The Mountain View December 2008

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.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

In April of 2009, I will have been pastor at Mountain Vista United Methodist Church for ten years. A ten-year anniversary with Mountain Vista is something I treasure greatly. There are a myriad of memories and ministries packed into those ten years. So I can't think of a better Christmas gift this year for all of us than to remember and give thanks for the amazing gifts of God through our church family. In this Christmas Season take time to celebrate the gifts that Mountain Vista has offered to the Christ Child.

I remember…

Most of all, I remember love—people who have loved me, my wife, and my boys into a deeper relationship with God through Christ and into a deeper experience of welcome, acceptance, grace, and forgiveness that I have learned to pass on to others.

Yours in Christ's Service,
Pastor Steve

It's that time of year once again when we are reminded that it is more blessed to give than to receive. It's a value we try to instill in our children from the time they are very small. To be all about "getting" is indeed greedy and unattractive. But I'd like to attempt to draw a distinction between "getting" and "receiving."

Have you ever known someone who selflessly gave but never allowed anyone to reciprocate? You know the type. Some of their stock phrases are, "What can I do to help?" "I'll take care of it for you." "Let me do that, it would give me pleasure." And when you attempt to reciprocate in some way, their response is, "No, that won't be necessary." "I've already got it taken care of." "I can't let you do that."

On the one hand, we admire these people for their diligence to be Christ like and serve others. On the other hand, we often feel frustrated with these kind folks; we have a need to "return the favor" because that's how we've all been raised. And if you recognize yourself as someone who is always "giving" but never "taking" then I'd like to suggest that you have missed at least half of what Jesus taught.

Jesus himself allowed others to give to him beginning in his infancy. He received frankincense, gold and myrrh from the Wise men – rather extravagant gifts for such a humble family. He accepted the hospitality of his followers as he traveled throughout Judea; staying in their homes and eating the food they prepared for him. Perhaps most famously, do you recall the story of Jesus being anointed with costly perfume while dining at the home of Simon the Leper? His disciples were indignant that such expensive perfume was "wasted" rather than being sold to aid the poor. Jesus rebuked them saying, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Matthew 26:10-13, NIV Bible)

Clearly, Jesus taught us to serve others and to give of ourselves and our possessions. But part of serving and giving is teaching others to learn to do the same. And how can you help others learn to serve, if you never accept the gifts they offer?

As Christians, we believe the greatest gift ever given was the gift of God's son. His birth, life and death bring us love, lessons and salvation. Where would the world be if no one ever "received" that gift? This Christmas, remember what you have received and accept gifts with a grateful heart, just as you give with a joyful heart.

Merry Christmas . . .
Steven

The Adams Family
The Wilson Family
Barb McClellan
The Coates Family
The Anderson and Reynolds Families
Kelly Fayerweather and Family
Jim Wilder
The Hayes Family
The Elizondo Family

Mountain Vista Church Charge Conference
and Potluck!

Sunday, December 7 at 12:15 p.m.
Come get charged up!

It is time once again for our annual Christmas Cookie Sale. This is a bake sale where cookies and candies 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 hanging to be raffled.

This event will take place on Sat., Dec. 13, 2008, from 8 am-3 pm. 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 or candy. The sign up clipboard will be available in the clipboard cabinet at the back of the sanctuary. We would like all kinds of cookies (no chocolate chip, please) with different textures and colors. Cookies/candies that sell best are "pretty" and small to medium in size and not gooey ones that stick to everything else in the box and not any cake like products. Pull out your favorite recipes for cookies, candies, breads, etc. and get to planning. 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. 12th between 4-7 pm so we can set everything up the night before. If you have craft items to donate, also bring them at this time with a suggestion on price for the items.

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.

Gift certificates will be available for purchase in early November. A $5.00 G.C. gets your friend 1 lb. of goodies. Hopefully when they come in to redeem it, they will also add to it.

We look forward to seeing you on Dec. 12, to deliver and Dec. 13, to buy, making this event a great success!

The Directors of the United Methodist Committee on Relief UMCOR) recently announced they will build a warehouse depot and field office in Utah. Logistical details and location are still to be worked out, but it is hoped that the facility will be up and running after the first of the year. The Utah facility will help supplement the UMCOR Sager Brown depot located in Baldwin, LA. Sager Brown has served as the primary UMCOR aid distribution site for a number of years. The depot in Utah, along with another planned for the Philippines, will allow UMCOR additional flexibility and ability to send assistance to persons impacted by natural disasters throughout the United States and the world. More information will be released as it becomes available.

UMCOR is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR works in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States. UMCOR's mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, is to alleviate human suffering—whether caused by war, conflict or natural disaster, with open hearts and minds to all people. UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own. The administrative cost of UMCOR is funded by your generous contributions to the "One Great Hour of Sharing," offering that next year will be collected on March 22. The money from this offering allows UMCOR to send your donated supplies and funds directly to places and people in need.

Trustee & Building News
….. foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24

Mountain Vista is in the West Jordan Journal that just came out November 20th. It is posted www.westjordanjournal.com. Just page down you will come to the picture of our groundbreaking and a very nice article.

FENCE PROJECT
The Fence Project has moved right along, thanks to the dedication and help from many of you, your friends, and neighbors! If you are interested in helping with the second phase of the Fence Project, please call Wendy Williams @209-0975, or email penguinrecords@comcast.net. Since we are now working with Mother Nature it is difficult to schedule work days, however we are still required to have the fence completed prior to the final inspection of our new fellowship building. Even with the obstacles however, the excitement and the joy is much greater! Thanks for your help!

January 10th - The Grand Opening Celebration!
Please keep this date and the New Building Construction in your prayers. We all need to pray hard and often that all the elements of the construction process proceed smoothly from here until completion – and that the completion, inspection, and building occupancy permits are all concluded BEFORE January 10th!

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

GIVE THANKS!

Thank you all for keeping me and my family in your prayers with the death of my father-in-law.
~Raedell Elizondo

Operation Christmas Child
A special thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Shoe Box Ministry a success. Mountain Vista has contributed 80 Shoe Boxes! THANK YOU and have a wonderful holiday season.
~Lesa

How can I repay the Lord my God for all God's Goodness to me? ~ 2 Samuel 24:24

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, 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

Poinsettias
Each family is invited to bring a poinsettia to decorate the sanctuary for the month of December. Thank you for the "loan" and please take your poinsettia home after Christmas.

Are you getting a new HDTV for Christmas and don’t know what to do with your old set? We would like to have a television and DVD player in all of the new classrooms. If you have a good TV that you’re getting rid of, how about giving it to the church? Let the office know, and we’ll come and pick it up.

It's SING & SNACK Karaoke Time for ALL...
On Saturday, December 6th from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm
You bring the SNACK, we'll bring the SONGS.
Friends and Families are welcome!

We have over 15,000 songs to choose from, including Pop, Rock, Children, Country, Gospel, Broadway and more...
If you haven't tried Karaoke before now, this is your chance.
It is more fun than a barrel of Chimpanzees at "high tide!"
We will even throw in a line dance here and there.
Penguin Records is donating the GiG as a fundraiser and all donations we receive will be given to Mountain Vista United Methodist Church, to further assist in providing ongoing services to others.
If you would like more info, or want to donate to "not" sing, please call Wendy Williams @209-0975 or Scott Moulton @860-0975 or email penguinrecords@comcast.net

Girl Scout Gift Wrapping Booth – fund raiser
December 6 & 13, 12-2:00 p.m. in the small meeting room

December 7, Sunday, at 12:15
Mountain Vista Church Charge Conference and Potluck!

December 13, 8 am-3 pm
Cookie Sale and Boutique and gift wrap booth!

December 14, 1:00 pm - ?
Nohavec Open house

December 21
Choir and Bells

December 24th
Christmas Eve Services

3:30 Children's Service
5:00 Candlelight Service
7:00 Candlelight Service

INTO THE FUTURE!!

The next Mountain Vista Auction will be March 21, 2009.
If you are interested in helping contact Cindie Selbo 282-1268.

Annual Subdistrict Conference and Leadership Training Event. Friday and Saturday, May 1-2.

EMMAUS:
Walk to Emmaus is designed to strengthen, inform and renew active Christian leaders within the Church. It is a spiritual weekend filled with speakers, prayers and music. The Walks are a time commitment from Thursday evening through Sunday evening. Space is limited, please contact the office if you are interested in attending.

Men's walk February 26- March 1
Women's walk March 5-8

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them. -Luke 24:15

Emmaus Team meeting Dec 13, 9-11am at Clearfield
Gathering March 15, 2009, 3:00 pm at Community United Methodist, Washington Terrace

http://www.utwte.org/

Emmaus 4th Day Reunion Groups
Monday 7:30 pm Women's Circle of Friends @ the Reinhard's
7:00 pm Women's Reunion @ Mountain Vista
Friday 7:00 am Men's Reunion: @ Jim's Family Restaurant (7609 S. Redwood Rd.)
Saturday 8:30 am Women's Reunion @ Espresso Connection (4465 S. Redwood Road)

You are invited to a meeting at Hilltop UMC on December 6, 2008, starting at 10:00 a.m.. The purpose of the meeting is to plan for a mission-related event to coincide with the opening of the Utah UMCOR Depot. While the date of the depot's grand opening celebration is not known at this time we need to consider what our involvement will be and plan accordingly.

I am sure that by now most of you have heard that the United Methodist Church through UMCOR will establish a Depot in Salt Lake City to receive emergency supplies from throughout the Western Jurisdiction. These supplies will be used to assist people affected by floods, fires, earthquakes, etc.

On October 23rd a group representing Utah Sub-District churches and involved with missions met at Trinity UMC with Jim Gulley, conference Secretary of Global Ministries. At this meeting the group decided to participate in the grand opening of the Depot.

The first step in our planning process was for those in attendance at the October 23rd meeting to submit their ideas via email to me by December 3rd. I in turn will forward the ideas on to the all of you. The next step will be for each of us be prepared to share our ideas on December 6 and incorporate these ideas in our plan for the celebration.

Marilyn and I look forward to seeing each of you on December 6. The meeting will be held in the Wesley room (upstairs, over the narthex) and there will be coffee, juice, etc. available at the meeting. I expect the meeting to last a couple of hours.

See you on December 6,
Hugh & Marilyn Douglas
Co Utah Sub-District Mission Coordinators
(801)571-4870 land2x@msn.com

Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 NRSV

OUTREACH IN OUR COMMUNITY:

Love Fund – Provides onetime assistance for families and individuals in need. In November we helped three families with gasoline, three more with housing and food pantry. Thank you for your help replenishing the fund.

CROSSROADS URBAN CENTER
Thrift Store: 1385 W Indiana Ave (850 S)
Pantry: 347 S 400 E
Foods for the month of December are canned tomato products.
All food items needed!

Thrift store items for December are new underwear.

Please bring items to the church and they will be delivered to Crossroads.

Sandwich Mission
Sunday, December 14: Make/bring sandwiches to church
Monday, December 15: Bring sandwiches to the church before 3:00. Deliver & Serve sandwiches, 5:00pm at St Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South
For any questions, contact Lesa Stone 255-4324

"Oh yeah, these are the GOOD sandwiches! Where are you from? Yeah, the Methodists make good sandwiches."

Family Promise: Thank you so much to everyone who helped, served and provided for these families in need. Once again, you made a difference in someone’s life.

Kids

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 Smugala.

LIVE B.I.G. Sunday school classes 9:45 Join the fun! (Teachers needed, contact Lindsey Hardcastle)

Girl Scouts:
Girl Scouts - Troop 2120, Mondays 7:00 pm, Sept.– May
Girls kindergarten through high school
Girl Scouts are back! Cookie sales are coming! So start planning your order today.
Brandee Fox (573-3515)

Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts - Pack 4012, Tuesdays 7:00 pm, Aug.– May
Boys age 7-11 (1st –5th grade)
Kristin VanStaveren (282-5378)

Wolves Mike Vanstaveren 1 & 2nd Tuesday - small room
Bears Chris White 1 & 2nd Tuesday - Kitchen
Webelos Jim Goodrich 1 & 2nd Tuesday - Large room
Pack Meeting - whole church last Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm.

We have a special visitor at the December pack meeting/potluck 12/16 at 6:30 PM.
Pot luck assignments are as follows:
Webelos - Main Dishes
Bears - Sides
Wolves - Desserts
Tigers - Desserts
Any questions please call Kristin Vanstaveren 282-5378

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.
Dec, March & June.

The Troop will be working on the following Merit Badges: Astronomy, Camping, Climbing, and Hiking.
Check out the website http://troop1012.scoutdata.com
Sheila Anderson: sganderson3@msn.com.

If you missed checking out the youth mission trip web site:
http://www.cumcyouthmissions.blogspot.com/ read on….

Worship in Tropical Paradise
Thursday's Devotional was about Fellowship. Scott Reinhard shares his experiences where we have had opportunities to fellowship with each other and the kids here at Casa Hogar.

On Wednesday night, the Casa Hogar staff and children held a worship, as they do on every Wednesday night. There was singing, dancing, shouting, and jumping up and down for Jesus! This activity was such a blessing to our group for us to bond with the children, as well as worshiping God in a manner not many people get a chance to do. They were singing their routine worship songs, similar to our "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and "Lord I Lift Your Name on High." The funny thing was that I felt as if I were worshiping in my own church with my friends and family, though I was surrounded by complete strangers that I couldn't even understand! But the praising of our similar Lord and Savior brought us together in the way we both could comprehend; we both could take pride and joy in it. We were able to step out of our comfort zone and jump in with the children, singing and dancing and jumping insanely!

I was astonished that these children had such a genuine faith and they had no care in the world trying to hide it. While we were singing a song in which I understood the melody and sang along to, "Here I Am To Worship," I would look around the room and see that kids younger than I had their eyes closed with their hands in the air, singing to God. Not even I am accustomed to doing that at my church around my peers, let alone my peers around me. But here they were, sharing their faith to us complete strangers. Nothing else mattered but the Creator they were addressing. Someday I hope I become like these little children. To have faith like a child.

On Thursday we woke to our routine: breakfast and getting to work on the sidewalk. (I've never been more thankful for breakfast until I came to Mexico, working in these hot and humid conditions!) At ten o'clock, some of us broke out of the working group to help assist with assisting the locals with learning Peter's Walk. (Walking is so much funnier with a blindfold on by the way! You should try it sometime!) I think it's awesome that we get to share an experience such as this with new people!

In the early afternoon, we got on a bus and took a half-hour drive to the waterhole/small lake/tropical paradise. Whatever it was, we had a ball there!! We took a little hike in order to get there, and this hike included walking over this swinging bridge high above an enormous river. No worries, nobody fell, but it definitely got our adrenaline pumping! Once at the waterhole, we took a swim in the water and absolutely enjoyed each other's company. This little oasis was probably about as big as a football field (American football, not fútbol!) and was surrounded by greenery. Trees and plants to the left, right, in front, behind, and above! It was kind of like a football dome (football happens to be the perfect reference right now), except it was green and humid. There was a river flowing through it, which provided this current that flowed ¡rapido!, and we all had a great time flowing down it, getting helplessly swept away in the water! Such a great getaway.

But the best part of going to the waterhole for me was leaving it. No, not because I hated being there, because I absolutely loved it! Because it started raining.

The bus was waiting for us in a very small green little valley, and the rain came down hard. However it turned into a God moment for me. As we were walking to the bus, I couldn't help but stop, put my stuff down, look up and put my hands to the air. In this tropical paradise, the sky gray and the surroundings green with this perfect tropical rain pouring down. It can't really be described in words, but all I can think of right now is heaven on earth. Though it only lasted about five minutes, it had turned into the most humbling and calming moment in my life. I love the rain and God gave it to me on that Thursday afternoon.

I love it here and I love the kids and I love the friends I'm making and I love God! Thanks :)

Scott Reinhard

Youth Leadership Conference - YLC
Coming February 27-28th, and March 1, 2009
Where: YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain Ranch - Winter Park
Theme: Leadership. Is it in you?
Youth Leadership Conference is an annual event which takes place in Winter Park, Colorado. This is your voice and vote in the United Methodist Church!
We heard the cries, fielded the laments, and listened to the still small voice -- The event is now open to all youth from 6th - 12th grades. So y'all come.
The Leadership theme and legislative push still will be our focus as, your voting team for legislation would consist of no more than 2 adults, 3 senior high youth and 2 mid high youth.
This year you will be attending workshops in teams of 1 adult and up to 5 from your youth group. We feel that by attending workshops together, you are more likely to implement changes in your youth group when you get back home. You still decide which workshop you would like to attend!
Talk with your youth group about changes you would like to see in the United Methodist Denomination and be working on your petitions now.
So mark your calendars. Watch for more information coming soon.

We are looking forward to seeing you at YLC at Snow Mtn Ranch. Debbie Hull and Sarah Wynkoop - Co-chairs.

Sweden Mission! August 1-14, 2009! Grades 9-12
This is an evangelical and relationship building effort.

Gather Your Friends and Join in the Fun at the 2nd Annual
Youth Community Dodgeball Tournaments

Saturday, January 10 2009 Sr. High (9th – 12th Grade) Tournament, 4 p.m.
Sunday, January 11, 2009 Jr. High ( 7th – 8th Grade) Tournament 1 p.m.

Teams consist of 6 members of the same age group with at least one girl on each team.
Registration deadline: January 3 for Sr. High
January 4 for Jr. High
Cost: $5 per participant
Location: Christ United Methodist Church –
2375 East 3300 South
Register at youthdodgeball@gmail.com or call 801-792-7478

YOUTH
Sunday:
Sr. high Sunday School
Jr High Sunday School
2:00-3:00 pm Young Women’s Dance Ministry - Sam
6:30–7:30 pm – Jr. High Praise Team - Jayme

Wednesday:
7:00- 7:30 pm - Youth Activity Lesson (Jr. and Sr. High) Jason

Jason's office hours: Mon: 1 pm to 6 pm, Tues: 1 pm to 6 pm, Wed: 2 pm to 8 pm, Thurs: off, Fri: 1 pm to 6 pm
jstevens4584@gmail.com 598-1151

If there are any parents or youth that DON'T receive e-mails about youth activities, please send me your e-mail address!

Scott and I knew AJ's days were numbered and we told the doctors not to turn the vent up anymore when the blood test showed that 8 was not enough support. This would be the time to go. I prayed for the plan to change and waited for the answer. Waiting I just laid there and spent as much time with just him as I could, he played with my hair and when he was awake would smile with that tube sticking out of his mouth, his little eyes would sparkle and I knew he was ready to go home. I knew that this world would never be good enough for my son. I knew his spirit needed to be free and he could only have that in heaven, where there are "no tears."

That little angel boy went through more pain, touched more hearts, made the best doctors and surgeons realize why they call it "practicing medicine" it is far from a perfect science. When the time came to turn off the machines and send AJ home, I tried to be thankful for the time I had with him. I remember the room feeling very packed but not by people. I felt a lot of love so I believe the angels were there to carry him home.

Though I wanted to keep him and yes I prayed that he would open his eyes and a very bad dream would be over, I knew that AJ had to go because Our Father was calling him home. I knew from the first song I ever fell in love with "No tears in Heaven" that he would never feel pain again so there would be no more tears. AJ would be able to breathe freely with no cords, or tubes attached to him. I knew he would never have to take another shot or taste yucky medication just to make his heart and lungs work. I also notice that he wasn't scared; he was awake when they turned off the ventilator. They of course had made him comfortable, but he wasn't scared of what was waiting for him, he didn't resist he just closed his eyes. It was like I felt him breathe with ease for the first time.

People are always in shock as I tell this story without a tear. My son is in heaven with no pain and breathes with no assistance. Yes, I miss him very much and always wonder what he would be like. When the missing turns into pain I remember that I dressed him in play clothes so that he could run and play when he got home, I remembered that story that was on Oprah about the little one on the bench. I was letting AJ go so he could run and play and I knew I had to let go so he could do that there because I knew he would never be able to do that here.

I try to remember his laugh or the smack sound that he made when he was hungry and know that he could laugh all the time not just on good days. It is not easy some days, but most days I pray for the Angels to carry my pain and for God to give me the strength to listen and not try to understand, but to accept every challenge and have the faith that he will carry me through it.

In the year passing AJ's death I prayed for nothing and Thanked God for the time I had with AJ. I truly feel blessed to be AJ's (Angel of Joy) mom. One month after sending AJ home a much unexpected pregnancy appeared. Carson was born a very healthy 9lbs 2oz and we thanked God for that. Twenty-one months later a 7lb 6oz healthy baby girl Katie joined our family and they are both very healthy. I question often, are they here to stay? When listening for the answer I always feel they will stay but the question is still there.

Looking back now I know it was faith that got Scott and I through this. I didn't know we had that much faith. I also don't know how we road the rollercoaster. Maybe it was because we weren't alone on the rollercoaster. I know God was instrumental in providing that support system. I know that I attended Sunday school every Sunday and have experienced many events that can only be explained by God. I have experienced music that entered my soul; all music to me has a message that needs to be "wrung out." Just like the song, "Wring the Message Out." When life gets busy and I forget to listen a song will always come on radio that gets my attention. It usually is "Angels Among Us." Another song that I heard in 2002, "I saw God Today" was again released in 2008. There are a lot of songs that seem to pull me back to listening and not just doing. Growing up with Amy Grants "God is in Control" and many other songs with great messages are hard not hear, if you just listen.

I have learned to be careful what you pray for and really pay attention because most prayers are answered they just may not be exactly they way you wanted them to be answered.

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.