The Tears of Christmas

Red Run News -- December 30, 2007

In the men's Sunday School class, Bob Sauder challenged us to live, like Simeon, in expectation of what God will do.

Pastor Carl preached on "The Tears of Christmas" from the account of the massacre by King Herod of the innocent children. We hear this account because it teaches us to acknowledge the wickedness of the human heart, reminds us that the redeeming love of Jesus prevails over the forces of violence, and calls us to bless and protect our children.

Ken Sensenig led us in singing. Kevin Weaver led us in the time of sharing and prayer. We prayed for those in our congregation who are sick.

The Vitaliy and Alla Prysakar family will move on Monday. In addition to the regular offering next week, there will also be a jar here for those who wish to contribute money to help the Prysakars stock their house.

Wes Nolt will leave for Alaska this coming week for a five-month term of service with YWAM. Julia Mickley will spend the upcoming college semester in New Zealand. Julia also announced that she plans to be at Woodcrest Retreat Center this coming summer.

This past Thursday the children's Sunday School classes went to the Jump Factory in Leesport, where they enjoyed jumping and sliding on huge inflatables. They then went to Julia Sensenig's house for lunch and to decorate cookies.

Remember that a New Year breakfast will be held between Sunday School and the church service on January 6. A fellowship meal will follow the church service on January 20.

Restored in Christ!

Red Run News -- December 23, 2007

We enjoyed the balmy first Sunday of winter. Charles and Maxine Harting brought photographs of the tremendous ice storm that had hit their area last Sunday. The storm also brought down several trees on the property of Kevin and Letitia Weaver.

Bob Sauder led our singing today. The choir sang "How Great Our Joy." Marvin Martin described for the children the life of a shepherd. Awake all night in the darkness under the stars, the shepherd protected the sheep. Suddenly the darkness was broken by the appearance of the angels who announced the birth of the Messiah.

Charles Harting and Emma Good read the Scriptures for today. Henry and Erma Garman lit the Advent candles. Melvin Weaver preached from Matthew 1. (We listened to Andrew Peterson sing the genealogy in that chapter.) Melvin described the ups and downs in the nation of Judah during the reigns of several of the kings listed in that genealogy. But the true restoration of God's people is accomplished by Jesus Christ.

Ken Sensenig led us in a time of announcements and prayer. Elsie Good reported the birth of a granddaughter Jocelyn Nicole. Lewie and Esther Martin plan to travel to Florida this coming week and will spend January there. Ken Sensenig reported on the meaningful discussion this past week between people affected by two different school shootings -- the Amish from the Nickel Mines community and a group of psychologists who related to the aftermath of the school shootings in Chechnya three years ago.

Bishops Keith Weaver and Irvin Martin were present during the combined Sunday School time when we discussed what it would mean for the congregation if Carl Sensenig became the bishop of the Bowmansville-Reading District. The pastoral care committee of the congregation affirms calling Carl as bishop but also recommends that Carl continue as pastor at Red Run.

Providence, Presence, Power

Red Run News -- December 16, 2007

On Saturday the Red Run carolers sang in several homes in the vicinity of the church. They also sang at Fairmount Homes. The caroling was moved from the evening to the afternoon because of the uncertainty of the weather forecast.

On Sunday morning, we ventured to church amid ice-covered trees and broken branches. Some visitors came because a few churches were closed due to a lack of electricity.(These visitors included Karen Sensenig, who has begun a pastorate at Habecker Mennonite Church.)

Maryann Miozza played Christmas hymns on the mandolin during the prelude and offering. Elizabeth (Liz) Martin presented the story of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist.

What does it mean that the sick are healed, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the dead are raised? This was the focus of Pastor Carl's reflections this morning. We must understand what the Scriptures teach about the providence of God the Father, the presence of Jesus the Savior, and the power of the Holy Spirit. (Some ideas of the sermon are from the writings of Mennonite Brethren missiologist Paul Hiebert.) We rejoice in the present reality of God's kingdom and anticipate its coming fullness.

Julia Mickley is home from Earlham College. She introduced her friend and fellow-student who is from Japan. Victor, Michelle, and Aaron Sensenig are safely home in Indonesia. Peter Sensenig and his friend Christy flew to Burkina Faso in West Africa to spend the holidays in the home of Christy's parents who are missionaries.

Irvin Martin made the following announcement in the congregations of the Bowmansville-Reading District:
Following prayerful discernment, the Bowmansville/Reading District leaders took action in their December 6 meeting to extend an invitation to J. Carl Sensenig to become the next bishop in the Bowmansville/Reading District. As part of the ongoing discernment, district leaders are inviting feedback from members of district congregations. If you have any counsel, concerns and/or questions about this action, please get in touch with Bishop Irvin Martin at 717-484-4439 or Bishop Keith Weaver at 717-336-5253 no later than December 30, 2007. Thank you for your prayerful support for this important discernment. Please continue to pray for Carl and his family as he considers this invitation.

Also remember that Irvin Martin and Keith Weaver plan to be at Red Run during the Sunday School time on December 23 in order to further discuss the bishop discernment. This will be a follow-up to the December 2 discussion and also to the recommendations made by the Pastoral Care Committee.

Christmas Around the World

Red Run News -- December 9, 2007

Marvin Nolt played the part of the prophet Isaiah and told about the coming peaceable kingdom when the wolf will lie down with the lamb. Ken Sensenig preached this morning from Isaiah 11:1-10. He used the metaphor of an old broken-down farm wagon that was restored. Likewise, God restores us and makes us useful once again.

Aaron Kefas Sensenig and his parents Vic and Michelle were consecrated to the Lord in the service this morning. The Sensenigs leave on Tuesday to complete the remaining year and a half of their four-year term with Mennonite Central Committee in Indonesia.

Tim Martin prepared and distributed a written report from the Pastoral Care Committee. This committee met this week to recommend a way forward in the bishop discernment that takes into consideration the discussion held last Sunday. The report affirms Pastor Carl's call to be bishop and also recommends that he continue as lead pastor at Red Run. A follow-up discussion with bishops Irvin Martin and Keith Weaver and our congregation is scheduled during the Sunday School time on December 23.

"Christmas Around the World"! The beautifully decorated auditorium was the setting of the annual Red Run Christmas program on Sunday evening. Both a singing choir and a chimes choir performed. The children also sang. Colleen Lafferty and Nathaniel Martin narrated the script that tied the program together. Reports were given about Christmas celebrations around the world: Kenya, Swaziland, Japan, Italy, Egypt, and Lancaster County.

Red Run News -- December 2, 2007

The wintry weather provided a little uncertainty, but we were glad we were able to come to church this morning. The church auditorium was beautifully decorated for the season.

We acknowledged the death this past Tuesday of Alverta Harting, mother of Charles Harting.

Keith Weaver, moderator of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference, led the discussion about the bishop discernment during the Sunday School time. He reviewed the process that is underway. There was time for people to share -- both during the classtime and also during the Advent breakfast which followed. The ideas that were shared are part of the discernment process. Pray for the district ministers and deacons as they meet again on Thursday, December 6.

Thanks to Maryann Miozza and Esther Martin for organizing the Advent services. Tim, Dawn, Nathaniel, Ian, and Hannah Martin led in the readings and candle lighting. Bob Sauder led the songs.

Tina Mickley appeared as Mrs. Noah in the story for the children's time. Noah heard from God and built an ark in spite of what others may have said.

Pastor Carl preached from Matthew 24: 36-44 where Jesus urges us to "Keep Watch." We wait in expectant obedience for Jesus to come in his glory. We keep watch by living in right relationship with God and others.

In the sharing time, several persons reported about how they have been speaking to others. We can all learn ways to share the good news of Jesus with others in our circles of influence. We prayed for Kerry Martin who faces a busy end of a semester.

Remember the Christmas program on Sunday evening, December 9, at 7 p.m. at Red Run.