The Mountain View November 2005

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.

Several people asked about one of the poems I shared in my sermon on October 9. As I considered Paul's message on focusing on the things of God from Philippians 4, I thought how powerful that habit would be in the life of someone who is seeing the horrors of war firsthand. I tried to imagine how God's power could break through even in a war zone. This poem resulted. May our prayers be unceasing for our brothers and sisters who are living the words of Jesus: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." –John 15:12-13.

A Utah Soldier gulps air and stares at Joey.
Joey stares back.
But Joey doesn't breathe.
Bright red on brown.
A Utah Soldier's hope bleeds too.

Images of beauty drift in gray fog...
Julie's eyes.
Mom's squeeze.
Dad's grin.
Mountains bigger than the worst of war.
Beauty bigger than the ugliness in the sand.

     ...whatever is true,
             whatever is noble,
                   whatever is right,
                        whatever is pure,
                              whatever is lovely,
                                    whatever is admirable--
                                          if anything is excellent
                                               or praiseworthy--

A common phrase used a few years ago was, "Let your fingers do the walking." This referred to the yellow pages of the phone book where we could find the phone number we needed. Now we don't even have to find a phone directory if we have the number listed in our phone log. We can just pick up our cell phones, push the button, or ask our phone to dial the number for us.

I certainly can't argue with the fact that our ability to establish contact is much easier today than it has been in the past. In seconds we can be speaking to someone clear across the country or even across the ocean. But do we let this ease take the place of real communication? Do we at times take this convenience for granted and forget about the need to communicate with others and with our Maker?

The story is told about my grandfather, Jacob Haidle who farmed in eastern Montana during the years 1910-1917. At one point during that time he became very sick and the usual home remedies had no effect upon his illness. There were no doctors or hospitals in the area. In desperation he had one of his sons take him to the nearest railroad station about six miles away. He boarded the eastbound train and traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota to see a doctor. (Approx. 250 miles) He was placed in the hospital where he underwent surgery for appendicitis. He was kept in the hospital six weeks before being released. Meanwhile his wife and family had no idea whether he was alive and if so, what kind of medical problems he was suffering. It was not until the family saw him walking down the hill above their farm did they know he was alive and well. Imagine the joy and excitement on that day!

Long before telephones were invented God had told humankind that He was always available, whenever they wanted to talk to Him. Isn't it great that God has promised us that we can always trust him to be there whatever the problem or situation. We do not have to dial the right number, have the right connection, or worry about the right long distance service. The line is never busy, not working or too expensive. We don't have to ask, "Can you hear me now?" God Is There! He is ever present and wants to commune with us, just like when He came down to the Garden of Eden to fellowship with Adam and Eve. We may not have face-to-face contact, but we do have the witness of His spirit communing with our spirit, a sense of comfort, peace and love, which can only come from having been in the presence of God.

The Christian Life Center

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 a.m.-Noon
1^st and 3^rd Saturday 9:00 a.m.-Noon (by appointment only)

The Christian Life Center is a ministry offered by this church. Its purpose is to help people deal with the troublesome issues of life. It is provided at no cost to you. Call the church office or Dr. Duane Haidle for an appointment.

Please join us as we celebrate the past year's happenings here at Mountain Vista.
Spaghetti will be served. Please bring a vegetable, salad, bread or dessert to share.

Kids – we are having a fun day just for you!! Come to church Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9:30-2:30. The Senior High Youth Group will lead you in Christmas crafts and Christmas games while your parents go Christmas shopping or just have a day to themselves.

Parents – The cost is $10 apiece for the first two children, $5 apiece after that. Includes lunch and snacks! If possible, please sign up or RSVP to the church office. (Ages 4-11 years)

The Advent season is observed for the four weeks preceding Christmas. It is a time when Christians are to prepare their hearts for a great event – the gift of Christ to God’s people. Please join us on November 27, the first Sunday of Advent, to decorate the church by Hanging the Greens. Time and details to be announced.

Did you know that Albertson's has a program called Community Partners? They do, and Mountain Vista UMC is part of that partnership. The result of this program is money in the bank for your Youth Group! All we have to do is shop at Albertson's and have the card swiped and then at the end of every quarter, Albertson's sends your Youth Group a check for 2% of the total amount spent!! How great is that?! This has been averaging about $100 per quarter. Obviously, we'd like to see more people get involved in this program—especially if you already shop at Albertson's. If you already have a Albertson's Preferred Card, all you have to do is add the Community Partner's # 49000110895 to it and every time they swipe your Preferred Card it will also acknowledge the Community Partner participation right on your receipt. You have to go on the Internet to do this @ www.Albertsons.com and link the previously mentioned # to your preferred card #. If you have one of the old "Community Partner Cards," it is obsolete and has to be connected to the Preferred Card, so you only carry one card. If you don't have access to the Internet, please contact Patti Chauza and I'll help you.

Albertson's also has a few gas stations, and this program applies to gasoline bought too; however it does not apply to prescriptions. It would be really great if you could get other people you know to add this # to their Preferred Card to help your Youth Group out even further. Everybody buys groceries; why not help out your Youth Group at the same time. Thanks.

Our October meeting was held on October 11^th. David Elwell gave a very informative presentation on identity theft. The main way you can combat this, along with safeguarding your personal information, is to monitor your accounts, credit cards, and your credit report on a regular basis. You can do this yourself, or there are services that can do this for you. David markets one of these services, which is available on a month-to-month basis. See him if you would like more information.

Our November meeting will be Tuesday, November 8^th at 7:30 a.m. Peggy Porter will be giving a presentation on long-term care insurance. Everyone is invited. It is a good opportunity to find out what others in the congregation do for a living, to market your own company, or to learn something informative from our speaker. If you would like more information about the breakfasts, contact Jerry Selbo at 282-1268.

Thanks to all the families who came to the October pack meeting. We had a fireman visit from the Salt Lake Fire Department. He talked with us about fire safety and demonstrated how his gear worked and why it was designed the way it was. It was a really interesting night.

Family Pack meeting: November 1^st, 7:00 p.m. at the church. We will be having a pizza party to celebrate popcorn sales. Thank you to those who participated in this fundraiser.

We would like to welcome all the new scouts and their families that joined our pack this year. We look forward to an exciting year. – Kristen Vanstaveren

Youth News

Nov. 6 Make Christmas Ornaments for Fundraiser - some youth will be at YLC (Lunch: Peralez family)

Nov. 19 or 20 Not finalized – Mission Project – Either repairs at Eureka UMC (Saturday, Nov. 19 with no meeting on Nov. 20) or at Copperton UMC (Sunday, Nov. 20, after lunch provided by Grierson family)

Nov. 27 Go to NickelCade: admission is $2.25 plus nickels for games. (Lunch: Murphy family)

Nov. 6 Make Christmas Ornaments for Fundraiser - some youth will be at YLC. (Lunch: Peralez family)

PARENTS: Volunteers needed to drive to and from the mission project (whichever one we end up doing) and also for the fun events on November 27-NickelCade and bowling. Please let Pastor Steve know which of these you can help with. Thanks!!

Hands Up for God is an exciting way of using puppets to share the Good News of Christ. Check out the skit presented by Hands Up for God on Sunday, October 2, and perhaps you will be inspired to put your hands up for God and become a puppeteer. Immediate openings!!! No experience necessary!!!! If interested, please contact Curtis Siex or Dallas Curtiss or just show up at practice which is Sunday afternoons from 2:30-3:30.

Thank you for your gift in the amount of $43.72.* Through your generosity many children will receive the health care, education, nutrition, and Christian education they need. This year children in Romania, Texas, West Africa, Louisiana, Mexico and West Virginia will benefit from your gifts. It is a joy to be part of this work and to be partners with you in sharing the good news of God's love through Jesus Christ with children and their families. May God continue to bless your congregation as you grow in loving God and serving God's people around the world!

* This was the amount raised by the kids at Vacation Bible School (Needy Nickels).

Join us for the World Community Day Celebration "A Light to the Nations" held on Friday, Nov. 4, at St. John's Lutheran Church (475 E. Herbert Ave). Registration ($1.00) and coffee will be at 9:30 a.m. The celebration will start at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon ($4.00) to follow provided by the Women's Association of St. John's. Byron Schott, the News Director from KCPW has been invited to speak about a Christian response to the media. With the many news reports regarding Hurricane Katrina, this topic will be of great interest to many. Women are asked to bring hygiene items, which will be donated to the Salvation Army.

It's not too early to mark your calendar for the Advent Service which will be held Friday, Dec. 9, at Calvary Baptist Church (1090 South State Street). Registration ($1.00) will start at 12:30 p.m. with the Advent Service beginning at 1 p.m. Pastor Davis will deliver the Advent sermon. The ladies of Calvary Baptist Church will host a Coffee Hour (no charge) following the service. Please join in worship with your Christian sisters as we prepare for the "coming of our Lord."

HAPPENINGS BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE!!

Everybody knows the Entertainment Book - full of 50% and 2-for-1 discounts on restaurants, movies, sporting events and more. Enjoy saving money while supporting a good cause! (The books are $30 and part of the proceeds will go to the Building Fund) Please contact Jerry Selbo to get your book or for more information.

Don't forget the Sandwich Mission. Every third week of the month we make and serve sandwiches as an outreach mission.

The dates for November are:
Sunday, November 20: make/or bring sandwiches, 2 p.m.
Monday, November 21: serve sandwiches, 5 p.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South. (Usually finished by 6:30 p.m.)

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.