Treasure!

Red Run News -- July 27, 2008

There has been a glitch on our church calendar. The correct dates for the annual church retreat this year at Woodcrest are September 12-14 (Friday through Sunday). Please note this change on your calendar.

Paul Gehman read some of the parables from Matthew 13 and then preached on the parable of the treasure in a field. Paul told some true stories about what various people had done with their treasure (cash savings) during the Great Depression. Jesus saw us humans as a great treasure because He left the glories of heaven to purchase us for Himself at great price. Are we hanging on too tightly to our earthly possessions? May we focus on Jesus as our eternal treasure. As missionary martyr Jim Elliot once said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Julia Sensenig and the choir led us in invigorating singing of some hymns this morning. In the Explore the Core class, Kevin Weaver led us in a discussion about living out the way of peace.

Kevin Weaver has been teaching English to nine high school students from China. This is in connection with a project by Esther Snader and the Gehman Mennonite congregation. Mel Weaver reported on the bike rides that he and Ruthie had taken in western Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The Ready Runners met on Wednesday evening and sang several new songs: "Be Kind to One Another," "We Must Not Forget God's Word," "Jesus is a Friend of Ours," and "Who's the Strongest? Jesus is." Julia Sensenig used a monkey puppet to tell a story.

We acknowledged the passing of Emma Good's sister-in-law Willisene Shupp. We offered prayers for Julia Mickley at Woodcrest, for those affected by flooding in Ukraine (including Alla Prysakar's mother), and for Glenn and Julie Stauffer in Montana. We also prayed for the people and communities impacted by the recent homicide in a Reinholds.

Thanks to the volunteers who helped to fill the schedule for kitchen duty at Woodcrest Retreat during the week of August 4.

Red Run News -- July 20, 2008

The barley in the field next to the church has been harvested, but wild turkeys were gleaning for the leftovers as we arrived for church services this morning. When Julia stepped into the church building, the signs and balloons proclaimed, "Welcome back; we missed you Julia." Julia returned from a 17-day trip to Indonesia. She visited Victor and Michelle and spent lots of time with grandson Aaron. She also visited classes taught by Victor and Michelle and spoke to staff and students at a School of Nursing.

In the Explore the Core class, there was a good discussion about our understandings of water baptism, especially as we relate to Christians who follow a variety of practices. Pastor Kevin preached from Romans 8:12-20. We approach God as our loving Father, and we look for God to provide for our needs out of His unlimited resources. As children of God, we live a new way of life by the power of God's Spirit within us. Kevin also focused on our responsibility to care for God's Creation.

Julia Mickley shared pictures and a report of the four months that she had spent in New Zealand earlier this year. As a student, she looked at environmental issues through the lenses of other cultures. She also shared how she had grown in her relationshps with others and with God during this time.

Ellen Martin played the offering and worship music. The singing was led by three guitarists (Bob Sauder, Glenda Lafferty, and Randy Hostetter) plus Letitia Weaver on the piano and Colleen Lafferty placing the songs on the overhead.

Congratulations to Wes Nolt and Renae Weaver who were married on Saturday.

We prayed for the staff and counselors at Woodcrest. We prayed for the sick and those who are traveling. (Mel and Ruthie Weaver are on a biking trip.)

Let's rejoice in God's wonderful grace.

Jars of Clay (that's us)

Red Run News -- July 13, 2008

Tim Martin taught on the theme of reconciliation in the core values class. Tim described the reconciliation between the Swiss Reformed Church and the spiritual descendants of the persecuted Anabaptists. Melvin Weaver led us in singing in our church service today.

Pastor Carl preached about this treasure (the gospel of Jesus Christ) in jars of clay (that's us). He described the descendants (and other interested persons) who had returned to the place where their Mennonite ancestors had lived in Central Asia more than 70 years ago. The collective memory of the Uzbek people describes the Mennonites as people who were peaceful and who gave and received help from their neighbors. When we think of the Great Trek of the Mennonites across Asia in the 1880s, we may think of certain deluded leaders. In spite of that, a Christian testimony still speaks in some of those places. Likewise, we in spite of our frailties still speak the good news of Jesus.

We were glad for visitors Daryl and Jen Weaver and their sons Brent and Ryan. We missed those who are away including Kevin and Letitia Weaver who were leading children's activities at Lititz Mennonite Church. Julia Sensenig returns from Indonesia on Thursday this week. Choir practice at 8:30 a.m. resumes next Sunday, July 20.

Red Run pastors serve at three places

Red Run News -- July 6, 2008

The pastors at Red Run were fully employed this morning as Melvin Weaver preached at Red Run, Kevin Weaver at the Red Run Campground, and Carl Sensenig at the installation service of Pastor Melvin Thomas at Gehman Mennonite.

Melvin Weaver preached on Psalm 146:8-14 "Your dominion endures throughout all generations." God is gracious, compassionate, and good to all. God's creation is glorious, and God's kingdom is glorious in its present reality and its coming perfection. We enter this kingdom by repenting and being born anew.