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.

May 2002

Pastor's Ponderings…

"Love Letter to a Cat"

God demonstrates God's own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

A love letter to a cat? Why not? At least Andrew thought it might work. This is an actual love letter written by a boy to his cat, Mehetabel—an obscure name from the Old Testament in the Bible. But before you read the letter, you must understand this about the cat. She is about as affectionate as a cactus. And besides, she goes to great lengths to avoid Andrew. She would rather sleep the day away in one of her many hiding places scattered throughout the boy's house than be near him. And on one of those rare occasions when she makes an appearance, he can forget about petting her. If he never has anything to do with her, that is all right by the cat. The boy tries his best to be nice. He looks for her, searching the house for an occupied hiding place, and feel abundantly grateful if he should stumble upon his treasure. He is occasionally allowed to stroke her once or twice before she flits off or hisses and tries to bite and scratch him. He feeds her faithfully, hoping to eventually win her confidence and perhaps even a bit of affection. But he is seldom rewarded with anything like attention.

How you know something about the cat, what about the love letter? It was found next to the cat's food dish. This is what it said: "Dear Cat: (Andrew couldn't spell 'Mehetabel.') I love you. Before you love me, I will love you more. - Love, Andrew."

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Steve

The Return of
BROADWAY TONIGHT!
May 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18

Get your tickets now for a fabulous lasagna dinner and show!
Contact the church office at: 280-4148

$12 for adults       $7 for children

SPRING ARTS, CRAFTS & ANTIQUES BAZAAR
May 4, 2002
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Will be setting up on Friday, May 3rd. Please bring your donations to the church.

Youth Fund Raisers!!

May 4th - Craft Bazaar all day at Mountain Vista UMC. Youth will be selling food. Youth group member are asked to donate 2 dozen hot dogs; 2 dozen hot dog buns; 12-pack of soda. Have food to the church by 7:30 a.m.

May 18th - Rummage Sale and breakfast by youth at Lynch's (5960 South Potomac Drive, Murray 265-8581. Donations may be made May 12th through the morning of May 18th. Items not sold or picked up by end of sale will be donated to charity.

Reminder - Sucker money is due. $25 per youth.

Mountain Vista UMC, for the benefit of the youth group, participates in the CCA Program, sponsored by Clear Channel Broadcasting. This is a contest for non-profit and service organizations. In this contest we compete with other groups to turn in the most points from sponsors proof of purchases and receipts. The campaign runs from approximately April to April each year. Sponsors changes are announced in October, at which time we have to make changes to what we save. The turn-ins are divided into 6 dates usually starting in January and ending in April.

We can ask everyone to help us save receipts and proof of purchases from the participating sponsors.

The booklets are available to let you know what sponsors are participating. Please help the youth by saving these items. The turn-in box is in the hallway across from the kitchen.

In addition to the CCA, the Albertson's Community Partner Card is an easy way for the youth to raise funds. This program is tracked by a card that is scanned at the register before the purchase is finalized. At the end of each quarter, all transactions made with our card are totaled. Albertson's then calculates 2% of that total and send the youth a check for that amount.

So, if you shop at Albertson's, or know of others who do, please get a card and use it. The card has to be scanned to apply. The card can be used at all Albertson's grocery stores and gas stations.

If you need a card, or for more information on any of the youth fundraisers, please see Patti Chauza or call her at 566-9644.

United Methodist Women

All women are welcome to come join in fellowship, study and mission. Currently Ruth and Martha Circles meet monthly. If you are interested in forming a new circle at a time more convenient for you, please contact Tina Whaley at 260-1481. Both Circles are studying "Women in Leadership."

Ruth Circle - May 21st - 7 to 9 p.m.
Martha Circle - May 22nd - 1 to 3 p.m.

Trial Size Mission Update

Please bring your trial size personal hygiene donations in by Sunday, May 5th for this quarter's donation. The UMW will be coordinating a visit and delivery to South Valley Sanctuary in late May. If you are interested in participating, please call Tina Whaley at 260-1481. 

Faith Building Opportunities

Each Sunday morning at 9:45, we offer the opportunity to build your faith and enjoy fellowship. How?

— through Bible discussion. We have two adult classes offering Bible discussion. Held in the sanctuary, the first class, guided by a rotating group of leaders, is titled, "Getting Acquainted with the Bible." The second class, "the Power of the Gospel," is lead by Phillip Lynch.

—through book discussion. Stephanie Caffarelli is directing this class.

—through the reading and discussion of the book Rabbi Jesus.

Adults are invited and encouraged to attend one of these classes.

Age 3 through Kindergarten: with Wendy Haden
First Grade through Third Grade: with Nancy Peralez
Fourth Grade through Sixth Grade: with Donna Kasten
Youth: with Clarence Strohn

Summer Sunday School

Don't take a vacation from Christian Education! We will be continuing our adult classes during the summer. For the kids, though, we will be doing a one-room Sunday School class, combining K-6th grades. Would you like to volunteer to help out a Sunday or two? We need three adults each week and the lesson/craft will be provided. Get a couple of friends together and sign up on the list in the foyer. Your efforts will be blessed. Thank you!

Utah/Western District
Dates to Remember in 2002

June 21-23 — Utah /Western Spiritual Retreats

July 20 — Peaks and Plains - A Day Apart - Estes Park UMC
July 26-28 — School of Christian Enrichment - Mount Pleasant, Utah

August 22-25 — School of Christian Mission - Iliff School of Theology - Denver, Colorado

September 14-15 — Utah/Western Annual Meeting - First UMC - Glenwood Springs, Colorado

For the Garden of Your Daily Living

Plant three rows of peas:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
No garden should be without turnips:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
To conclude our garden we must have thyme:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
4. Thyme for God

UMW Breakfast 
Annual Conference
Salt Lake City

Crossroads Urban Center
Glenn Bailey, Executive Director/Speaker

Saturday, June 1, 2002, 7 a.m.
Student Union Building / Panorama West
Cost $8.20

Clergy/Lay Delegates register for UMW Breakfast
on Annual Conference registration form

We want to especially invite those not registered for annual conference to attend the UMW Breakfast as well as any event during the annual conference.

***Non-delegates registering for UMW Breakfast contact:
Mary Ann Allison
801-278-9223
allison13@mindspring.com
4515 Gilead Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84124

Checks payable: RMUMC 
DEADLINE; May 15, 2002

The church's office hours are 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. Pastor Steve is available in the office Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, with Monday as his day off.

Article Due Dates

For the Sunday Bulletin: Wednesday of each week.
For the Mountain View: the 21st of each month.