, we can do more.

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A Delegates Assembly will be held on Thursday, November 30, 6:30-8:30 pm in the church Fellowship Center to help citizens understand political power in Arizona and how issues in the VIP Human Development Agenda - like job training, public education, immigration and health care - shape our political future. Look for sign ups on the patio.
  Did You Miss the Sermon Last Week? Listen online.
If you missed last week's sermon, you can listen online at LISTEN: Previous Sermons.

Support Youth Missions at the Paradise Perk Sundays, 9 am-1 pm
Visit our on-site coffee shop, the Paradise Perk, for all your coffee needs every Sunday. A 16-oz cup of fresh-brewed coffee from the self-serve cart only costs $2. The Perk also offers a wide variety of espresso drinks, smoothies, teas, and soda. All proceeds support youth missions and make the life-changing trips we offer affordable for our church families and students. In 2018, the senior high youth go to Houston on a mission trip. Read More.

NOTE: Childcare is availa ble with a 48-hour reservation for all our
events and classes on campus. Call 602.840.8360, ext 134.