The Mountain View February 2003

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven on Earth.

How can I express how thankful I am to be pastor of the Mountain Vista United Methodist Church? God continues to bless the ministry of our church in miraculous and surprising ways. The people of our church open up doors for God's love to shine through by their welcoming, accepting, tolerant, open and inviting attitudes. That love is shown in the way this congregation, over and over again, plans for guests; plans to make new friends; plans to celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ with more and more people.

The welcoming love of Mountain Vista was demonstrated in numerous ways in 2002:

Through generous donations of over $8,000, our parking lot was expanded by fifty percent. We were expecting guests.

We began our mid-week worship on Wednesdays from 6 to 6:45 p.m. with opportunities for study, prayer and support following. We were planning for guests.

The Mountain Vista United Methodist Church Choir was re-started under the direction of Bob Nohavec. The attendance in choir has reached 25. We are making room for guests.

We began hosting a Cub Scout Pack on the first Tuesday of every month. The Pack Meetings. have averaged 75 in attendance. This opportunity led to the next opportunity of hosting several weekly Cub Scout Dens as well. We made room for guests.

We began hosting a new United Methodist Tongan congregation, the "Felenite" (Friendly) United Methodist Fellowship. We were expecting guests.

The Mountain Vista Building Committee was re-mobilized to begin plans for Phase 2 of our ministry facilities. We were planning for guests.

Our third-Sunday-of-the-month Talent Nights were a big hit with poetry, karaoke, and a wide variety of musical styles, allowing people's God-given gifts to shine. We were planning for guests.

We held our second Broadway Dinner Theater event (the first in our new facility), with over 500 in attendance over eight nights. We made room for guests.

We made plans to begin our High School Christian Education Release Program which involves three high schools and will offer 2 or 3 sessions every week. We were expecting guests.

God's love is allowed to work mightily through a church that constantly anticipates the blessing of friends we have not met yet and even plans to share the love of God with those who have not even been born yet...

Psalms 78:1-7 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old—what we have heard and know, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deed but would keep his commands.

Mountain Vista "Auction 2003"

On Saturday, March 15th, at 7:00 p.m., we will have our first BIG fundraising event of 2003. It will be an auction, and items that we are planning on having up for bid will include:

*Premium Jazz Tickets *Dinners at Local Restaurants *Symphony Tickets *Theater Tickets * Utah Opera Tickets *Ski Passes *Babysitting *Lawn Care
*Power Tools *Home Improvement Items
and much, MUCH MORE!!

How can you help make this Auction a success? Well, there are three main ways that every member of Mountain Vista U.M.C. can help.

First, mark your calendar for the 15th of March, and make sure you are at the Auction! Also, invite friends and neighbors who don't usually attend our church to come share a night of fun with us. We want to pack the place!!

Second, you can donate something to the auction. We are looking for "things" and "services" to auction off to people who attend. Do you work for a company that offers a service that others normally pay for? Would your company be willing to donate some of its goods or services to help out a great cause? Or do you personally have a skill that is in demand from others? Yard work? Painting? Woodworking? Home Improvements? Babysitting? Massage? Are you often complimented on your cooking? Consider hosting a dinner party for 8-10 people in your home, cooking your "specialty" dinner! Do you have a boat? Consider hosting a water-skiing afternoon for 4-6 people at one of our wonderful lakes or reservoirs in the area! Both of these make wonderful auction items, and give you a chance to fellowship with others at the same time! Are you a golfer? Would you take 3 others out for 18 holes somewhere? Do you have a time-share that you might time-share with us? The possibilities are endless!! Consider prayerfully how you might contribute to the success of the auction!

And, finally, BRING YOUR CHECKBOOK! In order for an auction to be a success we have to have buyers and sellers. And remember, the two are not mutually exclusive. You can be a buyer AND a seller!

I have done this event for another church in the past, and it's always a fun and entertaining night, so please plan on attending and helping to make this a huge success! If you have any questions or are interested in helping with the auction, please call or e-mail me.

Wendy Haden is in our spotlight this month. Wendy teaches the energetic three and four-year-old Sunday School class which currently meets in the hallway between the nursery and the coffee area. She teaches the class basic Bible stories and principles while keeping things simple and fun. Wendy teaches class by herself but would enjoy having someone with her, so if you would like to help with a class full of energy and fun, contact Wendy.

Wendy lives in Sandy with the her, Charles (of almost 14 years), daughters Emily (6 years old), Brianna (4 years old) and son William (3 years old in March). She has lived in Utah since August of 1999 and started attending MVUMC in May 2001, the week before the groundbreaking of our church. Wendy is a stay-at-home mom and enjoys making cards on the computer, cross-stitch and home decorating. You may see Wendy serving in other areas of the church such as refreshment coordinator after the 8:30 a.m. service, singing in the choir, chairing the Education Committee and on the committee for the Summer Bazaar. Wendy welcomes all three and four-year-olds to Sunday School because they keep her young in heart and soul.

A fun evening is planned on February 4th at 7 p.m.
The Cub Scouts are holding their annual cake auction.
Come join and support the scouts that meet here.

Every one please check your kitchen drawers and pantries for items that you don't recognize as yours! (dish towels and utensils that may belong in our church kitchen). Utensils are marked with "MVM."

We would like to remind all those previously encountered couples that our February Flame will be held on Saturday, February 15. We will be meeting at The Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner and then going on to the dollar theaters on 5400 South (by Leatherby's) for a movie afterwards.

Also, anyone who is interested in attending the next Marriage Encounter weekend or would like more information on the United Methodist Marriage Encounter program, please talk to Mitch or Patty Lambdin (566-3697). The next scheduled weekend in Salt Lake City is in August. While that seems a long way off, it's not too early to plan for.

Need a mid-week "pick-me-up"? Consider attending the midweek service, which is held every Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. We do a lot of singing, listen to a short message from a member of the congregation, celebrate Communion together and share our joys and concerns. It is a wonderful way to maintain your focus on Christ throughout the week!

If you are interested in speaking at an upcoming Wednesday night service, please contact Mitch Lambdin at 566-3697 or e-mail at mcl3086@worldnet.att.net. Talks are usually 15 minutes in length and usually focus on God's Love in our lives.

        February 5th - Jason Archuleta
        February 12th - Mitch Lambdin
        February 19th - Jim Wilder
        February 26th - Pat Brown

We need donations of handicraft items and collectibles.
When you clean out your closets, basements and garages — remember

Thanks for your donations.
Proceeds will go to the Building Fund and the Choir Fund.

Your donations to the Love Fund have been a blessing to others during the month of January.

We received a request for food by a single mom with four children. The Love Fund provided $35 worth of perishables to add to the canned food we were able to share. She had no transportation so we delivered. The apartment furnishings consisted of two bean-bag chairs, a TV and two mattresses. Here was an opportunity to share our abundance. I asked if we could provide some furniture and clothing. She was amazed by such a generous offer.

After a phone call and an announcement, our congregation responded with two dressers, linens, a table, two twin mattresses, love set, recliner, microwave over, dishes and other household items—even a furnished doll house for the little girl. Two trucks and five people donated their time to deliver the furniture. We are still looking for 5 wooden chairs, a bunk bed and a floor lamp. Next is clothing for the family. Sizes are available in the office—if you haven't already seen our famous clip-board.

The Love Fund also provided $79 for a Greyhound bus ticket for a woman so she could return to her family in Indiana. She has lived in Utah for two years and has not been able to support herself. She was most grateful for the gift.

Come help make craft items to be sold at our Summer Bazaar.
For more information, contact Jean Ann Nohavec at (435) 649-6075.
See You There!!

Due Dates for Sunday Bulletin and Newsletter

For the Sunday Bulletin: Information due Wednesday of each week.
For the Mountain View: Articles due the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Articles on disk preferred.