Bless those going back to school!

Red Run News -- August 24, 2008

Congratulations to Randy and JoAnne Hostetter who have announced that they are expecting a baby in February!

Congratulations to Peter Sensenig and Christy Harrison who were married on August 16. After a wedding trip to Maine, they will live in Philadelphia.

Melvin Weaver's sermon on Sunday, August 17 was based on the story of the Canaanite woman to whom Jesus said, "Woman, great is your faith!" Jesus was popular because he was a great teacher, he performed miracles of healing, and he did unusual things such as feeding 5000 people. May our faith in Jesus be great.

Kevin Weaver preached this morning and used his laptop computer to show paintings of the disciple Peter. Kevin traced the events in Peter's life to his great declaration of faith to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God!"

We prayed for those who are returning to school. Each student reported where he or she is going to school and a favorite class.

Upcoming events:
Baptism of Colleen Lafferty on Sunday morning, September 7. We will proceed to the pool at the Red Run Campground immediately following the morning church service.

On the weekend September 12-14, we will hold our church retreat at Woodcrest. On Saturday evening we will sing and tell stories around the campfire. The 11 a.m. Sunday morning service at Woodcrest will be followed by a chicken BBQ/fellowship meal. (There will also be a time of prayer, announcements, and Bible study held at the church building from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.)

On September 21 at our 9 a.m. service, Paul Gehman will be credentialed as the chaplain at Fairmount Homes by bishop Ken Martin. Pastor Carl will bring the sermon at the 10 a.m. service that day.

God's salvation is for all

Red Run News -- August 10, 2008

Bob Sauder taught the core values class on how we as Christians are called to live as a "contrast community." Charles Harting taught the Sunday School lesson on the theme of honoring all people. Ken Sensenig followed up on this with a sermon on how God's salvation is open to all who call upon him. Ken gave a face to this by telling us the true story of Jim, who in prison learned to both forgive and be forgiven.

Bob Sauder led us in singing. The choir sang, "Let Us Crown Him."

Esther Martin led us in a time of announcements and prayer. We prayed for the sick and the distressed among our friends, relatives, and neighbors. We prayed for those caught in the violence between Russia and Georgia. We prayed for those who have gathered in China for the Olympics.

We plan to baptize Colleen Lafferty on Sunday, Septembr 7. We will hold our regular Sunday morning service at the church. Following the service, those who so choose may proceed to the pool at the Red Run Campground for the baptismal service.

Remember to sign up for a campsite for the annual retreat at Woodcrest on September 12 to 14. Also sign up for the noon fellowship meal on Sunday, September 14, after the morning service at Woodcrest.

Congratulations to Paul and Edith Gehman on their 50th wedding anniversary. (Bob Sauder invited everyone to his and Joyce's 50th anniversary in 2051.)

Glenn, Julie, and Melanie Stauffer moved this week to on-campus housing in Montana.
Melvin Weaver told how Julie was turned back on a trail by an official who said that a mountain lion was in the area.

Called to a new life

Red Run News -- August 3, 2008

Bob Sauder led us in singing hymns. The choir sang "Glory Ever Be to Jesus."

Alla Prysakar reported the losses caused by floods in Ukraine. We prayed for those people who have lost loved ones and property.

Pastor Carl preached on the theme "Called to a new life, a new community, and a new path." We are born anew into a new life by the work of God's grace in our lives. We enter into the church as "living stones." The church stands as a sign to a broken world of how God's people live under God's reign. We are called to follow Jesus and "to bind ourselves to live as Christ lived." (I John 2:6)

Pray for Glenn, Julie, and Melanie who will be moving on August 9 into campus housing at Montana State University. On Friday, Andrew Sensenig moved from College Park, Maryland, to Akron, Ohio, where he has taken a research position at the University of Akron. Pray for him as he finds his way in a new place.