San Angelo, Texas, Sierra Vista United Methodist Church

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<-------Information about activities for specific age groups can be found by clicking on the appropriate button on the stained glass window on the left.

CHURCH-WIDE NEWS & EVENTS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Wednesdays	*Music, Praise and Liturgical Dance*
September 9	*Pansies, Tulips & Daffodils Go On Sale*
September 11	*Youth Garage Sale*
September 11	*2nd Saturday Munch Bunch*
September 12	*"Invitation to the Old Testament" Bible Study begins*
September 19	*Welcome Ice Cream Social for Phil & Debbie Steinbach*
September 19	*Liturgist Training*
September 19	*3rd Grade Bible Presentation*
September 23	*GRACE & GRUB*
September 29	*First Meeting of the GriefShare Group*
October 2	*HARVEST FESTIVAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
October 3	*First Shipment of Pumpkins Arrives*
October 10	*Alta Loma Sunday*
October 22 & 23	*Women of Faith Weekend in San Antonio*

March 11-16	Youth Spring Break Ski Trip to Crested Butte
Additional information on most of these activities can be found below.

JOINING US IN SEPTEMBER,

Rev. Phillip and Debbie Steinbach

We have been blessed with the upcoming appointment of Rev. Phillip Steinbach. Rev. Steinbach will assume duties as the Associate Pastor of Sierra Vista beginning
September 1, 2010.

Rev. Phillip Steinbach is a native of San Antonio . He lived in Houston and Austin before entering vocational ministry in June 2000. Prior to ministry Phillip had an 18-year career with IBM. He is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he earned the Master of Divinity degree in May 2000. He is continuing his theological education at APTS and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Phillip is coming home. He lived in West Texas for seven years previously serving churches in Mertzon and Christoval. Since 2007, he has been the pastor of First UMC in Yoakum , TX and of Hope UMC.

Phillip currently serves on the District Superintendency Committee in the Victoria District , the Conference Board of Church and Society, chair of the Yoakum Ministerial Alliance, member of the Board of Directors for the Yoakum chapter of Hands on Housing, and member of the Board of Directors of the Golden Cresent CASA.

Phillip and Debbie Steinbach have been married for 33 years, and have one adult son, David. Debbie is a CPA and a partner in an accounting firm in Austin . She spends about half of her ‘working time’ at home by ‘tele-commuting’ and about half of her time in Austin .

Debbie is a singer, and will be participating in the music ministry at SVUMC once they get settled in. She is also involved in church leadership in the Southwest Texas Annual Conference, having served on the Council on Finance and Administration for eight years, and currently serving on the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits and on the conference Audit Committee.

Their son David and his family live in Wall. His wife, Tori, is a student at Howard College . They have two sons, Nathan (10) and Gracen (2), and they are expecting a new addition to the family in January. Phillip and Debbie are thrilled to be moving to San Angelo .

We pray God’s blessings on the Steinbach’s as they give themselves to Christ, the church, the family and friends of Sierra Vista and our community. A reception for Phillip and Debbie will be arranged and announced once boxes begin to be emptied.

Thanks be to God,

UPCOMING EVENTS

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS FALL
Invitation to the Old Testament…..an 8 week study that includes daily preparation, weekly classes of 1 1/2 – 2 hours, and discussion/interaction format with DVD introduction. Each lesson can stand alone, but provides information on that particular segment of Biblical history. The classes will be on Sunday evenings from 5 – 7:00 p.m. on September 12, 18, & 26 and October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 (or November 1) in room S-1. The study book costs $15. Linda Sylva will lead the discussions, and she says to feel free to bring your supper with you. If you have any questions contact her.

Disciple I….. a 32 week study that is an overview of the Old and New Testament. The lessons will be led by Beverly Nevins and Karen Brewer. There is a manual that has daily readings and lessons that lead into interactive discussions. This class will be on Sunday evenings from 5 -7:00 p.m. in the Life Center Room 106. This study book costs $30. If you have any questions contact Beverly or Karen Brewer.

Both of these classes are informative and very interesting for those beginning to study the Bible or those who want to delve more deeply into a Biblical study. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex or you may call the Church Office at 944-4041.

PANSIES, TULIPS, & DAFFODILS
Pansies, tulips, and daffodils are for sale starting September 5th through the end of September. A flat of pansies (18) sells for $16.50 or ½ flat (9) sells for $9.50. The tulips and daffodils are $16.50 each for a bag of 40 bulbs. They will be available to be picked up the end of October. For more information call Joy or Tina.

YOUTH GARAGE SALE
It’s time for the Youth Garage Sale. It will be Saturday, Sept. 11th from 7 am-1 pm in the Sierra Vista Life Center. Youth are responsible for bringing and marking items they want to sell. HOWEVER, if you have any items you’d like to donate, we have Youth who need your “treasures” to help with their fund raising efforts. Your items would be a big help. Contact Joy or Tina at 944-4041.

2nd SATURDAY MUNCH BUNCH
On September 11th, after the Saturday night service, everyone interested is invited to enjoy a Dutch treat meal with the 2nd Saturday Munch Bunch. Come to the 5:30 pm service in the Chapel Hall and afterward enjoy food, fellowship and a chance to get to know our new Associate Pastor, Phil Steinbach, and hopefully his wife Debbie, too. The restaurant hasn’t been chosen yet. Paula Sue’s has been mentioned because it has good spaces quiet enough for visiting, but suggestions are welcome. COME JOIN US!

THIRD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION
Bibles will be presented to our third-grade students during Sunday services on September 19. An age-appropriate Bible has been for each child, and we invite the congregation to sponsor these third-graders. Bible sponsors are called “Faith Friends,” and they will help to finance the Bible purchase, write a note to the child, and attend the Bible presentation during the chosen Sunday service.

Harrison Boyd	Kaitlin Harris
Talysen Carter	Addison Henson
Ethan Clark	Hannah Herrington
Ryan Claycamp	Lexy Rodriguez
Berkeley Clock	Alex Schweitzer
Ainsley Criswell	Reid Scott
Connor Dierschke	Lance Templin
Grace Dirickson	Karlee Wallace
Riley Duke	Brody White
Avery Edinburgh	Luke Young
Chloe Edinburgh	Tommy Young
John Flynn	.

LITURGIST TRAINING
Sunday, September 19th
9:45 am - Sanctuary

Anyone who would like to be a liturgist for our Sunday services, as well as those who are already liturgists, are invited to attend this training. Please call the Church Office, 944-4041, if you have any questions.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL & WELCOME PARTY FOR PHIL & DEBBIE STEINBACH
Come and join us on Sunday, September 19th, at 5:00 p.m. in the Life Center. Bring your favorite homemade ice cream and/or cookies and help us welcome Phil & Debbie Steinbach to our Sierra Vista family and say goodbye to summer.

GRACE & GRUB
Call to bring food or volunteer to help serve for Thursday, Sept. 23rd at Emmanuel Episcopal. We’ll need 100 pounds of meat, 25 pounds of cheese, 10 large bags of salad, 12 sheet cakes, 600 oz. of chips and 10 volunteers. We’re there from 12:30 to 2:00 pm.

HOT DOG SUPPER AT ALTA LOMA OPEN HOUSE
The Alta Loma Angels will provide a Hot Dog Supper for parents and children attending Open House on Thursday, Sept. 23rd at 6:00 p.m. We’ll need 8 to 10 volunteers to help serve and 2 or 3 to prepare the food & drinks earlier in the afternoon. This is a great opportunity for us to serve Alta Loma in Christian love and to get to know some of the parents, students & teachers! Contact Tracy McIver if you can help.

GriefShare GROUP
GriefShare is a riendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare is a 13 week, video based grief support group for people grieving the death of a loved one.

The workbooks are $12 and can be purchased at the sessions. The class will be Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m in N-4 on the following days:

Sept. 29

Oct. 6, 13, 20 & 27

Nov. 3, 10 & 17

Dec. 1, 8, 15 & 22

Jan. 5

The facilitators will be Louann Cate, Julie Luce & Corey Turner. If you would like more information or if you would like to participate in this Christ-centered share group, contact Louann Cate.

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23rd Annual

HARVEST FESTIVAL

SATURDAY
October 2, 2010

GARAGE SALE
8:00 a.m.

AUCTIONS

Silent 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Live 12:00 p.m.

LUNCH
SERVED 11 A.M.-1 P.M.

Meal $7
Sandwich $5

Pre-orders -
On-site sales -
Take home plates

BRISKET by the pound; CHICKENS

COUNTRY STORE

CASSEROLES

BAKED GOODS

MUSIC

KIDS’ GAME

ACTIVITIES FOR ALL

MEAT SALES

There will be both chickens and brisket for sale.

CHICKENS WILL BE SOLD ON A FIRST-COME BASIS.

Briskets will be sold on a pre-order basis. To pre-order a brisket, please fill out a form in the Narthex or contact a member of the CCC Sunday School Class.

Briskets & chickens must be picked up on the Saturday of the Harvest Festival, October 2nd, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

HARVEST FESTIVAL PROCEEDS GO TO:

HOUSE OF FAITH

House of Faith is a neighborhood-based non-denominational organization targeting children and youth considered high-risk for substance abuse, delinquency and gang involvement, which is headquartered in a converted warehouse at 321 Montecito Drive. Since 1994, this San Angelo based organization, whose methods have been copied nationally, has been “taking Jesus to neighborhood children, youth and families.” Rather than wait for young people to become involved in our churches and youth groups, the leaders simply take Jesus to them. Currently, the organization reaches 2,000+ children and youth each week.

ICD NEW BRIDGE FAMILY SHELTER

New Bridge Family Shelter is a program of ICD Bridges, Inc., a non-profit organization. New Bridge’s trained professionals provide services and support to individuals affected by domestic violence. The shelter’s primary objective is helping individuals gain a healthy and self-sufficient life that is free of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse. In addition, the shelter’s professionals encourage positive mental health and emotional healing, provide guidance and advocacy, and promote education to prevent domestic violence. The services reach children, survivors of domestic violence, and the perpetrators of abuse, and most are offered at no cost.

LOCAL CHURCH OUTREACH

Sierra Vista, in concert with Christians in Action, Catholic Outreach Services and other local churches, helps the working poor meet their basic needs and keep their households going during hard times. After completing a screening process through Christians in Action or Catholic Outreach Services, needy families are directed to local churches where they receive funds to help them meet their utility and other bills. To ensure that the money is used as designated, the churches send the money, in the family’s name, to either Catholic Outreach Services or Christians in Action, which then pays the bills.

PROJECT DIGNIDAD

SAMARITAN PASTORAL COUNSELING

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HARVEST FESTIVAL

NEEDS YOU!!!!

CASSEROLES NEEDED!

Would you like to make casseroles to donate to sell at Harvest Festival? If so, foil pans with lids are available in the church Narthex. Please use the foil pans we have purchased. Bring the frozen casseroles back to the church before Harvest Festival. Be sure to mark on the outside what kind of casserole it is & basic ingredients.

BAKE SALE

Please bring baked goods that we can sell in our annual bake sale. You may bring your cakes, pies, cookies, bread, etc. to Room 106 in the Life Center. Please pre-price and bring your items on Friday, Oct. 1st or EARLY Saturday morning.

HARVEST FESTIVAL COUNTRY STORE

It’s almost time for Harvest Festival. Our Country Store needs craft items, jellies, jams, plants, and any other gently loved items we could use to sell for Harvest Festival. Call Beverly Nevins or the Church Office for more information. Call the Church Office if you would like to bring your sale items early.

THE GARAGE SALE IS COMING!!!

We will begin accepting items for the Harvest Festival Garage Sale on Sept. 20th. Please bring your items to the Bus Barn. Start going through your used items and working appliances. And PLEASE do not bring any broken, dirty or unusable junk. NO clothes.

If you need help with larger items, please call the Church Office, 944-4041.

Click here for printable Auction Donation form

YOUTH NEEDS FOR HARVEST FESTIVAL & TRUNK OR TREAT
The Youth are in charge of the Children’s games during Harvest Festival. We need these items:

                 2 liter drinks for Ring Toss
                 Bags of candy
                 Loose change for the Gold Mine
                 Colored hair spray
                 Canned goods for CROP Walk

PUMPKINS! PUMPKINS!!!
This message is to get you thinking about “round orange orbs” called pumpkins! We’ll unload the 1st shipment on Sun., Oct. 3rd at 1:00 pm. We need lots of volunteers to unload & get the property ready. Call Joy, Tina or Ann if you can volunteer, 944-4041.

ALTA LOMA SUNDAY
Alta Loma Sunday has been set for October 10th. We’ll be highlighting all our volunteer opportunities. This is a place where everyone can volunteer in some way - most help is needed in mentoring & tutoring.

WOMEN OF FAITH WEEKEND

“Imagine”
Women of Faith Weekend
October 22nd & 23rd
Alamodome in San Antonio

Come and join us as we are refreshed, encouraged and inspired! The weekend ticket price is $89. Contact Glenda Maddox or Maxine Low for more information.

FUND RAISING
It is time that our Youth begin fund raising for trips, events, or projects that they are involved in. Many of these fund raisers are available to you if you’re interested in the “merchandise”. Items our Youth will sell through the church this fall include:

                 Pansies, Daffodils & Red Tulips
                 Christian t-shirts
                 Christian calendars
                 Sierra Vista note cards
                 Town & Country Car Wash tokens
                 Pumpkins
                 Poinsettias
                 Luminaries

YOUTH SPRING BREAK SKI TRIP TO CRESTED BUTTE
The annual Youth Ski Trip has been scheduled for March 11th - 16th, 2011 (Friday night - Wednesday Morning). We will be going again to Crested Butte. The trip is for 56 people (youth and adult sponsors.) The cost of the trip will include lodging, travel, lift tickets, ski rentals, food, and insurance. An $75 deposit is due as soon as you can give it, in September, to Tina or Joy. Anyone in the 7th - 12th grades is invited to sign up. We’ll need around 14 to 16 adults to help be sponsors. The trip is open until deposits for the 56 spots are received. The beginning cost of the trip is $575 but extra money will be needed for snowboards, high performance skis and lessons.

MULTIPLE-MEETING EVENTS THAT ARE UNDER WAY

TUESDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
A Perfect Mess: Why you don’t have to worry about being good enough for God
by Lisa Harper

Join us for this study from August 24th through November 16th, from 10:00-11:30 am, in Life Center Room 105. Childcare is provided. The study will examine selected Psalms that reveal a loving Father who remains your greatest champion, helping you to trust him with your shortcomings. Contact Laurie Franklin to sign up or for more info.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

SIERRA VISTA RELAY FOR LIFE COORDINATOR NEEDED
The Sierra Vista Wanderers are looking for someone to organize our church teams for Relay for Life 2011. It is fun and exciting to see everything come together in the battle against cancer. If you’re interested in helping organize this event, please contact Lisa Cook, Nancy Knight or Ann Dodgen. The American Cancer Society starts team meetings again in September and we need someone in place by that time.

KIDS EAT!!

Click on the kids above to see new pictures that have been added.
FINAL REPORT COMING SOON!!!

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HERE IT IS!
IT IS JUST WHAT YOU'VE BEEN
LOOKING FOR!

We can thank our Evangelism Committee for their creativity and contribution. “I want to reach out, invite people to my church, etc. But, it’s just hard for me.” Ever thought that? There is an answer.

Window displays are now available for every vehicle associated with Sierra Vista. They display the Christian symbol of the fish with the words, “Follow Me,” within. Then below the fish symbol is the web address: sierravista.org. Please pick one up for each of your vehicles, and a couple for other family or friends as well. Donations are being accepted to help offset costs. Let’s have Sierra Vista displayed in every parking lot in the whole of San Angelo.

Blessings, Steven

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WELCOME TO MARIE MARSHALL AS NEW KDO DIRECTOR

Hello, my name is Marie Marshall and I have been given the honor of being the new KDO Director here at Sierra Vista. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you get to know me a little. My husband Jerry and I have been married for 18 years. We have 3 great children: Caitlin 11, Caroline 8 & Austin 5. We have been in San Angelo for almost 3 years, we are originally from the Ft. Worth area where our extended family still lives. My husband Jerry is in the golf business and is currently working at Sonora Golf Club. I have been in Preschool/KDO for about 10 years now. I have worked as a teacher, Director, substitute and board member. This past year I served as assistant to both Jody and Shelly. I enjoy many hobbies including scrapbooking, playing outside with the kids, playing soccer, biking, and just being with friends and family. I’m looking forward to my new adventure as the Director of Sierra Vista KDO.

NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFORMATION COMMITMENT
Sierra Vista UMC has made a commitment to the Southwest Conference of the UMC in the New Church Development and Transformation in an effort to support the new churches of our Conference. There are new churches in San Antonio, Kyle, Canyon Lake, Laredo, Gruene and Spring Branch. Under this commitment, we, as members of SVUMC, will have the opportunity, through either a one-time gift or a special 3-year mission pledge, to help these new churches grow to be as successful and prosperous as our church! These new churches are offering services in places such as the local golf course, family homes, and even in local schools. With the help of your monetary donations, the Southwest Texas Conference can help existing congregations become more effective in their performance of their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Please search your hearts and join us in this commitment.

Jolena Miller, Stewardship Committee

WEEDBUSTER’S CORNER
Recently, you may have noticed some new turfgrass sodded near the prayer room, underneath our large live oak trees. Most of the turfgrass in our landscape is common Bermuda grass, with its share of broad-leaf and grassy weeds (which I attribute to God’s toying with those of us that are excessively O/C monoculture horticulture purists). For the most part, this is a good choice for the function required. There are however several other choices we have for Texas homeowners and commercial sites, each species having both positive and negative traits. Roger Havlak, our Parks Superintendent for our city and a turfgrass specialist, recently presented to the Master Gardeners a program regarding turfgrass selection and management. Two turfgrass types are used in Texas landscapes. Cool season grasses are those that grow best in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees F. Warm season grasses grow best in temperatures ranging from 80 to 95 degrees F. For most of Texas, the warm season grasses are limited to St. Augustine, Bermuda (both common and hybrid), Buffalo, Centipede, Tall Fescue, and Zoysia. Although space does not allow for going into detail about each species, for those of you considering a new turfgrass for your home landscape, check out this link: http://aggieturf.tamu.edu. There you will find the different species and their advantages and disadvantages.

There are two species of zoysia grass available to Texas homeowners, zoysia japonica (a medium leaf grass well adapted for home lawns) and Zoysia matrella (a fine leaf grass that requires more maintenance). The species selected for the newly planted area on our church grounds is a variety of Zoysia japonica, variety Palisades. This variety is established vegetatively (new individual plants arise without production of seeds or spores), spreads by stolons (above ground stems) and rhizomes (below ground stems). There are several advantages to using this species and variety in the Texas landscape for turf. It rates medium to high in shade tolerance and tolerates full sun, medium in water requirement, high in traffic tolerance, high in cold tolerance, medium to high in salinity tolerance, and medium to low in disease potential. In regards to maintenance requirements, mowing frequency is every 7-10 days (better than twice a week for some other turf species), mowing height should be 1.0-1.5” (so it doesn’t require a reel mower like some of the hybrid Bermudas and Zoysia matrella), and fertility requirement is medium to low. The main disadvantage is its growth habit being medium to slow, so waiting for it to cover bare spots can be aggravating. Plugging these bare spots is one way to overcome this disadvantage for those of us that are impatient.

We have been blessed with the nurturing rains lately, and now we are being blessed with the warmth of the sun. We thank God for providing our needs according to His timing.

Genesis 1:11-12 “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”

Ron Knight aka Weedbuster

CURRENT NEEDS

ALTA LOMA ANGELS
There are many ways to serve the children of Alta Loma. Below is a list for your consideration:

Clothes Closet – to provide clean and appropriate articles of clothing when a child is in need. Contact Sherri Tipton

Mentors - someone who acts as an encourager to a child in need. Contact Tracy McIver

Prayer Warrior – pray for teachers who are interested in having someone pray for them. Contact Coral Jean Warren

Good Behavior Bing Bags – rewards given to students who exhibit good behavior the last month of the school year.

Teacher Appreciation -help provide four luncheons each school year for the teachers and teacher appreciation gifts in the Spring. Contact Michelle Schweitzer

Christmas Gifts for students –We would like to provide each Alta Loma student with a small Christmas gift from the Alta Loma Angels.

Alta Loma Sunday -has been set for October 10th. We’ll be highlighting all our volunteer opportunities. This is a place where everyone can volunteer in some way - most help is needed in mentoring & tutoring.

There are sign up sheets in the Narthex for Mentors, Tutoring & Teacher Appreciation. You can also contact Tracy McIver to help!

YOUTH NEEDS FOR HARVEST FESTIVAL & TRUNK OR TREAT
The Youth are in charge of the Children’s games during Harvest Festival. We need these items:

                 2 liter drinks for Ring Toss
                 Bags of candy
                 Loose change for the Gold Mine
                 Colored hair spray
                 Canned goods for CROP Walk

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.

“IMAGINE NO MALARIA”
So how do we help the millions of people in Africa dying yearly?

Jesus said “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me” Matt:25:40

How can we save God’s children?

You can SAVE:

     100...by committing to $28 monthly for three years - fill out envelope for check or credit card
    36...only $1.75 a week...saving one person a month for three years
     10 lives for $100
     1 for $10

One time gift of any amount - Check made out to “UMC-Imagine No Malaria”
Pray for these people suffering with this preventable disease
Remember no amount is too small!

Those who choose to save someone every month can put a 4 next to their name on the registration pad and a reminder will be sent to you quarterly (April, July, October and January). Checks can be made to “UMC-Imagine No Malaria” and Sierra Vista will send the checks directly to UMCOm. All contributions go directly for nets and meds and are tax deductible. Blessings in advance for all your support of this vital mission. Mark your calendar for the Youth-sponsored luncheon April 25 following the Children’s Service.

In John Wesley’s words:
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can!”

WE NEED HELP!!!!!
There is a very dedicated group of people who come twice a month to fold the Vista News—BUT, we need more people. Call the Church Office for more info or just show up (folding dates are on the church calendar)!

PROJECT DIGNIDAD
This summer needs are exceeding supplies at Project Dignidad. They are in need of the following items:

rice	canned fruit
mac & cheese	canned meat
vermicelli	saltine crackers
cereal & oatmeal	pasta
soup

DAILY BREAD SOUP KITCHEN
Leticia Perez, a Wesley Nurse, is based at the Soup Kitchen and provides an array of services including health screening, education and community advocacy for qualifying participants. She is asking for our help in the donation of small or sample-size toiletries. She is starting a program to educate the needy and homeless in proper hygiene and is in need of these supplies. So, empty your cabinets and place these items in the collection box located in the Narthex. That small bottle of shampoo could help give someone a new start in life!

YOUR EVANGELISM COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU!!!
The Evangelism Committee is looking for folks to be greeters and other to assist visitors at our Welcome Center at both Sunday services on a limited schedule. Call Maxine Low or the Church Office, 944-4041, if you would be interested.

To Top

FOLLOWUPS

SR. HIGH MISSION MOMENT
Our Sr. High Youth were the working hands of Jesus at the Cutter Church on an Indian Reservation near Globe, AZ! The trip to Globe took about 14 hours (I think), I can’t say for sure because I had two watches giving me 3 different times. Some parts of Arizona don’t recognize Daylight Savings Time, so we gained 2 hours on the trip!

The good news is the air conditioner and brakes on the bus worked good on the first part of the trip. The bad news is that we were taken on a sight seeing trip over a fairly high mountain range in our bus. The trip which was supposed to be a 20 minute drive actually took over an hour and we used up half a tank of gas. The bus A/C stopped cooling and the brakes got hot causing a minor fire near the right front wheel. The gas tank was nearly empty and it was 49 miles back to a gas station. We came up with several good plans, but prayer ended up being the best one.

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. A family drove up and drained 8 gallons of gas out of their four wheelers (this got us back to town)! Thank you God!

The work projects went as planned. We divided into 3 groups with one group tearing off the old roof, another group tearing out the old sheet rock inside the church and the third group hauling scrap sheetrock, shingles, lumber & metal to the dump.

The church wasn’t air conditioned, there was very little shade and the temperature was 109 degrees! But, everyone worked hard a few extra hours each day to complete the job we traveled so far to do! Mission completed - new roof/ceiling sheet rocked/area cleaned!!

The Sierra Vista Youth worked as a team which made me proud.

Dale Middleton

KIDS EAT...WEEK ONE

THE PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES ARE HERE!!!
If you sat for a portrait for the directory, you may stop at the table in the Narthex and pick up your copy. Please remember that it’s only one directory per family. Thank you for your patience - we hope you enjoy the directory!

SIERRA VISTA COOKBOOKS ARE HERE!
They are $10 each and are available in the Narthex or from Beverly Nevins or Mary McClure.

OVER 2,000 PEOPLE CAN NOW “IMAGINE NO MALARIA”!
During the time period that Sierra Vista was learning of the tragedy of the disease of malaria in Sierra Leone; Zaina Renner, from Sierra Leone, wrote in the Upper Room: “Jesus, the innocent one, cruelly nailed onto the cross. It was as if, in excruciating pain, Jesus looked into my eyes, asking, “If I did this much for you, what will you do in return?”

Sierra Vista must have had the same feeling about the people in Africa because we saved over 2,000 lives with gifts and pledges. This shows that once again you gave from the heart when you were aware of the situation.

I hesitate to thank individuals for this success for fear of leaving anyone out. However the people responsible for the luncheon: Michelle Schweitzer was the chef; Youth parents baked the desserts, SVUMC children wove the place mats; the Youth had a sleep-in, set up for the luncheon, served and entertained AND the congregation supported this event.

Many thanks for your generous contribution and continued prayers for those suffering with malaria. You can be proud of the effort one and all put forth in this world mission.

RELAY FOR LIFE TAKE-OUT DINNER
A huge thank you to everyone for their support of the Relay for Life Take-out Dinner! We were able to raise over $1,200 for the American Cancer Society. Your support is tremendous!!! ~Lisa Cook

ALTA LOMA BAKE SALE
The Alta Loma Bake Sale was a great success! Coral Jean Warren did a wonderful job getting it organized, putting up fliers and getting workers for the sale. We made $1,250 and the Alta Loma Committee would like to thank each and every participant who helped make this sale a success. Check out the photos on the Alta Loma bulletin board.

EASTER BASKETS OF BLESSINGS
A huge thank you to ALL who donated their time and talent in the Easter Baskets of Blessings and to all who donated hams & bunnies. What started as 20 baskets we hoped to have turned into 52 baskets! Awesome! I only wish you all could have seen the delighted faces of the recipients at Project Dignidad. So many in need were blessed. Thank you, Donna, for rushing all the paperwork through; thank you Dale, for the shirt off your back, and thank you, Sierra Vista, for your generous hearts.

Grace & Peace, Liz Mohler

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*MAC & CHEESE 500...2009*

Mac and Cheese 100 was such a tremendous success in 2008 that the 7th and 8th grade Sunday School Class, led by Butch Baker and Joe Lee, decided to see if they could top the 300 boxes they collected last year. They brought boxes; they invited the Sierra Vista family to join them. They were hoping for 500 boxes. They raised over 700 boxes and $150.00 cash with which they purchased peanut butter, rice & other staples.

PUMPKIN WRAP-UP!!!

As we close the Pumpkin Patch for 2009, we’re thankful for another great season of pumpkins, volunteers, pumpkin buyers and great weather. WOW! What a month, and a fantastic month at that! Our sales were the best ever - over $18,000!! We ended up having over 2,900 pre-school or early elementary age children in the Patch for story telling, picking up pumpkins and choosing one to take home. Thank you to all the volunteers who worked shifts, read stories, passed out stickers and hugs, wrote names on the bottom of pumpkins, talked about special pumpkins & gourds, carried off bad pumpkins to the dumpster, moved pallets, moved more pallets, rearranged pumpkins and painted pumpkins. We had over 135 youth and adult volunteers work these past 4 weeks to make our Patch a success. Special thanks goes to several people who worked almost every day in some way. They are Rick Richardson, Roy & Cathye Moon, Kevin & Shea Owens, Nancy Cook, Cheryl Specht, Ann Dodgen, Cindy Kountz, Sherie Barr, Bobbie Jo Griffith & Lorie Cantu.

We can never say Thank You enough for all your help, support, hard work and fun times in the Patch. We, all together, make this a “Success” for our church and our community.

God Bless You, Joy

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TRUNK OR TREAT
2009

Thanks goes to everyone who donated candy, brought a vehicle or came to help the Youth carry out Sierra Vista’s Trunk or Treat on Halloween night. Many thanks go to all the Youth & their parents who came and helped make the Trunk or Treat a success. Youth, grades 6-12, along with other adults handed out candy to at least a thousand hands. We are also thankful for the adult helpers who brought cars, dressed up and handed out candy! Many, many of you gave donations of “Candy” - Thank you, thank you!!! It was a great way to end the Pumpkin Patch and Halloween. Thank you Sierra Vista, for giving to our community.

God bless you all, Tina & Joy

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WEEKLY RESOURCES

*Lectionary Scripture Readings*
September 5	Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33
September 12	Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10
September 19	Jeremiah 8:18 -- 9:1 Psalm 79:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13
September 26	Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31

The deadline for articles in the Vista News is at 5 p.m. on the following days:

September 2
September 23
October 7
Newsletters will be mailed the following Tuesdays.

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CLICK HERE
to visit the page that contains information on EXTENDED & ONGOING EVENTS, Thank You notes, Fund Raising information, and more information on needed Volunteers.

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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