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.
September 2008
Pastor's Ponderings....
God Goes to Bat for Us
Andy told a story in church on Sunday. (Some people say Andy is a puppet, but I don't believe it!) Andy and his sister were playing baseball in their front yard last week. Andrea was standing by the front door pitching, and Andy was batting from across the yard. Andy said,
Andrea pitched a really fast pitch, and I don't know how it happened, but my bat connected with the ball! I watched the ball go way up in the air, and then I watched it come down… right through the living room window! CRASH! I was scared to death! I just knew Dad was going to ground me for the rest of my life. Then something really weird happened. Andrea ran over to me and grabbed the bat out of my hand. She said, "Go stand over there by the front door! Hurry!" I didn't know what was going on. I just did what she said and went and stood by the door, shaking like a leaf. Dad walked out the front door and, boy, did he look mad. He saw Andrea holding the bat, and he said, "You get in here right now, young lady. If I've told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, do NOT hit the ball toward the house. You are going to be in time out for a very long time, and then mom and I will talk about how long to ground you."
I couldn't believe it! Andrea let herself get punished for what I did. I sure didn't do anything to deserve that. All I do is be mean to Andrea, and then I hit the ball through the window.
Andy's story gives me a small glimpse of what Jesus did for me on the cross. I should be punished for the bad things I've done, but God came to earth in person to take the punishment for me. Talk about unearned love! All I can do is give thanks for this undeserved gift by loving others the way God has loved me.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation… —Colossians 1:19-22.
In Christ,
Pastor Steve
A False Sense of
Security
Luke 12:13-21
It seems so easy to develop a strong sense of security when we look around and see all the "things" we have accumulated and accomplished. Life seems good, we have established an order to our lives and feel confident we are in control.
I am reminded of a time back on the ranch. One of my duties was to treat cattle for diseases. One of our bulls developed a condition known as pink eye which requires treatment. If not treated it can develop into a serious problem and result in the loss of the animal.
The bull was big, weighing about 1800 pounds. He had been partially halter-broke as a calf. Not having a chute big enough to contain him, I roped him and tied him to a large post on the corral fence. I used a nylon lariat which was considered unbreakable. I tied him up real short so he couldn't swing his head and proceeded to give him the required shot in the neck. He stood there quietly watching me as I gave him the shot. After the shot I went to untie him. He watched me approach him and as I reached for the rope, he gave his head a toss and snapped the nylon lariat as if it were a string at which point he walked calmly to the other side of the corral. So much for security!
The farmer in the parable felt he had everything under control and was set for life. The lesson for the farmer was he had put his trust in things that were of this world to protect him. I trusted a nylon lariat that was thought to be unbreakable. I was safe only because the bull allowed me to give the shot. The farmer thought he was safe because of all he had amassed, but forgot about the most important issue, his soul.
Lord, protect us from our lack of wisdom and understanding.
Peace
Duane
CONGRATULATIONS
Anne Applegate – Choir Director
Jayme Palady – Jr. High Praise Team Director
Praying for:
Barb McClellan
Tracy Reinhard
The Anderson and Reynolds Families
Kelly Fayerweather and Family
All our needs.
NOTICES
Ground Breaking!!!
Mountain Vista broke ground for the new building on August 20th!
Praise for everyone involved in the building project!
This is GREAT News! ~Mike
You will all be in my prayers for the big festivities!!!!! It's SO EXCITING!!!!!
~Barb
Congratulations!
My heart will be with you as you break ground.
I hope you all keep the spirit and spread it as well
~Brenda
Thank you God! ~Duane
Have You Seen our Water Share Certificates?
Please contact Carole Molyneux or Anita Murphy ASAP. Thank you.
Building
Please remember to leave the church tidy & clean for the next group using it.
Make sure lights are all off and doors are all locked and latched.
Turn in Fall Class and Event Schedules and Facility Use Forms to the office. Thank you!
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, mow lawn, clean facilities, serve as ushers, get on
a committee, plan events. The list goes on. Join in!
Contact the church office if you can help 280-4148
GIVE THANKS!
Crossroads July Food Drive Challenge Tons of Success!
July is the month when Crossroads gets few food donations. A Crossroads Urban
Center board member, Scott Patton, decided that should change. He rallied fellow
members of his congregation at First United Methodist Church to collect food
during the month of July and they issued a challenge to other churches in the
Salt Lake Valley to do the same. Ten churches accepted the challenge of
gathering the most food per worshiper each Sunday in July. To make things fun we
decided to award the first annual Golden Celery Trophy to the winner.
The results were astounding. Collectively these churches gathered 9,226.5 pounds
in four weeks! That is unprecedented. The competition was keen among
participants. Here are the results everyone has been waiting for:
First Place and winner of the Golden Celery Trophy
Mt Tabor Lutheran Church - 11.3 pounds/person
Second Place
First United Methodist Church - 7.6 pounds/person
Third Place
Christ United Methodist Church - 5.1 pounds/person
Honorable Mention goes to St Catherine's Parish for being the only group to do a
food drive year after year during the month of July.
We would like to thank the additional participants for their efforts too. They
were Centenary United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Hilltop
United Methodist Church, Holladay United Church of Christ, Murray Baptist Church
and Mountain Vista United Methodist Church
Thank you for for your donations to benefit the Carmen B.
Pingree Center for Children with Autism.
Christian Mickelsen
EVENTS
September 6: American Heart Association Heart Walk/Run at Sugarhouse
Park. Registration 8:00 a.m., 8:45 a.m. Kids Fun run, 9:00 a.m. 5k run and walk
start. Rachel 801-484-3838
September 7: Back to Sunday School Potluck after 3rd service – Bring a
dish to share.
September 8: Red Cross Blood Drive!! 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Mark your calendar and plan to put your best arm forward! There are many times
left, sign up on the clipboard!
Casa Hogar Mission Stock Holder’s Banquet
September 14, 11:45 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church gym.
Bring your Mission Stock Certificate and come hear about the Casa Hogar Mission
trip! RSVP 280-4148
Family Promise!
September 14-21 – Mountain Vista UMC at Hilltop House
Sign up on the oversized clipboard to help provide food & fellowship for
homeless families.
| TO: Mountain Vista UMC and Trinity UMC
Church Families You're Invited! WHAT: Show GOD's LOVE and our support for a week of hosting and
providing for families without a place to live at this time |
Golf Tournament to Support Utah Jail Ministry
Saturday September 13 at the Old Mill Golf Course.
See bulletin board for flyer.
September 20: West Jordan Family Expo 2:00-6:30 p.m. Right here on our
property. Mountain Vista and our L.D.S. neighbors are hosting a multi-cultural
music and dance festival, children’s activities, puppet show, free hot dogs,
antique cars, art show and crafts. Utah Food Bank will be accepting canned food
donations.
A basketball booth for the "Nothing but Nets" project for Africa and a visit by our Jazz Bear and his Harley-Davidson! Mark your calendars.
We hope that you, your family and friends will join us as we expand our bonds of love and friendship in our community.
See you there! Contact Nancy to help 964-6084
United Methodist Women – Annual District Meeting
September 20-21 at Christ UMC
"Helping Hands, Hugs and Kisses" Focus groups will feature topics : Homespun,
Senior Moments, Is It Good for the Kids? And The healing Power of Humor.
INTO THE FUTURE!!
Ad Council Fall Planning Retreat – October 4th 8:30 a.m. - 4:00
p.m.
Last fall, the Administrative Council hosted a 2-day idea-gathering retreat hoping that such a gathering might become an annual activity. More than 20 members of our congregation participated in 3 extended discussion sessions, out of which developed some very significant focused activities involving our Mountain Vista UMC Vision Statement and several meaningful efforts to improve our communication throughout the congregation.
This year, the Ad Council is again developing a fall retreat. The focus for this gathering will be the development of both short-term and long-term plans. With our new building finally into the actual construction phase, there is an expectation that we will be able to begin using the facility as early as this winter. The need for careful planning and policy development is even more important than ever.
Everyone who participates in our congregation is invited to attend! Everyone sitting on a church committee is strongly encouraged to attend and participate.
This will be a one-day session. It will be held in our current facility, from 8:30 in the morning until about 4:00 in the afternoon, on Saturday, October 4th. That’s a Big 10-4!
So, mark your calendars and plan on participating as we begin mapping the future of our church family’s adventures.
10-4? See You Then!
More for "Nothing But Nets"
We are planning a Karaoke Night in October with a professional from our church
hosting. People will pay to sing. Someone else will have to pay more if they
don't want them to sing. Someone else will have to pay more if they still want
them to sing, etc., etc., etc. Scott, the Karaoke host, calls this "Scary-oky!"
Should be a blast!
Jordan River Crop Walk – October 11, Saturday Morning.
For a few hours and a few miles, friends and neighbors will be coming together
to, in the words of I John 3:18: "...love, not in word or speech, but in truth
and action."
The letters CROP mean Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.
For more information, please contact Rev. Handi Jo Dolloff-Holt, Trinity United
Methodist Church 801-968-6891,
trinityumcpastor@qwestoffice.net or
RevGordonYoung@msn.com or visit
www.cropwalk.org.
October 25 or 26 – Trunk or Treat – Planners needed!
November 14-16 - Rejuvenation 2008 - Grand Junction, CO
Rejuvenation is open to all youth grades 6 – 12. The speaker is Bob Stromberg,
Lightswitch is the band. There will be ½ day mission experiences, workshops, &
worship! Registration is $80.00, accommodations and meals are not included.
Reservations are due by October 13th.
For more information on Rejuvenation visit
Rejuvenation.RMCUMC.org
Future Family Promise Dates!
November 16-23 – Mt. Vista UMC at Hilltop House
Help provide food & fellowship for homeless families.
Worship & Study
(see Calendar page)
Trinity United Methodist will be offering two adult evening
classes starting Monday September 15th at 7 p.m. They are "Jesus and the
Gospels" - a study of Jesus' presence in the four gospel chapters and "Christian
Believer" - a study of Christian faith and its relationship to scripture.
Please call Helen Bearinger 446-4541 with questions or Trinity's office to
register. Deadline is September 1st.
MISSION WORK
You are one of God's children; I see the resemblance!
REACHING OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY:
Collecting:
Eyeglasses in good condition for future Mexico, Central and South America
Mission trips.
Save shoeboxes and small toys for Samaritan's Purse: Shoebox Christmas.
Soup labels for Redbird Mission (Please include the barcode and "label for
education" mark.)
Donations for "Nothing But Nets"
Donations for Africa Medical Mission
OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY:
Crossroads Food Pantry: VBS raised 235.9 lbs. of canned food for the
hungry!
Love Fund – Provides onetime assistance for families and individuals in
need. In August we provided utility assistance for one family and food pantry
for another. The love fund is at $25.00
Project Linus has two "Make a Blanket Days" each month, bring a pair of
sharp scissors.
North Valley -Sept. 8, 10-2 Our Savior Lutheran Church 2500 E 3900 S and South
Valley –Sept. 16, 5-8 South Jordan Public Library 10673 S. Redwood Rd.
CROSSROADS URBAN CENTER
Thrift Store: 1385 W. Indiana Ave (850 S.)
Pantry: 347 S. 400 E.
Foods for the month of September are rice & instant soups. All food items
needed!
Thrift store items for September are back to school clothing and supplies, and
kitchen items.
Please bring items to the church and they will be delivered to Crossroads.
Sandwich Mission
Sunday, September 14: Make/bring sandwiches to church
Monday, September 15: Bring sandwiches to the church before 3:00. Deliver
& Serve sandwiches, 5:00 p.m. at St Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South
"Oh yeah, these are the GOOD sandwiches! Where are you from? Yeah, the
Methodists make good sandwiches."
The AJ Dummer Story – part 2
The next morning I returned to the Doctor for the amniocentesis. After it was
over a counselor talked with us about terminating our little boy. In the middle
of this session I heard, "We are all Gods' Children and He has a plan for all of
us."
I remember the session ending with me saying, I think I will leave this one in God hands. It was that moment that I knew this baby wasn't really mine to keep, he was God's Child and I was blessed to be his mom. On the way home Scott, my mother and I stopped at Blockbuster to rent a movie and get our minds off of what we just heard. As I walked to the door my eyes met an adolescent boy with Downs Syndrome. He smiled at me and I knew then everything would be ok.
Scott and I found out on December 31, 2001, that AJ (Andrew Jacob) did not have Downs Syndrome, but instead had what is called 18p- (Eighteen P Minus). This is a rare chromosome abnormality that often carries a heart defect. There wasn’t much research on 18p-, and it affected each child differently; anything from being a little slow in school to being still born, or requiring around the clock care. Still I prayed that God would be there and guide us through to make the right decisions for AJ. As time went on it became more and more about AJ and what he needed than what Scott and I wanted for ourselves.
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 Smagala.
LIVE B.I.G. Sunday school classes 9:45 Join the fun!
(Teachers needed, contact Lindsey Hardcastle)
"LIVE BIG" needs your help. I am looking for volunteer Sunday School teachers
who would be interested in teaching our children to "Live Big" with Jesus. There
will be two teams of five people to teach on an every other month basis from
September to December during the 9:45 a.m. Sunday service. Each age group will
have two teachers assigned who can either teach together or rotate Sundays. Age
groups include: Pre-school ages 4-6, Elementary ages 7-9 and Elementary ages
10-12. If you are interested and want to see our children grow and "Live Big"
with Jesus, please contact Lindsey Hardcastle. There will be a teacher meeting
prior to September 1st to go over the teaching guides and schedules.
Thanks and God Bless!
Trunk or Treat – Planners needed!
Girl Scouts:
Girl Scouts - Troop 2120, Mondays 6:30 p.m. Sept.– May
Girls kindergarten through high school
Brandee Fox (573-3515)
Cub Scouts:
Cub Scouts - Pack 4012, Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. Aug.– May
Boys age 7-11 (1st –5th grade)
Kristin VanStaveren (282-5378)
Cub Scout News
A new year is here, come check us out and join in the fun. We are looking for
boys from the 1st grade to 5th grade. We also are looking for more adult leaders
to join in the fun. Pack
meeting is on September 30 at the church 7pm.
POPCORN IS HERE!! We will be selling popcorn again this year at the church on
Sunday Sept 14th and 21st. Thanks for supporting this fundraiser, this helps our
boys go to camps
other activities.
Cub scouts is a great program to teach Duty to God, Country, help others, grow
together, teach teamwork, goodwill, loyalty. The cub scout motto is "DO YOUR
BEST"
If interested in joining or is you have any questions please call
Kristin Vanstaveren 282-5378.
Wolves Mike Vanstaveren 1st and 2nd Tuesday - small room
Bears Chris White 1st and 2nd Tuesday - Kitchen
Webelos Jim Goodrich 1st and 2nd Tuesday - Large room
Pack Meeting - whole church last Tuesday of each month.
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.
September 2, December, March and June.
Boy Scout News & Updates: Troop #1012
Court of Honors will be held on September 2, 2008
Congratulations to Christian Mickelsen for completing his Silver Moccasin
Training, August 9th, 2008.
New Members to the Troop:
• Zane Anderson
• James Hatch
Welcome Boys to Troop #1012.
Congratulations to:
• Zane Anderson
• Brandon Sleight
passing off their requirements for Boy Scout Rank! Way to go, Boys!!!!
We have had an exciting month in Scouting. The boys have been working really
hard on the Rank Advancements and new leadership roles have been put into play.
New Roles:
• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - Christian Mickelsen
• Instructor - Isaac Hatch
Troops Agenda for September 2008.
September 6th, Work on Bird Study Merit Badge.
The Troop will be going to the Jamboree 2008, September 12 & 13th.
Jamboree will be a collection of fun and challenging events for each individual
Scout. As a Patrol/Troop the program will strengthen the unit. Along with the
Best Scouting Skills. This will be an exciting event. Webelos are also invited
on this event as well. Parents will have to attend with the Webelos.
Registration Fee: $25.00
September 20th, Work on Environmental Science Merit Badge
September 23rd, Work on Crime Prevention Merit Badge
Future Events:
October 3 to 5th, camping trip scheduled to Goblin Valley. The Troop will
be working on the following Merit Badges: Astronomy, Camping, Climbing, and
Hiking.
Any boy interested between the ages of 10 to 17 come enjoy an evening with the
Troop. Check out the website
http://troop1012.scoutdata.com, and if you have
any questions you can contact me via email at
sganderson3@msn.com.
Scoutmaster: Sheila Anderson
Asst. Scoutmaster: Dale Fayerweather
Asst. Scoutmaster: Lynn Anderson
Asst. Scoutmaster: Bart Mickelsen
Committee Chair: Teeny Reynolds
Junior Asst. Scoutmaster: Christian Mickelsen
Please note: Troop Meeting time change: 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday's. No meeting last
Tuesday of the month.
More exciting news to follow:
I'm looking at starting a Venture Program. I need some adult volunteers to make
this happen.
Venturing Program is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America
for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through
20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help
young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.
Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. Local community organizations establish a Venturing crew by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens.
Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of vocations or
hobby interests.
Please contact me if you’re interested in helping me get this program started. I
would like to start this after the New Year, 2009. If your son or daughter is
interested in this please contact me as well. Thank you!
sganderson3@msn.
Youth Mission Trip Blogsite, check it out!
http://www.cumcyouthmissions.blogspot.com/
Dance Ministry: Samantha Stevens is starting a young women’s dance
ministry for girls 6th-12th grade. This is a great way to share and grow in
fellowship and have fun!! There will be a clipboard in the back for anyone who
is interested. We are hoping to start beginning of September.
Trans-Jordanian Orchestra - Attention all musicians!
We will find a place for EVERY instrument that we can get. Email
j_lpal@q.com or
call 801-301-4754-cell or 801-878-3389-home. Practice Sundays 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Jr. High Youth Praise Team – Practice Sundays 6:30-7:30 p.m. – contact Jayme
878-3389
Sr. High Youth Praise Team – Contact Jason 598-1151
Nov 14-16 - Rejuvenation 2008 - Grand Junction, CO
Rejuvenation is open to all youth grades 6 – 12. Music, fun, mission work,
workshops and worship!
Registration forms are on the Youth board.
Sweden Mission 2009! August 1-14 Grades 9-12
This is an evangelical and relationship building effort.
Hi Everyone!! This is very exciting news I have. We are already beginning to
plan our potential mission trip for 2009. We are planning a mission to SWEDEN!
That's right SWEDEN!! We would be joining Our Savior's Lutheran Church. See
Jason for information.
Sunday:
11:15 am - 12:00 pm - Sr. high Sunday School
11:15 am - 12:30 pm - Jr. High Sunday School
2:00-3:00 p.m. Young Women’s Dance Ministry
6:30 –7:30 p.m.– Jr. High Praise Team
Wednesday:
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Worship Service (Led by High School Praise Team resumes
in September)
7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Youth Activity Lesson (Jr. and Sr. High)
Jason’s office hours: Mon: 1pm to 6pm, Tues: 1 pm to 6 pm, Wed: 2 pm to 8 pm,
Thurs: off, Fri: 1 pm to 6 pm
College Students
Utah - Wesley Foundation campus ministry
Contact Terry Haven to join with other Methodist students for fellowship, fun
and study.
terryh@utahchildren.org 554-6570
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.
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