Rosedale Bible College students come to Red Run

Red Run News -- October 29, 2006

The high winds practically swept us into the church building this morning. "Who turned on the fan?" one breathless person exclaimed after safely arriving inside the door. Tim Martin taught the men's class and asked us some probing questions related to King Solomon. When the Lord came to him, Solomon asked for discernment to fulfill his responsibilities.

We welcomed the ten students from Rosedale Bible College in Ohio who comprise the Salt and Light Co. These students came from Ohio, Pennsylvania,Maryland, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Delaware,and Virginia. They presented reflective singing, accompanied at times by keyboard, recorder, violin, guitar, tambourine, a tin whistle, and a drum. While the students sang, visuals of nature scenes and Bible stories appeared on the screen. The young people offered clear and warm testimonies of faith in God and joy in the salvation we have in Jesus Christ. "Who do you believe in?" they challenged us.

The Rosedale students were accompanied by dean Tim Stauffer and his wife LaRhonda and their son. (The Stauffers also have two daughters who were with their grandparents.) Tim and LaRhonda attended Red Run until their move to Ohio six years ago.

Almost 11-month old Shannon Lafferty demonstrated her new walking skills by navigating her way independently to the offering jar. A fellowship meal in the basement followed the service. We brought hearty appetites to the well-laden tables.

Fall Clean-up in the grove is scheduled for next Saturday beginning about 8:30 a.m. Bring rakes and other tools that may be useful and plan to stay for a light lunch. Next week we look forward to hearing from Moses King of Gideons International during our combined Sunday School class.

The Lord has done great things

Red Run News -- October 22, 2006

Everyone is welcome to join the choir which practices singing at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday morning. Some of us also gather at that time to hear the choir practice.

In Sunday School class, we considered God's promises to King David -- that his throne would be established forever. This was fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Paul Gehman preached from the 126th Psalm: "The Lord has done great things for us." The Jewish people suffered unspeakable cruelty at the hands of the Babylonians and were taken into captivity for 70 years.Then God restored them to their own land once again. God knows our weaknesses, our struggles, and our emotional hurts. He restores us and promises us an eternal inheritance in the heavens. In recent weeks, the Nickel Mines community has shown a quality that we all need to exercise -- forgiveness. That is an important aspect of our restoration.

For the prelude music, David Erb played on the guitar, "Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us." The choir sang, "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah." Ken Sensenig led us in singing both English and German verses of "For God So Loved Us." We prayed for bishop Irvin Martin as he continues to recover from back surgery.

We rejoiced in some good news. Kevin and Letitia Weaver announced that they are expecting a child in the spring. Also Carl and Julia Sensenig are enthused about the prospects of becoming grandparents as Victor and Michelle Sensenig, serving with Mennonite Central Committee, are also expecting a baby in the spring.

The Salt and Light Co. from Rosedale Bible College will be at Red Run at the 10 a.m. service on October 29. A fellowship meal will follow the service.

Fall Clean-up Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, beginning about 8:30 a.m. A light lunch will be provided.

Moses King will be sharing about Gideons International during the combined Sunday School time on November 5.

Here I Raise My Ebenezer

Red Run News -- October 15, 2006

The Sunday School classes studied the story of Israel's repentance in the time of Samuel. Esther Martin related the story about the author of the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." That song contains the line "Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thine help I'm come." Ebenezer means Rock of Help and comes from the text that we studied in Sunday School this morning. Bob Sauder led us in a number of songs including that hymn.

Ellen Martin played the beautiful song, "Shine on Us" on the keyboard. Ken Sensenig led us in a time of announcements and prayer. Ruthie Weaver introduced Joe and Dorothy Wenger, friends from Ohio. Joe Miozza introduced his sister Esther.

Pastor Carl preached from Amos 5. The Hebrew prophets remind us of how great God is, how bad sin is, and how wonderful salvation is. The judgment of God is a good thing because judgment can lead to repentance which is a prelude to salvation.

We enjoyed a fellowship meal together after the service. Around the meal table today, someone claimed, "I crow in the morning and moo at night." He went on to explain that he receives in his knees an injection derived from a rooster's comb and that he has a cow valve in his heart.

Remember that in two weeks (October 29) we are planning for another fellowship meal. That's the Sunday we are looking forward to hosting the Salt and Light Co., a team of ten young people from Rosedale Bible College.

Fall is here. The clean-up for the church grounds is scheduled for Saturday, November 4, beginning about 8:30 a.m. Glenda Lafferty is tentatively scheduling a card -making session on Saturday, November 18.

Congratulations to Lewie and Esther Martin on their 35th wedding anniversary.

Let's enjoy the wonderful fall weather. Remember though that those who plan ahead are already thinking about Christmas. If you eavesdrop on the choir practice or the children singing, you may hear some Christmas carols. If you look in the annex of the church, you will see a large piece of "furniture" created by Bob Sauder for the Christmas program. So at least mark your calendar for Sunday evening, December 10, at 7 p.m. at the Red Run Mennonite Church. And if you are interested in joining a chimes choir, check with Letitia Weaver.

The children are safe in the arms of Jesus

Red Run News -- October 8, 2006

The clear blue October sky above and the drying field of corn next to us spoke of peace and prosperity. Yet we also gathered under the shadow of a community in sorrow as we reflected on the school shootings that occurred in our county this past week. Two in our congregation were directly involved in the aftermath of those shootings -- Karen Sensenig as a chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital and Ken Sensenig in his work with Mennonite Central Committee. Ken and Karen led us in singing, prayer, and reflection. Five red candles on the table at the front of the church represented the five little Amish girls who died -- as did Sandra Erb's prizewinning plant with five red flowers. We remembered each girl by name as the candles were lit. Five white candles represented the girls who are hospitalized with injuries. There was also a candle to stand for our prayers for the family of the one who carried out this crime. Then there was also a large candle assuring us of the presence of Jesus in all the circumstances of life. Ken has been impressed with the resiliency of the Amish community and their unshakable trust in God. In this life or the next, the children are "safe in the arms of Jesus."
At the beginning of the men's Sunday School class, teacher Charles Harting reflected that even that which Satan intends for our harm, God will use for our good. Kevin Weaver preached from the creation account in Genesis 2. First, he called the children forward to identify birds and animals on the screen. The children were quite knowledgeable, correctly identifying jaguars, barn owls, and other creatures. Then Kevin talked about how we were created male and female in order to help each other. In a larger sense, for all of us as humans, "it is not good for us to be alone." We must recognize this truth and then ask ourselves the question of how we can combat "aloneness' in our lives. We have the blessing of the Holy Spirit as our helper in life.
Remember that there is a fellowship meal on October 15 after the Sunday morning service. We are glad that a Salt & Light Team from Rosedale Bible College will be at Red Run for our Sunday morning service on October 29. We will also have a fellowship meal on that Sunday.
A few pleasant surprises greeted us as we came to Red Run this morning. The green algae that accumulates on the north side of the building had been pressure washed away by Willis Burkholder and Bob Sauder. Esther Martin arranged for the water cooler in the lobby.

We remember the Lord's death

Red Run News -- October 1, 2006

Under the leadership of Joshua, the people of Israel vowed to be faithful to God. Yet the Israelites ran through regular cycles of disobedience, captivity, repentance, and then back to disobedience again. What tests do we as Christians face in our culture? This was the discussion from the book of Judges that was warming up as the time came to a close for our combined Sunday School class taught by David Erb.

Ellen Martin played the prelude music. Tim Martin led our time of prayer and announcements. (Tim shared that he is beginning a new job in a week.) The children sharing in the offering is a heartwarming part of our service. Elsa Weaver has mastered the skill of independently coming forward and contributing to the offering. Shannon Lafferty has just begun learning under the tutelage of her big sister Colleen. Bob Sauder led us in singing. Playing the banjo, Wes Nolt accompanied "Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?"

Mel Weaver preached from the life of Jacob. Like Jacob, we are faced with crucial, life-changing decisions at various junctures on the river of life. Jacob displayed some unwholesome qualities; yet God blessed his life abundantly. We celebrate communion in remembrance of God's redemptive work in our lives through Jesus Christ.

Pastors Carl and Kevin led the communion service. The choir sang two hymns.

We welcomed Erin Liana Hostetter to our church service, two week old daughter of Randy and JoAnne. Kevin Weaver reported on a full day of learning in the STEP program (pastoral training program of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference).

One of the special things about Red Run is the fellowship that takes place after the close of the service. Some people linger to talk for an hour. The children are quicker than the adults to get outside to enjoy our beautiful grounds and the fine fall weather. "Come on, guys," Ian Martin urges his fellow children enroute to the door leading outside.