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Mountain Vista

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.

 February 2004

Many of you asked about the "Explanation Of God" that Andy wrote for the Children's Gathering a couple of Sundays ago. Andy's the little guy with blond, mop-top, hair who helps me often with the children's time in worship. Andy says sometimes he sees my mouth moving while he is talking. It's only because I'm just so in tune with what he has to say to the children.

Here's Andy's explanation of God...

EXPLANATION OF GOD
By Andy

"One of God's main jobs is making people. God makes them to replace the ones that wear out, so there will be enough people to take care of  things on earth. God doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way God doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. God can just leave that to mothers and fathers.

"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because God hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off.

"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your Mom and Dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.

"Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him.

"But He was good and kind, like His Father, and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K.

"His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore.  He could stay in heaven.  So He did.  And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of.  You can pray anytime you want and God and Jesus are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.

"You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church or do something you think will be more fun like going to the movie. This is wrong. And besides, the movie costs about $50 for everybody in the family after you buy popcorn and root beer and Junior Mints for everybody. I watched my dad pay at church, and church only costs about $5 a Sunday. If the Sermon is bad, it only costs $3.

"If you don't believe in God, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know God is around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.

"But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And...that's why I believe in God."

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Steve

Youth News

January has been a packed month with activities and service project in between games and Bible lessons. Nicole Murphy started us off with a great Bible lesson and we celebrated January birthdays followed by a game of Cranium on January 14th. On January 19th, Rick England and his family made sandwiches to serve at the Salvation Army Dining Hall. We had 6 of our youth and 3 adults help serve, along with many from Trinity UMC. It was a very eye-opening experience for all!

On January 21st, we played a Bible verse search game. Scott Reinhard is a certified PRO at looking up Bible passages. Ask him for his secret! We found books in the Bible that we didn't even know existed. On January 28th, we will be going to Some Dude's Playground right after service for an hour, and out for ice cream afterwards. Cost is $7.00 + tax for admission. Bring extra money for treats! Plan for a ride home from the church parking lot at 9 p.m.

Upcoming February events are as follows:
 

February Birthdays are as follows:
   Melissa Lambdin - February 23rd
   Michael Dodds - February 26th

Remember to save up some money for Up With Youth if you are in grades 9 through 12. The event is April 16-18 and cost is typically around $120 and the bus an additional $50. The church will pay half of your registration cost. Also remember to save up your picket change in the cup for the student we are sponsoring through Compassion International. Your donations help keep us from dipping into the youth fund for the $28 per month that we contribute. So far, we have had to dip into that fund each month to meet that commitment. Pray about increasing your donation a notch!

If you have any questions, call or see Patty or Mitch Lambdin, Nancy Peralez, Pastor Steve, or Kelly Fayerweather for more information.

Youth Valentine Cake and Bake Auction!

Don’t have time to bake a cake or get a goody for that special someone for Valentine’s Day?  Well, the Youth Group is here to rescue you!!  We will do the baking for you, and you can buy our goodies at the Cake and Bake Auction.  We will have all sorts of goodies with a Valentine theme for you to purchase. They will be auctioned off between the first and second service on February 8^th.   If you would like to donate a baked item for the auction, call Patty Lambdin at 566-3697.  All proceeds will go toward the upcoming youth events like Up With Youth and various church camps this summer.  Thank you for your continued support of our Youth.

Souper Bowl Sunday

No - it’s not a spelling mistake. The youth are collecting money for Crossroads Urban Center as part of a Nationwide Event called Souper Bowl of Caring. This is on February 1^st, the day of the Super Bowl football game. The youth will be standing outside the sanctuary after each service with soup pots to collect $1 bills from congregation members. The amount received will be reported to the organization, and nationwide totals will be announced to the news media the evening of February 1^st. We hope everyone will dig into their pockets and donate a dollar for this cause.  Last year over 11,000 congregations donated over 3.5 million dollars nationwide to various charitable organizations of their choice. For more information about this event, you can log on to  

As we enjoy the company of friends and all the yummy treats on Super Bowl Sunday, let us remember that there are those who are without a bowl of soup every day. Thank you for your support of the Youth Group in this service event.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

South Valley Sanctuary is very excited to be celebrating their 5^th birthday. In these few years they have provided assistance to over 1,500 adults and 2,000 children. 

You can help celebrate their birthday by making a tax deductible $5.00 donation on your birthday to the shelter. Mark your contribution “Birthday Club” and help South Valley continue to provide shelter services to our community.  (South Valley Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1028, West Jordan, Utah  84084)

Join the Birthday Club at South Valley Sanctuary!

KEEP THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Christmas is over, but there are still opportunities for giving. If you are able to supply any of the following items, please contact the shelter at 255-1095.

SOUTH VALLEY SANCTUARY WISH LIST

·    Home Depot gift certificates for shelter maintenance
·    Industrial vacuum
·    Canned fruit
·    2004 day planners
·    Over the counter medicines
·    Phone and gas cards
·    Socks
·    Curling irons
·    Batteries
·    Boxed dinners
·    Baking items
·    Cereal (hot and cold)
·    Polaroid film
·    Educational computer games
·    Spanish movies and books

Letters from our Sub for Santa Families:

CROSSROADS CHRISTMAS OFFERING

The offering that was taken at both services on Christmas Eve was given to Crossroads and the amount collected was $905.60.  Thank you!!!

REFLECTIONS
By Duane Haidle

WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT

John 13:34-35 A new command I give you:  love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. 

Several years ago the Doctors told me that I had some spots in my spleen and that usually such spots were signs of cancer. They also said the cancer doesn’t start in the spleen, it starts somewhere else in the body and migrates to the spleen. I was also told that if it was cancer I should get my affairs in order as I would only have a few months to live.

We all have lost relatives, friends and co-workers to cancer, but hearing that it is you who has the terminal disease gives it a very personal meaning.  

After the initial shock, I tried to sort out what I should do with those last few months of my life. It was an amazing and painful process. What were the priorities? Where do I start? How was I going to handle telling my children that I was going to die soon? How was I going to make restitution for all the wrongs I had committed? There was no way to go back and correct all the mistakes in my life. There was no way I would be able to achieve financial security for my wife during those last few months. There was no easy way to tell my children. I questioned, “Had I lived a life that warranted God’s love and forgiveness? How could I handle these last few months in a dignified way? How could I live out these last few months gracefully bearing testimony to my faith?”

I avoided the obituary pages of the newspaper, avoided TV programs where people died. I avoided talking about it with my wife. I tried to block it out of my mind, pretend that this wasn’t happening. 

After struggling with my feelings, fears and worries for a time, in a moment of reflection it was as if God spoke to me saying; “The priorities of this life are ‘RELATIONSHIPS’: My relationship with God, with my family and with those around me. Everything else consists of things, all of which are of no help or support in a time of distress.” Jesus said the most important thing is to,  “Love God and our neighbor as ourselves.”  The rest will take care of itself.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It isn’t easy, but this is where faith and trust take over. God’s promises are true; His grace sufficient and His love everlasting.

                                            Peace,
                                                Duane
                                                  Christian Life Center

Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts 

The scouts are having a cake auction on March 2^nd at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.  Everyone is invited to attend and help support our scouts.  For any questions, contact Jennifer Coe @ 280-1403.  Thanks.

Hockey !

The E-Center has tickets for the 3pm game on Sunday, February 22^nd for $8 apiece for our church. If you are interested in attending, give Patty Lambdin a call at 566-3697 by February 4^th.
 

VARIETY NIGHT

 Our monthly variety night will be February 15 at 7 p.m.  The activity will be announced.

CHURCHWIDE SPECIAL MISSION SUNDAYS

“ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING”

 Mountain Vista UMC will celebrate the next Mission Sunday, “One Great Hour of Sharing”, on Sunday, March 21^st.  This special Sunday, celebrated on the 4^th Sunday of Lent, calls all of us to reflect on the many blessings provided to us and gives us an opportunity to share the goodness of life with those that hurt.  All proceeds from this offering go to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  Make this a family event and gather your coins in the special box available in the office.

Mountain Vista UMW

 2^nd Annual Call to Prayer & Self-Denial Retreat

“Health in a Changing World”

Mountain Vista UMC
Saturday, March 20^th
9 am - Noon

Registration forms available soon!

Childcare will be provided – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

MOUNTAIN VISTA UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Currently two UMW circles meet at the Church and are organized to provide community, develop creative supportive fellowship and expand concepts of mission. All women are welcome to join a circle or form a new circle at a time that meets their needs:

Martha Circle
Wednesday, February 18^th

2 PM

Martha’s circle will be assembling the Layette kits for UMCOR as part of their meeting on the 18^th.

Saturday Morning Mission Circle
Saturday, February 7^th

9 AM

The Mission circle will be planning the Via Dolorosa (The Way to the Cross) Food drive for Crossroads Urban Center.  The food drive is scheduled to kick-off on Sunday, March 21^st. 

MTN VISTA UMC

MISSION @ WORK

UMCOR – LAYETTE KITS
Everyone's Help is Needed to Reach Our Goal!

Many women around the world do not have even swaddling clothes to welcome their newborn into the world.  The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) strives to fill the need.  We are targeting to put together 25 kits by end of February.   Each kit needs the following NEW items:

§         6 cloth diaper
§         2 baby wash cloths (we have enough of these)

§         2 gowns (with drawstrings no feet)

§         2 diaper pins (we have enough of these)

§         1 sweater

§         2 receiving blankets

FUNDRAISING POSTAL STAMP

A heart-wrenching image of a distraught woman drawn by a child artist is the focal point of the new US postage stamp to raise funds for domestic violence programs and increase awareness about this important social issue.  The “Stop Family Violence” semipostal stamp is available at all post offices.  The price of the self-adhesive, non-denominated stamp is 45 cents.  As a semipostal, it is valid for postage at the First-class one-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase, with the difference between the sales price and actual postage consisting of a tax-deductible contribution.  Funds raised in connection with sales of the stamp - less the Postal Service’s reasonable costs – will be transferred to the Dept. of Health and Human Services.  For more information, please go to www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/welcome.htm.

CONFERENCE OF PEACE IN HOLY LAND

A group of local peace and justice organizations, including the United Methodist Peace with Justice Committee, will sponsor a Sabeel Conference on Saturday, February 21, 2004, at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark.  The conference, "Working for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel," begins with registration at 8:15 a.m.  The day will feature nationally recognized speakers from Friends of Sabeel North America and will provide a chance to learn and exchange ideas.  Cost of the conference, including lunch, is $35.

Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots organization, begun by Palestinian Christians, which sponsors educational conferences on Middle Eastern peace and justice themes in many parts of the world.  Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Sabeel's patron.  To learn more about Sabeel and its mission, please see the website at www.sabeel.org.

Annie Heart,
Utah Director
Peace with Justice
United Methodist Church

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.