Be on the watch

Red Run News -- November 30, 2008

A bit of freezing rain early this morning reminded us that winter with its weather uncertainties is on the way. The wreaths, poinsettia, and candles reminded us that today is the first Sunday of Advent.

Julia Sensenig and Esmerelda the puppet explained to the children (and to all of us) the meaning of Advent -- a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. There will be a Children's Time each Sunday morning through January 4.

Melvin Weaver had the message from Mark 13 on both the judgment and the glory of the coming of Christ. "Be on the watch." We will not be deceived by false prophets if we look to the light of Jesus.

We prayed for the sick and gave thanks for healing. We prayed for the victims of the terrorists in India and also that God would restrain the wicked.

On Monday evening, November 24, the Red Run Choir sang for about 40 minutes in the chapel of Fairmount Homes. On Saturday, Vitaliy and Alla Prysakar and their sons moved to a home along Alleghenyville Road.

Next Sunday (Dec. 7) we have an Advent breakfast in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m. between Sunday School and the church service. Then on the following Sunday (Dec. 14) we will have a fellowship meal after the morning service and then the evening Christmas program at 7:00 p.m

Swirling Leaves

Red Run News -- November 16, 2008

Driven by the wind, the leaves were whirling about madly in the church grove this morning. No, we did not clean up the leaves on November 15. Due to the rain and the wind, the clean-up was rescheduled for Saturday, November 22, beginning about 8:30 a.m. with a light lunch provided.

On Sunday morning, November 23, we look forward to a guest speaker, Rudi Neissen, from the Material Resource Center of Mennonite Central Committee. A fellowship meal will follow this service.

We were led in singing this morning by Bob Sauder, Letitia Weaver, Randy Hostetter, Glenda Lafferty, Colleen Lafferty, and Julie Stauffer. We appreciate the energy brought to us by a team of musicians who take the time to prepare midweek for Sunday.

Tim Martin taught the men's class from the book of Philippians. We are called to be gentle, which means we must be faithful in our lives but we let God do the "tough" work of changing people's lives.

Esther Martin led us in the time of sharing and prayer. We remembered Glenn Stauffer working in Antarctica, Kenton and Janell Good who are receiving a daughter Josie, and those among our acquaintances who are ill or grieving.

Ken Sensenig brought a message on gaining a wise heart (Psalm 90). We recognize that God is the eternal I AM who knows all things and who judges sin, that we are sinful mortals with a brief lifespan, and that we become wise as we depend on the eternal God. We closed our service with the hymn, "We Are Going Down the Valley One by One."

Advent breakfasts will be held on December 7, 21, and January 4 between Sunday and the church service (9:30 - 9:55 a.m.)

Peter Sensenig will be ordained to the ministry at Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, Philadelphia, on Saturday, December 13, at 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Renewing our covenant with God

Red Run News -- November 9, 2008

Did you notice all the leaves on the ground? That means that we are looking forward to Fall Clean-up Day here at the church and on the grounds on Saturday, November 15, beginning at 8:30 a.m. A lunch will be provided.

Rudy Niessen from Mennonite Central Committee will be our guest speaker on Sunday, November 23. Also a fellowship meal has been scheduled for Sunday, November 23. (Note: This date is a change from what was previously announced.)

Randy Hostetter led us in singing today. Kevin Weaver brought a message from the book of Joshua "Choose this day whom you will serve." He called us to renew our covenant with God. The congregation participated in identifying other "gods" to whom we might be tempted to look for security -- technology, money, banks, lawyers, politicians, insurance, savings, medicine, etc. God is looking for hearts that place him first.

Melvin Weaver led us in a time of prayer. We prayed for the Zimmerman family who live up the road from our church. They recently lost a nine-month-old daughter in a drowning accident. Esther and Lewie reported the death of their neighbor John so we prayed for his wife Barbara and the children.

We remembered Kenton and Janell as they are in China to adopt a daughter. This will mean many transitions in their lives. We prayed too for our nation, for the president-elect, and for the needy of this world. We also asked the Lord to grant us such trust that we need not be caught up in fears.

We prayed for Carl and Julia that they would have strength and sensitivity to carry on their work with joy. We prayed too for Kevin Weaver as he is being asked to consider ordination.

We are planning for an Advent/Christmas breakfast between Sunday School and the church service on December 7 and 21 and January 4.

Puppets come to Red Run

Red Run News -- November 2, 2008

Mose King, from the Gideons, spoke during our combined adult class. The Gideons have opened work in five new countries, including Vietnam. Mose shared the testimonies of many throughout the world who have come to know the Lord because of the Gideon Bibles.

Ken Sensenig introduced Major and Karen Treadway, who are planning to begin an assignment with Mennonite Central Committee in Indonesia. The Treadways will be directing the exchange program. They will live in the same city as Vic, Michelle, and Aaron Sensenig. Ken also gave the message today "You have one teacher" (Matthew 23:1-12). The Pharisees were so devoted to the practice of religious details that they missed the divine miracle (Jesus) who was "right under their noses." The outward expression of our faith must flow from the inner experience.

Julia Sensenig (with both hands employed) told some puppet stories to the children. The"worms" Shafer and Skeeter learned to share with their cousin. Esmerelda learned that true fun cannot be at the expense of the dignity of others.

Kevin moderated our meeting and led us in prayer for the concerns and interests of our hearts. The Prysakars thanked those who have helped prepare the house to which they are planning to move.

A fellowship meal is planned for Sunday, November 16. And the fall clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, November 15, beginning about 8:30 a.m. The Red Run Choir will sing at Fairmount Homes on Monday, November 24, at 7 p.m. All are welcome -- to sing in the choir or to be in the audience.

God loves us for eternity

Red Run News -- October 26, 2008

"Love" was the theme of our church service today. Mel Weaver spoke about God's love in the message. God does not abandon His children but loves them for eternity. We also can give up any vengeful spirit and practice love as explained in 1 Corinthians 13. The choir sang "Walk in Love" near the end of the service.

We acknowledged the passing of Joe's sister Marie. We prayed for the sick among us. We gave thanks for healing, for the resolution of a matter at Kerry's work, for Glenn Stauffer in Antarctica, and for Vic and Michelle Sensenig in Indonesia.