The Mountain View January 2009

Pastor's Ponderings

The Mountain View

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.

January 2009

Pastor's Ponderings....

In the Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. –John 1:1-5; 14

God came to earth in person—in the person of Jesus Christ. God sends love and reconciliation to the world in the form of little babies. God sent each of us to the world as little babies to grow into a full understanding that we are all Children of God, meant to make a difference in the world.
God came to us face-to-face, eye-to-eye, in person, in the flesh. That is how God sends us to others: to be the presence of God's love in their lives.

When the Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus, they didn't put them in the mail. They took a long journey to be with the child, in person.

For a long time, many churches have worked under the assumption that we do ministry "from a distance." We send our money; we send missionaries; we pay professionals at denominational levels to organize projects. --But Jesus never said,
"Send your money and send other people into all world." Jesus said, "[You] Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" –Mark 16:15.

Mountain Vista has been breaking this mold of "distance ministry" for a long time. As we move into 2009, in what ways can we continue to be the living, breathing presence of God to another person through our church? Just a few ideas…

Befriend a person in school who doesn’t dress as nice, smell as nice, or speak as well as the other students.
Serve sandwiches at St. Vincent DePaul Center.
Take food, clothing, and personal necessities to South Valley Sanctuary and Crossroads Urban Center.
Volunteer in the Family Promise ministry by fixing meals, watching kids, helping with homework, staying overnight, and just listening to people who are homeless and without jobs.
Volunteer for mission trips to areas devastated by natural disasters or to build homes and schools in far-away countries and our own.

God came to us face-to-face, eye-to-eye, in person, in the flesh. May we do the same for others.

In Christ's Service,
Pastor Steve

Lay Leader Message

2009 – A Year of Possibility

If you're like me, you've made New Year's resolutions enough times to know that with rare exceptions, you never keep them. No one does. Years ago, I thought the problem was I made too many so I tried making only one or two. It didn't matter. At best, I was a changed man for a few months before backsliding into my bad habits. And I watch others do the same thing.

As many of you know, Pastor Steve, my son, Aidan and I (with my wife, Geniel's encouragement) attended a seminar series where we learned some valuable lessons. Most are
common sense. You know . . . the kind of common sense that none of us seem to have! Obvious ways of being that we can't see for looking. One of the primary lessons we learned is that we live into our past. In other words, we seem resigned that we will always be the way we are because that's how we've always been. And the world around us, our "situations," will always be because that is how things have always been.

But the truth is, the future is empty. It's a blank slate. Oh sure, we make plans and write them down on our calendars. But as the saying goes, we plan, God laughs. It occurred to me that resolutions are a way of living into our past. If the future is a blank slate, then it is empty and filled with possibility. We can create any possibility for that future we can imagine.

If I'm a smoker and I resolve to quit smoking I'm still seeing myself as a smoker. Consider this. . . rather than, "I resolve to quit smoking" let’s say, "I'm creating for myself the possibility that I am a non-smoker." In other words, I move into the future seeing myself as something new, not as something I am. I move into the future as a non-smoker, not "a smoker who needs to quit smoking." I know, I know, I still need to quit smoking in order to live that possibility but there
is a real difference in how I’m perceiving myself and perhaps that will increase the likelihood of being a non-smoker.

So, this year, I’m going to create some possibilities for myself and my life. And since I do think there is wisdom in keeping the list of possibilities as short as I used to keep my list of resolutions, here is the possibility I’m creating . . . "I'm creating for myself the possibility that I, '. . . Love the
Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with
all my mind,' and that I, '. . . Love my neighbor as myself.' " (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV).

I figure if I am a person filled with that kind of love for God, others and myself, any "resolutions" I may have will "resolve themselves." (I quit smoking over 20 years ago . . . surely this can't be as difficult. Wish me luck!)

Happy New!
Steven

Praying for:

Dave Grierson
Bill & Stella Chapman
Emily Hartney
Russ Madsen
Missy Rimmer
The Wilson Family
The Coates Family
Jim Wilder
The Anderson and Reynolds Families
Kelly Fayerweather and Family

Worship Committee

I am excited to announce that Wednesday Night Services will resume January 7th at 6:00 pm! Please join Jean Ann Nohavec, Mitch Lambdin and a guest speaker each week for worship, music and Holy Communion. Some of the speakers in January and February will be Bob Porter, Ginny Smith, Jane Tago, John McBeth, Jayme Palady, Cindie Selbo, Michael Wilson and Pastor Steve. On February 25, we will hold an Ash Wednesday service. I hope you will support the efforts of these servants and replenish you spirit between Sundays.

Yours in Christ's Service,
Pastor Steve

Mission and Outreach Committee

Thanks to all who have helped with the various mission projects during the Christmas season. Just before Thanksgiving, we served our fourth week in 2008 for Family Promise at Hilltop House. We contributed 80 shoeboxes of toys, candy and school supplies to Operation Christmas Child. We helped 4 local families have a happier Christmas by providing them gifts. And we provided over 600 pounds of food for Crossroads Urban Center. At this time when the needs of the
community around us are greater than ever, you have stepped up and delivered. Our Santa's Cookie Shop, primarily a fundraiser, is also a great outreach tool, because it brings a lot of people through our doors that normally would not be here. Thanks to all that worked
and contributed to the success of that again this year.

Looking ahead to 2009, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. We will only have three weeks of Family Promise this year, the first one being in March. Also projected to happen in March is the grand opening of the UMCOR depot in Salt Lake City. This is a big deal for
this area. We will be a hub for UMCOR relief supplies to be shipped all over the west and many places overseas. More information will be coming on this event as we get closer. And, don’t forget that we always need help with the sandwich ministry at St. Vincent DePaul on the third Monday of each month.

Thanks.
Jerry Selbo

Trustee & Building News

Our Grand Opening has been changed to February 14. Please keep this date and the New
Building Construction in your prayers. Unfortunately, there are just too many problems
creeping into the picture for us to proceed with a January 10th SO Think of all the fun we can have with romance and all the other accoutrements of a special, one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day celebration event!

Let's all work on ways to spread the word to all our church family – and let them know that they should plan on spending their very special evening of romantic celebrations with all of us, starting at 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, February 14, 2009! This should be an evening to remember!

… foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

GIVE THANKS!

Family Promise: Thank you so much to everyone who helped, served and provided for these families in need. Once again, you made a difference in someone's life

Thank you to all of Santa's helpers who made a brighter Christmas for two families - 11 people.

Thank you to everyone that participated in the annual Santa's Christmas Cookie Sale and Bazaar! We had a very successful day, despite the winter weather; as a matter of fact it was our most successful thus far! The numbers still have to be confirmed but we think we made
about $3000!!!

A special thank you for the core group of ladies that work out all the details and put in many hours to make sure it all works out. And of course we couldn't do anything without the immense support we get from everyone that makes and/or buys all the goodies. Pastor Steve playing Christmas music for everyone throughout the day made the atmosphere complete. Thank you one and all!

How can I repay the Lord my God for all God's Goodness to me? ~ 2 Samuel 24:24

help wanted

Volunteers Needed at Mountain Vista:
Get Involved: Share in the responsibility of maintaining our church. Many opportunities are available. Sign up to be a Sunday school teacher, bring refreshments, altar flowers, clean facilities, serve as ushers, get on a committee, plan events. The list goes on. Join in! Check the clipboards or Contact the church office if you can help 280-4148

Please turn in your giving estimates for 2009 as soon as possible so that we can finalize our budget.

Dear Congregation,
We need your help. If you are the last person to leave please check to make sure all the fans and lights are turned all the way off. Also, please check all the doors in the church building to make sure they are locked and latched securely. Your help in this is necessary to provide safety for all.

Thank you.

EVENTS:

January 7 at 6:00 pm, Wednesday night services resume! Come for worship, music and weekly
communion.

The Annual Youth Dodge Ball Tournament at CUMC
Sr. High (9th-12th) play Saturday, January 10th
Jr. High (7th-8th) play Sunday, January 11th

January 22 – Crossroads CORC Coalition of Religious Communities invites everyone to our annual orientation on Capitol Hill, Thursday, January 22. Meet in the Capitol rotunda at either noon or 3 p.m. for a 90-minute tour helping you find observation galleries, find committee meeting rooms and agendas, get free copies of legislation, and hold a discussion of our top issues, including budget items for the 2009 legislative session. Call Linda or Sarah at 364-7765 for more information.

INTO THE FUTURE!!

February 14th - Mountain Vista’s Fellowship Hall Grand Opening Celebration.

Family Promise 2009 Dates:
March 8-15, June 14-21, October 4-11, 2009.

The UMCOR depot in Salt Lake City grand opening will be in March.

The next Mountain Vista Auction will be March 21, 2009.
If you are interested in helping contact Cindie Selbo 282-1268.

EMMAUS:

Walk to Emmaus is designed to strengthen, inform and renew active Christian leaders within the Church. It is a spiritual walk, a weekend filled with speakers, prayers and music. The Walks are a time commitment from Thursday evening through Sunday evening. Space is limited, please contact the office if you are interested in attending.
Men's walk February 26- March 1
Women's walk March 5-8
Annual Subdistrict Conference and Leadership Training Event. Friday and Saturday, May 1-2.

Emmaus 4th Day Reunion Groups
Monday 7:30 pm Women's Circle of Friends @ the Reinhard's
Monday 7:00 pm Women's Reunion @ Mountain Vista
Friday 7:00 am Men's Reunion: @ Jim's Family Restaurant (7609 S. Redwood Rd.)
Saturday 8:30 am Women's Reunion @ Espresso Connection (4465 S. Redwood Road)

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them.
-Luke 24:15

MISSION WORK
You are one of God's children; I see the resemblance!

REACHING OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY:

Nothing But Nets
At the 2008 Annual Conference the Episcopacy Committee invited churches, individuals and
organizations to make donations to Nothing But Nets in honor of Bishop Brown's service to the Rocky Mountain Conference. Funds raised for the "Bishop's Nets" will be used to distribute mosquito bed nets throughout Angola. As of December 11th the Treasurer's Office has
received $93,367.49 for the "Bishop's Nets." As a Conference we should celebrate this great achievement! Thank you all for your generosity and support as The United Methodist Church continues to help eradicate malaria in Angola and throughout the world. Through Nothing But Nets, the Rocky Mountain Conference has truly honored Bishop Brown's service to our Conference.

UMCOR
March is the grand opening of the UMCOR depot in Salt Lake City. We will be a hub for UMCOR relief supplies to be shipped all over the west and many places overseas.

Collecting:
Soup labels for Redbird Mission (Please include the barcode and “label for education” mark.)

Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 NRSV

OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY:

Food Drive
For our 2008 annual food drive for Crossroads, Mountain Vista has provided over 1,100 pounds of food. This is far and away the best year we have had so far. This does not even
count some of the food that was held out to give to our adopted families. Thanks to all who donated food at such a difficult time for many people.

Love Fund – Provides onetime assistance for families and individuals in need. In December we helped three families with gasoline, three others with housing and several more with food pantry. Thank you for your help replenishing the fund.

Collecting:
Clothing for Crossroads Thrift Store
Canned goods for Crossroads food pantry
Trial size shampoo & lotion for South Valley Shelter.
Box Tops for Education for local community services
Pop Tops for SLC Ronald McDonald House
Aluminum cans for our Choir Music
Recycle paper for our Building Fund
Blankets for Project Linus
Lap quilts for the Veteran’s Hospital

CROSSROADS URBAN CENTER
Food Pantry: 347 S 400 E
Milk - canned, shelf or powdered and canned tomato products. All food items needed!
Thrift Store: 1385 W Indiana Ave (850 S)
Bedding - sheets, blankets, pillows, sleeping bags.
Please bring items to the church and they will be delivered to Crossroads.

Sandwich Mission
Sunday, January 18: Make/bring sandwiches to church
Monday, January 19: Bring sandwiches to the church before 3:00.
Deliver & Serve sandwiches, 5:00pm at St Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South
For any questions, contact Lesa Stone 255-4324

"Oh yeah, these are the GOOD sandwiches! Where are you from? Yeah, the Methodists make good sandwiches."

Kids
Acolytes needed for all services!
Contact Linda Hartney for information.

Angel Choir (ages 3-8) Angel Choir Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. Contact Robin Smugala.

LIVE B.I.G. Sunday school classes 9:45 Join the fun!
(Teachers needed, contact Lindsey Hardcastle)

SCOUT NEWS

Girl Scouts:
Girl Scouts - Troop 2120, Mondays 7:00pm, Sept.– May
Girls kindergarten through high school
Cookie sales are coming! So start planning your order today.
Brandee Fox (573-3515)

Cub Scouts:
Cub Scouts - Pack 4012, Tuesdays 7:00pm, Aug.– May
Boys age 7-11 (1st –5th grade)
Kristin VanStaveren (282-5378)
Tigers
Wolves - Mike VanStaveren 1st, 2nd Tuesday in small room
Bears - Chris White 1st, 2nd Tuesday in Kitchen
Webelos - Jim Goodrich 1st, 2nd Tuesday in Large room
Pack Meeting - whole church last Tuesday of each month, 7 pm.

Boy Scouts:
Boys 10 1/2 – 17, Troop 1012 meets year-round, Tuesdays at 7:00 P.M. in the sanctuary. (no meeting the last Tuesday)
Court of Honors 1st Tuesday of the month every 3 months.
March & June.
The Troop will be working on the following Merit Badges:
Astronomy, Camping, Climbing, and Hiking.
Check out the website http://troop1012.scoutdata.com
Sheila Anderson: sganderson3@msn.com

YOUTH
Youth Blog:
http://mvumcyouth.blogspot.com/

Sunday:
Sr. high Sunday School – Karyn Coward
Jr High Sunday School -
6:30–7:30 pm – Jr. High Praise Team - Jayme
Wednesday: Starts Jan 14
7:00- 7:30 pm - Youth Activity Lesson (Jr. and Sr. High) - Jason

Gather Your Friends and Join in the Fun at the 2nd Annual Youth Community Dodgeball Tournaments
Saturday, January 10, 2009 - Sr. High (9th – 12th Grade) Tournament, 4 p.m.
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - Jr. High ( 7th – 8th Grade) Tournament, 1 p.m.
Teams consist of 6 members of the same age group with at least one girl on each team.
Registration deadline: January 3 for Sr. High
January 4 for Jr. High
Cost: $5 per participant
Location: Christ United Methodist Church –
2375 East 3300 South
Register at youthdodgeball@gmail.com or call 801-792-7478

Youth Leadership Conference - YLC
Coming February 27-28th, and March 1, 2009
Where: YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch - Winter Park, Colorado
Theme: Leadership. Is it in you?
Youth Leadership Conference is an annual event which takes place in Winter Park, Colorado. This is your voice and vote in the United Methodist Church!

We heard the cries, fielded the laments, and listened to the still small voice -- The event is now open to all youth from 6th -12th grades. So y'all come.

The Leadership theme and legislative push still will be our focus as, your voting team for legislation would consist of no more than 2 adults, 3 senior high youth and 2 mid high youth.
We are looking forward to seeing you at YLC at Snow Mountain Ranch. Debbie Hull and Sarah Wynkoop - Co-chairs.

Sweden Mission! August 1-14, 2009! Grades 9-12
This is an evangelical and relationship building effort.

Jason's office hours: Mon: 1 pm to 6 pm, Tues: 1 pm to 6 pm, Wed: 2 pm to 8 pm, Thurs: off, Fri: 1 pm to 6 pm
jstevens4584@gmail.com 598-1151

If there are any parents or youth that DON'T receive e-mails about youth activities, please send me your e-mail address!

FAMILY PROMISE-SALT LAKE-MVUMC-TRINITY MISSIONS/OUTREACH
Names of all the volunteers who were instrumental in helping to make the Week of November16-23, 2008, a very memorable and worthwhile week for the families who have no other place to stay.

Anne Applegate
Larry Brown
Patti Chauza
Faye Coates
Cheryl Elliott
Ruth Elwell
Erica Fullmer (4)
Shirley Haidle
Marilyn Halton
Donna Kasten
Jane Luger
Tim Luger
Carole Molyneux
Millie Mueller
Anita Murphy
Fred & Sharon Murphy
Nancy Peralez
Don & Peggy Porter
Tom and Peggy Robison
Keith and Judy Ross (2)
Betty Sargent
Jerry Selbo (2)
Cindie Selbo
Lesa, Jillian, Sara &
Bethany Stone
Jane Tago (?)
Bryan & Kristin
Van Staveren
Christopher Weis (3)
Lorraine Wilkinson
Aiden Woodward
Jim Woodward
Terry Howell (HUMC)
Raedell Elizondo - Trinity
Maxine Jamison - Trinity
Tonya Woolsey- (2) Coordinator from Trinity

The volunteers not only provided meals and food/necessity items; they provided themselves to help in any way the felt necessary. Many of the members served in more than one capacity (see above). The meals provided were delicious, and the families really enjoyed them all. We had pot roast, spaghetti, lasagna, beef Stroganoff, chicken casserole, turkey dinner and ham. Much milk, both white and chocolate, was consumed as were fruits and vegetables!!

We also had the privilege of having a former guest serve as a volunteer; a wonderful way to give back to those who have helped when help was needed.

To each of you THANK YOU!

The giving of selves, food/necessity provisions, monetary donations, and prayers showed so much of GOD's love with this worthwhile outreach/missions project. GOD Bless each and every one of you.

P.S. If I have left anyone out, misspelled names, etc, please do not hesitate to contact me, Jane Tago at 282-0765

Our next Family Promise dates are:
March 8-15, June 14-21, October 4-11, 2009.

Due Dates for Sunday Bulletin and Newsletter
For the Sunday Bulletin: Information due Wednesday of each week.
For the Mountain View: Articles due the 20th of every month. Articles on disk or e-mailed (office@mtnvistaumc.org) preferred.