A Christ-Centered community, drawn together by the Holy Spirit
to experience, express, and spread God’s love through Jesus Christ.

June 2001

Pastor's Ponderings….

Psalm 22:30-31. Posterity will serve God; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim God's righteousness to a people yet unborn....

Fifty years from now, I'll be driving by our church property at 3200 West, 9000 South in West Jordan, in my solar-powered, yellow, 2051 Volkswagen Beetle. My great-grandkids will be in the back seat. I'll say, "Hey, kids, would you look at that! Look at that beautiful landscaping—the grass, the trees, the flowers, the shrubbery. How 'bout that huge parking lot filled with solar-powered cars every day of the week. There's the education building. The Scouts are meeting there right now, and in an hour there's going to be an adult Bible Study and a support group for new parents. There's the office building. Over there is the preschool where we used to meet for worship. There's the Worship Center. Isn't it beautiful? How do you like our baseball diamond and the gymnasium where the young whippersnappers play full-court basketball every day after school?

"Would you believe that at one time, this beautiful, big complex was a big empty field? I didn't think you would. But it's true. I was standing in the field next to my antique, gas-powered 1998 Beetle, watching, when they dug the very first shovelful of dirt with one of those giant, mechanical shovels at 10:22 A.M. Tuesday, May 22, 2001!"

My great grand kids will get all wide-eyed and say, "Wow, Grandpa! You are REALLY old!" I'll reply, "I know. But it sure makes me feel young again to think about that amazing day!"

June Birthdays and Anniversaries

We would like to print the birthdays and anniversaries of our church family each month. Please let us know your birthday and anniversary so we can remember you on your special day. Celebrating in June are:

Birthdays

Addison Lowe-Whitmer - June 1
Ashley Briggs - June 1
Bobbie Chauza - June 2
David Oddis - June 6
Richard Stevenson -June 7
James Baker - June 9
Mellissa Chavez - June 15
Melinda Grierson - June 17
Tracy Reinhard - June 19
Michelle Strohn - June 20
Joshua Pupunu - June 20
Ray Stransky - June 25
Shane Reinhard - June 28
Daniel Stransky - June 30

Anniversaries

Todd and Rhonda Nelson - June 18
Terry and Perrylee Holzworth - June 21
Steve and Tracy Reinhard - June 21
Dave and Janine Oddis - June 27

We apologize if your birthday or anniversary is not included in the newsletter. If it is not listed, we do not have the information. Please give the information to Pastor Steve, Dave Grierson or Marlene Reeves. You can email the information to: MarleneR@utah-inter.net.  Thank you.

Ground-Breaking Ceremony

May 12, 2001 - a day that will live in infamy. Well, for us anyway.

It began several weeks before with the planning and worrying of many volunteers, (for whom we are eternally grateful) and finished Saturday, May 12th, with a wonderful ground breaking ceremony. Terry Holzworth was our Master of Ceremonies, and Pastor Steve Reinhard opened it all by sharing our vision with the crowd of over 100. West Jordan Mayor Donna Evans, District Superintendent Eddie Kelemeni, and representatives from Dan Cook and Associates (Building God’s Way) and Furst Construction were our speakers. The wonderful music was provided from both the Choir and the Praise Team.

When the music and sharing was finished we moved over to the actual ground breaking sight, where Eddie sanctified the grounds as holy, Then, six people manned the shovels as the first dirt was turned for God to work through us in our community.

Afterwards, in true Methodist nature, tons of refreshments and drinks were served to the attendees, which included people from our congregation as well as visiting pastors and people from all over the valley, even a few folks from Colorado.

It was a success. It was also an honor for me to work with all these dedicated people and be part of the beginning of what I believe, (as do many) will be a true testimony to God’s love in the Salt Lake Valley. (Submitted by Stephanie Cafarelli)

Super Volunteer - Terry Holzworth

Youthful hyperactivity met its match recently as Terry Holzworth exhibits superhuman energy levels while coordinating, administering, aiding, managing, implementing, communicating, delegating, organizing and a host of other "ing" verbs. We just want to say THANK YOU Terry for your being a "Super Volunteer!"

 Construction Mission

Mountain Vista United Methodist Construction Mission Team is looking for volunteers to help out with the Construction Mission in a variety of ways that may or may not be related to construction. The following is a synopsis that gives some information of what is needed and how you can help.

What is the Construction Mission?

The Construction Mission is a mission of the Mountain Vista United Methodist Church to minister to and fellowship with the people charged with building our church building. Our ministry and fellowship with the workers not only helps us keep our focus on why we are building a building ( to experience, express and expand the love of God through Jesus Christ) but gives us an opportunity to touch the lives of a group of people and let them be a witness to our community of faith and what this building means to us. We would also like to provide opportunities for our community of faith to serve in the building of the church even though they may not have specific building skills, they can contribute to the building project in a multitude of ways.

What will the Construction Mission Accomplish?

The objectives that we would like to achieve in our Construction Mission include:

1. Showering the building project in prayer
2. Provide spiritual and inspirational support for the workers
3. Provide avenues for 100% congregational participation
4. Maximize our on-site presence for workers, passers-by
5. Formulate an idea in the minds of our workers that inspires them in their endeavor
6. Showcase the faithfulness of our community of faith

How can we accomplish these objectives?

We want to achieve these objectives using the following strategies:

1. Start each day with a prayer on site.
2. Provide at least one luncheon and one breakfast each week throughout the project
3. Give each worker a bible
4. Utilize our church’s talent to inspire and motivate our workers
5. Utilize our church congregation to stone our building
6. Take advantage of opportunities for surrounding our building in scripture
7. Showcase the uniqueness of our church’s congregation to fellowship with our workers

How can I serve?

We have divided the mission opportunities into four areas: Prayer, Food Service, Activities, and Service. We need an army of people willing to help provide prayer support for the project, which will be done on a daily basis. We would like to have a weekly breakfast and a weekly luncheon for the workers. The activities include some activity that the workers can see that shows the character of our church (see below for some examples). The Service opportunities include those things that we help the workers do their work in their building construction. Things like weekly cleanup, running errands would be some examples of service projects that you can sign up for. Everyone should be thinking of some way to chip in, either individually or in a group. We have a number of small groups that can get together to provide a forum to contribute - Sunday school, Dinner for 8, Women’s Groups, Sunday Playland Group, Choir, etc.

What kind of things can I or our group do?

Some of the ideas that have been suggested include:

Agape/Gifts - (e.g. handmade plastic canvas crosses, bookmarks, etc.)
Scripture on the building infrastructure
Performance - Dance, Singing, Play instruments, etc.
Car Wash of worker’s cars
Window Cleaning (vehicles)
Broadway Acts
Puppet Shows (kids perform)
Prayer requests
Scripture Readings
Testimonials
Ice Tea/ Lemonade Breaks
Provide errand services to workers
Stonework for the church (mid to late July)
Landscaping the grounds (August-September)

Come up with your own suggestion. We are looking for novel and unique ideas. Do it as a family, do it as an individual, do it as a small group, just do something.

How do I sign up?

Melinda Grierson, Patti Chauza and Michelle Strohn is coordinating the efforts. Contact them for date openings and opportunities for service, fellowship, prayer, and/or food service. There will also be sign up calendars in church so that you can see how the whole mission project will work. Melinda, Patti and Michelle will coordinate with the builder and with our people so that you can have head counts for prepared meals and gifts, etc.

New Building Progress - An Update
Mike Van Voorhis - Building Committee Chair

The new building for the Mountain Vista United Methodist Church is now at the construction phase. After ground breaking on May 12, 2001, activities for construction centered around obtaining the building permits from West Jordan city. Terry Holzworth spent numerous hours at city offices discussing details for the construction permits with officials. Research for title search, modifications to the site plan, and coordination of excavation logistics filled his week. He was able to keep the permit process moving along.

The excavator, John Vickers, referred to us by Stella Chapman, brought equipment to the site and removed vegetation in anticipation of digging holes for footings. The building location on the site was staked out by the surveyors. The Construction Ministry group was able to pray at the site and provide assistance to those working the project. Several tasks related to site signs were also handled during the week. Thanks go to Tom Haymaker for taking on the continuing task of updating the letter-sign trailer that we update each week.

The next steps for construction should include much more excavation and concrete for building footings. We need help in supporting our Construction Ministry through aiding contractors at the site. Please contact Pastor Steve, Dave Grierson or Stephanie Cafarelli to get involved with this valuable service toward our project. Anyone who can spare a few hours will discover how good this work can be.

Stone Your Church

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7: 24-26.

James Baker, chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, announced that there will be a fund raiser for the church called the "Founding Rocks" where you can purchase and place engraved stones on the entrance pillars of the new building. An engraved stone is a stone that will be place on the exterior of the building pillars, that will exhibit the engraving of the donor’s choice as a memorial, a testimonial, or honorarium. The stones vary in size but can accommodate three lines of engraving of about 15 letters per line, each letter is about one inch tall with words or names of the donor’s choice.

This fundraiser will help raise money for our "Funding the Gap" capital campaign, to fund our building fund shortfall. There are three levels of donations for the Founding Rocks:

*Donors are welcome to donate as much as their conscience allows.

Our contact person is Ann Baker (963-1206) who will be taking the requests for the stones, the wording for the engraving and the donations for the Capital Campaign fund. You can also contact Betty Ross at 562-3016 to order your Founding Rock.

Our church will be founded with rock. With the rock of our faith, we can symbolically cement our community of faith into our entrance pillars by participating in this program that will forever enshrine our commitments or the commitments of our loved ones.

Christian Women’s Fellowship

A very special "Thank You" Lorraine Wilkinson and Kerry Simi for hosting the May meetings in their homes. Marlene Reeves presented a program on Mormonism followed by a very good discussion of the topic.

On Saturday, June 16th at 11:30 a.m., we will have a luncheon for all the ladies in Park City at Jean Ann Nohavec’s home. We will meet at the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 11 a.m. to carpool to Park City.

Bring a small salad and a favorite poem, devotional, story, etc. to share with the group. For more information, please contact Marlene Reeves at 255-7644 or Betty Ross at 562-3016. All ladies are welcome so please join us and enjoy the fellowship of other Christian women.

Mountain Vista YOUTHappenings

United Methodist Camps at Pinecliff. Sign up right away. Pick up your registration booklet at the church.

Young Women's Chrysalis (Christ-Centered Retreat) for 9th-12th grades will take place at Clearfield Community Church, just south of Ogden, June 14-17. The cost is only $50 for accommodations, food, and the extremely powerful experience of God's love and grace through singing, talks, fellowship, and several incredible surprises. Talk to Pastor Steve right away (280-4148) to get signed up.

Moab Trip. Hiking, biking, rafting, and relaxing for 9th-12th grades. We've invited the Mountain View UMC youth from Boulder, Colorado to join us. Cost: Sign up $75 for travel expense, food, and rafting. Call Sheri Sturdevant (566-8758) for details.

Toya-Lyn Chaffee Student Ambassador to Australia

Toya-Lyn Chaffee will be traveling to Australia this summer (June/July) as a Student Ambassador for the People-to-People Program. She was nominated by one of her former teachers and we, as her family, are quite proud of this and hope you will all wish her well in this adventure and learning time. She will receive college credit for this experience. Toya-Lyn expects to be a teacher some day and will graduate next year from high school This is a copy from her journal that they are compiling in preparation for this experience:

"I think the role of student ambassador is a very important and respected role. You are representing the United States ... you want to show the other parts of the world the most wonderful parts of our people and culture, while learning about theirs. You want to portray a new image of what a teen is in the United States. I think teens get a bad reputation, sometimes because of a few ‘bad apples’ in our generation. We want to show people that we are one of the most insightful, caring age groups. As a student ambassador you must be willing to accept and try many new things. There are so many different cultures and kings of people in our world today and we need to offer an open hand or arms to everyone. Student ambassadors are very important people ... teens who are building a bridge between all kinds of people and cultures. Who better for the job than our future leaders, doctors, teachers, lawyers, and more?

"A student ambassador should be on their best behavior. They must be very respectful. They should be tolerant and open-minded at all times. I don’t think it’s all about acting completely like adults, because we aren’t ...but having tons of fun and still exhibiting good behavior and respect.

"I don’t know a whole lot about People-to-People. I do know it was founded by Dwight D. Eisenhower, a former President of the U.S. He wanted a way to bring more peace between the countries of the world by bringing people together to find common ground with one another. I think he was a great man with a great idea. I am very glad I have the opportunity to be involved in this program."

(Submitted by Honey Sherwood)

Confirmation Class Joins the Church as Full Members

On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13, four of our youth became full members of the Mountain Vista United Methodist Church by vowing to commit themselves to Christ through our church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and scripture study.

The youth were Jacob Alvord, Whitney Alvord, Kimberly Baker, and Richard England. We also had the joy of celebrating the sacrament of Baptism with Jacob, Whitney, and Richard.

Other youth who have attended the confirmation class with Pastor Steve this year are Shilo Parkin, Daniel Shegogue, Shane Reinhard, Melody Wilder, Eva Ottman, Katie Ottman, Sharon Keener, Sarah Baker, Joe Kasten, Jessie Pupunu, Russell Pupunu, Ashley Briggs, Courtney Briggs, Mallory Chavez, and Laura VanVoorhis.

Many thanks to Sheri Sturdevant who is so faithful in assisting the teaching of the class.

Requesting Special Music For Summer

The choir is in recess for the summer so there are opportunities for you to showcase your talents during the worship services. If you or your group have some talent you would like to share (dance, instrumental music, singing, drama skit, or other appropriate talent) please see Dave Grierson or Pastor Steve. Remember, your talent is a gift from God; what you do with it, is your gift to God.

Help Missionary in Zambia?

Would you like to help a United Methodist missionary in Zambia? Her name is Dru Smith. Here is a list of needed items:

NEW clothes: all sizes
VCR tapes of FAMILY movies
Books of all kinds
Luxury items such as:
    salad dressing packets,
    flavored coffee and other drink packets
    packets of nonperishable candy.

If you would like to help, contact Tracy Reinhard at 282-5742. Thanks!

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd
THAT'S RELATIONSHIP!

I shall not want
THAT'S SUPPLY!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
THAT'S REST!

He leadeth me beside still waters
THAT'S REFRESHMENT!

He restoreth my soul
THAT'S HEALING!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
THAT'S GUIDANCE!

For His name sake
THAT'S PURPOSE!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
THAT'S TESTING!

I will fear no evil
THAT'S PROTECTION!

For Thou art with me
THAT'S FAITHFULNESS!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
THAT'S DISCIPLINE!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
THAT'S HOPE!

Thou anointest my head with oil
THAT'S CONSECRATION!

My cup runneth over
THAT'S ABUNDANCE!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
THAT'S BLESSING!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
THAT'S SECURITY!

Forever
THAT'S ETERNITY!

(Written by Danny Dutton, age 8, from Chula Vista, California, for his third grade homework assignment to "Explain God." )

Explain God

"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth.

He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way, He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He 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 besides bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He 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.

Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.

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 OK.

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 and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary only more important.

You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to hear you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the times.

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 to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong! And, besides, the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.

If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, 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 He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim very good 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."

Thank You from Don Adams!

Don Adams wanted to thank everyone for their visits, flowers, cards, gifts and phone calls during his recent stay in the hospital. He was able to go home for the Memorial Day weekend and is hoping to be released from rehab on June 1. The loving care that you showed him has been a great encouragement.

God’s One Another Plan

The Bible has a long list of "one anothers." As Christians, we should heed especially the following "one anothers" in our relationships with our fellow Christians.

1.   Love one another (John 13:34)
2.   Rejoice with one another (Rom. 12:15)
3.   Don’t judge one another (Rom. 14:13)
4.   Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)
5.   Care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
6.   Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
7.   Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)
8.   Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11)
9.   Pray for one another (James 5:16)
10. Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)

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