Remember the song Doris Day released in 1956 "Que Sera Sera" = What will be will be?  I was only 8 years old, but I remember it well. As a bit of trivia, it was first heard on the sound track of the Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. I can even remember the first verse without looking it up: "When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother what will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? Here's what she said to me: Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be; the future's not ours to see. Que sera, sera; what will be, will be."  

     Today we live in a society where consultant type people get paid mega bucks for profiling big business, projecting and predicting "outcomes" if they go this way or that, choose this course of action or that. Why do such people exist? Because we have become obsessed with what tomorrow will bring; we want to have a stake in "the future." We have come to believe that with the right formula we can control the future or at least be fully prepared for what is to come. With the right tools and equipment, the right data, we can plan for what lies ahead. "When I was young, I fell in love;I asked my sweetheart 'what lies ahead? Will we have rainbows, day after day?'Here's what my sweetheart said: "Que sera, sera..."

     There has to be something for 21st century human beings to embrace that lies between the 20th century - frankly -- fatalistic message of Que sera, sera, and the 21st century, hell-bent, obsession with having control over the future. We who call ourselves "people of faith" have at our disposal that very word: "FAITH." Ask yourself how your faith is made evident in your life. Is your faith evidenced by your appearance in church on Sunday morning? Do we recognize God at work in the life of the church, in our own lives? 

     In our finance committee meeting, two weeks ago, we discussed the fact that we had borrowed $20,000 from our parsonage fund to complete our apportionment payment to the Annual Conference. As members of the denomination known as the United Methodist Church, it is an obligation we must live up to. What was most interesting to me was the following. In the moment we decided to meet our obligation and pay the remainder of our apportionments the annual conference treasurer informed us that, approximately, the same amount borrowed would be coming back to us over the next few months in the form of reimbursements paid to those churches who helped the Annual Conference with the Pacific Homes debacle back in 1984. I said to the committee: "Isn't that interesting. When we stepped up to the plate to pay 100% of our apportionments, something wonderful happened, which will help us pay back the amount we borrowed from ourselves." I was a bit bummed out at the lack of response from the members of the Finance Committee. No one appeared to be moved by what I viewed as very profound evidence of God at work in the life of the church. I wanted to jump up and cheer and dance around!

            Perhaps the most important words spoken to humankind in scripture, by God, by angels, by Jesus, by Apostles and disciples alike, were the words: "Do not be afraid."  In the gospel of Luke when Peter said: "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man." Jesus responded: "Do not be afraid."

I did a quick count of the number of times this phrase appears in scripture and came up with 53 times. Someone else did a more detailed tabulation and wrote that in the New American Standard Version of the Bible the phrase "Fear not" appears 4 times; "Do not fear", appears 57 times and "Do not be afraid," 46 times. I guess I thought it would be more, but 107 times said three different ways is probably enough to drive the point home. The scriptures we embrace invite us not to fear, what is and what is to come. We have the promise that God is with us through it all, even to the end of the age! Let us trust in God and not be afraid. Amen.

Blessings,

Rev. Amanda

     I wanted to thank you publicly for your work with the choir and our church over the past two years. You came to work with me and with our choir at a time when they were flustered, confused and pretty mad. You ministered to all of us through your love for and pure comprehension of the purpose of music and singing. 

     Under your direction the choir has matured spiritually and has blossomed into a cohesive, mutually supportive and encouraging vocal ensemble. The effect their more confident singing has on the congregation is visible. We understand how the sound of music soothes, uplifts, enlivens, energizes, stimulates, even elevates and propels us to a different plain. 

     Your understanding of this truth, along with your ability to articulate it to your singers and to the congregation has enhanced and advanced the whole ministry of this church.  Indeed we shall miss you and long for your company and "baked Brie."  God be with you and your family as you travel on.

With love and enduring gratitude,

Rev. Amanda

     After combing through many highly qualified applicants, the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs is pleased to welcome Wayne Hinton as its new choir master and pianist/organist!

     Wayne has been music director and organist with Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church for the past twenty years. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Collaborative Piano from University of Southern California, and is currently an adjunct faculty member at Riverside Community College, where he teaches Music Appreciation and Class Piano. Wayne is also a staff accompanist at the University of Redlands, where he accompanies voice and instrumental students for lessons, juries and recitals.

     Wayne's stellar musical background includes experience as accompanist and conductor for various opera houses, such as All-Newton Music School in Newton, Massachusetts, New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Orange County Opera and Golden West Opera. He has also served as vocal coach for University of Southern California, Florida State University and Georgia State University.

     Wayne lives in Moreno Valley with his partner of 27 years, and is looking forward to becoming involved in the church's various activities. Welcome, Wayne!

     Every day we get a little older and as we age we find we are not always able to do some of the things we used to do.  The United Methodist Men are looking for a few good men and women who would be willing to assist others in our congregation with some of these things.

     Each of us has skill sets we can use to help one another.  Perhaps you have some rudimentary plumbing, electrical or computer skills that could be of benefit to someone else.  Rather than pay for a plumber to come replace a faulty flapper in a toilet, maybe you could do it and save someone the cost of a repair visit.  Perhaps YOU could be the one to climb up on a ladder and replace a burned-out light bulb in a ceiling light for someone who should not be on a ladder in the first place.  Perhaps your task would be to diagnose a problem and determine that a repair visit is necessary if it's beyond your capability to fix.  

     We are not asking anyone to step outside their comfort zone; merely to use the talents you have to help someone else.  Nor are we asking anyone to undertake a task that should ONLY be done by a licensed professional.  We are simply asking you to do for others some of those routine home maintenance tasks you do for yourself.

     If you are willing to help in this effort, please let me know as I will be compiling a contact list of individuals and their abilities, along with their schedule/availability (e.g. work during the day, can only come by evenings).

     You can contact me at dzman991@aol.com or call me at 760-459-3546.

~Dick Zinnert

Church is a Verb.  Let's Church in 2012!

The Joshua Tree Breakfast Project was awarded funding from the Riverside District Union and a

Cal-Pac Conference Block Grant ... Congratulations go to the 12 Riverside District Churches who have committed themselves to serving - both body and soul - the deserving guests in JT each Saturday morning - God Bless Them All !

The Riverside District Union grant of $3,000 will be used to cover the costs of the paper products used each week ... and the Conference Block Grant will help the Joshua Tree Church defray increased utility and trash collection costs resulting from the breakfast ... a blessing indeed for this very small, but very mighty, congregation of about 40 folks!

REMEMBER:

The service dates for MISSION TEAM UMCPS up in Joshua Tree for 2012 are the following Saturdays: March 3, May 12, August 4th, October 27th and December 22nd.

We have a "core" group of volunteers and we eagerly welcome new folks to join us - we can take 2 new folks with us each visit - WE HAVE A

WONDERFUL TIME CRAFTING & COOKING & SERVING OUR GUESTS ...

and we'd love to have YOU, too !

If you'd like to join our team on March 3rd,

e-mail Lois G. at lgiannopulos@dc.rr.com 

or call 760-992-5282.

Originally from Kentucky and Ohio, then Florida, I have lived in California for over 13 years.  Jack and I moved to Cathedral City 6 ½ years ago after I retired. 

While my career started at a social worker, I spent the last 25 years as a fundraising professional. I love bringing this experience to the Stewardship Team.

REMEMBER THIS??   

Jubilee Bibles

honoring our 50th Anniversary Jubilee &

the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

   Whether they have been struggling with addictions, depression or caught in the cycle of joblessness and homelessness, individuals with a sincere desire to change are welcomed into this year long program. They learn to take responsibility for their actions, to re-learn values and work ethics, and to seek a new direction for their futures.

"New Life Program"  participants have the opportunity to identify factors contributing to their homelessness and develop a plan to overcome barriers to leading a productive life, receive Christ-centered mentoring, discipleship and counseling. The residents attend life-skills classes that include anger management, 12-steps, budgeting, conflict resolution, boundaries, etc., adult education and GED preparation, recovery support groups and work with referred agencies to address health, housing and legal issues, attend job preparation classes and participate in work therapy. They learn how to manage their income to support future housing needs and to locate a supportive church and attend Mission chapel services.

Residents are ready to continue their program outside of the Mission and live independently once they have retained:  employment, enough savings to be self sufficient, safe housing, and a support network.

This program needs our help !  A new set of mandatory program classes for the men in the program have been scheduled from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., Monday through Friday --- many of these men work in the kitchen and pantry - locations very familiar to our volunteers  !!!

2-3 volunteers are needed daily between 8 and 11 A.M. to help the Kitchen Manager, Erik, with food preparation for lunch and dinner ... minimal clean-up work and help organizing the pantry as needed. 

With food boxes being given out starting Wednesday of each week, Tuesdays are an especially busy day!  ... but any day would be great.

Contact Lois G., lgiannopulos@dc.rr.com  or call 

760-992-5282 if you would like to help.

Thank you - Mission Team UMCPS 

(YES, MARCH - WE ARE ALREADY BOOKED UP FOR FEBRUARY - WHAT A BLESSING ! ... and we only have room for one in March, on the 30th - WOW !)

Friday, March 2^nd: Lunch - 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Mission Team UMCPS volunteers: Alan Scott, Salesi & Palu Kapukapu, Lois G., Bob Middle, Charlene and Caroline Ryan Moore 

- DELIGHTEDLY, WE ARE FULL !

Friday, March 30th: Dinner - 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM 

Mission Team UMCPS volunteers:   Lin Manuel, Janis Garland, Bob Middle, Lois & Bill G. 

- WE HAVE ROOM FOR ONE MORE VOLUNTEER

Thank you, volunteers!!

Our Feb. volunteers included Alan Scott, Bob Middle, Virginia Spence, Sally Parisi, Lin Manuel, Janis Garland, Liliana & Jose Meija, Salesi & Palu K. and Lois & Bill G.

E-mail Lois G. at lgiannopulos@dc.rr.com or call 

760-992- 5282 to sign up for future dates!

 -  MISSION TEAM UMCPS

Prime Timers welcomes Jack Sholl, from the Historical Society, whose presentation will be The Underground Railroad.  Bring a dish to pass, and your own table service.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Snowbirds welcome!!  Questions?  Call Nina Davis, 760-288-0236.

This group's function is purely for fellowship. Your only responsibility is to come and enjoy your friends and new acquaintances.  Helping out once a season with preparation/clean-up and punch-bowl prefunction is asked.  Jobs like these don't take long and can be fun.  

We have been co-chairs or chairs for about ten years.  We expect to continue through this season, but we need another couple to co-chair with us starting October 2012.  Please give serious consideration to filling this request, as the group is vital and fills a need in our wonderful church.  Call Nina Davis. 

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission:

A Christian Ministry Serving the Least, the Last, the Lost.

The Mission served over 130,000+ meals in 2011 - The new Mission opened just in early November  - the staff thought it would take a couple months+ before they would double their occupancy to fill the new site ---  Well, it took a couple weeks !! 

Residing at the Mission are more families than ever before ... and more children with their mothers than a year ago ! Distribution of food boxes to the hungry in the surrounding neighborhoods is UP, UP, UP ...

MORE THAN EVER your donations are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors !

Thank you all for your continued generosity - MISSION TEAM UMCPS

ITEMS NEEDED

Cooking Oil: Vegetable, Canola, Corn, Olive Oil

Sugar & Brown Sugar

All Purpose flour

Taco Seasoning, Seasoning Salt, Salt, Pepper, Garlic

Mustard, Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Pickle Relish

Salsa and Enchilada Sauce

Coffee and Coffee Creamer

Drinks for sack lunches: 12 oz. water, boxed juices

Pancake Mix

Pancake syrup, Jams and Jellies

Oatmeal, Grits, Dry Cereals

Pasta - all shapes and sizes; Rice - white

Canned corn, green beans, peas

Canned Fruit and Juices (Bottled or Canned)

Mushroom Soup, Celery Soup

Canned hams, tuna and other canned meats

ALSO NEEDED ON A REGULAR BASIS:  napkins, paper towels, quart and gallon size baggies