Grand Valley United Methodist Church
November 2025 Newsletter
Saturday, November 1st before bedtime!
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Mission Minute
3. Holiday Office Hours
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
“Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3)
November is the month to give thanks. We do that with a special celebration on the last Thursday of the month called Thanksgiving. November is a time of thinking about how God blesses us and how we are to be blessings. It is also a time to think about our commitment of stewardship to the church and its needs.
As managers and stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, we have been blessed abundantly. Though perhaps some have been blessed more than others, all of us without exception have been and continue to be the recipients of God’s blessings.
Did you ever stop to consider why God blesses us? God does so for one simple yet profound reason: because God loves us. In fact, the prophet Jeremiah tells us that God has loved us with an “everlasting love,” this is, God’s love knows no beginning and no end. It is God’s love for us that causes God to provide for us all that we have. “And Christ demonstrated the father’s love by dying on the cross of Calvary to redeem us while we still were sinners.” (Rom. 5:8)
What should be our response to God’s love and provision? In spite of King David’s observation that all things come from God, some might conclude that because of their lifestyle, family background or social standing, they deserve God’s beneficial treatment. Others might reason that their good works entitle them to be the recipients of God’s blessings. However, all of our noble efforts and supposedly righteous deeds, when done in our strength, amount to no more than what the prophet Isaiah called “a filthy cloth”.
The mature Christian, however, realizes that God is the Source of everything, that God owns everything, and all that we have is in one way or another a blessing from God. The mature Christian seeks ways to use God’s gifts to bless God and to be a blessing to others. And the mature Christian accepts with a spirit of contentment and thanksgiving what God has provided.
As you consider how God has blessed your life, please seek God’s direction in how you should respond. Remember, we have been “blessed by God to be a blessing”. Or, as one anonymous author put is so succinctly, “The greatest blessing comes to the one who freely gives and expects nothing in return.”
Your Brother in Christ,
Michael
Mission Minute
Join us for our annual Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 27th at 1:00. Turkey, gravy and potatoes will be supplied – we ask that you bring a side or dessert to share. We welcome all to enjoy good food and fellowship, so invite family, friends and neighbors!
Abundance Garden
The garden is all pulled after a very successful growing season! All the veggies from the final pull were brought to Mesa Vista where they were gratefully accepted. Thank you to all who helped out in the garden this year.
Christmas Gifts
Mission & Outreach is again collecting for Christmas gifts for children – they have committed to 125 children this year. Please be sure to mark “Christmas Gifts” – or something similar – in the memo line of your check so the money gets to the correct account. Laurel will need shoppers to help her out in buying everything – she is looking at early December. If you would like to shop, please let her know.
Special Giving Sunday November 23
United Methodist Student Special Giving will be on Sunday, November 23rd – look for the special envelope in the bulletin.
WHAT IS UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY?
United Methodist Student Day is observed to emphasize the value of education. Contributions received through this special Sunday support scholarships for United Methodist students
pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Contributions serve as a practical expression of support, providing both financial assistance and spiritual encouragement. Through scholarship funding, we demonstrate the church’s commitment to developing principled leaders for a worldwide
community. This investment fosters community transformation and empowers future leaders. Originating in 1872, this fund was the first offering collected in United Methodist Church Sunday school classes to support children’s education. Recognizing education as a key investment in the church’s future, the initiative began as a Children’s Fund and was renamed Student Day in 1940.
Thanks to your generosity, over $200,000 was raised last year to fund scholarships for United Methodist students. Every dollar collected on United Methodist Student Day goes directly toward
these scholarships. Applications open in January each year, and with a general online application, students can be considered for any of the scholarship programs.
One of the beautiful things about The United Methodist Church is that, together, we can accomplish far more than any one congregation can on its own. Together, we create academic opportunities for a new generation of principled Christian leaders.
Thanksgiving Meal Bag Packing
Lift-Up is looking for help in preparing dry goods bags for Thanksgiving meal distributions. This is a fun, hands-on way to make a big impact during the holiday season.
WHEN: November 10 and November 14, 10-4
WHERE: Lift-Up Warehouse, 100 Midlsnd Ave, Unit 170 Glenwood Springs
If you are available, please log in to MyImpact and sign up for any shifts you can help fill. If you need help logging in or have any questions, please reach out to Hannah Snaza, Programs Manager (970)456-3733, Volunteer@liftup.org
Office hours for the week of November 23rd:
Monday, 11/24 – 9-noon
Tuesday, 11/25 – 9-noon
Wednesday, 11/26 – 9-noon
Thursday, 11/27 – CLOSED
Friday, 11/28 – CLOSED
Our annual Hanging of the Greens will take place on Saturday, November 29th. Come help make the church festive!
November Birthdays
1 – Cathy Carlson
2 – Pam Haskell
4 – Cricket Goodsell
9 – Adelia Inman
11 – Ted Birdsill
16 – Deb Meader
21 – Jennifer Chapman-Gisner
22 – Dennis Braspenninx & Dave Penrose
27 – John Chapman
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Our Tuesday Bible Study group meets at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday and are studying the 23rd Psalm. Join us!
Choir meets at 4:00 Wednesday afternoons and bells meet when necessary. 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: office@grandvalleyumc.com or let Laurel know.
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
The meeting was called to order by President, Ron Olson.
Those present were: Ron Olson, Penelope Olson, Michael Ingersoll, Dan Temple, John Chapman, Len Allen and Lee Allen. Pastor Michael led us in prayer.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved as read.
Treasurer: Penelope reported we are doing well for the year. The money from the pancake breakfast was put in the Grand Valley Givers account.
Mission: We will participate in the Trunk or Treat give away on October 25th held at the Activity Center.
Finance: Michelle reported the budget will be done by the end of October. Celia Lofink has agreed to play the piano for us. She will be paid $50 a week.
Trustees: John reported general maintenance for the month.
Worship: The committee discussed having communion more than once a month. We will try twice a month.
SPRC: Bonnie Gana will be replaced as custodian. Michelle moved we pay the new custodian $18.45 per hour for the first six months with a raise and the end of that time. Penelope seconded. Motion carried. Penelope will have to do a background check on whomever we hire.
Pastor: Michael mentioned that several people have left the church.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, Dan moved to adjourn. John seconded. Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Allen, Secretary
Treasurer
There was not much in the way of unusual financial activity during the month of September. The Council had voted to send the money in Joe Cason’s memorial fund to the High School girls’ basketball team. That was done. Two years ago, the Council had voted to dedicate the funds earned from the Grand Valley Days for the Grand Valley Givers’ fund. The entry for that was made. Before earnings from our investments, which were not available as of this writing, expenses were greater than income by $1,670. The investment income should be about $400, which will help to offset some of this deficit.
However, for the nine months ended September 30th, there is excess income in the amount of $8,875 before any unrealized gains from the investments. So, there is that to fall back on if there is a shortage within the next three months. All in all, the Church is in a good financial situation.
Some businesses make people smile just by what they put on their signs. Enjoy!!
Southside Cleaners: Nothing tops a plain pizza
I put my grandma on speed dial – I call that instagram
Vince the Sign Guy: Someone stole my coffee cup I’m headed to the police station to look at mugshots
To the thief who stole my glasses…. I will find you, I have contacts
Indian Hills Community Center: My son said he didn’t understand cloning. I told him that makes two of us
Carroll County Veterinary Clinic: They said to follow your dreams….so I went back to bed
Age is not a number It’s clearly a word
Holly Ridge Veterinary Hospital: When does a joke become a dad joke? When it becomes apparent
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
office@grandvalleyumc.com
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon