The Flyaway Kite

Red Run News -- November 25, 2007

On their way to church this morning, the Randy and JoAnne Hostetter family passed Old Order Mennonite young people who were traveling by bicycle to the Old Order Mennonite Church. Then the Hostetters saw two bicyclists who were headed a different direction. These two turned out to be Kevin Weaver and Glenn Stauffer who were riding to Red Run.

Poinsettia graced the front of the church as a reminder that we will soon be entering the season of Advent and Christmas. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and there will be a light breakfast between Sunday School and the church service. Also next Sunday during the Sunday School time, we will discuss the bishop discernment, especially as it relates to our congregation.

In our church service, we praised God as our Creator and Redeemer. Kevin Weaver, Letitia Weaver, Randy Hostetter, Glenn Stauffer, and Julie Stauffer led us in singing. JoAnne Hostetter read the Scripture. Kevin Weaver preached from Colossians 1. He placed two lamps on the table in the front of the auditorium. The unlit lamp represented the kingdom of darkness, and the lit lamp represented kingdom of light to which Christ has called us. We who live in Christ's kingdom believe in the one Creator God who has made us for a purpose. We believe in the Savior who has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness. We must resist the lies of our culture and allow the truth of God to guide us.

Letitia Weaver read "The Flyaway Kite." This was especially for the children but the timeless message of creation and redemption spoke to each of our hearts.

Plan to attend the Christmas program at Red Run on Sunday, December 9, at 7 p.m. The theme is "Christmas Around the World."

For the Beauty of the Earth

As they arrived at Red Run this morning, a number of persons commented on the brilliant orange of the trees in the frontyard. David Erb taught the men's class. Against the backdrop of Joseph's life, we discussed the nature and qualities of God. What we see as difficulties, God sees as opportunities for us.

Esther Martin led in the time of announcements, sharing, and prayer. Kevin and Letitia Weaver led us in singing many of the great hymns of thanksgiving. Pastor Carl used the hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" as the outline for his sermon. We are thankful for the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the wonder of each hour, for the joy of human love, for the church of Jesus Christ. Especially are we thankful for the best gift of all -- the one and only Son of the Heavenly Father who gave His life that we might have life eternal. The choir closed the service with the hymn, "Sing to the Lord of Harvest."

The ministers and deacons of the Bowmansville-Reading District met again on Thursday, November 15, after five weeks of prayer and discernment. The supervising bishops made the following announcement to the district congregations this morning:
"Please continue to pray for the bishop search process in our district. District leaders met on Thursday evening and began a discerning conversation with J. Carl Sensenig. Please pray for Carl, his family and the district leaders as they plan to meet again on December 6 to continue the discernment process."

Keith Weaver, moderator of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference, plans to come to Red Run on Sunday, December 2, to receive input and questions from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. about the bishop discernment. This will be during the combined Sunday School time.

Melvin and Ruth Weaver are returning from Indiana today where they attended the wedding of Mel's brother.

Spend the winter in Alaska?

Red Run News -- November 11, 2007

The Red Run Choir practices at 8:30 a.m. at the church each Sunday morning. The choir is learning to sing hynns such as "Sing to the Lord of Harvest" and "The Message." All are welcome to sing in the choir.

Wes Nolt played guitar and led us in singing this morning. Wes shared that he is awaiting final acceptance in a five-month YWAM program which would begin in January. He will receive training in southern Alaska and then spend time in ministry on St. Lawrence Island, a remote part of the state not far from Russia. Kevin Weaver led us in a time of prayer for Wes. We also prayed for Amy Martin as she moves to Mechanicsburg.

Esther Martin encouraged us to look at God at work in our everyday lives as we see the needs in our own neighborhoods.

We acknowledged the passing of Mahlon H. Good, 99, brother of Anna Mary Musser. The funeral will be on Thursday, November 15 at Centerville Mennonite Church.

Melvin Weaver preached from Psalm 17:1-9. We cry out to God. We are surrounded by God's love. And we dwell under the wing of the Almighty. Mel also expressed his desire for continued unity and increased attendance at Red Run. During the sharing time, others also spoke of the cries of their heart. Kevin Weaver seeks a close, life-changing relationship with God. Julia Sensenig prays for the lives of each of the children at Red Run.

We look forward to the Christmas program at Red Run on Sunday evening, December 9, at 7 p.m. This service will focus on "Christmas Around the World." Plan to come and also invite others.

This year again we will have a holiday breakfasts between Sunday School and the church service on December 2, 16, 23, and January 6. On those mornings, Sunday School will end at 9:30 a.m. and the hymns for the church service will begin at 9:55 a.m.

Winter is approaching. Sometimes a winter storm can change the plans for a church service. We will try to get those changes on WDAC (including their website). If you wish to be called between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning when there are changes, give your name to Pastor Carl.

Vic and Michelle report

Red Run News -- November 4, 2007

We saw the spruced-up appearance of the church grounds as we arrived this morning. Thanks to those who helped with the work day on Saturday.

Victor and Michelle Sensenig (and five-month-old son Aaron) are on furlough from their assignment with Mennonite Central Committee in Indonesia. Vic and Michelle spoke at Red Run this morning in the Sunday School time and again in the sermon time. They gave us a quiz on Indonesia and then introduced us to a number of persons in their life including a boy who had survived the tsunami. Vic and Michelle built the sermon around Romans 12:1-6. The choir followed the sermon with the hymn "Speed Away."

Maryann Miozza played the mandolin during the offering time. Bob Sauder (with the guitar) and Randy Hostetter (with the bass guitar) led us in singing. We offered prayer for Karen and Ken Sensenig as Karen takes up the responsibility as pastor of the Habecker Mennonite Church.

Julie Stauffer requested prayer as she and Glenn need to make decisions about employment and location as Glenn completes his graduate degree next month. Amy Martin asked for prayer as she anticipates moving to a new location. We also prayed for Maxine Harting as she awaits the results of the biopsy of her eye. Kerry Martin asked that we pray for him as he brings two graduate classes to a close and completes two major papers.

We prayed for the Newswanger family in Indiana. Lester Newswanger, married to Lewie Martin's sister, was killed in an accident on Friday. Lester was a bishop in the Old Order Mennonite Church in Indiana. Lewie and Esther drove to Indiana after church today.

If you want to participate in the chimes choir at the Christmas program, check with Letitia Weaver for the three practice dates.