Congratulations to our graduates

Red Run News -- April 26, 2009

We cleaned windows, raked leaves, and performed many other tasks during the clean-up of the building and the grounds on Saturday, April 25. It was a beautiful day, and the many volunteers quickly moved the work forward. Thanks to those who helped, those who organized the work, and those who provided the meal.

Bob Sauder, Letitia Weaver, and Randy Hostetter led us in singing this morning. The choir sang, "A Beautiful Life." Randy Hostetter reported on the Penny Power project that receives funds from the children's offerings. Bob Sauder reported on plans for a summer Sunday School elective.

Kevin Weaver brought the message this morning. He recruited participants to enact the story of Naboth, who was treated unjustly by those in power. Kevin read Psalm 4 accompanied by a guitar. We depend on God's mercy. If we truly trust God, then we will do things God's way.

On May 10, there is a breakfast in the fellowship hall beginning at 8:30 a.m. This will be prepared by the men of the congregation. To give us time to enjoy the breakfast, Sunday School classes will begin at 9:25 a.m. The church service will be at the regular time.

Congratulations to our graduates:

• Kerry Martin graduates with a master's degree in U.S. history from Millersville University on May 2. (He passed the oral exams this past Tuesday.)
  

• Kevin Weaver is completing the three-year STEP (pastoral training) program through Eastern Mennonite University.

Friendship Community visits Red Run

Red Run News -- April 19, 2009

We welcomed the Friendship Community Choir, who led us in our worship this morning. A choir of about ten persons sang. Then a men's quintet sang several songs, including a rousing rendition of "I'll Fly Away." The Creative Movement Team also presented several songs. We enjoyed a fellowship meal together.

Thanks to Willis and Anna Mary Burkholder for organizing the game night on Saturday, April 18. Among the games was "Ticket to Ride" which involved planning train routes across the United States.

Pray for Kerry as he has oral exams on Tuesday, April 21. Kerry is finishing a master's degree in U.S. history at Millersville University.

Spring clean-up time! Remember that we will work in the grove and the church building on Saturday, April 25, beginning at 8:30 a.m. A light lunch will be served.

God will restore everything!

Red Run News -- April 12, 2009

Hallelujah! The Lord is risen!

Maryann Miozza opened our church service with music on the mandolin -- "He is risen from the dead and He is Lord." Kevin and Letitia Weaver led us in singing the great hymns of the resurrection.

For some things, it is not so good when they are empty -- like a wallet, a cereal box, or a gas tank. But the empty tomb is wonderful news indeed. This is what Esmerelda the puppet explained to the children this morning.

Pastor Carl talked about what the empty tomb means for us. Those who die in Christ enter into the presence of God while the mortal body returns to the dust of the earth. Then at the final resurrection, all who are in Christ are given glorified bodies that are no longer subject to decay. God will restore everything to perfection so that in our new bodies we will live in a new heaven and a new earth. This is our heritage as children of the Heavenly Father.

We celebrated the communion service -- in memory of what Christ has done for us and in joyful expectation of the coming perfection.

Remember that next Sunday (April 19), we are looking forward to hosting the Friendship Community Choir. A fellowship meal will follow the service. Also Saturday, April 18, is game night at 6:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Bring a game and a friend.

This past Tuesday, Bob Sauder took the Prysakar family to JFK airport, from whence they flew to Ukraine. This gives them an opportunity to be with Vitaliy's mother who is sick.

Kevin Weaver reported that his parents are having a good time visiting family in Montana.

Thanks to Letitia Weaver for organizing the Tenebrae service this past Thursday. Thanks also to those who helped with the service and the meal.

Not to palace or temple but to the cross

Red Run News -- April 5, 2009

Letitia Weaver, Bob Sauder, and Esther Martin reported during the Sunday School time on the recent Celebration of Church Life held at Lancaster Mennonite High School. In our changing world, we need to be ready to answer the call of Jesus, to tell the story of Jesus, and to gather together to pray.

Bob Sauder, Letitia Weaver, and Randy Hostetter accompanied us as we sang hymns of praise to God. Ken Sensenig had a message on the meaning of Palm Sunday. Jesus is a different kind of king. Many misunderstood Jesus. He moved resolutely, not towards the palace nor the temple but towards Calvary and the Garden Tomb -- the empty Garden Tomb. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

We prayed for those who are sick. We also gave thanks for the recovery towards health that some are experiencing.

Blessings to Vitaliy, Alla, Miguel, and Simao as they depart this week for a three-week trip to Ukraine, where they will visit family. Blessings to Mel and Ruthie as they travel this week to Montana to visit Glenn, Julie, and Melanie Stauffer. And blessings to Kerry has he enters a busy final month in his master's degree program.

On Thursday evening, April 9, there will be a 6:00 p.m. meal following by a Tenebrae service (service of shadows) at the church. On April 12 (Easter Sunday), we will celebrate the communion service. On April 19 we will welcome the Friendship Community Choir. A fellowship meal will follow this service. On April 25 we plan to clean the grounds and the church building.We are planning for a special breakfast on Christian Family Sunday, May 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. The men will do the preparation and the clean-up! This will be followed by a Sunday School class (9:25 a.m.) and the regular church service (10 a.m.)