Imagine God standing on your front porch….

God knocks at my door…”Rent is cheap,” I say.

“I don’t want to rent. I want to buy,” says God….

“I might let you have a room or two.”

“Thanks,” says God. “I like what I see.”

“I’d like to give you the whole house, but I’m not sure—“

“Think on it,” says God. “I wouldn’t put you out….You’d

have more space than you’ve ever had.”

“I don’t understand….”

“I know,” says God, “but I can’t tell you about that. You’ll

have to discover it for yourself. That can happen only if you

let me have the whole house.”

“A bit risky,” I say.

“Yes,” says God, “but try me….”

(Edited from a longer unpublished poem by Margaret Halaska.)

Would you like to take a little risk, experience something new, create some room for God in the “house” called your life, in a new way? With a new year comes a new opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Two opportunities actually. Starting Tuesday January 22, our weekly Bible Study will begin new series entitled “Lord, Change my Attitude,” based on the book by the same name written by James MacDonald and Erwin Lutzer. You can order a copy of the book online at Amazon.com. In this study we will be exploring the many ways in which God transforms us for life and ministry in our world today. You can stop the flow of negativity that causes happiness to hemorrhage, and you can start the flow of good attitudes that cause abundant joy to flourish, MacDonald writes. Attitudes are patterns of thinking that take years to form. While we can’t change our attitudes overnight, we can recognize wrong attitudes and begin working on right attitudes to take their place.

This will be an exciting opportunity for each of us to explore how God might be equipping us to live out a grace-full life. Just imagine! We meet each Tuesday evening at 5:30 in the upstairs library of the Edwards Interfaith Chapel.

And speaking of the Edwards Chapel, we are making an adjustment to our worship schedule to help accommodate our busy, active members. Please note that we will gather for worship at the Edwards Chapel on the first Sunday of each month at 5:30 PM. We will continue to use a variety of worship styles and liturgies (traditional and contemporary), that are faithful to our tradition at MHC. After a busy day on the slopes or at work, come and join us as we center our lives in the presence of our God of mercy and grace.

Margaret Halaska’s poem invites us to imagine the possibilities that might be ours if we truly open the “house” of our lives to a gracious God who desires to let us “have more space than you’ve ever had.” Such a move toward openness involves a willingness to step out in faith and trust. “A bit risky,” I say.

But then there is also this, “Yes,” says God, “but try me…” Just imagine!

Peace to you, beloved, and Happy New Year,

Pastor Scott

*******

Council Meeting Highlights

Council Meeting, Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Council members present: Pastor Beebe; Susan Christensen; Deb Sarthou; Jim Nielsen; Randy Galer; Karah Maloley; Phyllis Owens; Jeanine Kenney; Mike Glass

Pastor’s report

• New Bible study coming up based on the book, Lord, Change My Attitude
• Charles Johnson concert held this past Wednesday – the concert was a success in Vail. He will sing again at Beaver Creek for Christmas Eve. Anna Galer will sing in Vail and Edwards.
• New members receptions will be held in January – 6 families will be joining
• Two successful Christmas pageants were held at Red Cliff and Edwards. 60 were present in Edwards and there was a dinner after.
• Wed. Jan. 9 at Beaver Creek chapel – doing a review/discussion of the economic snapshot within the valley
• Participated last week on Tuesday at Vail Church in a cookies and milk session. They read from the Bible with the kids, then there are cookies and milk and the kids play. Pastor was considering inviting members of the church to go and participate in the session. The kids involved are the neighbor kids close to the church.

Treasurer’s report

Kim met with Jody Teague and worked on the payroll.

Committee reports:

Community Service (Karah & Deb)

Community Dinner – Great turn out for November. We ran out of food.

Dinners for 2013: January, May, August, October.

Hospitality & Fellowship (Jeanine & Susan)

Annual meeting potluck will be held Jan. 27, 2012. Tom Owens is putting together a slideshow for the dinner; all pictures can be sent to Tom.

Stewardship (Phyllis) and Time & Talent Distribution

$14,125 already received. $5,000 is promised and hoping to be received.

Possibly $6000 more pledges that can come in (if people follow through on their pledge).

Phyllis projects we’ll hit the $20,000 mark.

Pledge cards: 17 received thus far. [29 were received in 2012]

Time & Talents: 5 have been received at this point. Discussed options to gather more feedback by handing them out at the service and having return them at some point during the service.

Finance (Mike)

Held a finance meeting.

They recommended getting Jody (bookkeeper) on board temporarily. They would like to review options of Jody doing everything to having her manage parts of it. The question is what Kim will do versus what Jody is responsible for. There is a thought of having Jody train Kim so that Jody is not needed long term.

Pastor stated there is plenty of work to be done if the financial duties are not on Kim’s workload.

Other business

Karah created a Seminary scholarship application. Jim provided feedback and Karah will be creating version 2.

Annual meeting preparation - member list for calling, January 27th after Vail service with potluck.

Looked at the member list and divided amongst the council members.

Need three new members for council for next year; Pastor asked for us to email him names to consider.

Next meetings: January 22, 2012

*******

ANNUAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members, Mountain Members & friends -

Happy New Year!

Our annual meeting will be held January 27th, 2013, Sunday after the Vail (9:30am) service in the Ministry Center downstairs. We will share a brunch potluck. Highlights of the meeting will be a slide show of our year in review & the 2013 annual budget, as well as committee reports.

Please remember, new this year, Mountain Members may vote at this meeting!

We have three council members with expiring terms. Please let Pastor Scott or Kim know if you would like to serve.

All voting members must be present to vote.

Please attend your annual meeting. We want each of you to continue your steadfast work in our congregation to keep us together as a church family.

Thanks, Susan Christensen

Council President

*******

Volunteers Needed to Host

January hosts needed! If you can help for January in Vail, please call Susan Christensen (390-5448).

Also if you are attending Beaver Creek services in January, please help out when you are there - we only have 1 host scheduled for the month.

*******

James Hersch to play at Vail and Beaver Creek January 20^th!

Once again this year, James Hersch will be visiting our congregation and sharing his light and love with us through his beautiful music. James writes his own songs, plays guitar and sings. It’s a service not to be missed! Join us Sunday, January 20^th, at either Vail (9:30 am) or Beaver Creek (11:30 am).

I sing in places where I feel I have an opportunity.

In all the ways music moves us, I want to be right there.

I want to be about music's power to reach us, hold us and keep us together. . .

For more information, go to www.reachwithme.com

*******

Members & Friends with January

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays:

2 – Lanell Avery Vossler

4 – Cynthia Cruse

5 – Rita Skelton

6 – Rich Vossler

7 – Blake Higgins

9 – KC Dawson, Justine LaCross

18 – Matthew Francisco, Kira Geddes

19 – Sydney Idzikowski

20 – Tom Walker, John McKenna, Kelsey Hawley

23 – Jackson Higgins

24 – Tom Duncan

25 – Melissa Law

27 – Macie LaCross

28 – Kim Law

29 – Jim Spahmer

31 – Kent Krohlow, Andrea Glass, Leo Salamunovich, Allison Vossler

Anniversaries:

Peggy Thompson & Wade White – 1/2

*******

From FASTFACTS@LISTSERV.ELCA.ORG

In spite of the billions of dollars in remittances sent to the Northern Triangle by immigrants, poverty rates remain high: in El Salvador (38%), Guatemala (51%), and Honduras (59%).

*******

Please Pray For . . .

Gracious God, you have called us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. May we go out with good courage, not necessarily knowing where we are going, but trusting that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us. Amen.

Loved Ones of Pat Dielmann – Carolyn Connolly’s mom who died recently

Dylan Redwine – 13 years old and was reported missing Nov. 19 in the Durango area. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and a "Duke Blue Devils" baseball cap.

Amanda Grems-Painter & family – local 3^rd Grade teacher and mother of 2 young daughters who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.

Loved Ones of Rev. Gerhard Huggenvik – Pastor Mark’s father who died 12/15 at the age of 95.

Victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Loved Ones of Cliff Vincent- Jill Baron

Heather Young - a local who fell and is slowly recovering from severe brain injury. Ann Constien

Kyle Hall – Battling leukemia. Jill Baron.

Bob Landon – ICU after surgery. Norma Broten

Jeff Grabow – cancer. Andrea Glass’ father

Our Congregation – Peggy Thompson

US Military & their Families – Metcalfs

Prayer requests can be made by calling (476-6610) or emailing the church office (mtholy@vail.net),

or on the “Who’s Who in the Pew” on Sunday mornings.

*******

Grant Writer Needed!

Red Cliff Community Church, a mission development ministry in Red Cliff, CO., is seeking a volunteer grant writer to write for church repair, preservation, and/or historic funding, and/or who can write for private or federally funded faith-based at-risk youth development/ ministries.

For more information about the church, visit www.redcliffchurch.org

Thanks so much for your time and consideration!

Gail Britt

Minister

Red Cliff Community Church

Email: gcbdeengirl@gmail.com

*******

OUTREACH PROGRAM

______________________________________

THE ACTION PROGRAM FOR MOVING BEYOND DEATH,

DIVORCE AND OTHER LOSSES

Myths about grief:

* Time heals all wounds

* Replace the loss

* Grieve alone

* Be strong for others

* Burying your feelings

Your feelings are normal and natural. The problem is that we have been socialized

to believe that these feelings are abnormal and unnatural.

THE 12-WEEK PROGRAM WILL BEGIN

MONDAY, JANUARY 7th FROM 6-8 PM

EDWARDS INTERFAITH CHAPEL

32138 US HWY 6

EDWARDS, CO

Cost: $60.00

People say you have to let go and move on in your life, but they don’t tell you what

you need to do to accomplish that.

The Grief Recovery Outreach Program not only makes that possible, but provides

partnerships and guidance to ensure that it happens

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER CALL:

Celynn McClarrinon LSW, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist

970-569-7455 visit www.hchotv.org

*******

Kim Law

Mt. of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church

P.O. Box 1103

Vail, CO 81658

970-476-6610