The Mountain View September 2005

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.

I want to thank my church family at Mountain Vista for the "coolest" gift my family and I have ever received. The Pastor Appreciation offering you gave us made it possible for us to purchase an air conditioner for our home. Our swamp cooler was about fifteen years old and just was not doing the job anymore. We cannot believe the difference in our comfort level! I thank you. Tracy thanks you. Scott thanks you. Shane thanks you. Our Sheltie, J.W. (John Wesley), thanks you. J.W. spent most of the summer on the linoleum in the laundry room downstairs because it was the only cool place he could find. Everyone who comes to visit our home thanks you.

I told everyone from the pulpit last Sunday that not only do you bless me with a Pastor's appreciation month, but, actually, you make it feel like Pastor's Appreciation Year every year. You have discovered a secret that is rare. You know that if you take care of your pastor and the pastor's family, the pastor will continue to have a cup that overflows in caring for YOU! You have probably known pastors who give and give and give and are often receiving nothing but criticism in return. Those pastors will crash and burn. A church family like Mountain Vista helps a pastor to lift up with wings like eagles, walk and not be weary, run and not faint (Isaiah 40:31), because of the unconditional, encouraging, relentless love of God you share over and over again.

May our love for one another continue to grow, and may it continue to be a love that reaches out to a needy world. It is an honor and a joy to be in ministry with you.

Several years ago Richard Carlson wrote a book entitled, "Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff." Recently he wrote a sequel entitled, "What About The Big Stuff?"

This seems like a significant change in philosophy. He goes on to say we can learn so much from both the big and little stuff. Things that can help teach us about life, things that can help us deal with day to day events, whether big or small, and to focus on the really important things in life.

In a conversation with a friend he quoted the friend as saying, "Did you notice that not a single person on any of the hijacked planes on 09/11/01 who had access to a phone called their stock broker?" That was something I had totally missed while hearing the accounts of the events that day as the planes flew to their final destiny.

What does that tell us about priorities when life is on the very edge? It suggests that other things become more important than the things we have built our life around. Dr. Carlson says there are three important lessons to learn here:

A few years ago I was told that I might have cancer and that if I did they said I would only have a few months to live. Thankfully I did not have cancer then and the problems were resolved through surgery. Once again, I have been told I have cancer. This time the testing has proven that the diagnosis is accurate, however no estimate has been attached to my life span.

Both times I was given this diagnosis I have found myself reflecting on my life and the events and decisions I have made. What would I like to have people remember about me? The doctors have assured me that the prognosis for my recovery after treatment is good, but there is still that nagging thought, "What if?"

Each time I have faced this situation, I have come back to my original conclusions, that the most important things in life are relationships with others and love for and from others. Anger and resentment require too much time and energy. Those emotions leave me feeling frustrated and empty. When I focus on my relationships with others and to experience love for and from others I am filled with feelings of hope and happiness. Jesus talks to us about the "Bread Of Life." Maybe the "Bread Of Life" for our souls is really to experience not only the love of God but to also experience the love and fellowship of our fellow sojourners.

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. Call the church office or Dr. Duane Haidle for an appointment.

The Saturday morning Men's Group is starting a new study from a book entitled, Groups, the Life Giving Power of Community. This is a topic that is central to every Church, since community is God's idea. The cost of the book is $10.99. We meet at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings. It's a great way to start the weekend and still leaves time for breakfast with the family or other activities. Join us for this inspirational study. —Duane

In September, we’ll begin a series of regular monthly breakfast meetings for members of the congregation to meet and network their businesses; sort of our own Chamber of Commerce. It occurred to me that, as well as I think I know the people in our church, I probably couldn’t tell you what more than ten people do for a living, or where they work. I’m sure I’m not the only one who can say that. How often do we, as consumers, buy something from total strangers, or call someone in the Yellow Pages to perform a service, when we could be dealing with someone in our own congregation? As we help others to succeed, we will prosper as a collective group.

Our first meeting will be Tuesday, September 13^th, at 7:30 a.m. Bring business cards and brochures. A light breakfast will be provided, and we’ll be done in an hour, max. You don’t need to be a business owner to come. Almost anyone can help their career by promoting the company they work for. Even if you are just a consumer, and want to find out what others in our congregation do for a living, you are welcome to come. For more information, call Jerry Selbo.

Join us on Wednesday nights at 7:00, directly after communion service, for BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY. This 34 week course includes daily scripture reading and a 2 1/2 hour weekly group meeting where we will be taught by Bible scholars, via video tapes, and share intimate reflections and observations from our own daily reading.

This beginning course begins at Creation and takes us through the Bible to the New Jerusalem, weaving our way through sometimes familiar, sometimes obscure territory. As we take this walk together we will discover our gifts and talents and take them into the world and the community just as followers of our Lord have done before us......

Group size is limited to 12 disciples, and because of the nature of the study, late entry into the group is discouraged.

Group begins September 21st. The study guide is $30.00. Contact disciple facilitator Dayva Beemus, dayvabeemus@yahoo.com.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in our church parking lot, Monday, Sept. 12 from 3-8 p.m. Please reserve your time on the sign-up sheet in the church hallway. Invite family, friends and neighbors also. If you have any questions, please contact Patti Chauza.

We invite all cub scouts, their families and any other interested people to our annual kickoff. We are looking for all cub scout aged boys who are interested in hearing about or joining our scout pack to come and bring your family. We will be having some activities, games, and refreshments.

We are really excited about this year. We have a lot of fun activities planned and hope you will join us.

We are also looking for some leaders. We are in need of a Webelos 2 leader and an assistant cubmaster. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to call Troy Martinez at 280-5315.

Youth News

Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) Goes “Back To Basics”
Back to the Basics with God—Youth Leadership Conference '05—November 4-6, 2005, features Keynote Speaker & Singer, Matt Neely! This 34-year-old barefooted singer/speaker from Houston, Texas brings his passion, energy and creativity to every speaking engagement, worship event or concert as he tries to make God famous! "I am quite sure that God doesn't need me to spread his Word so I'm blessed every time he chooses to work either through me or in spite of me," says Matt. "I am not a saint or a perfect example of how to follow Christ. I'm just a guy with a guitar who is blown away by the fact that God hasn't given up on me yet. Jesus has died for me so I am determined to live for Him and sing His song until He comes for me." Because Matt understands God's limitless love and the huge debt we all owe to Christ, he is not afraid to either comfort or confront in a ministry setting. As Matt says, "My goal is to challenge people to chase God in a radical, reckless way. He deserves everything we have, but only asks for everything we are." Matt takes this task so seriously that he even removes his shoes to remind him of the Holy ground on which he stands. Just know that he'll probably show up barefooted.

There will be lots of other fun activities too!! Registration forms will be available the week after Labor Day.

A big thank you to all who had their cars washed by the youth on Sunday, August 21. We raised $500!! It was lots of fun and it was fun seeing a parking lot full of shiny cars!!! Half of the money raised goes into the general youth fund and the other half goes to the individual accounts of those who worked so that they can save money to help them go on the youth retreats, such as YLC, and other events.

YOUTH GROUP KICK OFF
Sunday, September 11
6:00 p.m.

All youth, Grades 6-12, and their parents are invited to the youth group kick-off on Sunday, September 11.

We will meet here at the church at 6:00 p.m.
Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be provided.
Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

NURSERY ATTENDANT NEEDED

Hours: 4 hours Sunday mornings and
1 hour Wednesday evenings
Salary: $9.00 hour

Must be 21 or older.
Please talk to Jan Pitts, 968-9475,
if you or anyone you know is interested.

For the third year, we plan on printing an Advent devotional booklet written by members of our congregation. If you would like to contribute, please write a short one-page devotional (modeled after the ones in the Upper Room) and leave them in the church office. The first Sunday in Advent is November 27, so it would be nice to have them available by November 20. Please use the forms which are located on the hallway bookshelf.

"Millions of suffering children are experiencing the wonder of Christmas—many for the first time—because of simple gift-filled shoe boxes and the love of Christ sent through Operation Christmas Child," says Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan's Purse. Tammy Brockmann will be bringing us more information on this wonderful project soon.

When: Saturday, September 10, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: St. Paul United Methodist Church, Copperton, Utah

The basic course is for those wishing to become Local Church Lay Speakers. It is a prerequisite to become a Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church. It also helps equip lay people to become servant leaders for Christ.

The Advanced Course is for those who are already Lay Speakers. You may take this course to become a Certified Lay Speaker.

Friday — Work on Camp
Saturday — Work on Camp
Sunday — Day of worship and games
All meals provided ($3.00 per meal)
Coffee pot and soft drinks always available.
Registration forms in church hallway.

September Thrift Store Items: Kitchen items. They also still have a huge need for back-to-school clothes sizes 5-16 and shoes.

Don't forget the Sandwich Mission. Every third week of the month we make and serve sandwiches as an outreach mission.

The dates for September are:
Sunday, September 18: make/or bring sandwiches, 2 p.m.
Monday, September 19: serve sandwiches, 5 p.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South. (Usually finished by 6:30 p.m.)

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.

Youth News

YOUTH GROUP KICK OFF Sunday, September 11 6:00 p.m.

YOUTH GROUP KICK OFF
Sunday, September 11
6:00 p.m.