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GREEN VALLEY
COMMUNITY CHURCH
A United Methodist Congregation
Newsletter for January, 2015
WWW.Rev
Meeting God;
Loving God;
God’s Heart; Our
Hands
Green Valley Community
Church seeks to provide opportunities for people to encounter
God and assist them to deepen
their relationship with God.
With God’s heart and the work
of our hands, we are able to
offer healing and wholeness to
our community and our world.
Senior Pastor:
Rev. Jim Wallasky
Associate Pastor:
Rev. Jeanne Festa
Pastor of Church Growth:
Jane Koss
GREEN VALLEY
COMMUNITY
CHURCH
300 W. Esperanza Blvd.
Green Valley, AZ 85614
Phone: 520-625-4712
Fax: 520-625-6518
www.gvccumc.org
Resolutions
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) says: “Where there is no vision the people perish.”
New Year’s resolutions are as old as the ancient Babylonians. For the Babylonians
the two most common resolutions were to 1) pay off outstanding debts, and 2) to return
all borrowed farming tools and household utensils. For modern day Americans probably the two most popular resolutions might be to lose weight and quit smoking.
Rev. Lonnie Richardson posed this question to his congregation in a January newsletter, He said, “I believe it is good for our New Year’s resolution to include a resolve
for God. This is an excellent time to decide on faith and make it the year to attempt a
great thing for God as we expect great things from God.”
As a Christian there are a variety of ways you can plan for the coming year, coming
lifetime. Some suggestions are:
Plan to attend Worship 31 Sundays.
Plan to take 10 minutes a day reading the Bible or start more slowly with 10
minutes on Sunday, then increase. Include your prayer time with your Bible reading.
Plan your prayer time each day. Morning, evening, meal time, driving in the
car time, or other time you choose.
Plan to attend Sunday school class 10 times this year.
Plan to attend 8 Fellowship groups: UMW, Men’s group, Knit and Sew,
HOPE lunch, etc.
Give 10 hours of volunteer time to the church a week or start out more
slowly, 10 hours a month, (not including worship, Sunday School, Fellowship groups).
Plan to invite 1 person a month to church.
There are still other areas of your life besides church that you can work on to improve your Christian walk:
Plan to spend an hour a week, at play, with each of your children (with older
adolescents, ask them what they might want from you in the coming year).
Spend one hour a week with your spouse or plan a “date” every other month.
Write an old fashioned letter to your children, or parents once a month.
Call your brothers or sisters twice a year.
You think of one or two or three.
If you are already doing the things, fantastic. Maybe set a goal to increase them or
come up with some goals on your own.
Now after you have your goals planned, take your 2015 calendar and pencil them in
for the whole year, even the Sundays you plan to attend Worship. (One thing to remember, don’t worry about being confined to your plans. They are not set in stone.
As the year progresses you will have to adjust them to make room for the unforeseen)
By setting your goals and planning ahead in this manner, you will find the direction
you want your life to take and that the urgent will not take over the important in your
life. Phil. 4:13 says, “Realizing that I cannot hope to achieve these objectives by my
own strength, I will rely upon Christ for I can do all things through Christ which
strengthens me.”
Shalom, Happy New Year,
Rev. Jim
Green Valley Community Church
300 W. Esperanza Blvd.
Green Valley, AZ 85614
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PERMIT #12
GREEN VALLEY, ARIZONA
OR CURRENT
RESIDENT
_____________________________
2015
Worship Times
8:00 A.M. Informal Service, 9:30 A.M., 11:00 A.M. Traditional Services
Sunday School 9:15, 9:30, 11:00 A.M.
Radio Broadcast 8:00 A.M. on KGVY 1080 AM
Communion is served at the 8:00 service each week and at all services on the first Sunday of the
month.
Worship Schedule for January
January 4,
January 11,
January 19,
January 26,
Matthew 2:1 – 12
Genesis 1:1 – 5 & Mark 1:4 – 11
John 1:35 – 42
Rev. Jeanne Festa preaching
The Mistake of the Magi
That which united and divides us
What do you seek?
FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR JANUARY, 2015
“O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless God’s name; tell of God’s salvation
from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.” Psalm 96: 1-3
What wonderful words these are for the New Year! It is a common theme in the Bible that we celebrate anything new by
singing a new song. And in Psalm 96, we are given the additional responsibility of witnessing to the world about God’s
glory, and that is for us the good news that Christ came, and the Holy Spirit carries on his work for all time!
I want to thank you for all of your cards, gifts and good wishes during the Christmas season. It was such a joy to celebrate with you! I am still feeling the love and joy, and I’m so thankful for the Blue Christmas service, and the tent meeting in November when we all had the opportunity to celebrate together. They were true highlights of the year for me.
Plans are well underway for the church’s 50th Anniversary celebration which will culminate on Sunday, February 15th with
special worship services at the usual times in the morning, and a banquet that same afternoon at the West Social Center, with two seatings at 2 and 4 PM. We will begin to sell tickets on Sunday, January 4 th between services in the Narthex. We are asking for a donation of $10 per person to help defray the cost of a good dinner, catered by the Arizona
Family Restaurant, and a memento which will be presented to each family represented at the dinner. Those who are
not in town on January 4 can send their reservations to my care, with your choice of time and a check for $10 each. We
will of course waive the cost for special guests and anyone for whom that cost is a burden. Please contact me if that is
needed.
I pray that the New Year will bring you new blessings as we “Bridge the Future with Hope” into this congregation’s next
fifty years.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeanne Festa
Green Valley Community Church 50th Anniversary Celebration February 15, 2015
Please plan to join us at one of our worship services on February 15, 2015 as we celebrate the chartering of Green Valley Community Church on February 22, 1965. Tickets for an afternoon banquet at 2
and 4 PM at West Social Center will go on sale in the Narthex on January 4 between services for $10
per person. Several of our former pastors and spouses will be joining us for the worship and festivities. If you are out of town, send your choice of banquet seating and $10 per person to Rev. Jeanne
Festa, at GVCC, 300 W. Esperanza Blvd., Green Valley, AZ 85614.
CARING & SHARING
Recently Hospitalized
Virginia Woodcock
Len Defendorf
Jim Wilson
Bryan LeForgee
Wendell Weimer
Jack Slagle
Elton Hamill
Jean Keilholtz
Bill Parker
In Memoriam
Millie Anderson
11-17-14
Barbara Andersen
11-22-14
Donations to the Community Food Bank for
the month of December will be reported in
the next newsletter.
“My family and I want to thank our Church family for the sympathies given to us during
Barbara’s illness. You all are dear to our hearts
as was Barbara. Special thank you for the hospital visitation friends, as well as Pastor Jim,
Jeanne, Ron and the custodians as well.”
-Merv Andersen.
“I wish I could find the words to thank you for
the wonderful farewell you gave me in November, but I am afraid I cannot express to you how
much it meant to me. GVCC is a place where
people strive to live as Jesus taught and you are
so caring and loving. Thank you so much, my
prayers for you will continue and wish you all a
very Happy New Year.” -Ruth Bender
Emmaus
Have you ever wondered about the Walk
to Emmaus and what happens there? The
Walk to Emmaus is a time of Christian
spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a short course in Christianity.
During the three days, you will enjoy
singing, learning, laughing, worshiping,
reflecting, praying, participation in small
group discussions, and eating. The objective is to inspire, challenge, and equip you
for Christian action in your own life and
others. The next Walks are in February.
For more information, contact Marilyn
Neal at 520-625-6693.
Prayer List
Joe Banks
Ed Barber
Aiden Barker
J.D. Barnes
Karen Bensen
Daniel Berg
Blasko Family
Dan Blodgett
Stacy Brown
Connor Camacho
Amy Carlisle
Keegan Davis
Howard Dimmit
Pat Dodge
Evelyn Fee
Cindy Feist
Holly Garcia
Mary Gibson
Pat Goolsby
Jim Green
Elton Hamill
Kathie Hinken
Sue Hubert
Marge Hunte
Scott Hurrley
Linda Johnson
Pat Kennedy
Robert Konen
Hattie LaFollette
Dorothy LaFrance
Nancy Lanoue
Carolyn Mills
Damien McNeil
Brianna Melvin
Ann Morris
Don Peterson
Terry Sanchez
Gregg Sell
Carol Serns
Jack Slagle
Tom Soto
Marilyn Smith
Terry Strand
Bruce Torrence
Donna Treadway
Nancy Trotta
Helen Tull
Carrie Turner
Karen Veith
D.J. Wartgow
Wendell Weimer
Jared West
Jim Wilson
Yarwood Fam.
Those deployed overseas
Soldiers killedWilliam DuBois, 30, Sgt.
Matthew Ammerman, 29
Raymond & Elizabeth Marcucci
7 W. Pinon Drive, Green Valley, AZ
85614
232-3320
New members from California
Harry & Judy Argetsinger
1029 W. Ashworth, Green Valley, AZ 85614
243-3253
New members from Minnesota
MaryBeth Stensgard
1065 S. Horizonte Pl.,. Green Valley, AZ 85614
715-505-3079
ATTENTION COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Please sign up in Johnson Hall for
Sunday Coffee for 2015!
We need your help or there will be no coffee
Time between services!
CHECKS FOR THE FOOD BANK
Food Bank Sunday is the third Sunday of each month. PLEASE remember to make
checks for the food Bank payable to “Community Food Bank.” Do not combine contributions for the church and the Community Food Bank in the same check.
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Lee Schultz
Adam Fertelmes
Neva Taylor
Mary Lesher
Trudy Hugh
Ray Jenkins
Karen Conley
Jim Jennings
Madonna Moess
David Tobinson
Charlie Webber
Warren Schupp
Harriett Roberts
Brianna Melvin
Ronald Morris
Marjorie Walker
Joyce Schupp
Vina Losasso
Ruth Hirst
Esther Geisman
Hubert Anderson
Jean Reynolds
Jean Neely
Bill Tucker
Cynthia Seaton
James Reedy
Eileen Ackerman
Truman Woodall
Shannon Arment
David Libby
Barbara Day
Donna Kline
Stan Znamierowski
Julia Fertelmes
Glenna Snyder
Janice Smith
Alex Hawley
Joan Toltzmann
Al Maier
Margie Pitzer
Angela Kesler
Lorain Zimmerman
Sarah Alfing
Mary Overby
1/1
1/1
1/2
1/4
1/5
1/5
1/6
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1/7
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1/24
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1/25
1/26
1/27
1/28
1/28
1/29
1/30
1/31
1/31
1/31
1/31
Morris & Myrna Pillers
Doug & Marcia Jurgens
Benny & Joan Caldwell
Rick & Jana Oxenford
Paul & Cathy Anderson
Bill & Carol Shafer
1/23/59
1/4/64
1/28/95
1/13/96
1/5/97
1/10/2000
Media Ministry Team Update
In 2015 the Media Ministry Team hopes to expand to include more members of all ages to assist with activities
involving the booth on Sundays, audio visual, lighting,
and fun creative projects! Training will be provided!!
We welcome anyone that wants to learn and be part of
enhancing GVCC’s worship and fellowship experiences.
Watch your Church Bulletin for the upcoming
“Workshop on Getting to Know Church Media” for a
fun time with the Media Team.
Contact Sheila Beck for more information 396-4162
or gvccmediateam@gmail.com
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from the Wallasky’s
We would like to thank our Church family for
their cards, gifts, and special thoughts this season.
Your generous outpouring is humbly received and appreciated. Our first 18 have been filled with many
wonderful and unexpected events. We continue to fall
in love with this area and are growing to love you
more and more. We pray that we all continue to grow
toward God’s unconditional love this year and the
years to come as we work, play, plan and worship together.
Shalom,
Rev. Jim and Lynn
IN HOME MEAL PROGRAM
If you know of someone who is
sick or has been hospitalized
and needs a meal, please call
Jill McNeil at 625-1465.
Third Sundays are MEMBERSHIP
SUNDAYS—
We receive new members on the third
Sunday of each month. Pastor of
Church Growth Jane Koss will be
happy to visit in your home to answer
your questions and work out the details
of your joining. Call her at 648-1416 or
check the “Wish to Join” block on the
registration pad!
2015 OFFERING ENVELOPES will be available in the Narthex beginning Sunday,
December 14, 2014. If you did not request envelopes but would like them, please
contact the office and a box with your name will be in the Narthex next Sunday.
Please remember to pick yours up!
FROM THE BUSINESS OFFICE
Please remember your contributions must be received in the church office or postmarked by December 31, 2014 to be deductible on your 2014 income taxes.
From the FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the members of the Green Valley Community Church the Finance Committee wishes you a Happy New Year. We sincerely hope you had a wonderful
Christmas season.
The New Year brings a new budget for the church. At the present time the total projected revenues are $580,734 with expenditures projections at
$$654,299 which is a shortfall in revenue of $73,565. The Finance committee
will be meeting the middle of December to find ways to reduce the expenditures so that the shortfall projection is reduced.
The church now has an Assistant Treasurer as back up for Bill Bode. The new
addition is Bill McClure and he has brought many good ideas to the committee
and church to assist in budget development and expenditure reductions.
UNITED METHODIST
WOMEN
UMW meet on Wednesday, January
14, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. The program will be an Iskashitaa Food workshop presented by Stephanie Plotas. This is part of the Iskashitaa Refugee Network
in Tucson. The luncheon will be a potluck. Names
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Thanks be to God for the life of Barbara Andersen.
The Prayer Shawl group continues to meet in the
Fireside Room on Tuesdays at 1:00 PM.
We always welcome more 'knitters
and crocheters. We have patterns
and yarn--we just need YOU!
ending A-K will bring the dishes this time.
Start the New
Year in PRAYER
Join one of our weekly
groups.
Lectio Divina- Thursdays 2:003:00 pm (Begins Jan 15 )
Intercessory/Open Prayer-Fridays
9:00 am
Both groups meet in the Fireside
room.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast 7:30 am
Wed & Thurs at the AZ Family Restaurant.
LYDIA CIRCLE
LYDIA: Our meeting will be Wednesday,
January 28, 2015 in the Fireside Room
at 9:30 a.m. Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11, so
we will focusing on this subject.
CANVAS BACKERS NEWS
Knit & Sew
We have lots of fun and fellowship waiting for you!!
We need all skill levels of knitting and
sewing. We certainly can find a job for
your willing hands! We meet every
Tuesday morning, 9-11 a.m. in Johnson
Hall. Come join us and bring a friend.
All are welcome!! For more information, call Kate at 520-991-7627.
We are welcoming our winter stitchers back. What
a joy in having them here! We welcome all who
would like fellowship, to stitch with us, doing projects for us, or learning how to cross
stitch or needlepoint. We have all the
canvas, threads, stretchers and patterns.
We love to see new comers! We meet
every Monday in the Sunday School
room from 9-12 or anytime within that
time frame. Be sure to look at our bulletin board in
the hallway for completed work for sale. All funds
are used to benefit church programs and community
missions. Any questions, call Jan Bolstad 520-6255606
Green Valley Community Church
Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration
1965—2015
PATIO SALES SERVING CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
As Green Valley Community Church begins its second half century a dedicated cadre of volunteers is helping fuel efforts to serve the church and other organizations working to improve the lives of those in need.
Patio Sales has been an important part of the church for 40 years and there’s no let-up in sight. One might describe it as a
“Country Fair White Elephant to go,” setting up shop throughout the community and managing estate sales with plenty
of bargains.
Up to 80 volunteers are involved in the operation from time to time, according to Dave Tobinson, president. His spouse,
Kate, is treasurer. Long-time committee member Barbara Tindall recalls Patio Sales grew out of the efforts of Fred and
Mary Pomraning, who owned an antique shop before moving to Green Valley.
“I believe it got started in 1974,” Barb recalls. “They had a good feel for the pricing and got things organized. They ran it
for a few years then Betty and Paul Dodd picked it up and carried on. Then Al and Ruby Maier took over.” For many
years, Patio Sales ads that appeared in the Green Valley News were written by Barbara.
Carolyn and Wally Mills recall Shirley Michelsen was instrumental in getting the program up and running smoothly.
Among other long-time committee members are Courtney and Dave Siglin, Dorothy and Jack Gray and Bill Parker.
The sales operation has been tweaked over four decades, but the basics haven’t changed much. “Folks call us who are
leaving their residences for any number of reasons and ask us to come in and set up a sale,” Dave Tobinson said.
“Sometimes it's relatives of someone who has died.
“We arrange a date and come in and do everything necessary to get ready for the sale. We organize items, clean and
price everything to be sold. Then we sell for two days, usually four hours on Fridays and Saturdays. We advertise in the
church bulletin, Green Valley News and through our radio spots on KGVY.”
Typically, the home owner receives 75 percent of sale proceeds and Patio Sales receives 25 percent, which it splits between the church and various organizations such as the Green Valley and Amado food banks, the Animal League and
Hands of Friends, serving battered women.
Tobinson notes sales can be quite lucrative, with a recent one grossing $18,000. A car and a lot of jewelry were part of
that sale. Typically, the group holds two sales a month. Sales totaled nearly $100,000 in 2013 and will be close to that
figure this year, Tobinson noted.
Wally Mills served the group around 19 years and was president for four years. Like a lot of Methodist men, it was his
spouse who got him involved. “Carolyn said she was going to work and invited me to come along, “Mills recalls. “I
showed up and they asked me what I wanted to do. I didn’t have a clue. Bill Parker was pricing patio stuff and he told
me to start pricing so I did. I had never done anything like that in my life.”
Eventually, Carolyn Mills became inside manager and Wally ran the check out. At one point the Mills were among
Patio Sales best customers.
“Some of the stuff not sold goes into storage or is given to thrift,” Mills noted. “In the beginning it was donated to the
White Elephant. One year there was a lot of stuff in storage and Carolyn and I needed to furnish a house before we left
for the summer. Except for purchasing a new bed, we furnished that entire house with Patio Sales storage items for
$860.”
UNITED METHODIST MEN
Rev. Friesen Recalls Days as Amazon Bush Pilot
For Jan. 24 UMM Johnson Hall Breakfast Program
United Methodist Men tried to get Indiana Jones to speak at
the Jan. 24 breakfast but he was tied up. So the men tapped
the church’s own version of the adventurer and secured
Eugene Friesen to relate some of his adventures as an Amazon bush pilot and missionary dealing with jungle natives
who had never seen anyone from the outside world.
“They thought we were ‘sky gods,’ come to steal their wives
and daughters,” he recalls.
Rev. Friesen, a retired GVCC associate pastor, has worn
many hats over an action-packed career. He holds a doctorate
in psychology from Michigan State University and one in
ministry from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley,
California.
He has served as an adjunct professor at two medical schools
and held a full professorship at Louisiana State University.
He directed a mental health ward at a Veteran’s Administration hospital in Battle Creek, MI, and was director of a mental health center in Lansing, MI.
He left the U.S. Army as a full colonel and was a member of
the 82nd Airborne, making 65 parachute jumps as an Army
chaplain. In his retirement years, he has written a book, led
overseas tours and served as a cruise-ship chaplain. In his
spare time he sings with the Sons of Orpheus, a gig that
found him performing 90 times over 10 days during the holiday season.
The Jan. 24 breakfast meeting begins promptly at 8 a.m. in
Johnson Hall. As always, women are more than welcome to
join the fun and enjoy an outstanding meal and program.
Tickets are $5 apiece. They’ll be sold in the narthex between
services in January.
PENNY PROJECT
Thank you! To all who have
supported and are currently supporting he Gospel Rescue Mission
with your donations of U.S. money
through the “Penny Project.”
Please help get the word out to
others and make this very worthwhile project successful in 2014.
There are marked canisters in the
Narthex and also in the office for
your donations.
Tucson Chamber Artists presents Carmina
Burana January 23, 7:00pm,
at Valley Presbyterian Church
in Green Valley. Orff's authorized version for two pianos, percussion and
chorus will be performed with
world-class soloists as part of
the Tucson Desert Song Festival. For information
about tickets: www.TucsonChamberArtists.org.
A royal thank you from GVCC's
"Three Kings"
Thanks one and all for the marvelous show
of generosity for United Methodist Men's
Christmas gift for kids drive. Your efforts will
put 275 gifts under trees for needy children.
The toys, games and athletic gear were delivered equally to the Salvation Army, TMM
in Tucson and Crossroads Nogales Mission
in Nogales, AZ.
President Ron Green and the membership
of UMM thanks you.
A Variety of Computer Courses to be offered through May 2015.
A basic class for PC’s, IPAD and Apple will be offered
again beginning Feb 6. This series will be the first of
many courses taking us through May that will include
Google Basics, IPAD/ APPLE and Google. The Basics
class is a repeat of the one offered this past Sept/Oct &
Nov and will cover Start Up, Mouse, Virus, Wifi, Operating Systems & cloud concepts. Please sign up at
the Activity Shelf, space is limited. Fridays 9:0011:30. The instructor is Sheila Beck.
SNOWBIRD CIRCLE
Tues., January 27, 2015: Snowbird
Circle will meet in the Fireside
Room at 2:30 PM.
Please bring your Upper Room for
devotions along with verses or the whole psalm
that is your favorite for sharing. Snowbirds and
Year 'Round Birds are welcome.
WE LOVE the month of December!!! The spirit of Christmas is alive and
well as ACTS went to Wal-Mart to do their Christmas shopping for the
Cactus Tree kids. We had 3 girls and 1 boy as well as the Sidewalk Sunday School Bag. I was so impressed as the kids broke out in their teams
to find those special treasures. Much thought and consideration went
into their selections, ”If only I could see their faces as they opened their packages, that
would be the best gift ever” proclaimed Xandria! JOY definitely comes in the GIVING! After shopping, wrapping, eating Nachos and caroling we decorated and ATE lots of
cookies.. apologies were given to the parents as the youth went home filled with
sugar cookie happiness and plenty of energy. On December 21, we will go to a
“Star Party”! Paul and Cathy Anderson
have invited us to their home where they
will share the story/DVD of the
“Bethlehem Star”. Following will be an
opportunity to see the December skies
through their powerful telescopes. We
will have a meal together along with many wonderful stories about the majesty of the
night skies. Although, as I write this, we have not yet attended, but we do send our
thanks to Paul and Cathy for opening their home to us in such a special way. Watch for
our youth at the end of January as they will be participating in Worship. Blessings of
good health, peace and JOY to each of you in the New Year. With much love in the name
of Jesus, Scott & Shauna Melvin
Shopping, Decorating and Wrapping
FUN!
MISSIONS/CHURCH & SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
DOMESTIC ABUSE is a fact of life and the number of victims over 50 is on the increase. In Arizona, more than 25,000
women and children seek shelter from domestic violence every year. Here in Green Valley we are fortunate to have a compassionate response through “Hands of a Friend”, which operates a 30 bed shelter serving southern Pima County and Santa
Cruz County. The shelter is almost always full, and some of the residents are victims of human trafficking, according to
Founder and Executive Director, Patti O’Berry. Providing food and lodging is only one small part of what the shelter must
do; psychological and legal counseling is also essential. Amazingly, the shelter is run without government funding because
O’Berry believes strongly that the spiritual dimension must be included in restoring a woman’s health. To learn more about
this issue and this ministry and to meet Patti O’Berry, plan now to attend the next MISSION MONDAY on January 26 in
Johnson Hall (11:30 to 1:00). Bring a sack lunch and bring a friend! This event is an excellent follow-up to the Forum on Human Trafficking on January 17.
THANK YOU for your support for this year’s Cactus Christmas. Thanks to your generosity, gifts were given to children in
five locations: Menlo Park UMC (Tucson); Santa Clara UMC (Tucson); Valley Assistance Services (Green Valley); El Mesias UMC (Nogales, AZ); and El Divino Redentor Methodist (Nogales, Mexico). You made a lot of children happy!
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? When the church pays apportioned funds for United Methodist missions, where does
the money go? You can find out by attending the special “Reach Out Sunday” gathering on Sunday afternoon, February 22
when UM Mission Advocates Nan McCurdy and Miguel Mairena tell the story of UM mission work around the world. Nan
and Miguel served as missionaries in Nicaragua for 29 years before returning to the States to act as mission interpreters for
the Western Jurisdiction of the UMC. DON’T MISS THIS. Save the date and time now: Sunday, Feb. 22 with program and
potluck beginning at 5:00 pm.
SPIRITUAL LIFE MINISTRY SAYS “THANK YOU”
The Spiritual Life Ministry Team would like to thank all who participated in the various opportunities we offered to you this past year. Beginning with “Follow Jesus to the Cross” and ending with our beautiful Blue Christmas
Service, it has been a truly blessed year. During the Lenten season so many of you lifted people in prayer for 40 days
and sent each person you prayed for a card. You have asked us to send prayer postcards to individuals who are in need
of prayer, and this has been a wonderful, supportive and encouraging way to let people know they are being prayed for.
Some of you have attended prayer groups, are on the prayer team on Sunday mornings, and attended the Bible study on
“The Holy Spirit” that Pastor Jeanne led. The Women's Tea and Fashion Show featuring the Good Girls and the Bad
Girls of the Bible was a huge success and those who attended had a great time. Before we do anything, we ask “What
does this have to do with Jesus?” Our hope is that all of you are growing, learning and experiencing a closer spiritual
relationship with God.
Our prayer is that God will bless you in this New Year and that He will lead us into new ways of reaching out
to you and our community.
Leaving a Legacy: Estate Planning and More!
When we die, what we have done and who we are continue to “speak” to those left behind. Those who will come
after us will remember us for the good deeds we have done, the values we have lived, the love we have shared, our humor ,
and our faith. With some planning and forethought, we can communicate a strong message about our beliefs through estate
planning.
Estate planning is for everyone, not just those with substantial means. The organizations and people you care about
will benefit greatly by your willingness to take time to prepare for the time when you are gone. That’s why we encourage
you to attend this special seminar on “leaving a legacy” on Thursday, January 29.
Don Joiner is a United Methodist minister and Certified Financial Planner who has written books and articles and
conducted numerous workshops around the country on this topic. Lucille Sterling is Executive Director of the Desert Southwest United Methodist Foundation. David West is a United Methodist layperson and a lawyer with a practice in Tucson, specializing in estate planning. The Morning Presentation is for everyone. In the afternoons you are encouraged to sign up for 30
minute individual session with any of the presenters.
DATE and PLACE: Thursday, January 29 in Johnson Hall (GVCC)
8:30 – Coffee and sign-ups for individual consultations
9:00 to 11:30 – Morning Presentation (Don, Lucille and David)
1:30 to 5:00 – Individual consultations (30 minutes)
The Finance Committee
Vespers Worship Year in Review
A group of us met last summer and decided to continue the Wednesday evening meetings that began with the 6-week
Lenten Vespers series led by Christine Maglott.
In early September we began a weekly service that came to be called Vespers Worship. The service includes music,
prayers, scriptures and a brief meditation. The service starts at 4:00 PM every Wednesday and lasts about 30-35 minutes.
We started with just a few people but our numbers have been growing. We have been especially gratified with the response to our part in the Advent Experience. (Being sandwiched between Pastor Jim’s Advent study and a Soup Supper
didn’t hurt). One of our team members, Sheila Beck, very graciously agreed to take charge of the supper and has done a
fine job.
This service has been a wonderful experience for all of us presenting it and a blessing for those who have attended. I just
learned today of a church member who was inspired by attending Vespers to become more involved in church work and
someone else who was a member but not attending services, who has come back into the fold. God does work in mysterious ways. We have a number of dedicated people on the Vespers team and welcome anyone who feels called to participate.
Because of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, we did not hold services on either of those days, but we’re coming back
in January. We will begin services the first Wednesday, January 7, at 4:00 with Don Scarlett leading the way. Sheila
Beck is already planning a special meal to follow that service. We do ask that you sign up for the meal so we are sure to
have plenty of food. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex starting on December 21.
May God bless you all as we begin a New Year in Christ full of opportunities to serve the Lord.
Marlene McNiece
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
The children’s Sunday School made reindeer and delivered them to residents of Santa Rita Nursing
Home for Christmas. On December 12th, we celebrated Jesus’ birth with an all-church Christmas party,
the theme of which was An Old-Fashioned Christmas. We made popcorn & cranberry strings for our trees
and with Carole McFate’s help, went back in time looking at the many changes in the way we have
decorated Christmas trees. (The cranberries we used were red plastic beads; they didn’t leak red juice everywhere when the needles were inserted!) Starting the first Sunday in January, the 9:30 adult Sunday
School will study The Trouble with the Truth, by Renfroe. Ken Bensen will lead the class. History of the
Church continues. Sunday Movie returns with the showing of Hundred Foot Journey on January 25 th.
The Trouble with the Truth- January 4, 9:30 SS Johnson Hall. Led by Rev. Ken Bensen
Readers will examine the essentials about truth and grace, understand the differences
between a cultural worldview and a scriptural worldview, and discover how to be
instruments of real influence and transformation in our time by following Jesus’
example. Books are now available in the Ch ED Office, $ 11.00 while supplies last.
Revival- Wednesday January 7th 2:30 in Johnson Hall. Led by Doris Miller. You are
invited to stay for Vespers @ 4:00. Join Adam Hamilton for a six-week journey as he
travels to England, following the life of John Wesley and exploring his defining
characteristics of a Wesleyan Christian. Wesley’s story is our story. It defines our faith
and it challenges us to rediscover our spiritual passion.
Books will available in the Ch ED Office Dec 22. $ 10.00 Please sign up at the Activity Shelf.
Low Vision Workshop- Jan 22, 1:00-3:30pm. Christy Morrison from the So. AZ
Assoc for the Visually Impaired will be addressing the questions and concerns regarding
eye problems and offering tips and tools to improve the quality of life for those visually
Impaired. Refreshments will be served. Please sign up at the Activity Shelf.
HOPE luncheons
Since July 4, 2014 (our kick-off), our free community luncheons (1st and 3rd Fridays of the month)) have
been a roaring success! This grass-roots program receives NO FUNDS from the GVCC budget. Recently,
we were awarded a $2,000 grant from the UMC national headquarters’ new program on addressing poverty and elderly issues. Our costs have been covered by free-will donations, and in a number of cases individuals within and outside our church have made significant financial contributions to allow us to continue
operations independent of our annual church budget. PLEASE NOTE: We always need volunteers to prepare and serve meals, to set-up and clean-up and to register and welcome all luncheon attendees. A signup bulletin board is posted just outside the kitchen entry door. So sign up early, as we do restrict the total
number of volunteers for each luncheon. If undecided as to what area in which to volunteer, feel free to
sign-up under the “Put Me Where Needed” category. Need more information? Contact Jan/Doug Bolstad,
Helen Coile, Jim/Dawn Cate and/or Pastor Jim, Pastor Jeanne, or Rev. Jerry Haas.
Foundation Scholars Introduced
Many of the 18 GVCC Foundation, Inc. scholarship recipients will be in attendance during the 9:30 and 11
a.m. services on January 4, 2015. This gives the congregation an opportunity to meet and greet these special
individuals and allows the students to tell a little about themselves and express their appreciation to the
Foundation donors. Anyone can contribute to the Foundation and know the satisfaction that the interest on
their money provides scholarships to deserving graduating Sahuarita School District students and seminary
students in the Desert Southwest United Methodist Conference.
Choir Notes:
Attention Snowbirds, and all past, present and future Choir Members. We have a seat for
you in the Choir and we would love to have you sing
with us while you are in town. Choir Practice
is every Friday from 3:15 to 4:45 in the Choir Room
and we sing at the 9:30 and 11:00 (partial) Services. Come and Join us. Talk to any Choir Member
or just come on Friday. We will find a place for
you.
Christmas Dinner with
The Wallaskys
December 25, 1:00 p.m.
in Johnson Hall
Sign up in the narthex on the
activity shelf.
Jim and Lynn will provide the ham,
drinks, and entertainment. You bring
the salads, sides and desserts! All are
welcome!
Merry Christmas!!!!
50 Anniversary Posters
50 Anniversary Posters will be a constantly changing display as part of the wall art exhibits in 2014 to
February 2015. We welcome photos and news articles that may be included in future posters. Contact
Barbara Amyx: 399-1507 or Carol June Schultz: 399-3205/cschultz6@cox.net for more information.
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