Lord, We Look to You

Red Run News -- March 26, 2006

About a dozen people gathered for a Saturday morning brunch at the church on March 25. Glenda Lafferty taught a session on making cards: Easter, thank-you, and birthday.
In the men's class, David Erb read Psalm 145, a psalm of joyful praise. David Erb then dramatically wove together the stories of Ruth, Boaz, Eli, Hannah, Samuel, Saul, and David. He invited us to compare Saul and David. Both sinned grievously and suffered great hardship. The one became sadder and sadder. The other grew more and more joyful and left to us the psalms as his legacy. On which path are we?
Ellen Martin opened the church service by playing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" on the keyboard. Ken Sensenig told the children about how the Penny Power coins and bills will be collected and counted at the Mennonite Relief Sale in Harrisburg this coming weekend. David Erb and Mel Weaver reported on the Celebration of Church Life held last weekend at Lancaster Mennonite School. Bob Sauder led us in singing songs of praise.
In the sermon, Kevin Weaver walked us through the opening chapters of the Gospel of John. Kevin lit a candle to show that Jesus is the light that has come into our darkness. As we noted the disciples that Jesus called, Kevin lit more candles. We then considered our text in John 3:14-21. We are called to be born again -- to give up the old ways of sin and to start all over again in a new way of living. We look to Jesus to heal us of the deadly venom of sin. We each received a candle. As we light this during a devotional time or while we are working, we can pray, "Lord, we look to you." Kevin closed his sermon with the reading of the 34th psalm: No one will be condemned who takes refuge in God.
Julia Sensenig told about Summer Bible School scheduled at Bowmansville Mennonite Church June 11-15 at 7 p.m. each evening. There are classes for children, youth, and adults so mark your calendar to attend. The Bible School is sponsored jointly by the Bowmansville, Gehmans, and Red Run congregations. See Julia Sensenig if you would like to volunteer to help at the Bible school.
Upcoming events include the congregational business meeting on Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m. Then an evening of games and fellowship is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m. at the church. Bring your favorite games. Daryl Weaver, missionary to Grenada, is scheduled to preach on April 2.

March 19, 2006 Search Me, O God

Red Run News -- March 19, 2006

The calendar declares that tomorrow is spring even though it still feels like winter. On the front table, Esther Martin placed some pussy willows, those gentle reminders of the coming warmth. In Sunday School we considered Psalm 139: "Search me, O God, and know my heart today." Randy Hostetter led us in some hymns related to this theme. Randy also led us in singing selections from the Life Songs. Elsa Weaver sat contentedly by the piano as her mother played the prelude music.
Karen Sensenig reported from the Celebration of Church Life held at Lancaster Mennonite High School this weekend. The Lancaster Mennonite Conference and Eastern Mennonite Missions are working together to plant new churches and to renew existing congregations. Karen asked that we pray for her as she makes a decision between two hospitals, both of which have offered her a one-year residency opportunity as a chaplain. Esther and Lewie Martin are welcoming Kyo to their home today. Kyo is a Japanese student who had stayed with the Martins several years ago. Randy and JoAnne Hostetter announced that they are looking forward to the birth of a child in September. Congratulations, JoAnne and Randy!
Joyce Sauder and the Sunday School children prepared a "Welcome Home" banner for Marty Weaver who will soon return from an extended trip to Ohio. We all had a chance to sign the banner.
Ken Sensenig brought the sermon from Mark 1. The kingdom of God is here. We must repent and believe the good news. As we repent and believe, we walk in the resurrection. That is, we discover the new way of living in Jesus Christ.
For those who wish to visit with Daryl and Jen Weaver, a drop-in will be held at the Martindale Mennonite Church from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 1.

March 12, 2006 Children of the Heavenly Father

Red Run News -- March 12, 2006

We received word this morning of the death of Paul Martin, father of Marvin Martin. Let us remember this family in our prayers.
Charles Harting taught from Psalm 104 in the men's class. Although we cannot understand all the intricacies of the Creation, we can take the time to appreciate it and to praise the Creator.
Wes Nolt led us in singing with Letitia Weaver accompanying on the piano. Pastor Carl shared a "week of stories from around the world." Throughout this past week, these stories had come from personal e-mails and the news media.
-- Daryl, Jen, and Brent Weaver, Grenada
-- Julia Mickley, Cambodia
-- Kevin and Sharon Yoder, Kenya
-- Jacob, Pennsylvania
-- Tom Fox, Iraq
-- Truman and Ginny Hertzler, Morgantown PA/ Thailand
-- Dale and Gann Herman, Uganda
These stories spoke to the matter of living as children of the Father in Heaven (Matthew 5: 43-48). This text gives us a window into the heart of God. Jesus taught us to love our enemies, and the holy apostles taught the same. The "more" of the Christian faith is to not only love our family and friends but also to love our enemies even as God loved us before we loved Him.
Plan ahead for the services during Holy Week. A Good Friday service will be held at Red Run on Friday, April 14 at 7 p.m.. Our community-wide Easter sunrise service will be held at Bowmansville Mennonite Church on April 16 at 6 a.m. (The Red Run Choir will sing at this service. If you can sing in the choir, come to the 8:30 a.m. practices each Sunday at Red Run.) On Easter Sunday, we will have Sunday School and the church service at the regular times.
Kevin Weaver's middle school Bible quiz team from Gehmans School won first place in their division, and Kevin was named an All Star coach. Congratulations to Kevin.

March 5, 2006 New Leaders Licensed

Red Run News -- March 5, 2006

Today is a very special day in the life of the Red Run congregation. Melvin Weaver was licensed for specific ministry as an associate pastor for a three-year term. Kevin Weaver was licensed toward ordination as an associate pastor.
David Erb taught the combined Sunday School class on Psalm 8. God has made this planet in such a a way that humans can live here. The universe and beyond is of staggering proportion. Even more wonderful is the fact that God planned for our salvation even before the foundation of the world. During the second half of the Sunday School time, Ruthie Weaver, Paul and Edith Gehman, and Carl Sensenig gave short reports of what they had learned at yesterday's Stewardship University. Colleen Lafferty and Nathaniel Martin prepared a letter for Duvan, the child that our congregation sponsors in Colombia under Compassion International. Joyce Sauder's class had a flannelgraph story of how David respected King Saul even when the king was pursuing David.
David Erb opened our church service with prelude music on the piano. Then Bob Sauder (guitar) and Wes Nolt (banjo) led us in the opening songs.
Ken Sensenig led us in the announcement and prayer time. Kevin and Letitia Weaver and Letitia's sisters Kristen and Amy sang "True Evangelical Faith," a song which puts to music some of the writings of Menno Simons.
Randy Hostetter read John 10:1-15. From this text Pastor Carl preached on the seven marks of the true shepherd. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd and is a model for all who are called to leadership. The true shepherd is called of God, knows the sheep, leads the flock, sets a good example, offers good pasture, seeks the welfare of the flock, and lays down his life for the sheep. The congregation also has responsibilities to pastoral leaders: to pray for them, to be open to spiritual instruction, to hold them in high regard, to live at peace in the congregation, to share in the work of the congregation, to assist in material needs if they arise, and to offer encouragement.
Eugene Lapp led us in singing "Gentle Shepherd" and "There Is a Redeemer." Bishop Irvin Martin gave the licensing charge to Melvin Weaver and Kevin Weaver. Irvin also led in prayer and then directed the congregation in an _expression of support. Mel & Ruthie and Kevin & Tisha sang the "Prayer of St. Francis" as representing their consecration to the work of ministry. The Red Run Choir sang two rousing hymns: "The Banner of the Cross" and "I Remember Calvary." Paul Gehman concluded the service and we enjoyed a fellowship meal together.
We had many visitors today. Among them were three of Mel Weaver's brothers and their wives including two couples who came from Ohio. Former pastor couple Ken and Selena Horning were also present today.