Grand Valley United Methodist Church
February 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Birthdays
3. Calendar
4. Group Details
5. Church Reports
6. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
February is a special time for people who are in love. Valentine’s Day is when people go all out to show how much they love someone. I wonder what God does to show us how much we are loved? I know that God is not flashy but retains a private relationship with everyone. When God touches your life so often it is just between the two of you and no one else can understand its true meaning. What I am about to share is something that happened to me because of God’s love. As you read, please think of a time that God entered your world in a special way to let you know that you are loved.
I was serving the church in Cheyenne, WY. I was one of five pastors who gather on a weekly basis for three years to pray for the concerns of our people and churches. This time we were meeting at the Methodist church in the sanctuary. As the first pastor started to pray he stumbled over a word and someone started to laugh. All I can say is for the next hour and fifteen minutes we laughed. The organist was in the sanctuary and she left after about thirty minutes. She probably thought we had gotten into the Communion wine. Every time someone said, “Ok lets get serious,” we laugh all the more. Finally, we tried to end as we always do with the Lord’s Prayer. The prayer ended like this:
We began “Our Father”…laughter.
“Where are we?” “ln heaven I think”…laughter.
“I thought we were in the kingdom come?”….laughter
“No thy will be done”….laughter.
“Now where were we”?… laughter
“Are we at the bread”?….laughter
“No we’re at the forgiving part”….laughter.
“No, No we’re in temptation.”… laughter
“Sorry Father, the Catholics don’t know this ending”….laughter.
“Amen”…laughter.
Looking from the outside, one might say that we five clergy were irreverent. However, from where the five of us were standing, it was a very holy time. God was laughing with us. As we stood up to go the priest said, “Thank you Father for the gift you just gave us.” We all said, “Yes Thank you” no laughter, just smiles, and the understanding that we had just shared something sacred with each other and God. We left the sanctuary with our hearts filled with profound love and joy.
One by one we were called to serve churches in different parts of the country. As I look back on that holy moment it has nourished me in the grief I experienced as each one of us left that support group. I took with me that understanding that I was not alone, that the God of love and laughter and smiles would always be my support.
What have been the special ways that God has entered into your would through laughter? Was the laughter filled with the love of friends and family? When you think of those time do you still smile? Take time this Valentine Day to remember the love and laughter you experience with your family and friends.
Michael
We now have an Emergency Fire Blanket – it is hanging on the closet door in the kitchen. In the event of a fire on the stove, it is to be used to smother the flames. What a great safety addition to the church!
February Birthdays
2 – Bruce Knuth
3 – John Koning
5 – Barb McElroy
6 – Steve Shaw
8 – Carol Lamb
11 – Anne White
15 – Thom Hamick & Grace Reuter
17 – Greg Smith
20 – Sarah Orona
26 – Michael Ingersoll
27 – Sue Knuth
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Our Tuesday Bible Study group is focusing on The Lord’s Prayer. They meet at 10:30. All are welcome.
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 every other month on the 2nd Wednesday at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall.
Church Council Report
Council Musings
• An updated budget was approved. It added $500 to the deficit, giving the Church a deficit of ($8,364.)
• Once we have translated it into Spanish, we will have a signed lease with the Pentecostal Church.
• The thermostat in the fellowship hall will not be set so low, so the hall will heat up faster.
• We have new Guidelines for Building Use. Anyone using the building will have to sign it.
• We are looking into getting another lapel microphone for use by the liturgist.
• Joe Cason’s stone is in place and Jim Ness’s is ready to be picked up.
• We will postpone having the pictures for the directory take until Spring as the photographer will only work after 5:30.
• Sara Francis is moving so we need a new assistant treasurer to write the checks.
• Laurel presented a fire blanket to the Church. It will hang in the kitchen.
Mission & Outreach
Mission & Outreach will meet on Friday, February 14th – NOT Friday, February 7th.
Treasurer
FINANCIALLY, 2024 WAS A GOOD YEAR
During 2024, the Church’s assets increased $21,400. The long-term investments have increased by $13,800. We have $71,250 invested in CD’s and CP’s. In our checking account and money market accounts, we have $19,400. The Church is in a good financial position.
Total contributions came to $78,800, investment income was $6,500, and other revenue came to $31,000 for a total of $116,300. Expenses were only $111,500 so there was excess revenue of $4,800. Since it was anticipated that the Church would have a deficit of ($10,200), this $4,800 looks very good.
But not only did you support the Church for its operating expenses, you helped our mission projects in a big way. Contributions looked like this:
Capital Improvements $2,420
Family Resource Center 241
Grand Valley Givers 3,828
Shoes 2,320
Community Garden 245
Mission & Outreach Fund 5,441
Mefors 3,500
Braspenninx Ramp 670
Deb Penrose Memorial Fund 1,400
Joe Cason Memorial Fund 400
Total $20,465
These, together with the operating contributions, come to a total of $99,265. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Thank you all for contributing to the running of GVUMC. It is a pleasure being your treasurer, especially when I don’t have to rob Peter to pay Paul. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me – [email protected] or 231-383-0488 or after Church.
Penelope Olson
Some fun puns:
– The fattest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.
– I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
– She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
– A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.
– No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.
– A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
– A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.
– Two silk worms had a race. The ended up in a tie.
– A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
– Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
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