What a joy to hear God's Word!

Red Run News – October 28, 2007

Melvin Weaver, Ruthie Weaver, and Tina Mickley taught the adult Sunday school classes today. The lesson focused on the story of Jacob and Esua meeting again after years of being estranged. JoAnne Hostetter and Joyce Sauder taught the children’s classes.

Kevin Weaver led in a time of prayer for the needs among us and in our families.

Glenda Lafferty led the music, and Ellen Martin played the piano. Paul Gehman preached from Psalm 84. The Israelites desired to have a place to worship God. Then the temple was built as a place to meet and worship God. After the temple was destroyed, the people were exiled. Eventually the Jews returned from exile and rebuilt the temple. What joy to hear the Word of God being read once again! We too should have a strong desire to gather to hear God's Word and to worship him together.

Remember to come on Saturday morning to work in the grove and church building.

Thanks to Melvin and Ruth Weaver for supplying the above information.

Carl and Julia Sensenig spent the weekend in Juniata County with Julia’s family. Most of the group went on a Saturday morning walk in the woods near the cabin. A hunter accidentally fired two shots of a double-barrel 12-gauge shot gun into the group of hikers. Of the 22 hikers, 13 were hit by the pellets. Five were taken by ambulance to the Lewistown Hospital where they were treated for superficial wounds on their faces and necks. We are thankful that there were no serious injuries.

Let's keep praying!

Red Run News -- October 21, 2007

In the preschool Sunday School class, the children (like King Josiah) found the lost scroll of God's Word in a cluttered corner of the "temple." After the church service the children were carrying around their own little scrolls.

Tim Martin taught the men's Sunday School class about Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. At the beginning of the class, several men shared about how they first met the woman they would marry. At least two of the men followed the philosophy to wait and see whom God would provide.

In connection with the sermon theme, Kevin and Letitia Weaver led us in songs about prayer. Dawn Martin read the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18. In the sermon, Kevin challenged us to keep praying for the long haul since we believe that God is good. God's strength is perfected in our weakness. We pray in humility because God alone knows the big picture.

We enjoyed a fellowship meal today. Note that another fellowship meal is scheduled for November 4. Victor, Michelle, and Aaron Sensenig arrived as scheduled this past Tuesday and will be at Red Run on November 4.

There will be no choir practice on Sunday, October 28. Practice will resume on Sunday, November 4. All are welcome at the 8:30 a.m. choir practice.

We see heaven opened!

Red Run News -- October 14, 2007

Tim Martin led us in the time of announcements and sharing. Randy Hostetter led the hymns this morning. "Nearer My God to Thee" is based on the experiences of Jacob as described in the text used in both Sunday School and the sermon. The Red Run Choir sang "Break Thou the Bread of Life."

Pastor Carl preached on the vision that Jacob had of a ladder between heaven and earth (Genesis 28:10-19) and made application to our lives. We too see heaven opened in that Jesus has come to earth and pulled us from the depths of sin and raised us to heavenly places. God has chosen us to be the promise bearers of the good news of Jesus. We love the house of God and revel in the beauty of God's character and in the joy of our salvation. Following the sermon, we received the bread and drank of the cup in gratitude for what the Lord Jesus has done for us on the cross.

Remember that next Sunday (October 21) a fellowship meal will follow the morning service. Also the fall clean-up is on Saturday, November 3. ("Many hands make light work.") Yesterday the attendees at the card -making session led by Glenda Lafferty produced some beautiful cards for the upcoming holiday season.

Vic, Michelle, and Aaron Sensenig are scheduled to return to this area this week. They serve with Mennonite Central Committee in Indonesia and are taking a two-month furlough in their four-year term. They will first spend their first two weeks in Michelle's home area (Belleville) and then are scheduled to be at Red Run on November 4.

Continue to pray for the process of choosing a bishop for the Bowmansville-Reading District. The ministers and deacons of our district met on October 9. They have drawn up a list of the qualifications and functions of a bishop. They have also agreed to first consider persons from within the district, and so have entered a time of prayerful and careful discernment as to whom God is calling to this responsibility. They meet again on November 15.

Remembering Nickel Mines

Red Run News -- October 7, 2007

In the adult Sunday School class, George Schlegel from Elverson shared how the Gideon Bibles impact lives throughout the world. Bob Sauder taught a short lesson on how Esau despised his birthright.

Kenneth Sensenig preached on the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17. Ten were healed but only one returned to give thanks. We should be grateful for the kindness and generosity of God. Ken had prefaced his sermon with an account of how the Amish community had noted the first anniversary of the Nickel Mines school shootings. Members of these Amish families traveled to Philadelphia to reconnect with those in the medical profession who had assisted in the care and therapy for some of the Amish children. Some from the Amish community had also traveled to Virginia Tech to show their support of the families of the victims of the shooting at that school. At the time of the Nickel Mines shooting a year ago, one Amish church leader consoled emergency workers, "Remember, there is still a lot of good in this world."

The choir responded to the sermon by singing that great hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Esther Martin led us in a time of announcements and sharing. Karen Sensenig asked for prayer as she awaits the answer of the Habecker congregation. Kevin Weaver reported on the leadership assembly held on Saturday at the Hinkletown Mennonite Church. Out of the input and discussion at that assemby, Kevin feels the challenge of sharing the good news of Jesus.

Mark on your calendars -- Sunday, December 9, the annual Christmas program at Red Run at 7 p.m. Joyce Sauder explained the theme of Christmas around the world. She also provided us with a list of ways that we can be involved. Talk to Joyce Sauder or Julia Sensenig if you can help.

Let us prepare our hearts for communion on Sunday, October 14. This is an opportunity for us to give thanks for the salvation we have received through Jesus Christ. Also remember in your prayers those among us who are scheduled for healthcare procedures in the near future. Pray too for the ministers and deacons of the district churches as they meet again on Tuesday, October 9, to consider the need for a bishop for the Bowmansville-Reading District.