November 2001

In this Thanksgiving Season, who could argue that we have a most amazing gift from God for which to be thankful this month? Our church family is moving into our brand new church home! For nearly 14 years, our church has been somewhat "nomadic" like the Hebrew people wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, looking for the promised land. We've met in the pastor's home, in the "White House" wedding reception center, in a storefront in the Reams shopping center, and for the last three years, in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Now we'll take up residence in our own "Promised Land"... seven acres of property donated by Sam Skaggs some 10 years ago. Those of you who have been with our church since its inception had been looking at dirt and weeds and rocks and a whole lot of work for ten years. Then, a few weeks ago, in a matter of a couple of hours, the west side of the property was covered with beautiful green sod by over 100 volunteers. Blessed are those who wait upon the Lord!

Isaiah 30:18. Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for the LORD!

Now, here comes the tricky part. We may be tempted to move into our new Church Home and think to ourselves, "We have arrived. Our goal has been accomplished!" AVOID THIS TEMPTATION AT ALL COSTS! Remember: Our new church building is not THE GOAL. Our new building is only another means by which God has blessed us so that we may meet the goal: the goal of sharing the Good News of the saving love of God through Christ with one another, with the community, and with the world.

You knew it was coming.... THE WORK HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN. May we be constantly thankful for the awesome privilege of joining forces with our Lord and Savior to reach out to a dark world with an Eternal Light.

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Our Walk of Faith

God has been described in many ways throughout the scriptures: omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, protector, creator, Father, to name a few. Additionally, Christian theology has affirmed God as the ultimate owner of all creation. "The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it" (Psalm 24:1, NRSV). It is more than a cliché to affirm that "we can’t take it with us." God calls us into responsible partnership or stewardship with Him. We are to "till the earth." It is a privilege to make important decisions as we work in God’s vineyard not only through the stewardship of our time and talents, but also through our giving.

Stewardship is not an annual campaign to get church members to make a financial commitment to the church for the coming year. Nor is Stewardship is the way the church underwrites the budget for the church. Stewardship is an important part of your faith walk. It moves you from the ‘spectator role’ into the ‘participant role’ in your spiritual journey. Stewardship includes financial giving but also includes the giving of your time, and the giving of your abilities and talents.

Doug Lawson in his book "Give to Live: How Giving Can Change Your Life" talks about how the giving process can enrich our lives. He stresses that giving adds meaning to our lives-and that by helping others, we are showing and sharing God’s love. Spiritual gifts are an important dimension of stewardship. We are called to name our gifts, to help call out the gifts of others, and to present our gifts to God as an offering. We should savor in the joy of giftedness as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. One gift is not more pleasing to God than another. All are a part of God’s plan and we should celebrate the gifts within our community. Each congregation is gifted.

Mountain Vista United Methodist wants you to understand that your gifts support important and effective ministries. The church hopes that you to are excited about our church in ministry. Our ministry is a reflection of the vision and goals that our members developed last year, and which continues to evolve and develop as we promote the gift of spiritual life throughout our community. The success of our ministries is dependant on your giving and more importantly, an expression of your relationship with Jesus Christ.

The new ministry center brings an exciting new beginning that can enhance our lives as well as the lives of others through important, life-changing ministry. Mountain Vista United Methodist Church is committed to expressing, experiencing and expanding the love of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit throughout the community. The church achieves this through its programming, its worship and its stewardship.

As members of the body of Christ, we have the privilege of being stewards in the ministry of the Mountain Vista United Methodist Church. Giving money for the work of the church is one very important aspect of stewardship. Christian financial giving is a responsive act. It represents gratitude. It is a symbol of self-giving. Therefore, giving is not a once-a-year event, but a regular part of life. It is a spiritual discipline that reminds us who and whose we are.

November 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 November are:

Larry Durtschi - November 8
Donna Bolton - November 11
Tina Whaley - November 16
Virginia Berry - November 20
Russell Pupunu - November 21
Polly Lynch - November 26
Courtney Briggs - November 27
Roxane Durtschi - November 28
Peggy Robison - November 28
Stella Chapman - November 29

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.

November 18 - The Joyful Sound

On Sunday, November 18, the Joyful Sound will be leading both worship services. Mountain Vista is the proud sponsor of this outstanding music ministry and we will be blessed through their inspirational music. The founder and director is Bob Nohavec. Part of this music ministry is the Bells of Joyful Sound also directed by Bob Nohavec. Bell Ringers from Mountain Vista are Shirley Grierson and Jean Ann Nohavec.

Wish List for the Church

Refrigerator
Double oven
Cribs
Rocking chair
Changing tables
Door mats
Window coverings
Sunday School storage cabinet
Lawn mower
Snow blower

We will have a poster in the church for those items that we still need, and you could help contribute all or portions of the items for the church.

November Meetings and Events

Weekend, November 2-4 - Youth Leadership Conference

Sunday, November 4 - Dedication Services - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Services

Sunday, November 11 - Pledge Sunday - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Services

Sunday, November 18 - Joyful Sound - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Services

Tuesday, November 20 - Church Council - 7:00 p.m. at the Church

Thursday, November 22 - Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 27 - Charge Conference - 7:00 p.m. at the Church

Church Humor

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!" As she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again. As she ran she once again began to pray, "Dear Lord, please don't let me be late... But please don't shove me either!"

A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"

A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if You can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am!"

Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50." The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100." The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

Adam and Eve had an ideal marriage. He didn't have to hear about all the men she could have married, and she didn't have to hear about the way his mother cooked.

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, "They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.

A police recruit was asked during the exam, "What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?" He said, "Call for backup."

A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" Annie replied, "Because people are sleeping."

A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied: "They couldn't get a baby-sitter."

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five- and six-year-olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, Johnny what is the matter? Little Johnny responded, "I have a pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."