98 years old!

Red Run News -- January 25, 2009

On a lovely winter morning, those arriving early were blessed with the songs of the Red Run Choir -- "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord!"

Time keeps rolling along. This Friday (January 31) Anna Weber celebrates her 98th birthday! We prayed for the continued recovery of Sarah Horning.

Julia reported that Peter and Christy have arrived at their destination. We noted the passing of Lena Clark, Age 90. Lena is the sister of Carl Good.

Melvin Weaver told the story of King Saul and the foolish promise that he made during a battle. Mel's message was from Psalm 62 -- waiting in silence before the Lord. "Put to death what belongs to this earthly nature."

This coming Sunday (February 1), there will be a fellowship time between Sunday School and the church service. The Red Run Choir will sing at Fairmount Homes on Thursday, February 5, at 7 p.m. in the chapel.

Pefect love casts out fear

Red Run News -- January 18, 2009

What a joy to gather on a cold winter day when a sprinkling of powdery snow covers the rural landscape!

Christy talked to the children about how a passport identifies the country from which we come. We also hold citizenship in a heavenly country. Peter spoke from 1 John on the theme of love. "Perfect love casts out fear." We may fear four things: judgment for our sin, what we do not know, what is different, and what we are told to fear. Peter used drops of food coloring in water to illustrate the cloudiness brought by fear. As we receive the pure waters of God's love, we lay aside our fears and become agents of God's embracing love.

Upcoming events:
Ready Runners will meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27.
The Red Run Choir will sing at Fairmount Homes at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 5.
A Sweetheart Banquet is scheduled at the church on Friday evening, February 13

A challenge for us

Red Run News -- January 11, 2009

The ice was on the cars, walks, and roadways this morning, but many of us carefully made our way to Sunday School and the church service..

Pastor Kevin challenged us with the story of the call of the disciple Nathanael. To illustrate this, our own Nathaniel took his place under the "fig tree" until Philip called him to "come and see" the Lord Jesus (John 1:43-51). Each of the children sampled a real fig.

The challenge given to us this morning is one that we want to continue to pursue. We need the find our place "under the fig tree," where in quietness we can open our hearts before the Lord. We need to acknowledge Jesus as the King of our lives. And we need to ask God to show us those points of contact that we have with people who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior. If our hearts are open, God will bring an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.

In response to the sermon, Charles Harting spoke to us about Maxine's ministry of prayer and invited us to share our needs with Maxine so that she can pray for us. We remembered in our prayers those who are sick and those families that are in turmoil. We gave thanks for God's healing.

We acknowledged the passing of Robert Trupe, lead pastor of the Martindale Mennonite Church, which is located a few miles from Red Run. We prayed for the Trupe family and the Martindale congregation.

We remembered those who plan to travel this week -- Willis and Anna Mary to Mexico and Julia Mickley back to college.

The choir sang "Unto the Hills." Bob Sauder and Randy Hostetter, both playing guitars, led us in singing about our dependence upon God -- "My Life Is in You, Lord,' "Step by Step," and "Open the Eyes of My Heart."

Randy Hostetter announced that the brochures about Stewardship University are in our church mailboxes. This event occurs on Saturday, March 7, at Lancaster Mennonite School. There are three sessions, each of which offers about a dozen seminars to choose from. These seminars relate to the stewardship of resources, finances, time, talent, and health. We encourage your participation. In fact, the church fund will pick up the cost for this. Please complete a registration form and give to Randy Hostetter by February 15.

First installment

Red Run News --January 4, 2009

We enjoyed a New Year breakfast between Sunday School and the church service this morning.

In the children's time, Letitia Weaver told the story of the wise men looking at the star and bringing gifts to the King, who was Jesus the baby. Ken Sensenig picked up this story in the message. Thank God for the wise men. They are the first installment on the promise that the good news of Jesus is for all people. Yet King Herod reminds us of the reality of human evil.

We prayed for those returning to school and college this week and for Glenn, Julie, and Melanie Stauffer as they return to their home in Montana. We also prayed for Kerry Martin as he enters a busy final semester in his master's degree program. Kerry is researching conscientious objection in the Second World War.

On January 18, we anticipate a report from Peter and Christy Sensenig. A fellowship meal is also scheduled for after the church service on January 18. At a later date, we will hear a report from Wes Nolt about his time in Alaska last year.

Blessings,

Carl and Julia Sensenig