Jesus brings new life

Red Run News -- March 25, 2007

Thanks to Willis and Anna Mary Burkholder for organizing the Game Night on Saturday, March 24. Thity-six people enjoyed the snacks and games. Candyland, Mexican train, Old Maid, Go (an Oriental game), Scattergories, and Sequence were among the games, but the loudest cheers seemed to erupt from the players of a game called turkey foot. In the background was the hum of the young men racing their cars around the block. (That is, youngsters driving around the tables with their plastic vehicles.)

Melvin Weaver taught the men's Sunday School class on the theme: "Loving God means obeying God's command" (1 John 5:3). We cited characters from the Bible who demonstrated obedience. Joyce Sauder invited two adults to her Sunday School class. Lewie Martin talked with the children about the strength of a rope as compared to a string and a thread. Willis Burkholder talked with them about the power of the wind that breaks a tough kite string. The younger children in Julia Sensenig's class discussed how people are wonderfully made. Our senses are fascinating: taste (sour pickles, salty pretzels, and sweet chocolate candy), touch (prickly steel wool pad, cool plastic tiger, sticky glue, and smooth egg), and hearing (owl, kitty, and pig).

Ken and Karen Sensenig shared in the sermon from John 12 about Mary, who anointed the feet of Jesus with an expensive perfume. Mary wanted to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn more and more about the new life that Jesus gives.

Kevin Weaver announced the Walk for Life (sponsored by Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services) scheduled for May 19. Lewie Martin announced that some of the trees lying in the grove will be sold for lumber; others will be cut for firewood.

Please note these upcoming events:
The missions festival will be held at Bowmansille Mennonite Church on March 31-April 1 (Saturday-Sunday).
A Tenebrae service will be held at Red Run on Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m.
A community-wide sunrise service will be held at Pine Grove Church at 6 a.m. on Easter, April 8, followed by a light breakfast. Sunday School and services will be held at the regular time at Red Run on Easter Sunday and will include singing the great hymns of resurrection and new life.

We closed our service by singing together #397 in the Church and Sunday School Hymnal:

Once more, before we part, oh, bless the Savior's name!
Let ev'ry tongue and ev'ry heart adore and praise the same.

Lord, in thy grace we came, that blessing still impart,
We met in Jesus' sacred name, in Jesus' name we part.

Still on thy holy word we'll live and feed and grow;
And still go on to know the Lord and practice what we know.

Now, Lord, before we part, help us to bless thy name;
Let ev'ry tongue and ev'ry heart adore and praise the same.

Forgiven!

Red Run News -- March 18, 2007

Snow covered some of the roads leading to Red Run on this final Sunday of the winter season. Ken Sensenig interwove stories of forgiveness in the lesson in the men's Sunday School class.

What are some favorite hymns of our congregation? Randy Hostetter called for selections and we sang the following: "We're Marching to Zion," "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," "When We All Get to Heaven," "Praise Ye the Triune God," and "There Is a Redeemer." After the children gathered together on the front bench, Julia Sensenig told a story about Leon who learned the importance of obedience to his parents. We prayed for Amy Martin as she moves towards candidacy in her graduate program. We also prayed for the health needs of a person who Joe Miozza met in his work. Mel Weaver reported the passing of his sister-in-law in Ohio.

Pastor Carl preached from the 32nd Psalm "Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven." Three categories of sin are described in this psalm: transgression (to break out of the boundaries), sin ( to fall short of the mark), and iniquity (to be twisted). Even so, God graciously deals with our sin in three ways. Our transgressions are forgiven, our sins are covered, and our iniquity is not counted against us.

We enjoyed a fellowship meal after the service today. Remember to come to Game Night at the church on Saturday, March 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided, but you can bring your favorite game and invite friends.

Irvin Martin preaches at Red Run

Red Run News -- March 11, 2007

With the clocks moved ahead one hour, the morning was still new as we made our way to Red Run. David Erb played "Morning has broken like the first morning" on the guitar, which brought the images of the morning to my mind once again. Kevin and Letitia Weaver led us in rousing hymns about heaven and the wonderful life to come.

Charles Harting taught the men's Sunday School class and led us in thinking about how we can show our love for each other within the Christian brotherhood. Alex the puppet (with Bob Sauder as puppeteer) made an appearance in Joyce Sauder's Sunday School class this morning. The children played musical chairs. The preschool class (taught by Julia Sensenig) discussed how "God Made All Kinds of Animals" -- from the huge elephant to the tiny mayfly. Several of the children brought stuffed animals with them to class.

Bishop Irvin L. Martin had the sermon this morning. He gave the background to the letter to the Colossians and explained the various "-isms" that threatened the Christian faith. "In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." This sermon called us to have complete trust in Jesus apart from all human philosophy.

We noted the death of Wilbert Lind, who had served as an interim pastor at Red Run many years ago.

David Erb will be the speaker in grades 7 and 8 during spritual life week beginning tomorrow at Gehmans Mennonite School. Nathaniel Martin won the spelling bee at a fundraiser for Hinkletown Mennonite School. Kevin Weaver coached a trophy-winning team from Gehmans School in Bible quizzing this past Friday.

The Red Run Choir sang in the Wheat Ridge Chapel of Fairmount Homes on Monday evening, March 5. On Tuesday evening the Ready Runners met at Red Run Church. After singing for about a half hour, the children made paper plate frogs and enjoyed refreshments.

Remember that next Sunday (March 18), there is a fellowship meal following the church service.

Don't miss the festival of church life to be held at Lancaster Mennonite School on Sunday afternoon. The display area opens at 1:30 p.m. Seminars on many interesting subjects are available at 2 p.m. and at 4 p.m. See your brochure for details.

Living in God's House

Red Run News -- March 4, 2007

Dawn Martin and Kelly Johnson gave book reports in the combined Sunday School class. Dawn reported on Traveling Light by Max Lucado. When we carry burdens of discontent, guilt. doubt, fear, and worry, we will be tired at the end of each day. God says, "Put that stuff down." Kelly reported on the book From Bad Beginnings to Happy Endings by Ed Young. In spite of the scars of the past, God invites us to a bright future.

Kevin Weaver preached this morning from Psalm 27. David wrote this psalm when he was being hunted down by violent enemies. We are pursued by Satan, our enemy. As God's anointed, we are safe in Jesus. We are invited to live in God's house and to claim God's promises. The choir closed with the hymn, "Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart."

The Red Run Choir will sing in the Wheat Ridge Chapel at Fairmount Homes on Monday, March 5, at 7 p.m. Ready Runners will meet at the church on Tuesday, March 6, at 7 p.m.

Karen Sensenig led us in prayer and reflected on Psalm 27. Many of the songs led by Bob Sauder were based on the psalms. Ellen Martin played the keyboard. "Shine on Us" was among the songs she chose. We prayed today for friends and family members who are sick and for those who are traveling. (Maxine Harting reported that she had a fall this week and has a sore hip. James Mickley is visiting sister Julia at Earlham College in Indiana. Ken Sensenig is returning from a work trip to Florida.) We prayed for the victims of the bus accident involving the students from Bluffton University. We also prayed for those recovering from the tornados in Alabama.

Sarah Horning is moving into a new room at Fairmount Homes. She will be closer to her sister Anna Weber. Kevin Weaver is coaching a Bible quiz team from Gehmans School. The culminating quiz event will be held on Thursday and Friday. Willis Burkholder announced that a game night will be held at Red Run at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 24. Bring your favorite games and invite friends. Snacks will be provided.