The Mountain View February 2006

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.

The bride, white of hair, is stooped over her cane,
Her footsteps — uncertain — need guiding,
While down the opposite church aisle
With a wan, toothless smile
The bridegroom in wheelchair comes riding.

Now who is this elderly couple, thus wed?
Well, you'll find when you've closely explored it
That here is that rare,
Most conservative pair
Who waited 'til they could afford it!

Aren't you glad you didn't wait until you were "ready" to get married? Aren't you glad you didn't wait until you were "ready" to have children? Go to college? Take that trip? Launch that new career?

Some of the greatest fulfillment we find in life comes from taking the greatest risks. Are you ready for the risk of radical discipleship? Are you ready to take your Christian faith and life and "kick it up a notch?"

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk revealing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk rejection.
To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk disappointment. To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, and become nothing.
They may avoid present suffering and sorrow, but they will not learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live.
Chained by their fear, they are slaves who have forfeited their freedom.

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:33-34

Jesus risked it all for us, dying on the cross, to attain freedom from sin for all people for all time. Give thanks for The Gift. Take the risk of radical discipleship.

Heaven is referred to frequently in Christian circles. I suspect each of us has our own idea of what heaven is like, most of them based on our personal likes and dislikes. The interesting thing is the Bible doesn't tell us a lot about heaven except in the book of Revelation. Even there the terminology is difficult to understand and leaves a lot to our own imagination as we try to picture the descriptions given.

I watched a documentary last night on TV about "Where Is Heaven and How Do We Get There." The interviews were conducted by a well-known journalist, Barbara Walters. During this program she interviewed a number of different people about their concepts of Heaven and how we get there and even who will be there.

Except for the atheists, there seemed to be a universal belief that there is a Heaven and that certain criterion have to be met in order to get there. There was general agreement about the reality of heaven but weren't sure just exactly where Heaven is located. Ms. Walters interviewed several religious leaders including the Dahli Lama. The Dahli Lama said it could be in 10 different directions all at once. Other religious leaders agreed that Heaven was up there somewhere but no one was sure where. The Muslim leader said it was up there somewhere but you have to be Muslim in order to get there.

She also interviewed several people who had had a near-death experience. All described a bright light and an extreme peaceful feeling but differed on details. One lady said she was on a stairwell with dogs and cats running up and down in a happy manner. One girl said she had seen her grandmother waiting for her.

In his book, "90 Minutes In Heaven," Don Piper tells about his near-death experience as a result of a car accident. He tells of a bright light, with brilliance beyond comprehension, of feeling a joy pulsating throughout his body and of being surrounded by a large group of people. Many of the people he knew from his earlier life, he described the feeling of being loved even though the words were not expressed. He described music, melodies and sounds that were more beautiful than anything he had heard before. He said he gets frustrated because he can't describe in human terms what he saw and experienced.

One thing the witnesses all agreed upon was that they were all anxious to return to Heaven. Don Piper speaks longingly of his experience and his desire to return to Heaven.

Attempts have been made to try to explain these near-death experiences away, but to me the explanations sound hollow and without support, just theories. I am reassured by these accounts and the words of Jesus when He said, "I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am you may be also," and his word to the thief beside him on the cross when he said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise.

Where is Heaven? Nobody knows. How do we get there? Jesus has told how. Psalm 23 says we need not fear walking through the valley of death because God is with us.

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.

When, O when, can I break the rule
and no longer go to Sunday School?
This is the question I asked one day,
and my teacher answered this funny way;

When the water is gone from all the seas,
and pigs wear hats and coats and jeans;
When kitty cats grow on the pumpkin vine,
and three times seven is twenty-nine;
When black is white and red is green
and children's faces are always clean;
When boys and girls no longer eat
cookies and cakes and candies sweet –
then, O then, you can break the rule
and no longer go to Sunday School!”

Small groups are a way to get closer connected to others in our congregation. One such small group is a Sunday School class! We have two adult classes that meet at 9:45 a.m. The Seekers meet in Room 1. The class is lead by Doug Kreib. They are studying the book Jesus: Who is He? by the authors of the "Left Behind" series. The Finders meet in Pastor Steve's office. They are studying the Max Lucado book In the Grip of Grace and is lead by Cory Coward. Also at 9:45 Children's Sunday School meets first in the sanctuary for opening praise music. At 10:00, we have Preschool, Kindergarten-Second Grade and Third-Fifth Grade. At 11:00 is the Junior High class and the Senior High class. If anyone is interested in an adult class at 11:00, please contact Nancy Peralez. You're never too old for Sunday School!!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season (the 40 days—not counting Sundays— preceding Easter). Ash Wednesday is so named because of the ashes used to mark the foreheads of worshipers. The palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday service are burned in a prescribed manner and the ashes reserved for the next Ash Wednesday service. Worshipers are called forward to the altar rail, and the ashes are applied to form the sign of the cross on the forehead of each worshiper. This is a public declaration of the need for repentance.

Broadway 2006
Dinner and Show
Friday and Saturday nights April 28 through May 20

Kitchen Crew for Broadway — if you have signed up to help, Patti Chauza will be scheduling a meeting soon!!

Monday, March 13: Red Cross Blood Drive, 3-8 p.m.
A sign-up sheet will be available closer to the event date!!

Parents — a sign-up sheet to provide lunch at 12:30 for the youth is on the youth bulletin board. Please sign up for a Sunday. Youth — don't forget to contribute $2.00 each Sunday to pay for our sponsorship of Juan Macias

Saturday, February 4:
Make Sub Sandwiches at Dave and Robin Smugala's house. Meet at church at 2:30 p.m. to carpool and be back at church by 5:45 p.m.

Sunday, February 5:
Deliver sub sandwiches after each worship service (8: 30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.)

Sunday, February 12:
Jr. High: Devotion on "Love" and Valentine Party
Sr. High: Bible Study

Sunday, February 26:
Fun! Fun! Fun! PAINT BALL 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. After church we will carpool to Paint Ball Addicts, 999 West 2610 South, Salt Lake City, 886-8899. Cost is $12.50 (this includes equipment)

Must have signed permission slip to play — Wear old protective clothing! Long sleeves, Sweat Shirts, Ball Caps or Beanies, Long Pants (No Shorts) Lunch will be served at Paintball Addicts.

Parents, Youth, and Youth Leaders:
Bring your ideas for Spiritual Education, Service Projects, Fundraisers and, of course, Fun Activities

Please contact Anita & Ron Murphy, Shelby Robinson or Dave Smugala to volunteer to help or for questions!

We want to welcome all the new scouts that have joined our pack. We look forward to getting to know you and your families.

Tuesday, February 7th at 7:00 p.m.
Family pack meeting at the church (Blue and Gold Ice Cream Social)

Sunday, Febuary 12th - Scout Sunday
8:30 service: Wolves, Webelos II
9:45 service: Bears, 1/2 Tigers
11:00 service: Webelos I, 1/2 Tigers

Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Cake Auction Fundraiser!!! Come one, come all and see if we can top last year's sales. Invite all your family and friends!!

Pack 4012 will be present at all three services on February 12th to help us celebrate Scout Sunday. The boys, ages 6-10, will serve as greeters and ushers. They will also lead each service in a Flag Ceremony.

Pack 4012 will also hold a fundraiser for MVUMC by offering Valentine gifts for your special someone (or two, three or four). This year the Pack will have Roses and Carnations, a heart-shaped candleholder, ceiling fan pulls and light switch plate covers for sale. All proceeds will be donated to the MVUMC Building Fund.

God & Country - We would like to congratulate our youth (boys and girls, ages 6-10) and their adult mentors for completing the God & Country program. On February 12th, Pastor Steve will award medals to the eleven students that completed the program and have committed to serving the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The medals for the students and recognition for the mentors will be presented at all three services.

ROMANTIC DINNER

Attention all MARRIED COUPLES!! You are invited to a Romantic Dinner on February 11^th, 6:00 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 4290 W. 5415 S., Salt Lake City. These dinners are sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Come enjoy a quiet, romantic dinner for two and find out what a Marriage Encounter Weekend is all about. To make your dinner reservation call Rod & Luanne Holmes or email rlholmes73@hotmail.com. Each dinner is limited to twenty married couples. Cost is $10 per couple. Childcare is available at dinner location.

Interested in spreading God's love from your knitting needles or crochet hooks? Hilltop UMC is organizing a "Shawl Ministry." Each shawl is stitched with love and care. It will be given to someone in need of an extra hug. Call Connee at 942-7675 for more information.

Joyous individuals wanted for visitation and kindness to lonely people with terminal illness. For information, please contact Jon at Silverado Hospice, 506-1500.

Do you need a plumber, a roofer, an attorney, a butcher, a baker, or a candlestick maker? Hilltop United Methodist Church is publishing a Service Directory listing skills, trades and services of area United Methodists. This directory will connect people needing jobs done with people who are qualified. Please call Marna Bratsos, 571-5777, or email HilltopUMC@aol.com to be included in this directory.

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

The dates for February are:
Sunday, February 19: make/or bring sandwiches, 2 p.m.
Monday, February 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 (office@mtnvistaumc.org) preferred.