We bring the sacrifice of praise

Red Run News -- October 30, 2011

A lovely October snowfall complicated our lives this morning. Some of us did not have electricity at home. Some of us faced detours enroute to the service because of the trees and electric lines that were down. Some congregations were not able to have services today, but we were thankful to be able to meet together at Red Run. We prayed for those who are experiencing hardships as the result of this storm.

The Sunday School lesson was on the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount.

Pastor Carl brought a message from Psalm 43 about coming into the house of God with our offerings of money, praises, and our very lives. "We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord." We sang "I was glad, I was glad when they said unto me" and then the children helped us to sing a new song: "I Like to Pray."

On the keyboard, Ellen Martin played "We are climbing Jacob's ladder." We sang some more favorite songs today: "He Hideth My Soul," a favorite of Earl Martin, and "As the Deer," a favorite of Miguel Prysakar. We are thankful for a good medical report from Rhoda Nolt. We prayed for Lonnie and Amy and daughter Emma as they have begun a new home. We prayed for Glenn and Julie Stauffer and family in Montana as Mel and Ruthie reported on their recent visit there.


Looking forward to Sunday, November 6:
Remember to turn your clocks back one hour.
At 9 a.m. there will be the children's classes as usual. In the combined adult class, Bishop Ken Martin will speak for a few minutes about the bishop discernment for the Weaverland-Northeast District. Then a speaker from the Gideons will share until the 9:30 a.m. fellowship breakfast. During that break time, you may want to talk to either Ken Martin or or the Gideons speaker or both. Ken Sensenig will have the message during our regular 10 a.m. service.

Waiting for the bridegroom!

Red Run News -- October 2, 2011

We gathered on this cloudy, fall day to celebrate the communion service -- in remembrance of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Those who came early heard the choir sing "Saved by the blood of the crucified one" and other hymns of faith. Some in that early audience were quietly singing the words as their own testimony.

Assisted by Letitia, Pastor Kevin re-enacted a betrothal which was sealed by each drinking from the same cup. Then the bridegroom went away to prepare a house and the bride prepared herself in expectation for the groom's return. Even so, the church waits expectantly for the return of Jesus Christ. And the communion service is the reminder of who Jesus is, what he has done for us, and that he is coming for us to take us to the place that he has prepared for us. So today we broke bread together and drank from the cup as a reminder of these truths.

Bob Sauder, Letitia Weaver, Randy Hostetter, and Emily Sauder led us in singing today. We sang "Let your face shine upon us that we may be saved," which comes from the 80th psalm, one of the texts used by Pastor Kevin. We also sang "Crown Him with Many Crowns," which is a favorite hymn of Maxine Harting.

We prayed for those in the northern part of our state, who are still reeling from the devastation of recent flooding. Continue to remember those among us who are ill. Give thanks for the healing that God has provided.

Is Saturday, November 12, on your calendar as the day to clean up at the church and grove?

On Sunday, October 9, we plan for a fellowship breakfast between Sunday School and the church service. Then on Sunday, October 16, we plan to have a fellowship meal after the church service.

On September 25, Pastor Carl brought a message on spiritual gifts. This is the time of the year when we fill certain offices in the life of the church. We sang "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder," a favorite hymn of Willis Burkholder. Paul and Edith Gehman expressed thanks to the congregation for support and prayers during the recent passing of their grandson Kole Trupe.