Wednesday, March 19^th :  Prayer Walk – A Lenten Journey. 

Wednesday, March 5^th at 5:30 pm:  Soup Supper followed by Healing Service at 6:15 pm.  Over at 7 pm.    “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” are the words of James 5:14.  It is a reminder that we need to be in prayer for those who are physically or spiritually in need of wholeness.  This service is a turning to God for healing and to remind all of God’s presence even in pain and suffering.  While prayers for cures are lifted up, it is God who provides healing whether a cure is granted or not.  For some it will be important to be able to face whatever lies ahead because of restored purpose and the experience anew of God’s presence.  Invite those in need to come to this powerful service on Wed. March 5^th. 

Wednesday, February 6^th, marks the beginning of Lent.  Lent is a time of preparation to cast away whatever blocks our relationship to God and to set out on a journey to grow closer to God through our walk with Christ. 

Our journey begins with Ash Wednesday in which there will be two opportunities to worship and reflect, 12 noon and 5:30 pm.  Both begin with a simple supper to remind us of the call to simplify our lives and draw closer to God.  Following the supper there will be a worship service with an invitation to receive the mark of the cross in ashes to remind us of our own mortality, Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf and the call to pick up our own cross of discipleship, as well as, receive communion to remind us of our salvation and promise of eternal life.  You are invited to share in this simple yet powerful service.

Our youth choir, HeavenBound, recently returned from the Martin Luther King weekend tour.  This year the choir left on Friday afternoon for Escondido, California.  The choir arrived at First UMC of Escondido to spend the night.  The next morning on Saturday the choir had a great fun day at Knott’s Berry Farm and traveled back to the church to sleep in their fellowship hall once again.  Sunday morning the choir was introduced to a warm welcome at both services in which they sang two songs.  Rev. Bill Colby had served as senior pastor at this church for several years as one of his appointments and this tour was in honor of his memory.  Both Cathy Colby and Rev. Matt Colby were treated to several compliments about the choir and fond remembrances of Pastor Bill in between the services at the patio coffee fellowship.  After, the worship services the choir made the long trek home carrying many good memories of their own from this trip.  Special thanks to Kathy Peate for her many hours of driving and additional adult leadership.  Congratulations, to Cathy Colby, the choir’s director, for making HeavenBound such great ambassadors for Vista! 

“Faith Lessons on the Life and Ministry of the Messiah” is a five week series that will be offered by Rev. Matt Colby during Lent on Wednesdays,  1:00 – 2:15 pm  beginning on Wed. Feb. 13th.   This series is taught on DVD by Ray Vanderlaan in many Holy Land locations. 

  Ray is one of those rare individuals who not only knows a great deal more about ancient history than most of us, he is gifted with the ability to explain it, make it come alive, and to apply it to life experiences in a way that can inspire us. He takes archaeological and written sources and explains nuances that are seldom mentioned by seminary-trained teachers.  You are welcome to attend all or part of the series.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 24^th, as a special Sunday not to be missed.  Just in time for the Rodeo Weekend, we will ask you to don your best western or pioneer duds.  After worship with good gospel , western songs and historic hymns,  we will celebrate with a delicious BBQ, old-fashioned sing-a-long, and yes, you will be able to cheer for the hero and boo the villain in our first western melodrama. 

    Invite a friend and see you on February, 24^th.  You can still buy Tickets for the BBQ on Sunday (First time visitors get in free!)  All profits support our youth group to go on their summer mission trip to Mexico to build a house for a family in need.  Contact Rev. Matt Colby for more info.

Marriage is often weakened when there is no time to discuss the things that really matter and spend quality time together.  This easily happens when children come along.  Vista Family Ministries invites you to a night out to enjoy each other without the kids (don’t worry, they will be having a great time).  Saturday, February 9^th, at 6:30pm come by the church with your children and check them into our childcare.  Rev. Matt will present a short program of twenty minutes which includes a great stand up comedian on DVD to introduce the topic.  You are given a few questions to discuss as you go out on your evening together and off you go.  Maybe you two will go out for dinner or even some quiet time at home or a fun activity out on the town…you decide.  Meanwhile, your children are safe and having fun while our childcare team looks out for them until you return at 9 pm.  See this as Happy Valentine’s Day present from the church.  Hope you will join us for this great opportunity.  For more info, contact Rev. Matt Colby.

Single parents we know you need a break, too.  Feel free to give yourself some quiet time as well.  Come by at 6:30 pm to check your children in at our childcare, and then take the evening for yourself to get stuff done, go on a date or better yet, relax and regroup!   Just remember to pick the children back up at 9 pm.  Contact Rev. Matt Colby for more info.

Harmonica virtuoso, Pierre Herbineaux, piano soloist accompanist Dr. Raymond Ryder, and the Greater Oro Valley Clarinet Ensemble under the direction of Cyndee Chaffee, will perform Sunday, February 17, 3:00 pm at Vista de la Montana United Methodist.

Church.Pierre Herbineaux was born in Belgium and studied violin as a child, teaching himself harmonica, using his violin method books.  He was the soloist with Trio Canidid who won the world championship harmonica competition in Luxemburg. He has toured Europe and the United States. He amazes his audiences with harmonicas of different sizes.  His virtuoso, yet humane playing has been described as “astonishing.”

Accompanying Pierre and presenting a solo work will be Dr. Raymond Ryder.  Dr Ryder has a private teaching school, serves as adjunct faculty member for Pima Community College. He sometimes provides English translations for the Arizona Opera, and has served as accompanist for the Tucson Masterworks Chorale and the Arizona Choral Society. He also presently serves as organist and hand bell director at Valley Presbyterian Church.

Cyndee Chaffee, well know Tucson musician is the director of the Catalina Community Chorus.  She formed the Clarinet Ensemble of Greater Oro Valley  in 2002 and serves as its director. The ensemble represents a variety of sizes of clarinets from the clarinet family including a Bb contra-bass, two bass clarinets, alto, B-flat and Eb soprano clarinets.  The members tout their return to performance after varying years of hiatus.

Enjoy harmonica as you never imagined it possible, and the opportunity to experience a variety of music presented for your pleasure. 

No admission charge.  A free will offering will be taken.

Vista de la Montana is located two-tenths mile south of Golder Rd. west off Oracle.

The February meeting will be Tuesday, February 19th at Vista in the Education Center, Room 1.  The program will be presented by Rev. Dee Dee Azhikakath, Director of Wesley Foundation at the University of Arizona.  Join us for fellowship, refreshments and the program!

 Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 9 AM at Vista.

The February meeting will be Wednesday, February 13th at Vista.  The program will be “Conversations With a Saint,” presented by Dee Berman.  Join us for fellowship, the program and refreshments!

 Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at the church.