<-------Information
about activities for specific age groups can be found by clicking on the
appropriate button on the stained glass window on the left.
ONGOING AND EXTENDED EVENTS
MUSIC,
PRAISE AND LITURGICAL DANCE ON WEDNESDAYS
Come join us for music, praise and liturgical dance on
Wednesdays
at 6:00 pm.
This is for anybody, dancer or not, ages 10 through 100! If you don't want to
dance, come sing or listen, watch and pray. This is a wonderful time for worship
and praise to GOD using all our talents. For more information you may contact
Cheryl Specht, Director of Liturgical Dance for Sierra Vista.
LIFE GROUPS
Autumn is here! What a great time to
make new and close friends and grow in faith by joining (or starting) a LIFE
Group. These small groups are
typically composed of about 12 people (single and/or married) and include both
Sierra Vista members and non-members. Groups
gather in homes, at the Church or other designated places to share fellowship
and witness - much like the early church. Depending
on the group, you may enjoy a meal or just coffee and dessert.
This is typically followed by Bible study or a study of contemporary
Christian material, depending on the desires of the group.
Meetings end with prayer concerns and prayer.
There are currently four groups active at Sierra Vista.
You may be able to join one of the existing groups or join with friends
to form a new life group. Then grow your group by inviting others to join.
LIFE Group members develop close bonds with others and support each all
situations they encounter in life. LIFE
Group growth is normally achieved by inviting others to join your group. The
essentials of how often to meet, when and where to meet, whether the meeting
will involve a meal or refreshments, decisions about holiday and summer breaks,
etc., are decisions for the group.
Is it time you increased your spiritual awareness? Don’t let this opportunity
slip away. If you have questions or would like more information on LIFE Groups,
please call Jeany Coughran.
INTRODUCTION
CLASS FOR VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS
An “introduction” class for visitors and new members will begin
the first Sunday of each month. The class will meet during the Sunday school hour,
9:45-10:45 am, in room 208 (upstairs in the life center).
Week # 1 – Life as a
theological journey and the way we as United Methodist Christians do theology.
An introduction to the Quadrilateral: a distinctive way of thinking about the
Scripture and the life of faith.
Week # 2 – The beginnings of
the Methodist movement and the organization of the United Methodist Church. This
session will describe and discuss the connectional church.
Week # 3 - A review of the
history of Sierra Vista UMC and a discussion about the meaning of membership
vows taken by all new members.
Week # 4 – A review of the
“Discover Sierra Vista!” New Member/Inquirer Class manual. Completion of
interest inventory of “opportunities for service” and “new member
information sheet” for those who choose to join SV.
Week # 5 – This only occurs
four times annually and all those who have participated in at least one session
of the introduction class will be invited to take a guided tour of the church
grounds and facilities.
When visitors and/or new
members finish the introduction class they should be able to state: who we as
Methodist Christians are, where the Methodist Christian community came from and
what we understand church membership to mean.
If you have any questions,
please contact Nancy Knight or the church office at 944-4041.
|
Sierra
Vista Committee Chairs for 2011 |
| Steve Van Hoozer |
Church Council |
| Chuck
Kirking |
Trustees |
| Bill Holubec |
Permanent Endowment |
| David Lupton |
Finance |
|
Steven Sweet
|
Lay
Leadership |
| Ben
Woodward |
Staff Pastor-Parish Relations |
| Bethi Young |
CDC
Board |
| Phil
Steinbach |
Evangelism |
|
Tracy
McIver & Sherry Turner |
Missions |
| Beverly Nevins |
Hospitality |
| Linda
Miller |
Worship |
| Melayne
Daniel |
Music |
| Sue
Van Hoozer |
Stewardship |
| Kathleen
Edinburg |
Children’s Council |
| Kim
Meyer and Penny Fritz |
Co-Lay Leaders |
PASTOR'S DISCRETIONARY
FUND: A MEANINGFUL MISNOMER
As you know, each month during Communion services, persons are given an
opportunity to support the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.
This fund is intended to provide “emergency” assistance for persons
in need within and beyond our community of faith.
And it does.
However, discretionary is somewhat of a misnomer.
Sierra Vista (SV) receives referrals for assistance from either
Christians in Action (CIA) or Catholic Outreach Services (COS).
Both of these agencies meet with individuals and families seeking
assistance. Each agency determines the type of assistance needed and identifies
specific needs through: utility bills, unpaid house or rental payments,
prescriptions for medication or other tangible and verifiable documentation.
SV issues benefits up to twice per calendar year to individuals and/or
families in need and referred by either of the screening agencies.
There also are emergency situations that arise within the
life of S V. When that occurs the
pastoral staff does make a determination of the specific need and offers
assistance as needed, and as available. The
discretionary fund balance fluctuates quite dramatically and therefore benefits
offered are often sporadic and unpredictable.
The screening for need done by CIA and COS for persons
beyond SV tends to transform discretionary into confirmed determination of need.
The fund balance tends to transform discretionary into availability for
needful conditions within the life of SV. In
either case this fund helps to fulfill our invitation into Christian caring,
giving and loving ALL our neighbors. Thank
you all for your support of this ministry of Sierra Vista.
Blessings,
Steven
PERMANENT
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
Our walks in the Christian faith are filled with many individual steps. Some
of the steps taken are straightforward, steps we get pleasure from and relish.
The birth of a child or the making of a new Christian friend are steps that
many of us have enjoyed. At the same time, we have also experienced other
steps in our lives that are more difficult to bear, and many of us have also
faced steps that are simply confusing. As Followers, we are asked to seek
God’s guidance to lead us through the periods of our walks that we are now
facing individually. Specifically, in Micah 6:8, we are called “to act
justly and to love mercy/and to walk humbly with [our] God.”
Part of this walking humbly
with God is taking care of what He has given us. Psalm 24 speaks to the idea
that God owns all our possessions: “The earth is the LORD's, and everything
in it.” This Christian perspective calls us to continue to walk humbly with
Him by seeking His will in justly managing His possessions. The Church calls
this stewardship; it is a way we serve God, and it is a part of the Christian
walk that can prove both challenging and confusing. Some in our congregation
are currently facing this very step.
To help members with this
challenge of stewardship, a committee for Sierra Vista’s Permanent Endowment
Fund was formed in January. The Permanent Endowment Fund is a service to those
who love the Church and who desire to expand the Church’s witness and
mission; it is a Fund whose goal is to turn any contributor’s gift into a
lasting legacy. With this enduring goal in mind, the Permanent Endowment Fund
is designed to supplement the customary stewardship responsibilities of
individuals; it is not intended to replace regular annual giving for the
Church’s established programs, and only interest earned from the principle
is used for the work of this fund.
Additionally, the Permanent
Endowment Fund Committee believes its role should be to help members of Sierra
Vista with this step of stewardship in their Christian walks. Toward this end,
the Committee will sponsor a seminar on estate planning in the latter part of
October. The seminar, “Putting Your House in Order,” will outline how to
leave a plan for your loved ones and how to continue your humble walk with God
by carefully stewarding your part of His kingdom.
CHURCH
CONTRIBUTIONS DRAFTED
For those who signed up to have their church contributions drafted, please
contact the Church Office at 944-4041 if you need a new packet of bank draft
cards.
If you would like to sign up
for bank draft, please contact the Church Office, 944-4041.
CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY
The church library has moved to N-3 (the old nursery). It is located off the
south end of the Narthex in the door that says “Step Up”. In that foyer are
books for you to take and share with others. To the right, you will find the
library. Books on praying are being “highlighted” for the Lenten Season.
To check out a book:
1) Remove the card from the
book pocket
2) Sign & date card
3) Place card on computer desk
4) When you return the book,
place it on the computer desk
Take advantage and enjoy your
church library!
Our church library has the
best selection of books covering a broad range of subjects. Thanks to the
Ott’s, a software package has been provided that will sort books by: title,
author, publisher, year published and other library identifications. Just ask
Pat Towler how many books we have by authors of A & B last names. She has
entered almost 200 books and that is only 1/8 of the existing library! Besides
the library there is a closet of resource books as well as tapes and videos.
These have not been sorted as yet, but are available to everyone! Come to the
church library and find the treasures. Archeology sounds fun to me! Any
questions, contact Penny Fritz.
PROJECT DIGNIDAD GROCERY
LIST
| Flour |
Peanut
Butter |
Pasta |
| Canned
Meat |
Soups |
Canned
Fruits & Veggies |
| Spaghetti
Sauce |
Mac
& Cheese |
Saltine
Crackers |
| Ramen
Noodles |
Toddler
Size Diapers |
Ziplock
Bags |
| Plastic
Grocery Bags |
|
|
Would you be
willing to add a few of these items to your grocery list to donate to Project
Dignidad? This ecumenical ministry provides food in emergency situations to
individuals and families. Sierra Vista has supported this ministry through
donations for many years. The recipients of these donations are very grateful.
Baskets labeled “Project Dignidad” are located in the Narthex. Items
collected will be delivered to Project Dignidad each week. Thanks so much for
your help!
SAVE YOUR
SODA CAN TABS!
Remember to continue saving your soda can pull tops. We are in partnership with
Verizon to collect them. 24 pounds of pulls will help a family of 4 spend a
night in the Ronald McDonald House. Thanks for all your support through the
summer and fall.
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VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
Remember when you were a first time
visitor to Sierra Vista and you wanted information about our church? We’re in
need of people to deliver packets to our first time visitors, visit with them,
and answer their questions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share your faith
and meet new people. You usually have between 1 and 4 packets to deliver every 6
weeks or so. Contact Ann at the Church Office, 944-4041, if you’re interested
in helping in this ministry.
WESLEY DAILY BREAD SOUP
KITCHEN NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Hello Sierra Vista!! Have I got a deal for you. Every Thursday you could come to
the Wesley Daily Bread Soup Kitchen and have a great time and perform a
wonderful service to our community. I volunteer every Thursday and I need people
who want to feel needed and have fun while volunteering. We serve from 75-120
people during the hours of 11:00 am-1:00 pm. I am there from 9:00 on and there
are opportunities for cooking, washing dishes, organizing the pantry, cleaning,
etc. You can come the whole time or any time at all, especially 12:30 -1:30 pm
to help put away leftovers and clean up. If you have any questions about this
wonderful mission in our community, please call me and I'll be happy to give you
all the details. I look forward to hearing from you. LuAnn Lupton.
ALTA
LOMA ANGELS ...
Would
you like to be involved in Alta Loma Angels but don’t want to commit to
something every week? Volunteer opportunities are everywhere in this ministry.
Here are a few of the things we need help with:
Prayer Warriors
Mentors
Classroom
volunteers
Fun
Food Thursdays (sell popcorn and pickles to benefit Alta Loma PTA)
Snacks
for the teacher’s lounge (donuts, homemade goodies, etc.)
Teacher
Appreciation luncheons
Gently
used children’s clothing and shoes
Donate
money to Scholarship fund (PTA gives a scholarship each year to Graduating High
School Seniors who attended Alta Loma Elementary)
Click
on the kids above
for more information about the volunteer opportunities available at Alta Loma
Elementary.
*
* * * * * * * * *
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THANK
YOU
* * * *
* * * * * *
|
|
|
January
24
|
|
To
Our Sierra Vista Family,
Thank you for your prayers, cards and
gifts during this time of grief for our family. We truly are blessed to have a
wonderful, caring and loving group of people in our life.
Love
& Blessings,
Lonnie, Bobbie Jo, Chelsea, Jordan & Lonnie Griffith
|
|
A
special thank you to the wonderful, cheerful, helpful group of Vista
Volunteers who turned out to
produce the newsletter on
January 10th. They
included:
|
Pat Towler
|
Martha McMeans
|
|
Bonnie Sumey
|
Mary Allen
|
|
Frank Vincenti
|
JoAnn Livingston
|
|
Lee
Livingston
|
Tish
Vincenti
|
|
Barbara Richards
|
Bert Brewer
|
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|
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Come join us - we have fun & dessert!!!!!
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FUND
RAISERS
|
FUNDRAISING FOR YOUTH EVENTS |
CAR WASH TOKENS FROM
TOWN & COUNTRY
We have car wash tokens for sale. They are $10 each. $5 of the $10 goes
directly to our Youth Fund. The $10 car wash is a $16 value wash for
your car. These are great stocking stuffers for teenagers who drive.
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STAINED
GLASS WINDOW NOTE CARDS
The
Youth still have lots of packages of note cards of the stained glass
windows of Sierra Vista for sale. The cards are $8 for a package of
12 cards. The cards are in the Church Office.
They would make a great Christmas gift.
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SODA
CAN PULLS
Remember to continue saving your soda can pull tops. 24 pounds of pulls
will help a family of 4 spend a night in the Ronald McDonald House. Thank
you for all your support of this project!
|
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SIERRA VISTA COOKBOOKS ARE HERE!
They are $10 each and
are available in the Narthex or from Beverly Nevins or Mary
McClure.
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LINKS
TO PICTURES
PHOTO
ALBUM ADDED TO WEBSITE
A Photo Album
page has been added to the Sierra Vista website.
<http://www.sierravista.org/photoalbum.htm>
It can be reached by clicking
on the bottom button of the stained glass window menu found on the left side of most of
the website pages or by clicking on the camera below.
The Photo
Album page contains links to pictures from many of the church activities during
2009 & 2010. More pictures will be added as they become
available. Be aware that even though the pictures have been compressed and
reduced in size, the pages are still very "graphics intense" and may
freeze older computers.
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Although
Claire Reynolds was a bit older than most of the College Crazies Crew,
she has been an "honorary" part of the group for the past couple
of years. Her death was a tragic loss. Memorial pages have been added
to the College website at <http://www.sierravista.org/college/clairemem.htm>
**********
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