The love of Christ, how wide it is!

Red Run News -- July 30, 2006

Pastor Carl brought a sermon based on Ephesians 3:14-21. We pray for four things: that God will strengthen us, that Christ will dwell in our hearts, that we may comprehend the love of God, and that we may be filled with the fullness of God. The love of Jesus. How wide it is! It reaches to all people everywhere. How long it is! From ages past to ages future, it has no end. How deep it is! No matter how low we have sunk, it reaches us. How high it is! It lifts us up in victory to heaven itself.

Kelly Johnson and Julia Sensenig presented a puppet show, a brief modern-day version of Jonah and how he ran away and was brought back. The children on the front bench were eager to fill in the parts of the story.

Tim Martin led us in the time of announcements and prayer. We prayed about the conflict in the Middle East. We prayed for Sarah Horning who is still at Lancaster General Hospital and for Victor Weaver (Julia Sensenig's dad) who is scheduled for neck surgery this week. Pray for Joe Miozza who has hernia surgery scheduled later this week. Randy Hostetter led us in singing hymns about the love of God and the indwelling presence of Christ in the hearts of those who believe. The choir closed the service with the hymn, "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name."

Outside after the service, it was easy to hear the cheerful call of an indigo bunting. It took the sharp eyes of birdwatcher Randy Hostetter to spot the little blue-colored bird on a branch of a big oak tree.

Come Away and Rest

Red Run News -- July 23, 2006

Esther Martin led our time of sharing and prayer. Paul Gehman led us in singing about our heavenly home. Bob and Joyce Sauder conducted a service at the campground.

Pastor Carl preached on the words of Jesus, "Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:30-34). "Come" is the tender invitation of Jesus. To be with Jesus is the most blessed place. The quiet place with Jesus is an opportunity to put life in perspective. That holy rest to which we are called is an experience of joy, worship, and fellowship. At the close of the service, the choir sang, "The Lord is My Shepherd... His Yoke is Easy."

On July 16, Kevin Weaver preached on the blessings from God as described in Ephesians 1. Various people read Scriptures showing that God provides health, safety, and prosperity but that hardships are not necessarily divine judgments. Now our blessings in Christ include access to God and also the forgiveness of our sins. What a blessing to receive God's forgiveness and to extend fogiveness! God chose us and has complete knowledge of us. God planned for us to exist and for us to be redeemed and live whole lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We are sealed by God's Spirit. Kevin talked about the meaning of "sealing.'" He provided envelopes for us to write letters this week. The back of the envelope featured a dove and the inscription "Sealed by the Spirit, Ephesians 1:13, Red Run Mennonite Church."

A Thorn in the Flesh

Red Run News -- July 9, 2006

Charles Harting taught the men's class from 1 Corinthians 8: "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up." Marvin Nolt and Wes Nolt led the time of singing this morning. We prayed for Sarah Horning who has moved to Fairmount Homes for a number of weeks of therapy. We prayed for Julia Mickley and for the others involved at Woodcrest Camp. On Wednesday evening, Esther Martin will meet with her parents and siblings and will be anointed for the healing of her eye.

About a dozen people showed up for the campground service. Karen Sensenig presented a monologue as the blind man described in John 9.

Ken Sensenig told about the plans that he and Karen have to travel to the Netherlands July 13. As part of a Mennonite Central Committee assignment, Ken will work with the Dutch Mennonites in planning for a Mennonite information center in Witmarsum, the birthplace of Menno Simons. Yasir shared about his ministry in Sudan and called us to prayer.

Charles Kulp read the sermon text. Pastor Carl preached from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. "My power is made perfect in weakness." Paul had a thorn in the flesh by which he learned dependence upon God. We must trust God through the difficult experiences of life even when there seems to be no answer from God. Lord, your grace is sufficient to carry us safely through this mortal life to the glad shores of heaven.

Some upcoming events:
Saturday, July 15, the Global Fair on the banks of the Millstream at Lancaster Mennonite School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, July 16, the annual historical meeting at the Allegheny Mennonite Meetinghouse at 6:30 p.m. The Luke and Ruth Horst family will be singing.

God's mercies

Red Run News -- July 2, 2006

In the combined Sunday school class, Pastor Carl talked about Articles 17 and 19 of the confession of faith -- Christian discipleship and marriage. Our salvation includes both the forgiveness of sins and the call to walk in a new way of life. The church is called to teach the sanctity of marriage and to minister both grace and truth.

Charles Harting reported a piece of wisdom he heard yesterday in a sermon at a nephew's wedding: "Sometimes the leading of the Holy Spirit comes though the voice of the spouse." Kevin Weaver led in the prayer and announcement time and Bob Sauder led us in singing.

Bob Sauder told us about his teenage friend Justin Zimmerman who is recovering from a motorcycle accident. Charles Harting told us about his friend Kevin who is suffering discouragement. We also prayed for Sarah Horning who is in the Lancaster General Hospital.

The church choir offered hymns of praise at the campground this morning and then returned in time for the sermon at church.

Paul Gehman preached on the text "God's mercies are new every morning" (Lamentations 3). The prophet Jeremiah lived in very dark and sad times as God's judgment fell on the nation of Judah. Jeremiah cried and cried for his people until there were no more tears left. In the midst of that lament, we discover the words of hope in our text today. In the morning we get a fresh start. In his mercy, God withholds the punishment we deserve. In His grace, God gives us what we do not deserve -- His divine favor.