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.

January 2003

Pastor's Ponderings…

Genesis 1:1-5  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning the first day.

The New Year is here. It is a time of new beginnings. God is a God that continually brings new life and resurrection in our lives when we depend on God. Have there been relationships and emotions in your life that have been "formless and empty"? Has there been only darkness when you try to see with clarity what your true purpose in life is? As this new year begins, listen for God saying to you, "Let there be light"—in relationships that have collapsed; in emotions and passions for life that have lain lifeless; and in a crystal clear clarity of the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that God has for you to offer. This kind of clarity will lead you into the most wonderful of feelings in life: knowing for certain that you are achieving God's purposes with the gifts that God has given you.

We never have more peace in our hearts and souls than when we know we are doing exactly what we were created by God to do.

Pastor Steve

One of the hymns in our United Methodist Hymnal expresses God's re-start power beautifully:

"This Is a Day of New Beginnings" No. 383

This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on,
Time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone.
For by the life and death of Jesus, God's mighty Spirit, now as then,
Can make for us a world of difference, as faith and hope are born again.

Then let us, with the Spirit's daring, step from the past and leave behind
Our disappointment, guilt, and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find.
Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.

Santa's Cookie Workshop and Bazaar

The annual Mountain Vista UMC cookie walk and bazaar was a great success, thanks to all the wonderful folks who spent time preparing a multitude of lovely baked items and a lot of great bazaar items. One member of our congregation, Virginia Berry, out-did herself supporting this effort by preparing 500 cookies! The committee members, consisting of Jane Cordes, Sharon Cripps, Wendy Haden, Ranae Montour, Sharon Murphy and Peggy Robison, put in many hours to make this cookie walk a success. Other folks need to be thanks for volunteering their time and energy. They are: Jean Ann Nohavec, Nancy and Manny Peralez, Brent Cripps, Jeff Montour, Jim Wilder, Tom Whaley, Sue Briggs, Sue Wu and daughters Moniks and Tasia. They get a pat-on-the-back for a job well done.

(Click on pictures to enlarge.)

We profited $1,139.32, which will be divided evenly among the choir budget, library budget, and the UM Women's budget.

This could not have been done without the whole congregation putting forth all the work and effort. You should be proud, because you made it the success it was. MANY, MANY THANK YOU's!!!

Contributions to the South Valley Sanctuary

Any contributions of trial-size personal items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, etc.) are still being taken for the South Valley Sanctuary House. A huge delivery was made on December 9, 2002, including the twin-size quilt that women in the congregation made. They are always very glad to have these items. There is a container in the foyer for the items.

Thank you so much for all the contributions made to this great cause during the year 2002.

Memorial Dedication

The Sunday before Christmas was an especially exciting time with a memorial dedication of a new oak communion table in loving memory of Richard Barnhart, and an oak pulpit in loving memory of loved ones who have gone before us to be with our Lord. The magnificent oak pieces were designed and made by our member, Russell Madsen.

Two sets of new reversible paraments, which include a communion table runner, Bible marker and pulpit scarf, were also dedicated in loving memory of Eunice Anderson.

The beautiful additions compliment the atmosphere of worship. We are grateful to all the people who were involved.

Christmas Greetings

(Instead of buying individual cards and stamps, donations were made to the Capital Campaign Fund.)

Christmas Spirit Abounds

In our Christmas giving, we have helped many less fortunate people this season. We have given warm clothing, mostly jackets, to the Salvation Army—three pickups with six to eight bags each time.

South Valley Sanctuary was grateful for an extra delivery of personal hygiene supplies, winter clothing for women and food during December. Crossroads Urban Center was pleased at our response to food and clothing we donated to them. Sub for Santa appreciated all the many elves that helped a single mother with four children have a warm and merry Christmas with clothing, toys, household items, including dishes—even a TV and VCR.

We brought much to the manger—our love, caring and sharing.

A Huge Thank You!

"...thou shalt teach them [God's command] diligently unto they children..."  Duet. 6:7

We would like to thank all the Sunday School teachers who have so diligently taught us about God during this past year. It has not always been easy, shifting classes around and finding space, but you have done a great job! Our average attendance for  Sunday School for the year 2002 have been 50 adults and children. The people who have taught are too numerous to list here, but thank you so much and God bless you!!—The Education Committee

FUNDRAISER AT HILLTOP UMC

Come join in the fun at Hilltop on January 18th, with their fundraiser of dinner and music, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Their praise team will entertain you. They are serving ham, scalloped potatoes and fruit. Tickets are available January 5 and 12 - $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 10, children under 3 are free.

Due Dates for Sunday Bulletin and Newsletter

For the Sunday Bulletin: Information due Wednesday of each week.
For the Mountain View: Articles due the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Articles on disk preferred.