The Mountain View May 2007

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.

This year America is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first African American to play major League baseball. In his first seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking baseball's color barrier was very painful for Jackie Robinson. He faced jeering crowds in every stadium. He faced cruelty nearly everywhere he traveled—fastballs at his head, spikings on the bases, brutal taunts from the opposing dugouts and from the crowds. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, the shouting and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. Then he committed an error. The fans began to ridicule him, mercilessly. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Then, shortstop, Pee Wee Reese, who was from the south, called a timeout. He walked over to Robinson at second base and stood next to him. He put his arm around his shoulder and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Who stands with you against the crowd at the worst times in your life?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.—Hebrews 12:1

Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career. Realizing you are surrounded by God's love through people God has put in your path and putting yourself in places where you are surrounded on a regular basis may SAVE YOUR LIFE.

Please God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed. Treat me nice for a change, I'm so starved for affection. Can't you see I'm black and blue, beat up badly in bone and soul? God, how long will it take for you to let up? Psa. 6:1-3 (The Message)

Suffering is a topic that as Christians we have a hard time explaining to ourselves and others. The question, Why does God allow such horrible events and suffering to exist on earth? We see the pictures on TV of the agony and grief caused by wars. The suffering and the loss caused by natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, famines, mine disasters and the list goes on. How do we explain God's love in light of such suffering? Doesn't God care?

The answer is, YES GOD CARES! He cares very much, but have you ever thought about the possibility that God has created, and put the world into motion but now is limited by the natural powers of nature that he has created? That God in his love is suffering along with us as we endure the hardships of this life.

He didn't promise that he would intervene and change the laws of nature for our individual needs. He did promise that he would be with us, faithful in his love and compassion, regardless of the circumstances, to the very end.

The Psalmist blamed God for being taken to the woodshed. However if you read carefully the historical account the trips to the woodshed were the result of the bad choices made by the psalmist.

Rather than seeing individual suffering as coming from God, how about looking at it as part of the randomness of life. God didn't choose to give me physical problems and someone else to be healthy. They are a part of the randomness of life in which God does not intervene, although there are accounts of miracles of healing, the question remains, why would God heal one person and not another? It has nothing to do with faith or a lack of faith.

The answer is in God's promise to be faithful in his love and understanding to the end. Our dedication and commitment to God is not based on what we can get from God, it is based on what God has already done for us! He has promised us unconditional love and forgiveness and hope for an eternity if we but believe and trust in him.

The Christian Life Center

I have decided to discontinue my services and to close the office of the Christian Life Center.

This decision was made after some careful thought and evaluation of my current health and plans for the future. I find myself having to struggle harder to complete even the most simple of tasks. I am now doing things on the installment plan and to complicate things further I find that my memory isn't working as well as it should. Guess these are just normal signs of wear and tear..

As mentioned before I also have some things I would like to do while I still have the energy to do them.

I have enjoyed my work in the Church and the people I have worked with. I plan to continue attending and being active in the Church. Thanks for all your support and prayers. My final day to be in the office is: April 26, 2007.

Peace,
Duane

Thank you to Dr. Duane Haidle for his ministry through The Christian Life Center. He has now closed up "shop." Dr. Haidle can still be contacted by email: wdhdle@msn.com.

Well once again I had gotten myself into one of those interesting conversations at work. I don't know if it happens to you, but my experience often starts like this. A co-worker is listening to some of that screaming death metal on their stereo really loud or a rap song about doing something to somebody's daughter or sister that I can't repeat (without going to confession with Pastor Steve). I jokingly ask them "do you need me to get that demon out of your radio?" They usually laugh and in time we talk about faith issues (notice I am not using the word RELIGION). What I have discovered is people love Jesus or believe in him but, not church. Most of their problems have to do with trusting other people or who can they trust. I encourage them to read the Bible but, they don't know if they can even trust that. I can relate to their point. I think many Christians (notice I am not using the word METHODISTS) feel the same way. If we are followers of Christ what did Jesus say about the Bible or the scriptures we call the Old Testament. Check it out!

Doesn't Jesus teach that Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Jonah were historical people? (MARK 10:5-6; LUKE 17:26-27; 20:34-38; MATTHEW 12:3-4; 12:39-41) Jesus calls scripture "The Word of God" JOHN 10:35. Jesus Christ calls the writings of Moses, all the Prophets and the Psalms scripture (LUKE 24:27, 44-45 WITH MARK 7:9-13; JOHN 5:46-47) The Word of God never errors. JESUS says, you are in error because you do not know the ____ or the power of _____. . . . Have you not ____what ______ said to you? (MATTHEW 22:29, 31) God's Word is _________. (JOHN 17:17). How did Jesus resist the temptations of the Devil? (MATTHEW 4:1-11) What phrase did Jesus repeat with authority? What does a believer do to show his love for Jesus Christ? (JOHN 14:15, 21, 23-27)

This is something worth remembering; put it on a sticky note in the bathroom to remind you.

1 Peter 1:23 "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God."

I think we are supposed to introduce people to Jesus not make them go to church. They'll come to church to be with others who love Jesus.

Thank you to everyone for helping to keep the side doors latched! We have another request on the doors. If you unlock them with a key, you must re-lock them with a key, it is like a deadbolt. Thank you with your help keeping the lights on schedule too, by using the switch in the cleaning closet.

Due to changes in tax reporting, please use the offering envelopes for cash offerings.

April 29- May 6: Family Promise IFN Hosting Families
Mountain Vista United Methodist Church hosting at Hilltop House
See Jane Tago to sign up to serve. Teams are needed: 1) Sunday to help set up, welcome and settle the families in, 2) provide dinners and fellowship each evening, 3) hosts for over night and to help with breakfast in the morning, 4) fellowship & games on Friday & Saturday, 5) Sunday help to pack up, clean up and transport to the next church, 6) help is also welcome with food and toiletries.

Please volunteer to help. Hosting these families and getting to know them is a very rewarding experience. These families have had something disrupt their life to the point of finding themselves without a place to live.

May 4th Church Women United @ Holladay United Church of Christ, 2631 E. Murray Holladay Rd. Registration at 9:30 am. Program at 10:00 with lunch following the service.

May 5 - Pinecliff camp work day 9:00 a.m. to ???
4142 E Chalk Creek RD, Coalville, UT 84017
Bring your own picnic lunch, drinks will be provided. We appreciate your help to get Pinecliff open and ready for the 2007 season. There is window washing, sweeping and raking to be done. For more information call Vern 801-572-0417, Paul 801-278-9223 or Lloyd 801-964-2287.

May 6 - Planning Meeting for Elementary Camp
Grace and peace to all.
We are forming camp staff for this years elementary camp our next meeting is being held at Mountain Vista UMC May 6 @2 pm camp will be held from July 8-13 campers arriving on the 9th. Please share this with any interested in sharing in this ministry.
YBIC Cory Coward
Camp Director
I can be reached @801-209-3734 or kc2corro@msn.com

May 6, 13, 20 & 27 Bowling! Yes, bowling every Sunday in May at the All Star Lanes in West Jordan. Contact Anne (801) 963-0185 for more information.

May 12 – SERVICE DAY!
May 12th from 10:00 - 1:00 p.m.- Service Volunteers for Family Promise
Get your gardening hats out! We are cleaning up the front yard of the Day Center with a LANDSCAPING PROJECT. We are also in great need of skilled volunteers that would be willing to donate their time and talents to help us do some REMODELING at our Family Promise Day Center (814 We. 800 So.).
Contact Naomi 801-961-8622 @ Family Promise

Saturday, May 12 - Letter Carrier Food Drive
1:30 - 3:30, and 3:30 - 5:30ish
ExpoMart post office, 250 West 200 South
Volunteers are needed to sort and box food. This is the perfect project for junior and senior high youth groups, scout groups or mission teams. Volunteers between 7 and 12 years old MUST have adult supervision. Please, no volunteers under seven years old or babies in strollers.
Shifts will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Linda Hilton 364-7765 x133 @ Crossroads Urban Center

May 12th 7:00 p.m. Dear Diary Drama @ Community UMC Ogden

May 18-20 Church Palisades Camping Trip.
Camping at the Palisades, southeast of Manti, come for hiking, fishing, swimming and golf! Bring all needed camping supplies for yourselves. Space is limited, due date is May 5. Call Steve Callihan 260-1268.

May 18 - 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.- Trinity UMC Rummage Sale
Come shop at our Spring Rummage Sale! (4290 W. 5415 S. Kearns) If you have donations, please bring your clean usable items to the church during the week of May 14th by Friday May 18th at 8:00 AM. Thank you.

May 19th - 10:00 a.m. - Planning Meeting for Family Camp @ Trinity UMC, 4290 W. 5415 S. Kearns.
We will be planning meals and the program for the Pinecliff Family Camp Weekend. We would like to have a representative from each Church group. Please call Rod & Luanne Holmes 801-964-8062 or Lloyd Stinger 801-964-2287 for information or questions.

June 1-3 – Pinecliff Open House weekend
Plan for a weekend of fun and fellowship with lots of food, time to relax, hike and play games. Live music is scheduled for Saturday night. Watch for further details.

June 8-10 - UMC Women’s Spiritual Retreat at Pinecliff, Friday 4:30pm through Sunday 12 noon. Prayer-filled lives. Retreat Leader: Rev. Diane Bell. Cost $45.00. Mary Ann 801-278-9223

June 13-16 Rocky Mountain Annual Conference in Denver
Making the Invisible Visible: Embracing Diversity – Racial Acceptance – Celebrating Inclusiveness
God Created such diversity on the planet! Let us Celebrate!
Early registration due May 25th, regular registration due June 2nd.

June 15-17 Pinecliff Junior High Retreat Weekend Gr 7-9
An incredible weekend retreat for Mid-High Youth. Meet new friends, share your faith and have a week full of fun stuffed into this amazing weekend. $65
Counselors needed
Event Director: Linda Hartney 801-253-4816
Forms http://www.rmcumcamps.com/

June 15-22 Flathead Youth Camp in Montana – Experience and share the Living Christ.
Jason 598-1151

June 22-24 Pinecliff Family Camp
Come for a weekend filled with fun and faith!
Children 5 and under are free, ages 6-12 are $30, ages 13 and up are $40.
Contact Lloyd 801-964-2287 or Rod & Luanne 964-8062

July 8- July 15: Family Promise IFN, Mountain Vista UMC Hosting Families at Hilltop House

July 9 – 13 Pinecliff Elementary Camp Grades K-6
A camp for elementary youth in Utah. Campers will come to know and understand the God of creation. Campers will join cross-age family groups and same-age cabin groups for activities. Explore God’s presence in all aspects of life, meet old and new friends in singing, stories and sharing. (5 days & 4 nights). Parents of Kindergarten and First Grade campers are welcome to attend as counselors. $130
Event Directors:
Cory Coward 801-280-4136
Rev. Nancy Boswell 435-637-0127
Rev. Alane Currier-Griggs 801-737-4838
Forms http://www.rmcumcamps.com/

July 16-20 Vacation Bible School?? Coordinator needed!

Chrysalis Weekends at Park City Community
August 2-5, 2007 Young Men’s Flight
August 9-12, 2007 Young Women’s Flight
"Chrysalis" is the name chosen for the youth and young adult version of The Walk to Emmaus.
Chrysalis "Flights" (for 15-18 year olds) are three-day events filled with music, praise and God's love. Space is limited get your registration in early!

Wednesday Evening Service
Our Wednesday services have been such a blessing. Thank you to all our speakers and supporters. There will continue to be communion each Wednesday and special guest speakers on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. On the 2nd Wednesday we will have a prayer meditation and on the 4th Wednesday there will be a book club discussion.

4th Wednesday Book Club:
May - Beloved Redeemer, by Francine Rivers
June - Life of Pi, by Yann Martell
July - The Gospel According to Starbucks, by Leonard Sweet
August - Wild at Heart, Robert Eldridge
September - Lessons of the Turtle - by Steve Goodier

We have not selected books for the months of Oct, Nov and Dec. If you have a book you would like to recommend for the book club please send the information to Debi Paulsen debip1@msn.com. 280-0777.

****Special Special****

Read all about it !
RENT A SCOUT PROGRAM !
Troop #1012

During the Spring thru Fall you can rent a Scout to help out around the house. Inside or Out.
Mow the yard, repairing or painting fences, help with your garden, etc....
Need your dogs washed and walked. Cars washed. Windows washed. Spring Cleaning and much, much more.....
What they earn they will use for our Troop Field trips and camping trips.
"An extra bonus is that our boys will tithe 10% of what they earn for the Troop to the M.V.U.M.C. Building Fund."

For anyone interested please call: Scoutmaster, Sheila Anderson @ 280-6343.
Thank you for your Support!

Sheila Anderson
Scoutmaster - Troop #1012

Photos Wanted
Do you have a knack for taking pictures? Would you like to show them off? We’d like to use your digital pictures in our "screen saver" on the projection screen. Submit a few of your best pictures of Utah to Jerry Selbo at jselbo@digis.net, and we'll select a different one each week.

Bowling League 3:00 p.m. every Sunday in May at the All Star Lanes - West Jordan
Contact Anne Rodgers-Hall @ 964-2340 or Anne.Rodgers@comcast.net for further info.

Cross-Trainers Cross Trainers is a group of runner/walkers training and participating in benefit events. Linda (566-4053)

Dear Mtn. Vista family,

I am calling on all of you to support me in my mid-life crisis! I turned 40 this past year and have decided to run a marathon!!! Not only that, I have signed on with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society to run for a cause. I am running to find a cure for blood related cancers. My goal is to raise $3,800 and I need your help!

So far, my longest run has been 16 miles and I have the blisters to prove it! I will be traveling to San Diego June 3rd to run in the Rock-n-Roll Marathon! That is 26 miles of going in a forward direction running, walking or crawling! I hope to visit Shelby Robinson while I am there too!

Please help me in this quest with your prayers, emotional support, ibuprofen, ice wraps and most of all your financial support. You can mail a check to me at my home (made out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) or go online to www.active.com/donate/tntdms/LindaH and you can use your credit card.

Thanks for your support!
Linda Hartney

Ciao! Friends!
I am writing to ask for your help. This summer I have an exciting opportunity to go to Brazil for five weeks from June 11th to July 15th. I am looking for sponsors so I can go.

This trip will help me learn another foreign language and open my eyes further to how I can make a difference in this world. It will contribute hugely to my education. I will be photographing and drawing things that inspire me while I’m in Brazil to put in my art portfolio for college. I will also be documenting my trip I a blog to share my experiences with you.

I will be staying in the home of my foreign exchange friend, Larissa, and will be completely immersed in the culture, Larissa has begun teaching me Portuguese and because I have studied Spanish for three years already I’m finding many similarities. Larissa is also mapping out fun traditions, and places to show me. We will be flying from Gainseville to Atlanta where we will transfer planes and fly nonstop to Sao Paolo, the biggest city in Brazil. Here we will stay with her grandmother for a week before we fly to Belo Horizonte (Beautiful Horizon) to stay with her Aunt for a week where Larissa usually attends school. Then we will fly to Porto Alegre (Happy Port) where her parents live. We will stay there for three weeks and plan to visit Rio de Janeiro where the huge statue of Jesus is.

This fall I'll start my junior year in high school and I will be dually enrolled in Santa Fe Community College. I have been on the Principal's List for three years, in the Marching Band Color Guard for three years (captain for one), in the Concert band playing the Saxophone for a year, and am currently involved in the All-Country Honors Band. And yes, I am still loving my Cello.

In order to go to Brazil I need $2, 500. I have already received $225 in pledges and I have a job and will raise several hundred dollars hat way. I still need about $1500. I am looking for sponsors to help me with this awesome goal. I hope you can help me with a pledge of $25, $50 or $100. If you can sponsor me, please send your pledge to 391 SE 114 CT, Williston FL, 32696. I will be calling to answer any of your question in the next few days. Please contact me at (352) 486-6017 and I will give you more details about this exhilarating opportunity.

Thanks for your help and support.
Sarah Parkin (in Florida now, in Brazil tomorrow)

COLLECTIONS –Save these items:
Aluminum Cans – For Mtn. Vista's Choir
Pop Tabs from Cans - For The Ronald McDonald House
"Box Tops for Education" - For local community services.
Soup Labels – For Red Bird Mission
"Special" moral support items – For Our Troops, see Melinda Greirson

Mothers Of PreSchoolers – MOPS – Because Mothering matters!
MOPS Meetings every other Friday morning 9:30-12:00
at Trinity UMC, 4290 West 5415 South in Kearns.
May 10 - Mother’s Day Tea
May 25 – Summer Fun Picnic
For information contact Vanessa at 548-1279 OR Cindy 280-2509
MOPS is for every mom from all backgrounds and ages with children ages birth through kindergarten. MOPS is about celebrating motherhood, meeting needs, and making connections through relationships, resources, and brunch. We want you to be able to be the best mom you can be!

Sandwich Mission
Sunday, May 20: Make/bring sandwiches to church
Monday, May 21: Serve sandwiches, 5:00 p.m. at St Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South
For any questions, contact Geniel Woodward 233-8681
The Girl Scouts will be helping make sandwiches every other month, contact Brandee Fox 280-9528

This article is titled the Miracle Whip, because the ministry is miraculous. Every month I look at our refrigerators after church, the day before sandwich delivery and wonder how we are going to come up with 500 sandwiches. Somehow they get there, and the hungry folks in Salt Lake are fed. Thank you to each sandwich making blessed one of you for being God's hands in the ministry.

Some diligent sandwich maker at Mountain Vista has come up with a brilliant way to keep the sandwiches fluffy and square. They put the sandwiches in a soda carton - the refrigerator pack kind. The sandwiches stay so nice and fresh looking. As you can imagine, trying to put 500 sandwiches into our two refrigerators can be a bit of a challenge, and these sandwiches really looked great. Just as a reminder, the requirements for sandwiches are that they be placed in individual baggies, restacked in the bread bag, the bread bag labeled as to the kind of sandwich.

The next service date is the third Monday in May, the 21st. That means sandwiches can be brought to the church as early as Sunday, May 20th. Watch for the clipboard that will come around at services May 6 and 13.

Peace and Sandwiches
Geniel

CROSSROADS URBAN CENTER
Thrift Store: 1385 W Indiana Ave (850 S)
Pantry: 347 S 400 E
May food of the month – canned meat - Vienna sausage, Spam, corned beef, etc.
May thrift store item of the month – men's clothing and kid's summer clothing.
Please bring items to the church and they will be delivered to Crossroads.

Thank you for your prayers, cards and concerns during my sister’s final days with us. Your expressions of love gave my family and me comfort beyond words.

In Christ,
Lorraine Wilkinson

Director of Christian Education needed at Christ UMC
Salaried Job Opening – 20-22 hrs weekly
www.christmethodistchurch.net or call Sarah 272-4538

If you would like to advertise in this newsletter, please contact Jerry Selbo, 280-1268 or the Church office. The fee goes to the Building Fund. Thanks!

There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NRSV)

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 (office@mtnvistaumc.org) preferred.