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.

April 2002

Pastor's Ponderings…

"Did You Think You Had to Look Somewhere Else?"

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" (John 20-18)

Where have you seen the Lord lately? You say you haven't seen the Lord much lately? When we don't see the Lord in our life, it is not because the Lord is not present. It is because we are not paying attention. The Lord was there through the night, while you were sleeping. (I know. It is hard to pay attention when you are sleeping!) But the lungs were taking in life-giving oxygen without you thinking about it. Your heart was pumping life throughout your limbs without a single conscious thought about it from you. You want to see miracles? Did you think you had to look somewhere else?

The Lord was there in every person who showed you even the slightest kindness in word or action. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)

The Lord was there in you every time you showed even the slightest kindness in word or deed to another person. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40)

In her poem "Aurora Leigh," Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote:

Did I think I had to look somewhere else? The Lord's miraculous presence is all around me, all the time.

Shalom,
Pastor Steve

Spring is here and we are having a bazaar! If you or someone you know has arts, crafts or antiques to sell, this is your chance. You can purchase space for a nominal fee and be able to show and sell your special items. Pass this information along to your friends and neighbors. The prices for space at the Bazaar are:

Long Table with a wall - $30
Long table without a wall - $25
Half table with a wall - $20
Half table without a wall - $15
Your own card table - $15

Proceeds from the Bazaar help us purchase bookshelves for our library and other special projects.

There will also be a Yard Sale outside where you can sell used items. Just think, this is an excellent opportunity to sell some of those treasures that you have been saving and get some extra cash for them. The cost is $15 and you will need to provide your own tables. If you remove all of your unsold items, you will receive a $5 refund. Of course, you can donate items for the Yard Sale and all proceeds will go to the church.

The Youth will be selling donuts, coffee and hot drinks to the eager shoppers. We hope to see everyone at the Bazaar on May 4th. Even if you are not a seller, we hope you will still come and be a buyer.

For more information, you can call:
Rhonda Nelson - 254-6794
Jane Cordes - 571-7977
Betty Ross - 562-3016

United Methodist Women (UMW) come together monthly to share in fellowship, study and mission. Ruth Circle meets the 3rd Tuesday evening of the month - next meeting will be April 16th at 7 p.m. and Martha Circle meets the 3rd Wednesday afternoon of the month - next meeting will be April 17th at 1 p.m. The women are currently studying about Women's Leadership from Jeanne Porter's book, Leading Ladies Transformative Biblical Images for Women's Leadership. Women of all ages are welcome and child care is provided for both meetings.

The UMW has recently taken over the coordination of the Trial Size Mission program for the Church. The program needs "trial size" soaps, shampoos, toothpaste and personal hygiene items that will be donated quarterly to South Valley Sanctuary. South Valley Sanctuary provides a home for abused women.

The Peralez Family would like to thank everyone for the love, support and prayers for their mother through her illness and passing.

Now through April 30th. For the low price of $10 per hour, you can rent a teen to do your spring chores! Money goes to the Youth Fund.

Children Dedicated to the Lord
March 31, 2002

Victoria Jones
Michaela Joy Jones

Baptisms
March 31, 2002

Barbara Tirado McClellan
Andrew Joachim Tirado
Jessika A Rietveld

New Members
March 31, 2002

Juliet Wiersma
Diane Lewis
Steve Lewis
Diana Cline
Scott Kline

The church's office hours are 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. Pastor Steve is available in the office Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, with Monday as his day off.

Article Due Dates

For the Sunday Bulletin: Wednesday of each week.
For the Mountain View: the 21st of each month.