Gathered to praise Jesus

Red Run News -- July 22, 2007

Mel Weaver taught the men's Sunday School class. The prophet Jeremiah called Judah to once again obey the Ten Commandments.

Pastor Carl preached from Colossians 1:15-23. We believe that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. We believe that Jesus is the head of the church. We believe that Jesus is the reconciler of all things. The choir followed the sermon with a great hymn of faith in Christ, "Hallelujah, "Tis Done."

The songs led by Julia Sensenig also focused on the work and person of Jesus Christ: "O for a Thousand Tongues," "What a Wonderful Savior," and "O Could I Speak the Matchless Worth."

Karen Sensenig reported from the Mennonite assembly that was held in San Jose, California earlier this month. Of the more than 6000 delegates, over 3000 were young people. Times of large-group worship gave way to small-group discussions. Health care access for church workers and participation in Christian Churches Together were among the major topics.

Kevin Weaver called us to pray for Pakistan. A prayer meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 25, at 7 p.m. at the Red Run Church. All are welcome to attend. Willis Burkholder also called us to pray for his brother Levi (who is terminally ill) and for Levi's family.

Pray for Carl and Julia Sensenig who will be visiting their son, daughter-in-law, and grandson until August 9. A big thank-you to all of you who helped to make this trip possible.

Lead a Life Worthy of the Lord

Red Run News -- July 15, 2007

After six weeks of special studies, we returned to our regular format for Sunday School classes. Paul Gehman taught the men's class and led us in some reflections of the past lessons. We also studied the lesson from Habakkuk, the prophet who asked "Why?"

Mel Weaver preached this morning from Colossians 1:1-14. To lead a life worthy of the Lord means to be humble, obedient, praying, and fruit-bearing. It means that we may at times "turn back" to help someone or to ask forgiveness.

Ken Sensenig led us in singing hymns about God's care for us; "Immortal, Invisible," "From Every Stormy Wind," and "My Faith Has Found a Resting Place." Karen Sensenig read Psalm 25:1-10 "Lead me in your truth." As she completes her role as a hospital chaplain, Karen asked for prayer for direction in the next steps of her life.

We gave thanks for the safe return of Daryl, Jen, and Brent Weaver from their term of service in Grenada. Julia Mickley reported on the fire at Woodcrest that destroyed one of the shelters. Although Julia and others lost some possessions, we are thankful that no one was hurt. Julia asked us to pray for the events of Teen Week at Woodcrest during this coming week. Letitia Weaver asked us to continue to pray for her grandmother, who received an encouraging health report recently. David and Sandra Erb and a granddaughter are traveling by train to visit family members in Montana. Lewie Martin will return from a business trip to the state of Washington this week.

Working together in the harvest

Red Run News -- July 8, 2007

During the Sunday School hour, Bob Sauder taught the sixth and final session on Old Testament miracles. God did many miraculous works through the prophet Elisha. God will work in our lives as we depend upon Him. A children's Sunday School class saw a short video about school kits delivered by Mennonite Central Committee. This was in connection with a Sunday School lesson about Dorcas, who helped others by providing for their material needs.

Kevin and Letitia Weaver led us in singing about our work in the harvest. Pastor Carl preached about workers in the harvest (Luke 10). Jesus calls us to announce the kingdom of God, to pray for workers in the harvest, and to travel lightly. The sermon touched on the meaning of the kingdom of God for our lives here and now, the importance of other Christians in our lives, and the need to hold our material possessions lightly.

We prayed for Letitia Weaver's grandmother, who is facing health problems. We prayed also for Daryl, Jen, and Brent Weaver who are returning to this area on Tuesday from a mission assignment in Grenada. We remembered those persons affected by the farm accident that claimed 5 lives in Virginia. We noted the passing of Miriam Martin, a leader in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Several visitors expressed their appreciation for the church service, saying that this was the first time they had attended a Mennonite church.

Choice Books has set up two tables of books in the annex area. These books may be just a bit shopworn and are available for a donation.

On Thursday, July 5, the children's Sunday School classes enjoyed an outing to Strasburg Railroad (where they rode a train to Paradise) and to Lapp Valley Farm (where they enjoyed ice cream cones).


P.S. This past week Karen Sensenig served as our congregational delegate to the assembly of Mennonite Church USA. She will give a report on Sunday morning, July 22. Karen wrote the following from the convention in California on Thursday, July 5:
To the people of Red Run:Greetings from beautiful central California, where 6,000 Mennonites from across the US have gathered in San Jose for a week of worshipping and working together. Over 3,500 of them are youth and they are so enthusiastic! There are many workshops and activities for general attendees. Most of my time is spent with 850 other delegates listening to speakers about things the church can do to follow our mission statement. Each delegate is a member of a group of people that meet around a round table and talk about the issues. It is good to hear from people all across the country as representatives from each table talk at the mics. One of the big issues at this assembly is thinking together of the ramifications of providing medical insurance for all eligible pastor. I think of you every day and am thankful you have sent a delegate here. I have been away from you too long and look forward to worshipping with you again and giving a fuller report at some point. Sincerely, Karen

Freedom in Christ

Red Run News -- July 1, 2007

We gathered with joy on this picture-perfect summer Sunday that marks the mid-point of the year. Tim Martin taught the lesson on Naaman (2 Kings 5) to the combined Sunday School class. Although he was the general of an enemy nation, Naaman learned something of the ways of the God of Israel. Jesus later used this story as proof that God's mercy was for people of all nations.

As a prelude to our service, Randy Hostetter presented a number of songs on the guitar. Tim Martin led the time of announcements and prayer requests. We remembered Karen Sensenig, who is attending the assembly of Mennonite Church USA, and also Peter Sensenig, who gave the sermon this morning at the Oxford Circle Mennonite Church in Philadelphia. Kelly Johnson has moved to the Millersville International House.

Bob Sauder led us in a time of singing. Seth Ebersole played "Do, Lord" on the piano.

The children in Joyce Sauder's Sunday School class were carrying little wooly sheep that they had produced in class. Then before the sermon, the choir sang about our tender shepherd with the hymn, "His Yoke Is Easy." The theme of the yoke re-appeared later in the sermon.

Ken Sensenig preached on a text from Galatians 5 "Christ has made us free." Ken told the story of the old and valuable copy of the Declaration of Independence that was discovered in a pictured frame purchased in 1989 for $4 at an Adamstown antique market. Even more valuable is our freedom in Christ. We are freed from the yoke of slavery to a life of walking in the Spirit and fulfilling the law of love. We closed our service by energetically singing "If you believe and I believe."

Pastor Carl conducted a short service for about a dozen people at the campground this morning.