Grand Valley United Methodist Church
May 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. VBS Information
3. Bible Studies
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
Here is a resolution for men. I found this in an article by Steve Roberts. Here’s a really simple thing that men can do for their wives and other women in the house.
We’re all familiar with the conflict about men and boys not putting the toilet seat down, and then in the middle of the night the woman groggily stumbles into the bathroom to sit or fall on a cold rim of the toilet bowl. Grrrrr!
This is so easy to solve! The brain works on the basis of association. It already associates one thing with another automatically. So, let’s use this mechanism that is already present. Men, simply associate the flush handle with the toilet seat. You train yourself to automatically be reminded to put the seat down every time you touch the flush handle.
It takes 21 days to form a habit. If you will do something for 21 days over and over it becomes much easier to do than to not do. So, it takes a little perseverance and intention, but if you will force yourself to put the seat down every time you reach up to flush, it will become automatic after 21 days, and your partner will REALLY appreciate it!
I know this is simplicity itself because this is what I do. I automatically move my hand from the flush handle directly to the seat and it works every time and I don’t even have to think about it. I’m sure that by now Roxann completely takes this for granted, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that this is a small gift I give her constantly even when she doesn’t notice it.
Sometimes things are much easier than we realize. Incidentally, did I mention that she deserves this kind of sensitivity from us?
I think this is an easy New Year’s resolution that can be achieved.
Michael
VBS planning is going well! Just a reminder that VBS will be held June 2-6, 9:00-noon. Keep those paper towel cardboard tubes coming – they will be used for one of their projects. There is a cardboard box in the Fellowship Hall that you can put them in, or use the plastic bin just outside of the back door by the parking lot.
Please be sure to let Dave P. know if you can help out in any way during the VBS week – “Do not forget to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”. (Hebrews 13:16)
Bible Studies News
Our Tuesday Bible Study will be finishing up the Apostles’ Creed on May 6th, and will then be on hiatus over the summer. They will pick up again in mid-late August.
The Wednesday Bible Study is starting a new study of the book of Revelations entitled, Escape the Coming Night – A Message of Hope in a Time of Crisis by David Jeremiah. All are welcome to attend!
May Birthdays
4 – Judy Beasley
10 – Shawn McElroy
28 – Colt Smith
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Tuesday Bible Study
Our Tuesday Bible Study group will be on hiatus until mid-late August.
Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you can join us.
Choir meets at 4:00 on Wednesday and bells meet when needed. 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]
Prayer Partners meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10:30. If you have anyone that you would like to add to the Prayer Partner list, please contact Bert Botkin at (970)216-8682.
Our Ambassadors (Care Team) meet on the 2nd Wednesday at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall.
Church Council Report
Council met on April 8 with the meeting being called to order by Ron Olson. Michael led the group in prayer.
Some highlights of the meeting:
Treasurer: Penelope reported that the church is doing well financially. The only fund not growing is the Capital Gains Fund. Perhaps we need a specific goal for that.
Finance: Michelle reported that the audit committee needs to meet and the finance committee needs to discuss the upcoming CD.
Music: The bells and choir will be a part of Easter Service.
Trustees: John reported that the certification for the nonprofit property tax exemption has been approved. He has received a bid for $3500 for an automatic door to be installed in the front – he will get another bid.
Worship: Michelle reported that the plans are made for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Treasurer
FINANCIALLY, FEBRUARY WAS GRRREAT, BUT MARCH WAS GRRREATER!
The month of March brought in $9,600 in contributions. That is about the largest I have ever seen it in one month. Thank you to everyone for their generosity. And that $9,600 does not include the amount donated directly to Grand Valley Givers, Shoes, the Garden Fund, Capital Improvement Fund, and the Mission and Outreach Fund.
Expenses were kept in check, though it had been anticipated that VBS would have spent their wad in March. That will be coming in April. As it stands, the Church ended the month of April with income of $3,200. For the first three months, it has income of $9,800. This will help cover those leaner months that will come later on in the year.
The only downside for March was the value of the Church’s long-term investments. They were no different than anyone else’s and lost around $4,300 for the month, putting them at a $1,200 loss year-to-date. But we can be optimistic that the market will stabilize and turn around so that we will at least break even for the year. The year is young yet. Our investments are still $39,000 of what was invested.
The financial statements are posted on the bulletin board outside the fellowship hall. As always, please contact me if you have any questions.
Penelope Olson
Unanswered Prayer
The preacher’s 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
“Well, honey,” he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his message. “I’m asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.”
“How come He doesn’t answer it?” she asked.
Being Thankful
A Rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, “So your mother says your prayers for you each night? That’s very commendable. What does she say?”
The little boy replied, “Thank God he’s in bed!”
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
[email protected]
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon