The Mountain View November 2006

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.

During my forty-day sabbatical this summer, some of my favorite times were on the front porch watching God’s creation in motion. The animal life, the trees, the sunsets, the stars, the sounds, the breeze, the rain, and even the snow in the middle of the day in August at 11,000 feet in the Colorado mountains, all seemed to be God's love reaching out to me in the beauty of my surroundings.

I could relate to many of the Psalm writers in the Bible who were inspired by God's astounding creation all around them:

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy... –Psalm 96:11-12

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? –Psalm 8:3-4.

The half moon hangs in the Evergreen tree
Like the last of Christmas ornaments
Wispy cloud tinsel, floating and free,
Wraps 'round the night's adornment.

Then a star in the branches winks to say,
This glowing globe of silver's purest
Is not the last of the Season's array.
This night light orb is the first.

Starlight Haiku
(A Haiku is a poem of oriental origin with three lines and 17 syllables.)

Night sky, more dark than light,
My sight's drawn to light,
May it be so in life.

Two hundred fifty-five light years away,
The beaming star gleams in the night.
She died a hundred years ago today,
When I'm gone, will I shine as bright?

Peter is writing to the gentile Christians in Asia Minor. He is speaking of dangers that creep up within the Church.

Like those in the early Church, we often find ourselves focusing and worrying on all the temptations and what we see as evil in the world surrounding us. Being concerned about all we see, it is easy to forget that there is much danger that can be found in the Church itself. Dangers that can cause us to be ineffective, weak and unproductive in our Christian walk. Peter lists a few of them. The fulfilled and joyous life is no longer evident.

In the sports world there is a term used to indicate that the athlete's efforts have been most productive. It is called, "The Sweet Spot." It can be best described as a spot in the center on the face of a golf club, baseball bat or tennis racket. When contact with the ball is made in the "Sweet Spot" there is a very noticeable response of the ball to the hit, long drives, home runs and etc. Sure the ball will bounce even if you don't hit the "Sweet Spot," but the response from the ball is noticeably minimized. Athletes practice many hours trying to learn to find that "Sweet Spot" in order to improve their performance.

How does this apply to the Christian walk? It's very simple, we are all given talent(s) at the time of our birth. These are God given talents and vary with each person. There are no talents greater than others, each talent is God given and has a purpose that can be used to glorify God.

It brings a question as we think about this. Could it be that we should be working towards or practicing to find, that "Sweet Spot" for the talent God has given each of us? If we were to try to work towards that "Sweet Spot" would we become more effective in the use of our talents?

We are approaching a holiday season we celebrate in our Church. Could it be that each of us could find that "Sweet Spot" in our Christian walk that would make this holiday season even more special. Beware of the dangers within and keep looking for that "Sweet Spot."

The Christian Life Center

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 a.m.-Noon
1^st and 3^rd Saturday 9:00 a.m.-Noon (by appointment only)

The Christian Life Center is a ministry offered by this church. Its purpose is to help people deal with the troublesome issues of life. It is provided at no cost to you. Dr. Haidle has a new office phone number: 565-7538 and a new email address: wdhdle@msn.com.

Sunday December 3^rd

Charge Conference Potluck!!

Potluck at 12:00 noon
Charge Conference at 1:00 p.m.

Come get charged up and filled up!!!

It is time once again for our annual Christmas Cookie Walk. A "cookie walk” is a bake sale where cookies are sold by the pound. The buyer walks around a group of tables filled with platters of cookies, candies, pastries, breads, choosing his/her own assortment and placing them in a box, which is weighed when the buyer is done. There will also be a variety of crafts available and a wall quilt to be raffled.

This event will take place on Sat., Dec. 9, 2006 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund.

We are in need of lots of donated cookies and candies. We are asking people to donate in multiples of at least 3 dozen per type of cookie. We would like all kinds of cookies (no chocolate chip, please) with different textures and colors. Pull out your favorite recipes for cookies, candies, breads, etc. Please bring your goodies to the church on a cookie platter or in a Tupperware container (remember to put your name on all containers), Friday, Dec. 8th between 5-8 p.m. so we can set everything up the night before.

How can you help even more? Come to the event on Saturday and tell all your friends, neighbors, and relatives about the event so they can come and buy all the cookies/candies they will need for the holidays. These boxes of goodies are a great idea to take to the office, give to neighbors, and relatives.

We look forward to seeing you on Dec. 8, for delivery and Dec. 9, to buy, making this event a great success!

Some of our Youth will be in Colorado November 3-5 at the Youth Leadership Conference! Expect them to be Super-charged when they get back!

If you are attending YLC, please make sure your bus and registration fees are paid to the Church as soon as possible.

SCOUT NEWS
Girl Scouts Mondays 7 p.m.
Cub Scouts Tuesdays 7 p.m.
Boy Scouts Tuesday 7 p.m. (Starting January 2nd)

Cub Scouts - Pack 4012 is sponsored by MVUMC - - thank you so much! We have started meeting again at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the sanctuary: Nov 7. Our next Pack Meeting will be November 14th. All boys 1st through 5th grades are welcome to join. The Dens for each grade level generally meet on Tuesday evenings too. Please contact Cubmaster Dave Elwell at 268-3600 or 860-1073 for more info.

Dinner & Dads – November 7th at the Kentucky Fried Chicken, 90^th South & Redwood Road, 5:30-6:00pm, all are welcome for a small group fellowship opportunity for boys and their Dads (or Moms). We will meet the first Tuesday of each month, and our Pack Meeting will follow at 7:00 PM. For more information, contact Cory Coward at 209-3734.

Popcorn Fundraiser - Pack 4012 has kicked off its first fundraiser of the year - Yummy Popcorn Sales! We use the proceeds to provide a year-round program for young boys, including crafts, activities, field trips and camp opportunities. Find one of our Cubs or Webelos to get your popcorn. Popcorn will be delivered on the spot or before Thanksgiving. Can't find a scout, call Cubmaster Dave for help - 268-3600.

God & Country Program - Pack 4012, the new Girl Scouts program and MVUMC will be joining together to offer the God & Country program for our youth - both boys and girls, 1st through 8th grades. This program was offered and was well received last year at MVUMC. Three levels - God & Me, 1st - 3rd; God & Family, 4th - 5th; and God & Church 6th - 8th grades. We hope to begin these programs by early November. For more information, please contact either Cory Coward at 209-3734 or Dave Elwell at 268-3600.

CHRISTIAN CONCERT - Chonda Pierce
Sunday Nov 5, 6 p.m.
Christian Life Center Church
2352 E. Highway 193, Layton
General admission $17.50 in advance or $21.00 at the door.
Purchase tickets at area Christian Book Stores.

Centenary UMC UMW Annual Fall Bazaar

November 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
1740 S 500 E
Jewelry, crafts, quilts and baked goods!
Lunch by “Chef Dave”. Come enjoy.

Night of Nativities program
November 20^th, 7 p.m. at the Sprauge Library.
Individuals are invited to display and speak about their nativity sets. There will be an exciting display that represents all corners of the globe. The Ten Thousand Villages store is sponsoring this event, for more information call: 485-8827 or email: susanvillages@hotmail.com.

SALT LAKE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK
Mountain Vista hosting families at the Hilltop House Dec 3-10.
Volunteers are needed: for set up, to cook evening meals, help clean up and provide overnight supervision. The families arrive at 5 p.m. and leave by 7 a.m. This is a wonderful ministry. Thank you for being God’s servants.

Operation Christmas Child
There is a Christmas tree in the sanctuary with information on how you can help Santa. Pick up a flyer and a shoe box. Fill it and decorate it for a needy child. Suggestions are in the flyer. These shoe boxes are sent all over the world to let children know they are precious to God. Please place filled boxes under the tree by November 12. Paul Tucker is the coordinator this year.

2^nd Annual Leadership Training
Saturday, January 20, 2007, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Heather Wilson from The General Board of Global Ministries
Workshops: Covering a variety of topics on church growth, administration, worship and leadership.
Location: Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 E. 3300 S., Salt Lake City
Cost $15.00 per person ($20 at the door)
Save the date and watch for more information!

Christianity for the Heart and the Head
February 2-3, 2007, Christ United Methodist Church is hosting New Testament scholar, Dr. Marcus Borg. For more information: www.christmethodistchurch.net

ATTENTION ALL SALT LAKE AREA COLLEGE STUDENTS!!
Check out the Wesley Foundation United Methodist Campus Ministry!
They would like to include you in activities and on their mailing list. They plan to have mixers, service projects, and a “food for finals” activity where they provide food, babysitting, and a quiet place to study for finals.
Where: Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 E. 3300 S.
Purpose: Meet and mingle with other United Methodist Students.
Contact: Terry Haven at 801-486-7993.

JOY4HIM, the premier men's gospel quartet in the Intermountain West, will be holding auditions by appointment for a top tenor to fill out its membership for the 2006-2007 season. Please contact Bob Nohavec (435) 649-6075 or Bruce Ackerson (801) 231-1191 for more information.

Portrait of Christ
Pastor Steve's uncle, John Naylor, is a professional portrait artist and is selling prints of Jesus Christ for $30. He will donate $10 toward our building fund for every print that he sells to our church. Orders can be made at the church office.

Christmas Cards for Sale to Benefit Building Fund!
Buy your cards Oct. 29 - Dec. 17th after every service by the kitchen
Beautiful Nature Photography to Affirm your Spirit by Bill Bruce
Greeting Cards will also be available!
All cards are $10/box, with $2/box to the Building Fund
Questions? Call Bill or Laurie at 816-0230

Advent Devotionals
Be a part of our own special devotional booklet for the Advent season. Forms are in front of the office. The format follows the one used in The Upper Room.

Dinner For Eight November – April
Sign up soon on the clipboard or call the office to be included.
Within each assigned group, take turns hosting a dinner once a month. Usually the host provides the main course and others bring side dishes. Date and time is up to each group to decide. Your group can change the rules as you see fit. The idea is to get together for food, fun and fellowship and to get to know each other better.

Remember Out Troops
The Griersons send boxes of "special" items to our troops as moral support. We can all help fill the boxes. Just ask Melinda!

The Christian Life Center is a ministry offered by Mountain Vista. Its purpose is to help people deal with the troublesome issues of life. It is provided at no cost to you. Dr. Haidle has a new office phone number: 565-7538 and a new email address: wdhdle@msn.com.

Missing book:
"90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper
Please return to Duane Haidle if found.

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual walk, not a physical walk. There is no hiking or marathon walk involved. Bring your slippers, not your walking shoes.

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all."

The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace, principles of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship, music and daily celebration of Holy Communion. The Walk continues after these 3 days, with 4^th day reunion groups and quarterly gatherings.

The Upper Room, a ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, sponsors the Walk to Emmaus and offers it through local Emmaus groups around the world. Although connected through The Upper Room to The United Methodist Church, The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical.

Walk to Emmaus dates:
Men’s Walk Feb 22-25, 2007 (the last weekend of February each year)
Women’s Walk March 1-4, 2007 (the first weekend of March each year)
Youth Chrysalis (high school age):
Young Men’s Flight August 2-5, 2007
Young Women’s Flight August 9-12, 2007

Check with the church office for applications. Come “walk” with Christ.
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who helped to paint the inside of the Church! It looks great!

Thank you all for your generous donations to our Love Fund and food pantry. Several people have been helped.

Thanks to everyone who came and contributed
Special thanks go out to my sister girl friend Carole Molyneux!
Another special thanks to the Selbo's; you rock!

We were able to donate $125.00 to the building fund. That will buy a brick,
but hey, one brick at a time, right?

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalms 118:1
Debi Paulsen

Tracy Reinhard's school is doing some service projects this year and would like to invite Mountain Vista to help out. When you think about it, please save the following items and drop them off at the church.

"Save Lids to Save Lives" (Pink Yoplait yogurt lids) collecting them until December,15, 2006.
Help raise $15 million to fight breast cancer. Yoplait will donate 10 cents up to $1.5 million to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

"Pull The Top, Make The Drop" (pop tabs from cans)
The Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City, serves as a home away from home, where families of children with cancer, life-threatening injuries, premature birth, and other serious illnesses can reside while their children receive treatment at one of the area's nearby medical facilities.

"Box tops for Education" (box top coupons)
All the money received though this program will benefit community service. Last year, my school sent the box top money to a school in India. These box tops can be found on products of General Mills, Pillsbury, Hamburger Helper, Betty Crocker, Old El Paso, Fruit Snacks ,Nature Valley, Granola Bars, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, Ziploc, and Pop Secret.

Check out the Wesley Foundation United Methodist Campus Ministry!
They would like to include you in activities and on their mailing list. They plan to have mixers, service projects, and a "food for finals" activity where they provide food, babysitting, and a quiet place to study for finals.
Where: Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 E. 3300 S.
Purpose: Meet and mingle with other United Methodist Students.
Contact: Terry Haven at 801-486-7993.

Harmon's Grocery Gift for a Gift program will be happening again this year. This is a program where anyone can buy a $10 Gift for a Gift certificate at any Harmon's store and the Harmon's will match your turkey with another one, up to $10 -$12,000. All turkeys purchased will be delivered to the Crossroads Thanksgiving giveaway in November.

The certificates will be available for purchase beginning Wednesday, November 1 through Sunday, November 19. Something new this year - Each individual person who purchases a certificate will be entered in a drawing for a complete Thanksgiving dinner from Harmon's. There will also be a way to order certificates on line and also a way to get discount pie coupons.

November food of the month - stuffing
November thrift store item of the month – bedding, sleeping bags if possible.

Dear People of Mountain Vista United Methodist Church,

We would personally like to "Thank You" for your hear-felt donations to the men, women, and children of the Horn of Africa.

With thoughtful donations like yours, the grateful and noble people of Horn of Africa understand that they have a friend in the United States of America. We have traveled into many of the villages throughout the region and witnessed how their lives have been touched by your benevolent gifts.
The combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa is responsible for an area that is two thirds the size of the United Stated and contains eight nations. The area has a population of 170 million people of which fifty-percent are unemployed. There are 3.3 million refugees and an additional 10 million displaced people living in the area. Our mission is to raise awareness regarding how people of faith and good will can make a tremendous difference in the lives of the honorable and appreciative people who live throughout The Horn of Africa.

Your compassionate gift has made an incredible difference in the lives of many worthy children and families from these impoverished countries.

Ronnie C. King Rozalia F. Jordan
Director of Religious Affairs Leading Petty Officer

CJTF HOA Chaplains Office
United States Central Command
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa
APO AE 09363-3100

Sandwich Mission
November dates are:
Sunday, Nov. 19: Make/bring sandwiches to church
Monday, Nov. 20: Serve sandwiches, 5:00 p.m. at St Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South

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.

Centenary UMC UMW Annual Fall Bazaar

November 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 1740 S 500 E Jewelry, crafts, quilts and baked goods! Lunch by “Chef Dave”. Come enjoy.

November 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
1740 S 500 E
Jewelry, crafts, quilts and baked goods!
Lunch by “Chef Dave”. Come enjoy.