Grand Valley United Methodist Church
April 2022 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. Special Worship Services
2. UMW change
3. Loss
4. Church Use
5. Mefors update
6. Birthdays
7. Calendar
8. Event Details
9. Pastor’s Report
10. Church Reports
11. Just for Fun
Holy Week Worship Services
Palm Sunday, April 10 – 10:00 worship where we will celebrate Jesus entering into Jerusalem and being greeted by the people waving palm branches. It is a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow him.
Maundy Thursday, April 14 – 7:00 p.m. worship. Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is the Thursday before Easter, observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper.
Good Friday, April 15 – 7:00 p.m. worship. Good Friday is the time to reflect on Jesus’ death on the cross.
Easter Sunday, April 17 – 10:00 worship. Time to celebrate his resurrection!
United Methodist Women is now United Women in Faith!
We’ve taken a name to better reflect how we answer our calling today.
It’s an exhilarating time, as we commit to greater inclusivity, action, and impact. We remain women of passion and power, united by God’s love in our mission to help women, children, and youth.
Visit https://uwfaith.org/ to find out more.
We are sorry to report the passing of one of our long-standing congregation members. We were notified that Margaret Sorensen passed away on the night/early morning of March 8th/9th. She passed away silently in her sleep. Per her son, there was a small family-only service for her.
Margaret will be greatly missed.
Helping out a local church
We are helping out the local Pentecostal Church by opening up our church for them so they can hold worship here until they can find a new building of their own. They will be holding worship services on Tuesday evenings at 7:00-9:00 p.m., Friday evenings at 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3:00-5:00 p.m. We are glad to be able to help them out. At the writing of this newsletter, we are unsure as to how long they will be here, but we welcome them and are so glad to be of help.
Mefors and the Children Clothing Bundles
When Florence Mefor emailed, telling us that they did not have any clothes for the newborns up through the five-year-olds, the members of the GVUMC responded with gusto. One thousand, five hundred dollars was raised to send to the Mefors which was enough to purchase six bundles of clothes. That many bundles will last the Mefors a year or more.
After sending the first $1,000, this is the email Florence sent:
“Blessings from Zimbabwe
I don’t know where to start or to say.
My prayers to you, your family and all our friends that contributed to this will never ever lack in there lifes . That blessings and favours of Almighty father will always be with them in Jesus mighty name Amen Amen and Amen.
Remain blessed in Jesus name 🙏🙏🙏. Florence”
After sending the additional $500, Florence sent this message:
“Dear Rev,
Heartly greetings to you, the Rev in charge and all the brothers/sisters in Christ Jesus of the Grand Valley United Methodist church. May Almighty and merciful father continue to bless you all according to his riches in glory. We have purchased the bails and opened 2 today. I will send you the pictures tomorrow. Once again thank you so much. My regards to all our friends.
Florence.”
And
“Thank you so much Rev. God in his infinite mercy be with each and everyone of you in Jesus name Amen
Florence.”
Below are pictures of the clothing that they have purchased. Thank you so much for your generosity.
April Birthdays:
2 – Sandy Stein
7 – Ivo Lindauer
10 – Christina Seets
12 – Cindy Day
19 – Pete Perrine
25 – Ron Palmer
30 – Ken Carlson
Our Seekers Class (Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. or at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you can join us for our next Bible study series. David Jeremiah outlines Nehemiah’s Ten Steps to Spiritual Renewal and leads us to discover how to use those steps to renew our own faith. This new study begins April 6th. Study guides area available.
Our Choir is in full swing! Choir practice is at 4:00 on Wednesdays. Unfortunately, the Bell Choir is on hold for right now. We hope to get up and running again soon. We are always looking for participants, so if you would like to join either of these wonderful musical groups, please contact the office at (970)285-9892 or by email: [email protected]
The next UWF business meeting will be held on Thursday, April 7th at 10:00 in the Fellowship Hall.
Prayer Partners meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 10:00. If you have anyone that you would like to add to the Prayer Partner list, please contact either Bert Botkin at (970)216-8682, the church office at (970)285-9892 or send an email to: [email protected]
Rev. J.R. Atkins
Grand Valley United Methodist Church
March 2022 Pastor’s Report
1. Continuing Education – In March I am attending 2 continuing education events. (1) March 15 and 16, I will be in Cheyanne meeting with the Mt Sky Board of Ordained Ministry. They will be reviewing the documents I submitted as part of the ordination process and interviewing me. (2) March 20-24, I will be in Denver for the 3rd workshop with the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness. Dennis Caputo will be preaching for me on Sunday, March 20. Your prayers are greatly appreciated for both development activities.
2. District Superintendent Visit – Rev Elizabeth McVicker was received with a reception on Sunday afternoon February 20 in the Fellowship Hall. I continue to be impressed with the way she interacts with our congregation, listening and sharing. Maybe next time she will preach.
3. Learning Group – I have been praying about how our church can continue to reach the unchurched in our community and the thought occurred that it might help to learn more about what others are doing. I invite you to pray for the formation of a learning team to investigate what we could learn from other successful churches. If you are interested in this idea, please let me know and we will see where God leads us.
4. Community Tragedy – By now we have heard of the tragedy that occurred Thursday morning, March 3 when an 11-year-old girl named Anna tripped and fell under a school bus killing her instantly. A prayer vigil was held that evening in our sanctuary and the church was full. The time of prayer and mourning continues in our community as we try to make sense of this terrible accident. There is an account set up for donations at Alpine Bank under “Annalise Backner” and another one for “The Parachute bus Driver.” I have visited with both the family of the lost girl and the bus driver, and they are making it one day at a time. They will continue to need our love and support for a long time. I am so proud of how our church and community has responded and pulled together. Praise be to God.
5. Richard Lee – Some of you were able to meet Richard as he passed through our town the week of February 20. He came to church and received prayers, money, and food. We helped him get to a doctor, pick up medicine, gas, more food and consider a place to park his motorhome and even temporary work. Some situations need help beyond what we can provide. His emotional state prevented him from remaining with us and he left town on Thursday February 24, heading west to warmer weather. It was so pleasing to see how our church came together to help Richard as best as we could considering his condition. He has been in the Grand Junction area the last 2 weeks and continues his journey west. Thank you for all your prayers and material support.
6. Ruth Bible Study – On Tuesday March 8 we concluded the 4-week study of “Ruth, Looking at Women in the Bible and Intergenerational Relationships.” This was sponsored by UMW which is now called United Women of Faith and led by your pastor. The ladies in attendance plan to continue with another Book of the Bible and how women are viewed as well as relationships between generations. Stay tuned for details.
Peace be with you,
Pastor J.R. Atkins.
UWF Report
UMW has a new name! United Women in Faith. The purpose remains the same: to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. We are currently working on Memory Books for the Grand River Care Center and the Rifle V.A. Nursing Home. We welcome all to join us on Thursday mornings as we work on the books and most especially hope you will join us at our next monthly meeting on April 7th at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Church Council Report
Church Council did not meet in March.
Mission & Outreach
The Mission and Outreach Committee is happy to announce a festive Easter Brunch following the Easter church service on April 17th. Ham will be the entrée. We ask that everyone bring a brunch favorite to add to the table. We can keep dishes warm upon request. What a great chance to share a light meal with each other.
Later, towards the end of the month, we will again be needing foster parents for our summer garden. We will announce the date soon!! Little, if no prior, experience is necessary. Just a love for little plants and the desire to help.
Treasurer
FINANCIAL UPDATE
February saw the Church using $4,000 of its savings to cover its fixed cost plus our missionary support. For the first two months of the year, we have used $3,000 of our savings.
Looking forward, we will be selling some our long-term investments during March and transferring some funds to the checking account to cover the balance of the sanctuary doors, which will be installed shortly, and operating expenditures.
Theme parks can snap a crystal clear picture of you on a roller coaster going 70 mph, but bank cameras can’t get a clear shot of a robber standing still.
Someone posted that they had just made synonym buns. I replied “You mean just like the ones that grammar used to make?” I am now blocked.
Dear paranoid people who check behind their shower curtains for murderers….if you do find one, what’s your plan?
Facial recognition software can pick a person out of a crowd but the vending machine can’t recognize a dollar bill with a bent corner.
COVID-19 Fact: 87% of gym members don’t even know their gym is closed.
Every box of raisins is a tragic tale of grapes that could have been wine.
More next month….
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
[email protected]
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon