Unity, purpose, and passion

Red Run News -- July 24, 2011

Kevin and Letitia Weaver reported from the Global Fair held on Saturday. Their report included the encouraging news that God is blessing the Mennonite Church in Vietnam with growth and spiritual vitality.

Brian Guzman, pastor of the Prince of Peace congregation in Reading, was our guest speaker today. He used the account of the healing of the paralyzed man (in Mark 2). He especially focused on those who helped the paralyzed man through the roof and into the presence of Jesus. This is a challenge to us to work together in unity with purpose and passion.

We sang a hymn which is a favorite of Joyce Sauder -- "I Am Thine, O Lord."

Pastor Ken Horning

Red Run News – Sunday, July 17, 2011

In our service today, the children sang “Rock of Ages,” a song they had learned in our Summer Bible School a few weeks ago. The choir sang, “My Life Flows On.” We sang one of Emma Good’s favorite hymns “Jesus Paid it All” and Edith Gehman’s favorite hymn “We Praise Thee, O God.” We also enthusiastically sang the hymn “Follow On.”

During the children’s time, Pastor Kevin Weaver displayed some weeds and talked about the effects of weeds in a garden. His message was on the parable of the weeds and the good seeds from Matthew 13:24-30. Kevin showed us two cartoon clips: the parable of the soil and also of the good shepherd. God is good, and the whole world belongs to God. However, we can expect struggle and trouble here in this world. That’s why we need to encourage one another. But the end is coming. Let us be faithful to God, doing what pleases Him – no matter what.

A memorial service for Pastor Kenneth Horning was held this afternoon at Oley Mennonite Church. Ken was the pastor at Red Run in 2001-02. We remember him as a man committed to Christ and the church.

As always, we brought to God the needs among us along with thanks to God for His goodness.

We look forward to August 21, which is our Sunday at Woodcrest. The church service will be held at 11 a.m. at Woodcrest, followed by a fellowship meal which will include the chicken BBQ prepared by Willis and Anna Mary Burkholder.

Sowing and receiving the presence of Jesus

Red Run News -- July 10, 2011

On Saturday evening, we enjoyed a chicken BBQ and game night in the grove. Thanks to Willis and Anna Mary for preparing the chicken and organizing the food.

We acknowledged the passing of Kenneth Horning on July 7. He served as interim pastor at Red Run 2001-02. The memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 17, at 2 p.m. at Oley Mennonite Church. Pray for his wife Selena.

Ellen Martin played the prelude music -- including "These Are the Days of Elijah." Glenda Lafferty led us in singing. We sang "O How I l Love Jesus," which is a favorite hymn of Carl Good. Tim Martin led us in the time of announcements and prayer. We prayed for those among us who are facing medical tests or surgery. We prayed for the new nation of South Sudan. We remembered those among us who are traveling.

Ken Sensenig had the message this morning on the parable of the sower. He showed us the grass seeder that he used to sow seed at his home 12 years ago. In the heat of summer, he can still see that the grass turns brown over a former truck driveway and remains lush over where a pile of topsoil once stood. By looking at his own heart, Ken challenged us to consider the times and seasons of our own lives as to how receptive we are to the presence of Jesus.

Ready Runners will meet Wednesday, July13, at 6:30 p.m. at the church.

An outdoor inspirational service will be held at the historical Alleghany Mennonite Meetinghouse on Sunday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. with Ken Sensenig as the speaker. The 1855 sandstone structure and interior show us how people gathered for worship in previous generations.

On August 7, we plan for a fellowship breakfast (9:30 a.m.) between Sunday School and the church service. Sign up on the bulletin board if you want to help bring the food and the drink.

The Ready Runners are planning for a picnic on Monday evening, August 8. More details later.

A brochure was put in the church mailboxes with a description of how the congregations of Lancaster Mennonite Conference provide resources for one another. This is an opportunity for us to join together in God's mission.

A Cup of Cold Water

Red Run News -- July 3, 2011

We gave thanks to God for our nation and that we could gather together to worship on this beautiful summer day. Pastor Melvin led the service at the campground this morning. We enjoyed a fellowship breakfast between Sunday School and the church service.

Esther Martin led us in a call to worship from Psalm 9. Pastor Carl brought a message on "A Cup of Cold Water." We both offer and receive these signs of caring for one another. Carl also told the children of how he was blessed with a cup of cold water when as a child he and his brother Leonard made a trek to secure something that was important to them. (They walked seven miles and home again to get a beautiful Luna moth that Alice Witmer had caught at her home in Martindale.)

Bob Sauder led us in songs we selected from the Life Songs: "For Christ and the Church," "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee," "Transformed," and "I Love to Steal Awhile Away." We also sang a favorite song of Emilie Sauder ("J-O-Y") and of Julia Sensenig ("Sometimes a Light Surprises," which she sang in the Singing Servants chorus many years ago.) Last Sunday we sang a favorite of Ellen Martin "There Is a Redeemer."

Pastor Kevin reported that he and his family are harvesting wheat the old-fashioned way -- in sheaves. This reminds us of the words of Jesus to pray for workers since the fields of grain are ripe for harvest.

Eugene Hurst is out of his sling and now faces about eight weeks of therapy. We prayed for those among us and in our families who face challenging circumstances.

We look forward to the chicken BBQ/Game Night to be held in the grove this Saturday, July 9, beginning at 4 p.m., meal at 5 p.m. Bring one hot or cold dish, lawn chairs, and games. Drink and paper supplies will be provided. Thanks to Willis and Anna Mary Burkholder for planning this. All are welcome.