The Mountain View December 2004

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.

Extra trips to church…choir concerts….children's programs…Christmas Eve…the midnight service…the four Sundays in Advent…Do we have to go to church again? No, we don't have to go to church again. The good news is that we may. And if those opportunities seem to be a "drag" or a "bother," does that say that we may even need to ask forgiveness for our church attendance— for not going when we might, or for not really having our whole heart in it when we do? The amazing news is that Jesus came and died and rose to forgive us even our worship!

For worship is not some kind of "favor we do for God," but—as always—a favor God does for us, another opportunity to rekindle and strengthen our faith in Christ, who is the Heart—the real Source and the Goal—of all our worship.

May the light of His love shine in you...and through you...to the glory of God this season and throughout the new year!

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

December 24th

6:00 p.m. - Traditional Service
Choir and Special Music

8:00 p.m. - Contemporary Service
Praise Team and Special Music

11:00 p.m. - Quiet, Meditative Service
Special Music

This is the question that was posed by Andy Ratz, missionary to Moldovia. Most of us in this country see December 24 as a special day. Maybe it is just me, but I had never thought about people living in another culture where Christmas is not observed and how it must affect people from our culture living/working in those areas.

Instead of a special day of celebration it is "just another day!" This reminds us of our own Shelby Robinson, serving in Moldovia. How hard it must be when those special days pass by without notice.

Yet, on that night in Bethlehem, it was just another night for the shepherds until the angels broke through the stillness of the night with the Hallelujah chorus announcing the birth of the Christ Child. It was just another day to the innkeeper who was trying to deal with the throngs of people looking for lodging. It was just another day to the census takers. It was just another day for those trudging down the road to Bethlehem.

It is sad to say that even though we observe this special day, too often it is seen as a day off from work, a day of feasting and a day of football games. It is also a day of gift giving, often requiring much of the following year to restore balance to our budgets.

Still the day of celebration, feasting and gift giving often leaves us feeling empty and lonely. These gifts have been given as a token of love, yet they only provide temporary relief from these feelings. Too often the greatest gift of all, God's gift of the Christ Child is forgotten.

For those who celebrate, either alone or with others, commemorating the birth of the Christ Child, it can be a day of special importance. Not just another day, but a day when we remember that God fulfilled his promise to humankind. That He has never forgotten us. That through the Christ Child we can have hope, forgiveness and love.

The world may forget us, but God doesn't forget. The world may not care, but God does. We may receive gifts from others, but God has given us the greatest gift of all time.

As we look at the Christ Child and the message he brings, we can grasp that message as a very personal and loving gift from one who loves us regardless of where we are or what those around us are doing.

Just another day? NO! It's a VERY SPECIAL DAY that can fill our lives and make us whole!

The Christian Life Center

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9-Noon
1^st and 3^rd Saturday 9-Noon (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. Call the church office or Duane Haidle for an appointment.

Santa's Cookie Shop
and Christmas Boutique

Saturday, December 11th
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mountain Vista United Methodist Church
8931 South 3200 West

Make Your Own Box of Christmas
Cookies or Candies

A Gift Box for Someone Else

Large Selection of Homemade Cookies
and Candies to Choose From
$5 per pound

Browse through the Christmas Boutique

Come Join the Fun!!

All Proceeds go to the Building Fund

It's that time of year again for Mountain Vista's Annual Cookie Walk and Bazaar. It will take place on December 11th, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. For those of you dropping off treats, someone will be at the church starting at 4:00 pm on Friday, December 10th.

For those of you who are new to Mountain Vista, let me explain what a "Cookie Walk" is. The Cookie Walk and Bazaar is a fundraiser for the building fund. Congregation members donate homemade cookies, breads, candies and goodies, which then in turn are sold for $5.00 per pound. Craft items have also been donated and will be sold as well. There is also a quilt, which was made by ladies from the church, which will be raffled off.

If you would like to donate cookies or goodies, please sign-up in the Narthex (hallway) by the cookie poster. Then on December 11, bring your friends, neighbors, and co-workers and pick up some delicious Christmas treats and last-minute homemade gifts and a chance to win a beautiful quilt.

We've also included in this newsletter is a flyer that you're welcome to put up anywhere you can think of! If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Haden.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
featuring the children and youth of
Mountain Vista United Methodist Church
December 12, 3:00 p.m.

Volunteers are needed for costumes, sets, and line coaches. There is also a wish list for items needed in the church hallway, if you would like to help out. Practices will be held from 3-5 p.m. on December 4 and December 11. Please contact Robin Smugala for more information.

Ringing in Christmas
A Festival of Carols

featuring

The Bells of Joyful Sound

December 12
7:30 p.m.

Scott Reinhard is in the West Jordan production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at the Sugar Factory Playhouse. We are going as a group on December 3. If you would like to go, get tickets at the West Jordan City Hall. They are $3 each. We are meeting at the Golden Corral on Redwood between 5:30-6:00 p.m. All are welcome!

On Saturday, December 4, we will carpool from the church parking lot at 10:00 a.m. We will see the creche exhibit (750 nativity scenes) go to the Swiss Christmas market and out to lunch. We will be home about 3-4 p.m. If you would like to come, please let the church office know.

Have you ever had any ideas, suggestions or concerns about something in the church and didn't know who to go to? Well, here is a list of the committee chairpersons for 2005. These people were approved at our Annual Church Conference on November 15. They would love to hear any constructive comments you have so that we can serve God in the best possible way. The complete list with all committee members is available in the church hallway.

Administrative Council: Steve Lewis
Finance: Don Porter
Trustees: Mitch Lambdin
Missions: Cindi Selbo
Outreach: Karen Wylie
Staff Parish: Jim Wilder
Education: Nancy Peralez
Worship: Jason Archuleta
Worship Assistant Coordinator: Peggy Robison (8:30) and Angie Ackerschott (11:00)
Lay Leader: Jim Wilder
Events Coordinator: Barb McClellan
Variety Night Coordinator: Dallas & Theresa Curtiss
Refreshment Coordinator: Wendy Haden (8:30) and Diana Kline (11:00)
Librarian: Linda Kreib
Historian/Photo/Scrapbook: Sheri Sturdevant

Jr. High: At our planning meeting in November, we decided that on nights we didn't have activities, we would take turns leading the meeting and when we have a planning session, take turns taking the notes to be turned into the office for the newsletter.

December 1 — Stephanie will give a devotion. Planning time, make fish hook bracelets. Luke will lead the meeting and Megan will take notes.

December 8 — Rachael will give a Bible lesson. (Need leader for the meeting) Play games.

December 15 — Christmas party with the Sr. High. Bring a snack to share and a white elephant gift to exchange.

December 22 — Bake cookies to give out to people who come to the Christmas Eve service.

SUB FOR SANTA
If you are participating in the Sub for Santa, please bring the gift to the church by December 7. The gift should be unwrapped. Please place the ornament tag with the person's name and family number on the gift. We will deliver them to the main storage area where they will be inventoried and wrapped. Any Christmas wrap and ribbons that you would like to donate would also be appreciated. Thank you and Merry Christmas!!

COLD WINTER AHEAD!!
From Crossroads Urban Center: "Please help pass the word. Crossroads is in desperate need of coats. They are going out the front door as fast as they come in the back. Any type, size; we don't care as long as they are clean and in good condition."

You may bring the coats to church and they will be delivered to Crossroads.
P.S. If you would like to volunteer to take things downtown to Crossroads, please let the church office know. We take the donations down there when our boxes are full. If you would like to be called to help out with this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

"But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in giving." 2 Cor. 8:7

Crossroads Urban Center:
We donated 1,054.8 pounds of non-perishable food (up from 322.5 pounds in 2003) and $1,255.01 (up from $900 in 2003)
South Valley Sanctuary:
We have donated sample size hygiene items, food, clothing, linens and furnishings for bedrooms. St. Vincent DePaul Center:
We have made 500 sandwiches monthly and served dinner one Monday night a month. UMCOR:
We donated 25 layette kits.
Interfaith Hospitality Network:
We donated $1200.50 from the fundraiser, Broadway, The Movie.
Love Fund: We were able to assist 15 families; some with long distance bus fare, food from our small pantry, perishables and gas—a total of $580.95.

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

The dates for December are:
Sunday, December 19: make/or bring sandwiches, 2 p.m.
Monday, December 20: 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 (mtnvista@aros.net) preferred.