Pastoral Statement on Suicide

Red Run News -- May 28, 2006

The summer season opened today. That means we conduct a short service in the pavilion at the Red Run campground each Sunday. This is in addition to our regular service at the church building. It's a big holiday weekend so about 30 campers attended the service at the campground.

Kelly Johnson and Julia Sensenig shared in a short puppet presentation to promote the Summer Bible School to be held at Bowmansville Mennonite Church beginning June 11. Bob Sauder led us in singing.

We prayed for Sarah Horning who was hospitalized for several days this past week. She received a pacemaker and is home once again. We prayed for Esther Martin and the difficulty she is having with her eyesight.

Pastor Carl offered a pastoral statement on suicide. This is an important problem and so it is appropriate to consider it from a faith perspective. There are six suicides recorded in the Bible, but no direct command concerning suicide. Nevertheless, we consider suicide to be a wrong choice on the basis of two principles in the Bible -- the sovereignty of God and the sanctity of human life. We do not despair of the salvation of those who commit suicide because we trust the grace of God even when mental illness or despair has clouded the mind. We should be consistent in our support of human life. We should refrain from judgmental attitudes. We should seek help for our physical, mental, and spiritual problems and encourage others to do the same.

We acknowledge the passing of Carmela Kulp, 96, of Phoenixville, who had occasionally visited Red Run with her husband Charles Kulp and son-in-law Donald Sheaffer.

We prayed for all of the people affected by the massive earthquake that struck Indonesia yesterday. We received word that all Mennonite Central Committee workers in Indonesia are safe.

Once again a Baltimore oriole was singing in the big oak tree during church this morning. And a red-headed woodpecker was hard at work at the very top of the light pole.

Julia Mickley Reports on Cambodia Service

Red Run News -- May 21, 2004

The brilliant blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and the tall swaying trees formed a picturesque backdrop as we gathered for worship at Red Run this morning.
Ellen Martin played the keyboard: "I Love You, Lord; and I Lift My Voice." Paul Gehman led us in singing from the Church & Sunday School Hymnal: "Come, Heavenbound Pilgrims," "Open the Wells of Salvation," and "Jesus Paid It All." Tim Martin directed our prayer and announcement time.
In the Sunday School class, teacher Rhoda Nolt told the story of Jesus healing the blind man. Nathaniel Martin entered fully into the story by closing his eyes until the healing occurred. Joyce Sauder's class made its rounds to discover what we share here at Red Run. They not only visited several Sunday School classes but also noted the offering baskets in the lobby, the books and videos in the library, and the fresh strawberries in the kitchen. (We enjoyed a fellowship meal after the service today.)
Julia Mickley reported on her term of mission service in Cambodia. She illustrated her talk with a slideshow. She told us about her work with the students who come to the capital city for an education. Julia learned to know and love her host family, including the four-year-old sister who always welcomed her home so enthusiastically. We also saw pictures of Julia's travels in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Julia says that she learned much about communication, friendship, and God. She learned something of the issues and problems faced by the Cambodian people. She learned how respect for the elderly is an important value in Cambodia. Continue to pray for Julia as she works at Woodcrest Retreat this summer and then as she considers college in the fall.
Pastor Carl followed Julia's report with a few thoughts on how God grants a new perspective to us so that we can begin to love as God loves.
After the service, we looked at the Cambodian artifacts that Julia Mickley displayed on a table at the front of the church. We also browsed among the Choice Books set up on tables in the annex. These books are available for a donation to Choice Books. The books will still be on display next Sunday, May 28.
This morning the children learned two new songs ("Follow the Way of Love" and "Around and 'Round") in preparation for Bible School scheduled for June 11 through 15 at Bowmansville Mennonite. There will be classes for all ages including adults. This Bible School is sponsored by the Bowmansville, Gehmans, and Red Run congregations.
All are welcome to a picnic on Saturday, June 10, at 4:00 p.m. at the Terre Hill Park in honor of the ministry team at Red Run.

Red Geraniums for Mother's Day

Red Run News -- May 14, 2006

In celebration of Mother's Day, Willis and Anna Mary Burkholder provided potted red geraniums for all the women present at today's service.
The adult classes discussed wisdom as described in Proverbs 8. We certainly need the wisdom that comes from God in order to live our lives in a way that pleases God. Glenda Lafferty led us in singing; the children also led us in a number of songs. In their clear voices, Colleen Lafferty and Nathaniel Martin read the twenty-third psalm for us.
Carl and Julia Sensenig shared a dialogue entitled "A Vision for Godly Homes." Family life is an important responsibility and we must all seek God's wisdom. God's wisdom differs from worldly wisdom and speaks to many important aspects of family life -- moral responsibility, roles in the home, respect, trust, parenting styles, human dignity, progressive independence of children, etc. Mel Weaver, Esther Martin, and David Erb offered responses to the theme of the morning. The choir closed the service with the hymn "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling."
For each of the Sundays throughout the summer, someone from our congregation provides a short church service at 10 a.m. at the campground down the road from our church. Talk to Joe Miozza if you could help with this on one or more Sundays. The services at the campground are usually simple and short.
Congratulations to Karen Sensenig who yesterday received a Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary. In the fall, Karen will begin a year of clinical pastoral education at Lancaster General Hospital. Karen and Ken will spend several weeks in the Netherlands this summer. Ken will help to establish a Mennonite information center in Witmarsum, the home town of sixteenth century reformer and church leader Menno Simons. We also note that Theda Good (daughter of Elsie) received a Master of Divinity degree this spring from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.
For next Sunday (May 21), we look forward to hearing a report by Julia Mickley and also to a fellowship meal.

Retired minister Jacob Good teaches at Red Run

Red Run News -- May 7, 2006

The combined adult class was taught this morning by Jacob Good, retired pastor of the South Seventh Street Mennonite Church. The lesson was from Proverbs 2-3. We live in a day of information, but true wisdom is from God. The Bible not only tells us how to get to heaven but also how to live wisely here on earth -- finances, relationships, speech, etc.
Pastor Carl preached from the 23rd psalm. The Lord says, "Do not be afraid for I am with you (Isaiah 43:5) Then we answer, "I will not be afraid for you are with me (Psalm 23:4). Bob Sauder led us in singing about God's care. There was time for a few selections: "Day by Day," "Heaven Came Down," and "I Owe the Lord a Morning Song."
We acknowledged Marvin Nolt's 60th birthday and he made a few remarks about the passage of time. Esther Martin announced the birth of Cora Ruth Martin to son Tom and Tamarah of the Gehman congregation. Randy Hostetter led us in the time of prayer and announcements. Randy also placed in the mailboxes pledge cards for those who wish to help with the air conditioning project.
Please note that our next fellowship meal is scheduled for May 21, the Sunday that Julia Mickley is giving a report on her time of service in Cambodia. Then on May 28, Pastor Carl will present a sermon which will include a pastoral statement on suicide. We must teach that suicide is a wrong choice, and we must be more interested in preventing it rather than judging it.
A Baltimore Oriole was spotted in the big oak tree right along the road. It flitted across to one of the Miozza's trees, where it hopped around as Randy Hostetter got the binoculars on it.