Grand Valley United Methodist Church
January 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Changes?
3. Wednesday Bible Study
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
Miracles
Here is a New Year’s resolution for all of us. Let us pray for miracles!
The war between Israelis and Hamas-led Palestinians militant groups has been heavy on the hearts of people of good will all over the world these past few weeks. My heart breaks every time I hear about another group of civilians killed, whenever I hear about Israeli troops taking over another city in Palestine destroying homes and lives in the process.
It occurs to me that both sides are right in what they want and wrong in their methods of achieving it. It is right for the 5 million Israelis to want to have security and safety in their homes and streets. It is right for the 4 million Palestinians to want to have their own homeland where they can govern themselves without being under Israeli control. But both are wrong in destroying the lives and homes of innocent civilians in trying to achieve these goals.
Dr. Bishara Awad is a non-violent Palestinian Christian who was President of Bethlehem Bible College, a small Christian School in Bethlehem. Which seeks to train Christian pastors and church leaders for the small Christian community in Palestine. Last Friday, Bishara sent e-mail messages to friends in the United States asking us to continue to pray for the just and lasting peace in The Holy Land for everyone who lives there. Most people say it would take a miracle to achieve peace there and we are the people who believe in miracles so we should be praying for one.
When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth we are told that he did no miracles there “because of their unbelief.” When people didn’t believe Jesus could do miracles, he did no miracles. Perhaps the living Christ is not able to bring about the miracle of peace in the Middle East because so few people believe in the possibility of peace there. Consequently, I am encouraging everyone to believe in the miracle of peace and pray and work for peace there. Can we let go of our anger and frustration with both sides sufficiently that we can imagine Palestinians and Israelis living together with peace and cooperation between their two nations?
Bishara Awad also shared his exciting news that their son, Sami, who is a frequent lecturer with pilgrimage groups, and his wife just had a baby girl. It seems amazing to me that in the midst of war God sends a new baby into the world as a sign of hope that miracles still happen. God has not given up on us and I pray that we will not give up on God’s ability to make a way where there is no way and bring about the miracle of peace when so few people believe it is possible.
I hope that you will join me in praying daily for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land.
Shalom,
Michael
Changes??
As I do every start of the year, I am offering you the chance to change your options of receiving the newsletter should you want. If you get it by mail and want to start getting it via email, please be sure I have your email address. If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please let me know and I will remove you from the mailing list. And if you know someone who would like to get it and isn’t, please let me know that as well.
Thank you, and a Very Happy New Year – Karen
Wednesday Bible Study will only be meeting at 10:00 a.m. until early March. A new study will be starting up – God, I Need Some Answers – Life Lessons from Psalms. Please join us!
January Birthdays
12 – Allison Jorgenson
21 – Anita Elliott-Hodgden
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Our Tuesday Bible Study is starting up again. The topic of the new study is The Lord’s Prayer. All are welcome. Join us at 10:30.
Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our 5:30 group is on a break until early March. 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 Friday at 11:00 in the Fellowship Hall.
Church Council Report
COUNCIL MUSINGS
Stewardship letters will be going out soon, if you haven’t already received it.
One hundred bags full of gifts have been delivered. The preliminary cost is $2,800 plus $590 in Kohl’s Cash and a 40% discount at the store.
The Thanksgiving dinner went well with about 35 people attending, including some not associated with the Church.
The bells will be playing December 22nd with two pieces by themselves and one with the choir.
A wonderful solo will be presented Christmas Eve at the 6:00 service.
The electrical panel has been replaced as required by the insurance company.
We should be shoveling the sidewalk by the garden.
The preaching schedule for when Michael is gone is set.
You probably have noticed a change in the order of worship. The announcements now come before the prelude.
Al picked up stones for the memorial garden. One for Jim Ness and one for Joe Cason will be done.
We will contact the photographer to see if she is available after the first of the year to take our pictures for the directory. We will be using pictures members and friends have been taking of activities at the Church.
We will be working with the Pentecostal Church on a formal agreement and increase in rent along with an understanding of responsibilities.
Mission & Outreach
There will be no meeting in January – the committee is taking a well-deserved rest!
Treasurer
The Church’s Finances are Looking Good
November was a good month. Total income came in $713 over budget at $8,708. Expenses came in under budget by $1,994 at $8,024. This gave the Church a small net income of $684. Year-to-date, the Church has a net income of $5,084. In December, we do have the expense of the new electrical panel of $1,212 which is not a normal operating expense. So, December could be tight. But I anticipate that the Church will end up the year in the black. The Council had anticipated a loss of $10,248, so we are looking good.
You came through again when asked to support the children of our community. Through November, $3,340 was collected for the Grand Valley Givers. This was more than enough to cover what the fantastic shoppers spent on the 100 bags of gifts for the children. Which gives the committee something to start with next year. Thank you.
As always, the financial statements can be found on the bulletin board, and you may contact me. Thanks for your support.
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
[email protected]
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon