Kevin weaver begins pastoral training

Red Run News -- August 27, 2006

Gratitude for the welcome rain was on our hearts and lips as we gathered for worship today. Likewise are we thankful for a refreshing of our spirits. In the men's class, Bob Sauder talked of God's grace -- saving grace, sustaining grace, and empowering grace.

Pastor Carl preached on "Five Things Not To Say" We are called to be generous rather than stingy, nonresistant rather than revengeful, obedient rather than devious, hopeful rather than whining, and compassionate rather than indifferent towards those who need the good news of Jesus Christ.

Ellen Martin opened our service on the keyboard with "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and other hymns. Glenda Lafferty played the guitar and led us in singing songs -- including "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High." Colleen Lafferty was well-organized in moving the songs to and from the overhead projector. Ken Sensenig directed the time of prayer and announcements. The choir closed the service with "Unto the Hills Do I Lift Up My Eyes."

Peter Mickley is back from a summer of work at a camp in Vermont. Cecilia was visiting from New York; Kevin Weaver learned to know Cecelia in China.

We prayed for a granddaughter of Paul and Edith Gehman who was commissioned for a term of mission service at the Strasburg Mennonite Church this morning. We prayed for Nathaniel Martin and Colleen Lafferty who are both taking the big step of entering first grade. We prayed for Julia Mickley in her first year of college and for others among us who are returning to the classroom. We also prayed for Julia's Cambodian family who are experiencing some difficulties. Kevin Weaver has begun a three-year pastoral training program called STEP. He brought his books along to give us a preview of what he will be studying.
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Sarah Horning has moved to Room 231 at Fairmount Homes. After the service today, the choir went to Anna Weber's home in Fivepointville. Her living room was filled with the joyful notes of "Hallelujah, "Tis Done" and other hymns.

On Sunday, September 10, there will be a time of singing, Bible study, and prayer at the church from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Then our regular church service will be held at the Woodcrest Retreat Center at 11 a.m. followed by a fellowship meal at noon. All are welcome to the events at Woodcrest throughout the weekend. For planning purposes, please sign up if you wish to bring a camper or tent to Woodcrest. Also sign up if you plan to be at the noon meal so we have an idea of how much chicken to order. (Willis Burkholder is preparing the chicken again this year.)

Shalom!

Red Run News -- August 20, 2006

David Erb led the men's Sunday School class in a lively discussion of why and how we worship God. David also picked out several songs on the guitar for the prelude music -- including "Morning Has Broken." Assisted at the overhead by Nathaniel Martin, Bob Sauder led us in singing "Shine on Us" and other songs. Karen Sensenig led us in a time of prayer. We prayed for Sarah Horning, who is still in the Lancaster General Hospital. We prayed for those who will be returning to classrooms shortly (including Julia Mickley who begins her studies at Earlham College in Indiana and Sandra Erb who begins a teaching position at Gehmans Mennonite School), those who are sick or injured, and those who are far away. We prayed for Karen Sensenig who will begin tomorrow a one-year chaplaincy position at Lancaster General Hospital.

Pastor Carl preached on the text, "Seek peace and pursue it" (Psalm 34:14). Shalom (peace) is the perfect state of being in right relationship with God and others and enjoying God's blessing in every area of life. As Abraham of old, we can even "go to our fathers in peace," a euphemism for dying in a state of right relationships. During the retreat weekend on September 8 to 10, we will think about setting goals. To set a spiritual goal in the area of better relationships is always a worthy aspiration. Next Sunday (August 27) the sermon is entitled "Five Things Not To Say" (Proverbs 3:28; 20:22; Ecclesiastes 7:10; Jeremiah 1:7; John 4:35). On the positive side, these texts speak to possible areas in which we could set spiritual goals. The choir closed the service with "Come, Come, Ye Saints."

The Bread of Life

Red Run News -- August 13, 2006

What a joy to gather to worship on such a lovely Sunday morning! We give thanks to God, the giver of all good gifts. We are grateful to know Jesus Chist, who gives us eternal life. We focused on giving in the Sunday School lesson. Then in the church service we considered how we have received the Bread of Life (Jesus Christ), the greatest gift of all.

During the Sunday School time, five children in the intermediate class visited ninety-five-year-old Anna Weber in her home in Fivepointville. The children read Scripture, sang, and presented thinking-of-you cards to Anna. Anna watched the children move in and out of their seats while singing "Alleluia, Praise the Lord." Then she smiled and said, "I used to be able to jump up and down that fast too."

Welcome back to Ken and Karen Sensenig who spent several weeks in the Netherlands. They expressed hope for the future of the church in the barren soil of post-Christian Europe. After the service, they treated us to Dutch licorice -- in the shape of a windmill.

Pastor Melvin Weaver preached on the words of Jesus in John 6: "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry." Jesus performed many miracles. Now we are called to believe in the One whom God has sent -- that is, Jesus, the Living Word, the Living Bread, and the Living Water. At the campground, Paul and Edith Gehman also shared about Jesus the Bread of Life. The choir concluded the service by singing, "Gentle Shepherd."

Peter Sensenig is at Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is enjoying working as a volunteer this summer in the weekday children and youth activities offered by the Oxford Circle Mennonite Church.

Remember the upcoming events in the life of our congregation. The annual church retreat is at Woodcrest Retreat near Ephrata on September 8 to 10. If you are planning to camp at Woodcrest, remember to sign up or talk to Kevin or Tisha Weaver (702-2199). If you are not camping there, you can still plan on attending the Saturday and Sunday activities at Woodcrest including the 11 a.m. Sunday service followed by a fellowship meal. (On Sunday September 10, there will also be a time of Bible study and worship at Red Run Church from 9:00 - 9:45). All are welcome to these activities.

Other upcoming events: On September 24, Pastor Carl will bring a sermon to prepare our hearts for communion, which will be the following Sunday, October 1. (Also at the end of the service on September 24, there will be an opportunity to participate in footwashing, as taught by Jesus in John 13.)

God forgives our sin and gives us joy

Red Run News -- August 6, 2006

On Wednesday evening, August 2, the Ready Runners met in the cool basement of the church to make get well cards for Sarah Horning and to enjoy some frozen yogurt.

Paul Gehman taught the combined Sunday School class this morning. The lesson was about forgiveness. This became a time for us to reflect on the importance of forgiveness in our lives -- both in receiving and giving it.

We prayed for Joe Miozza who is recovering from hernia surgery and also for Sarah Horning who is in Lancaster General Hospital. We prayed for the Middle East. Bob Sauder encouraged us to "watch and pray," especially in light of world events. Julia Sensenig reported that Victor Sensenig is preparing to teach a class on cross-cultural understanding this fall. Ken and Karen return from the Netherlands this week.

Pastor Kevin preached today from Psalm 51 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation." King David was blind to his own sin. The prophet Nathan told a story which opened David's eyes. We need to honestly look at ourselves and acknowledge our sin. Then God can cleanse us from sin and restore our joy. The children helped Kevin with Russian stack dolls to illustrate that God desires truth in our inner being. The choir sang "We Praise Thee, O God."

Keep the annual church retreat at Woodcrest on your calendar for September 8-10. Those who want to camp at Woodcrest can do so. The activities are also for those who are not camping, but come during the day. The retreat is for all at Red Run as well as others who may want to come as visitors