Jesus is coming again!

Red Run News -- November 27, 2011

First Sunday of Advent

Michelle Sensenig played the prelude music. Bob Sauder led us in singing including an Advent favorite "Joy to the World." The chimes choir played "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent." Simao Prysakar read the solemn Scripture (Matthew 25:31-46) about the coming again of Jesus. Then Pastor Carl and the puppet Esmerelda had a conversation about that event. The birth of Jesus and the coming again of Jesus are two chapters in the one grand story of God's love for us and for the whole world. Jesus has gone to prepare a home for us and then will return for us. We prepare our hearts for that great occasion.

We prayed for those who are in grief.

On Sunday, November 20, Pastor Kevin had a message from Ephesians 1, calling us to have a strong faith in Jesus and to care for God's people everywhere. Glenda Lafferty led us in singing "Count Your Blessings," "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus," (a favorite of Shannon's), and "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder," (a favorite of Willis Burkholder's).

Ready Runners will meet at the church on Thursday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m.

On December 4, we will have a fellowship breakfast (9:30-9:55 a.m.) between Sunday School and the church service.

On Sunday evening, December 11, the annual Christmas program will be held at Red Run at 7 p.m.

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves

Red Run News -- November 13, 2011
Saturday was a beautiful fall day to work in the church grove to put the trees to sleep for the winter. We raked leaves, cut low-hanging branches, and rode on trailers.
We mowed leaves, trimmed bushes, and pedaled bikes.
We hauled leaves, played football, and danced to holiday music.
We burned leaves, talked with friends, and ate ham sandwiches.
We pulled leaves out of the rain gutters and even retrieved a bean bag accidentally thrown on the roof weeks ago.
Our energy spilled over into helping some of the neighbors as well.
Thanks to those who organized the work day and all who helped.

For our Sunday service, Ellen Martin played the prelude and offering music, including the hymn "Fairest Lord Jesus." Bob Sauder, Randy Hostetter, Letitia Weaver, and Ian Martin led us in singing. We sang several hymns that are based on the 90th psalm.

Pastor Carl reflected on the 90th psalm. We thought about God's sovereignty, unfailing love, and just wrath. We thought about human sin and frailty. And we were reminded of God's grace to forgive our sins. We were also reminded of our responsibility to appropriate that grace to live in God's will in this brief but important blip called life.

Pastor Carl talked about the upcoming Advent services (beginning November 27) on the theme "We Receive the Best Gift." See Pastor Carl if you would like to read the Scripture or share a ten-minute story time with the children on one of these Sundays.

Melvin Weaver reported from Eastern Mennonite Missions on the challenges of mission work in Europe. Julia Sensenig reported on the fall women's assembly of our conference that was attended by four women from our congregation.

There is a card making session at the church on Saturday, November 19, from 9-11 a.m.

Remember that next Sunday (November 20), we look forward to a fellowship meal. On December 1 (Thursday) Ready Runners will meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, December 4, there is a fellowship breakfast between Sunday School and the church service.

Our annual Christmas program is on the evening of December 11 at 7 p.m..