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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.

 May 2004

A Non-Anxious Presence In An Anxious World

Matthew 9:11-13. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "How dare you criticize me? You guys are a bunch of idiots!" (Just seeing if you are paying attention! That's not what Jesus said. Here is how Jesus actually responded to the Pharisees:)

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew 9:32-35. While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons." On hearing this, Jesus said, "You must be joking! Do you actually think that a demon is going to try to get rid of fellow demons? That is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard!" (Are you paying attention? Here is what really happened):

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Sometimes Jesus calmly responded to accusations. Other times his only response was to go about his business. Either way, Jesus had an amazing way of preventing more fuel being added to the fire of conflict.

Jesus was a non-anxious presence. Have you tried being a non-anxious presence in difficult areas of your life? Maybe a non-anxious presence is needed in your marriage, in your parenting; in your relationship with your parents and other family members; in your workplace; at school; at church functions. What do I mean by "non-anxious"? Read carefully: When you have begun to make a positive change in your life, breaking out of destructive patterns you've been in, people will often react negatively. Change—even positive change—is uncomfortable for most people. REMEMBER: It is not the change you have made that causes the greatest conflict. It is not even the reaction of those who are troubled by your change. The real problem comes if you react in an anxious way to their anxiety over the change—if you simply react to their reaction! You can defuse the whole situation by remaining calm in the face of their fears. Notice I used the word, "react." Instead of just reacting out of animal instinct, make the choice to respond out of careful consideration of what is happening and why it is happening.

Be a non-anxious presence in an anxious world.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Steve

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CHURCHWIDE GARAGE SALE
Saturday, May 22
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

While doing your spring cleaning, set aside items that we can sell at our garage sale. This year we are having the sale at the Phillip and Pam Lynch’s house during their huge neighborhood sale. This is a great opportunity because the sale is an annual event and is well-publicized. Tons and tons of people come!! Please take your things over to the Lynch’s during the week of May 17. They will store everything in their garage. Please call ahead to make arrangements for drop off. Our youth will be helping but we need more volunteers so we can take shifts. Please contact Nancy Peralez, if you can help. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund.
 

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BROADWAY, THE MOVIE

We would like to encourage all the members of Mountain Vista to attend the April 30th and/or May 1st shows. The cast would love to have lots of family and friends to cheer them on for their opening weekend. (Then come back and see it again on May 21st and/or 22nd and see how much we have improved!!!)

We are also looking for volunteers to babysit during the performances. Contact Michelle Strohn.  

CAST PARTY

Anyone who had anything to do with the Broadway show, (making lasagna, set/prop construction, serving, table decorations, costumes, decorating, ticket sales, donating props, etc.) there will be a HUGE cast party on May 23 at 4 p.m., at the church, following the last show.  There will be awards given out to all who attend.  We are asking you to bring your favorite finger food to share.

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May Youth News!

The Youth Group started April off with an Art project for our Easter Sunrise Service. We made and laminated bookmarks that we handed out after the service. All had Easter messages on them. Thanks to Sheri for helping us and bringing the laminator. Scott provided us with a Bible game on the 14th. After that, we divided up into Jr. and Sr. High groups to play a game and to make final preparations for Up With Youth and Spring Fling.

Up With Youth started with a wake up session of muffins and juice at 4 a.m. We packed up the bus at Trinity UMC and were on our way shortly after 5 a.m. It was a terrific weekend full of friends and renewal, and a few practical jokes along the way. Spring Fling offered some great presenters and messages, and a lot of fun afterwards at the West Valley fitness center. Out Youth did a great presentation for the Wednesday service on the 21st about both events, followed by a Bible lesson on lying.

Our schedule for the rest of April and May is as follows:

April 28th - We are going to a park after a quick meal at 7 p.m. to play basketball, frisbee, etc. Bring something you like to do at a park. Bring some water and a snack to share. We will be back at the church no later than 9 p.m. If the weather is bad, we will stay at the church and watch a video instead.

May 5th - Service project. Weeding and cleaning up around the church grounds. Bring gloves and a small garden shovel if you have one. Wear old clothes. Treats afterwards.

May 12th - Luke will provide the Bible lesson for us followed by a basketball game in the church parking lot or a board game inside. There will be a parent meeting at Patty's house that night from 7:15 until 8:30. Please bring a lawn chair.

May 19th - Following a quick dinner, we will be going to Mulligan's to play miniature golf. The cost is $6.00. It will be slightly less if we have more than 10 people. Let Patty know if you are going by the 16th so transportation can be arranged. We should be back at the church by 9 p.m.

May 22nd - Yard sale from 9-2. More information to come on this.

May 26th - Celebrate May birthdays (Patty, Courtney, Scott). Austin will present a Bible lesson followed by a fame afterwards.

There are a number of elementary, middle school and high school camps to go to this summer. See Patty for the details. YLC is for all ages and will be November 12-14 at Snow Mountain Ranch close to Winter Park in Colorado. I don't have any information on the cost yet, but it should be around $200 for the complete trip. I will pass on information as it comes in.

Remember to keep saving some change for John Peter form Equador whom we are sponsoring through Compassion International. We are still not meeting our monthly commitment of $28. Put your collection cup in a conspicuous place at home, and ask your family if they will help you by placing some of their loose change in the cup as well. What may seem like a little amount can really add up.

As you can see, our Youth Group is very active in a variety of different activities. If you would like more information about the Mountain Vista UMC Youth Group, contact Mitch or Patty Lambdin, Nancy Peralez, Pastor Steve, or Kelly Fayerweather by calling the church office.

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BOY SCOUTS

The scouts would like to thank Mountain Vista United Methodist Church for allowing them to use the church for their pack and den/scout meetings. 

The annual Scout-o-rama will be held this year on

Saturday, May 1, 2004, at the Utah State Fairpark from 9am - 4pm.  Family tickets are only $5.  See any scout or contact Barb McClellan for tickets.

Last May the scouts started a program where any member of the Mountain Vista United Methodist Church could lease a US flag for a year and put the flag up any day they would like.  Several members leased flags last year and it's time to renew your flag membership or return the flag back to the scouts. 

The cost for the year is only $25 (a $5 discount and you will be able to keep the flag in your own home for a year).  Contact Barb McClellan: 969-7478.

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Reflections

 Mothers Day

Proverbs 1:8 “Listen my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

Much has been written about mothers over the years, glowing phrases, lavish accolades, memories of a mother’s love freely given.  All of this praise is well deserved, as mothers are usually the stabilizing force of the family, the most in touch with the feelings and emotions of the family members, especially the children.  Who is the parent the child cries for when hurt or sick?  Who is the parent that is most often concerned about the spiritual well being of the child?

Yes, mothers play a critical role in the upbringing and training of the child. Which brings us to another role of not only mothers but of women, both past and present, who so faithfully have dedicated their services and talents to the Church.  The Bible mentions a number of women who were very prominent in the early Church.  Who was ministering to Jesus throughout his ministry?  Mary Magdalene and Martha are mentioned as supporters.  Who was standing at the foot of the cross when all others had left?  His mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25) Who was the first one to see the risen Christ?  Mary Magdalene. (John 20:1) 

In the early church, women played a very prominent role, opening their homes to the disciples, holding meetings in their homes, supporting Paul and the other disciples as they went on their missionary trips. (Romans 16:1-16)

They were looked on with distain by the culture of those times. They could not testify in court because they were considered unreliable. They could not own property or vote. Yet when we look at the historical accounts of the Bible we find that God has had a lot of confidence in women.  They not only provided support, but also were missionaries in the early Church.

Yes, mothers, and women in general have played a significant role in not only our lives but in the life of the Church.  Sadly, many times serving without the credit they deserve. 

But still, they have set an example for all of us to follow.  As the wise man quoted in the book of Proverbs said, “do not forsake the teaching of your mother.”  We might add, “Do not overlook the examples left for us to marvel at, of the dedication, commitment and leadership of women throughout the history of the Church.” 

HAPPY MOTHERS/WOMENS DAY!

Peace
    Duane

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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, May 19^th   
2 p.m.

Saturday Morning Mission Circle
Saturday, May 1^st  
9 a.m.

All women are invited to attend the annual brunch on June 5^th at Jean Ann Nohavec’s home in Park City.  We will be carpooling from the church at 9:30 a.m. as parking is limited. Look forward to seeing you there!

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Churchwide Special Mission Sundays

PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY

 Mountain Vista UMC will celebrate the next Mission Sunday June 6^th.  The 1980 General Conference created a church-wide special program called Peace with Justice and assigned it to the General Board of Church and Society.  By 1984, volunteer coordinators were recruited in more than half of the annual conferences, and peace with justice ministries had sprung up throughout the church.  According to the Discipline, “Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit calling for God’s shalom.  Peace with Justice witnesses to God’s demand for a faithful, just, disarmed, and secure world.”

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QUARTERLY MISSION PROJECT

Redecorate Bedroom at South Valley Sanctuary

The Saturday Morning Mission Circle will be planning the next quarterly mission project during their meeting on May 1^st.  The circle, along with the support of Mountain Vista UMC, will adopt a bedroom at South Valley Sanctuary.  The bedroom has 4 twin beds and a bathroom.  The Circle is planning to redecorate including painting, providing new bedding and bathroom accessories.  During their meeting on May 1st, they will also visit South Valley Sanctuary to preview the room to be redecorated.  The current plan is to meet at South Valley Sanctuary on Saturday, June 19^th, to redecorate the room.  All women are invited to join in on this upcoming project.  If you have any questions, please contact Diane Lewis or Cindie Selbo.

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CROSSROADS URBAN CENTER SAYS
“THANK YOU”

Our Via Dolorosa (the way to the Cross) Food Drive during Lent was a great success. It was a time that all families and family members could participate and did.   By Palm Sunday, Mountain Vista UMC had collected over 70 bags of food weighing almost 800 pounds.  During Thanksgiving and Christmas, Crossroads receives many donations; but is often forgotten during the rest of the year.

Crossroads Urban Center, founded in 1966, is a grassroots, nonprofit community center that strives to meet people’s basic needs and to address the root causes of poverty.  They run the busiest food pantry in the state and a free and low cost thrift store.

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CROSSROADS URBAN CENTER

May food of the month - canned stew
May thrift store items: Kitchen Items: Pots, Pans, Plates, Etc

If you have room, as you travel this summer please bring back hotel shampoo, lotion, etc. and donate them to Crossroads. You can put them in the same bag as food of the month. We give away hundreds of hygiene items each week.

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JUST A REMINDER

Don’t forget our sandwich mission. We serve sandwiches the 3^rd Monday of every month.  Sandwiches are made the Sunday before at church or you can bring them in already made. If you are serving, please be at St. Vincent DePaul Center at 5 p.m.  For more information or questions about this wonderful ministry please contact Don or Peggy Porter.

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Thank You!!
From
The Conference Treasurer:

We are both connectional and generous!

As we close the conference books for the month of March, I am very happy to be able to report that our conference commitment to the connectional system is at an all-time high. Your support of Wider Mission (apportionments) at the end of March has exceeded $1,000,000 for the first time in our conference history. We have received 17% more apportionment giving at the end of this March than we did last year at this same time. Since the total amount apportioned this year did not increase (due to our 0% budget increase), this higher level of giving is truly a measurement of your increased support.

My office promptly sends this money on to World Service, the Black College Fund, Ministerial Education, New Ministries, etc. as directed by the conference budget. Your funds do move quickly as you intend.

I do not know whether this growth is due to an improved economy, the new apportionment formula, or your strong and continuous commitment to the mission and ministries of the United Methodist Church. I am, however, truly grateful for those who give so generously, for our local church lay ministry leadership, and for the strong clergy apportionment support throughout the Rocky Mountain Conference. This is a great way to start this calendar year - I pray that all of us can "keep up the good work." 

 Dan O'Neill, Treasurer

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UTAH / WESTERN COLORADO UMW DISTRICT
ANNUAL SPIRITUAL RETREAT
PINECLIFF CAMP

JUNE 11 – 13, 2O04

Mark you calendars and plan to attend!!

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SUMMER DATES
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!

Vacation Bible School

July 19-23 from 9 a.m. to noon. 
We will be holding it jointly with Trinity UMC at Trinity.

Camps

June 25-27:  All Methodists and friends family camp
July 12-16:  UMC Elementary Camp (K-6)
August 13-25:  UMC Junior High Camp (6-9)

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MEN’S GROUP

The men’s group will be meeting on May 1 at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and then will carpool to Pinecliff to help with the Workday to Open Camp.

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EXPERTISE CHECKED

There are thirty books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. 

Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. 

Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record.

The local paper, the Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight. Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keeping in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

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PRAISE TEAM

Praise team is looking for a drummer bass player and vocalists.  We would like to put together two groups so we can rotate. Practices are Thursday evenings 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Thank you!!

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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.