Healing and Hope is Born! 

There is a song we sang in high school chorus for Christmas with the line, "Memories fill my mind, as Christmas comes each year. Dreaming for today, brings yesterday so near." 

• Hearing stories about how my dad stayed up all night to assemble a play kitchen for his four little girls 
• My three sisters and I receiving West Family action figures and the corral (Anyone remember?) 
• Lying in bed with my sister listening to crackly Christmas music on the radio and whispering with anticipation of morning
• Grandpa Moser dying on December 23
• Being in Florida with my Weinberger grandparents over Christmas
• Lying on the floor beside my 5 month old infant on Christmas eve as she vomited throughout night
• Hearing our daughters giggle and scurry around as they opened the stockings which were hung outside their bedroom doors 
• Waiting with anticipation for those little girls to come bursting into our bedroom 

Whether my memories of Christmas are positive or negative,and I've had some of both and know some of you have had really difficult life journeys, the truth of Christmas remains the same: Healing and Hope for a hurting and discordant world was born that day in the City of David.

My desire and  prayer for you this Christmas and coming year is that you will experience our loving and gracious God in your life as revealed through Jesus, God in the flesh, finding hope and healing in your own life to then share with others. 

This week Brother Mick's message is called, "When Hope is Present," and he states, "In the midst of our messy, complicated, troublesome, pain-filled lives, we must decide whether we will embrace the hope walking there beside us or the fear waiting to pull us back, down, away from God." The sermon text is Matthew 1:18-25 and supporting passages Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19.  Please join us for this last advent message before our Sunday Christmas celebration on December 29!

Service of Remembrance and Hope is tonight 7 PM at Ridgeview. This is an opportunity to share our grief, loneliness, and challenges that come with this season. Although I'm unable to attend this year, in the past I have found this to be a very meaningful service.

Christmas Eve service is at 7 PM.

I look forward to conversation and "catch up" with you!

Prayer for today: Lord God, as we experience shifts and changes in our lives, help us to recognize the constancy of your love.  As we experience the storms and clouds of life, bless us with the light that is you. As we face doubts and indecision, guide us with your Spirit and keep us from fear.  As we recognize your presence in all aspects of our lives, help us to respond in humbleness and joy. Hope! Hope! Hope!  Lord, fill us with your healing and hope that your mercy and grace will overflow, and the Good News that is You will sate a hungry world today. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Seriously? Either the traffic lights aren't coordinated correctly, or they aren't designed for this many cars! Grrrr. As I left Park City Mall yesterday along with a million other people, I sat at the light. I sat at the light. I sat at the light.  I averted my eyes so as not to see the woman holding the sign telling me she was cold and hungry. I sat at the light.  Finally the light turned green, and about three cars passed through the intersection. Though the light was still green, I couldn't go unless I wanted to be parked in the middle of the road.  sigh. Another light exchange. Now I am first in line to turn into the lane to hop on 30 E. AHHHG! The car in front of me has left a cushion between it and the car in front of it for a megabus. Move up! Grrrrr.

I blew it, didn't I? I had no kids in my car.I had no meetings to go to. I had a few dollars in my purse.
Yeah, I can blame the traffic. The cars were gridlocked. That's what I'll do. . That's what I usually do. I can usually find an excuse. There is always an excuse. Always a rationalization....That woman.

"But Carol," I tell myself,  "It wouldn't have been practical. It would have been tough with all that traffic. Besides, who knows what kind of deranged person she might be? She may have robbed you, stabbed you, kidnapped you!" That woman in the median strip.

Oh yes, "Blessed are the practical, for theirs is the kingdom of mediocrity. Blessed are the fearful, for theirs is the kingdom of darkness... " Aren't those the tenets I often choose to live by though my words say otherwise?

I can't get that woman out of my brain. It is cold, really cold out. I could have rolled down my window and invited her to hop in and gone to a restaurant for a meal or taken her to Water Street Ministries.  http://wsm.org/ I could have gone around the block and gotten a hot chocolate, parked and walked to her, giving her the warm drink and engaged in conversation. At the bare minimum, I could have rolled down my window, handed her a few dollars, and said, "Merry Christmas!"  sigh. The cynic in me says, "Oh, but I'm sure she would have used the money for drugs."

Maybe. Maybe not.

Truly, if I claim this Jesus who has taught me and redeemed me, then shouldn't I be living like I believe it?  Shouldn't my words and actions be demonstrative of the love, grace, and mercy that has been lavished freely on me? Shouldn't I release the cynic and regimented "me" to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit where the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evidenced? Shouldn't I live like I could, might actually, literally lose my life.... only to find it?  
Merry Christmas?

Come Kingdom of God. Here on earth as it is in heaven!

Brother Mick's presermon notes say this, " The passages for today paint for us beautiful visions of the redeemed world. The Psalm (146) tells us of a place where God's presence is unmistakable and wrong is set to right. And Isaiah (35:1-10) calls forth images of a desert blooming with abundant flowers, where free flowing waters abound."  The sermon text is Matthew 11:2-11, and Mick has titled his message "Tethered to the Tangible." If you are unable to join us, the sermons are later uploaded to the website, so you can listen there. Worship begins at 10:15 AM and Sunday school at 9 AM.

College students, I've been praying for you as you have finished or are still finishing exams, papers, and projects!  I look forward to seeing you during your break.

Please read the bulletin for the many opportunities to worship and serve!

Prayer for today: Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not!"  (Is.35:3-4) 
We celebrate your Presence, Lord. During these festive days there are many all over the world who are cold, hungry, lonely, and despairing. Grant those of us who claim you as our Lord to live in love, mercy, and grace like we believe it, being your hands and feet. Remind us to seek your kingdom rather than our own.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

I've squirmed uncomfortably as preachers pour on messages of guilt and shame. I've felt like I should go up for the altar call not because of "good news" but because I felt coerced into it. I've cringed as preachers shout "Repent, you are but a worm and horrible person." I've left sanctuaries feeling like something left behind in the fish gut hut. Quite frankly, the god that these preachers hollered about was a deity from which I'd rather run and hide under the covers than face, 'cause it sure seemed like I'd be heading straight for a whuppin' even though they tacked on a "grace" mention at the end. 

Where was the good news? Where was the Jesus who sat down eating and drinking with "sinners," building relationships and being God with skin? Where was the Spirit fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? Where was the Jesus who fed the hungry and healed the sick? Where was the Jesus who said, "Come unto me, all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest?" Where was the Jesus who calls us to join in the work of reconciliation and hope? Sadly, at least by my estimation, many believers have the understanding that God is carrying a massive club, and if you don't follow the right rules, you're going to get a drubbing. 

Repent--change direction. Change your heart and life. Many churches focus on our unworthiness. I'm not denying that I am not worthy; however I've been created by the Most High who knows me, made me in God's image as God's workmanship, desires relationship with me, calls me "daughter;" these things, this love, this relationship creates in me a desire to change, transform, yes, to repent. For me, focusing on the ugliness/unworthiness results in me feeling even uglier and never worthy to accept the free gift of grace. 

"Unadorned" is the title of Brother Mick's sermon this week from the text in Matthew 3:1-12 which is the proclamation of John the Baptist. "Repentance as outlined by John is an active process. It is an integral part of the total conversion experience where everything in our lives changes because we have heard the call of the one who is coming, and we have caught a glimpse of the kingdom promised of God. This has less to do with feeling sadness and more to do with a total change of attitude and direction." I hope you'll join us for the worship service!  Christian education begins at 9 AM and worship at 10. 

There is so much going on these next few weeks, I'm only going to highlight a couple of events and encourage you to read the bulletin. 
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

Monday night is the annual church auction, and Ridgeview doesn't need to be your church home for you to attend! Food is available for purchase from 5-6 PM, and the acution starts at 6:30 PM.  Blankets, canned goods, bird feeders, meals, pottery lessons, jewelry... The variety is wonderful!  You may pay $90 for a jar of Anna Esh's chowchow, but you may pay a pittance for a cozy blanket.  Come join the fun! The proceeds benefit Ridgeview Ministries and The Factory. http://thefactoryministries.com/wordpress/

A refugee family with three little girls has arrived from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and is settling into an apartment in Lancaster. Loretta, Evie, and others have been working tirelessly to provide a welcoming environment for them. I would imagine this is quite a culture/weather shock for this dear family, so let's pray for them as they adjust.

Caroling is happening at 4:30 PM on Sunday. Meet at the church! 

This time of year is really difficult for some of us. December 20 at 7 PM there will be a service of remembrance and hope. You are not alone. 

Prayer for today: Blessed be the Lord, our God, who alone does wondrous things. You alone are our rock and our salvation. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the awe of the Lord rest upon our Saviour. Lord, let us turn toward your kind face.  Let us run to your outstretched arms to receive the joy, courage, and strength to be salt and light for a world struggling to find reason.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Confession time...again!

When one is going to write something that she suspects may offend or agitate someone, is it better to warn them ahead of time or let the chips fall where they may? 

I have a confession.  I struggle with the Bible.  Don't get me wrong; I appreciate and value this word of God immensely, but I also wrestle with it. A lot. I struggle with knowing that it appears Lot offered his daughters up for gang rape.  I struggle with hearing that David is a man after God's own heart knowing that he was a rapist (though many  describe David and Bathsheba as committing adultery, what transpires is abuse of power, lust, and rape by King David)  and a murderer. Did bears really maul children because the kids teased Elisha for his baldness?  The list goes on and on.  

But even more than some of those old stories, I struggle with our use, abuse, and understanding of God's word today. I struggle with how we have elevated these God inspired words written by men to be equal with God, our Creator; to be equal with Jesus, the Christ; to be equal with the Holy Spirit, our Advocate. I struggle with the way we pick and choose what we think is important. I struggle with the way we use the Bible to promote our own viewpoints and agendas. (guilty)  I struggle with the way we have turned God's word into a book of do's and don'ts. I struggle with the way we want to knock people upside the head with God's book instead of inviting them to enter this Kingdom of Love and Grace which Jesus revealed to us. 

 A phrase I hear quoted frequently when a difficult situation or issue arises is, "Well, what does the Bible say?" or "The Bible says...."  This is a great starting place.
Yet additionally, when issues and moral questions come up, is it unreasonable, inappropriate, and unChrist-like to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as well as look at the scriptures? Shouldn't we be asking how the greatest command of 'loving God and loving neighbor' fits into situations? Isn't "what would Jesus do?" trite though it sounds, the ultimate question? Shouldn't we be engaging with our brothers and sisters in conversation about what the Holy Spirit is saying? Aren't we to leave judgment to the Divine? 

We like things spelled out and clear. Messiness creates a desire to break out the Lysol and scrub brush. Here's a messy chart that is incomplete but since we like charts and graphs, I thought I would include one. 

Perhaps issues aren't black and white; they may not even be grey. If we have to choose a color, perhaps its just white because isn't the book ultimately about the good news of GRACE? Isn't that what Jesus was about?

I will keep wrestling and probably finding more questions than answers. Let's keep talking. Yep, messy.

On the church calendar, this Sunday is deemed, "Christ the King Sunday," and Brother Mick's message from Colossians 1:11-20 is entitled, "The Linchpin."   Mick says in his pre-sermon notes, "Rejoicing in the primacy of Christ will be the overarching theme of my comments for this week."  AMEN!

Grandma M with my niece

This week I finally got over to meet Adelyn Shay. :)  She's so beautiful!  Having the opportunity to burp her, I recalled how Grandma Moser instructed the holding up of the left arm for more effective eructation. :) Young parents, take note!  ha!

Blessings to Rachel and Marcus as they get married this weekend! Whoo Hoo!

So many people around the world are suffering from natural disasters, war, and disease.Please join me in continuing to pray for the hurting and for those who are offering assistance. Nate's marine unit is involved with bringing relief to the Philippines. I suspect many of my friends and relatives in Central Illinois are involved in efforts to bring relief to those whose lives have been seriously affected by tornadoes.  Praying for strength, courage, and hope whether you're in Illinois, Sardinia, Syria, the Philippines, Egypt, or Pennsylvania.

Be sure to check out the bulletin for the many goings on and announcements! http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

Next week there will be no communique. Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayer for today: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Be still, and know that I am God.
Thank you, Gentle God, for your love that is ever present. Thank you, Gracious God, that you care more about us than "issues."  Some of us are grieving loss; some of us are in pain; some of us are caught up in our studies; some of us are struggling to survive--whatever our life situation is, Lord, reveal yourself to us that we may not lose hope.  Grant us strength and courage for the facing of this day. Fill us with joy that is from you in spite of challenging circumstances.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

She's One of Them!

Illustration from my 1980 LOTR Calendar :) 

Periodically some of you groan and say, "Oh no! She's one of THEM!" and you wonder about my salvation or at the very least my taste in literature. Others of you say, "Yes! She's one of us" 
Well, here we go!

“Come, Mr. Frodo!' he cried. 'I can't carry it (the ring) for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr. Frodo dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go, and he'll go” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King when Frodo had no strength to continue, his friend and servant, Samwise Gamgee, carried him. 

Amidst all the violence and warring of the strong and mighty as well as the monsters in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, the true glory and strength is in the insignificant and faithful hobbits Frodo and Sam as they traverse dangerous and enemy territories to at last destroy the powerful One Ring by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom. Elves, orcs, dwarfs, goblins, wizards, men, and oh yes, a cave troll, wage battle for control of Middle Earth.
I've been reading and rereading Tolkien's books since high school, and I'm still intrigued and inspired.

The violence and wars in Middle Earth serve as distractions to keep the evil eye of Sauron from seeing these two small creatures. The task of the hobbits is thought to be hopeless and foolish; to some the destruction of the ring is a waste of great power and opportunity. Yet it must be done for life and light in their world to continue. Sauron's mind cannot fathom anyone throwing away such power as is found in the Ring so he doesn't even consider this as a strategy to defeat him. He knows the  power that is in the ring and assumes all beings will claim it, and he will stop at nothing to obtain it.

Certain members of my family really struggle to accept Frodo's seeming ineptitude; he was, after all, always falling down. (in the movie, anyway!) Take a look!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGzof4xfH-g

As I read Brother Mick's message notes for Sunday, I couldn't help but think of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with its many layers of adventure and understanding. "Doom! Doom! Doom!" may be all around
us, yet when we focus on the light and reality of Jesus our chant is "Hope! Hope! Hope!"

Brother Mick's message is entitled, "One Less Job for Duct Tape."  Luke 21:5-19 is one of those passages that can have you quivering in your boots with its prophesies of war, famines, and dreadful portents. Jesus calls us to remain true to the faith we profess, and Mick says, "I think this message is no less vital for us to hear even now." I don't know where he's going with the duct tape.  Come and see!  Please join us at 10:15 AM for the worship service.

We will be installing Loretta as Lay Minister of Missions and offering our thanks to Tony for his service in this position.  (Can I just say, I want to be like Loretta when I grow up!)

On December 9 we will once again be holding our annual church auction. Over the years our family has enjoyed meals, delicious Cordelia cakes, Elaine pies, an incredibly huge and warm comforter we call Nessie, a corner cupboard made by Andy, and even a little pink house! Sometimes you can get an amazing bargain, and the next time you can pay $97 for a jar of chowchow! Come one and all! It's so much fun! Proceeds will benefit The Factory Ministries as well as ongoing Ridgeview work. You do not need to attend Ridgeview to share in the fun.

This is the final week for the "Jesus Is___" sessions which will be held in the senior high room.

Prayer for today: The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. The world and all who live in it. For God has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Psalm 24:1 Creator God, we praise you as our maker and guide.  Let us each find ourselves in you and then know our true selves. Let us each trust in you and then know true life. Let us each hope in you and then know true joy. Let us each accept your love and then know true peace. Come, Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

PS One of you will be my 10,000th blog hit! :) 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Last week as Cliff and I neared the end of our loooong journey to my parents' home in Illinois, I was scribbling like mad in my little journal.  Here are a few stanzas from that final hour of travel. I wish I had snapped a few photos too. My apologies to the English majors out there; I've not followed any poetic guidelines.... 

Clouds low, dark and ominous

Rolling, billowing

Farmland black and stretching, row upon row

Flat and rich

Blackbirds skydancing, kaleidoscope flowers

Swooping, synchronizing

Grain elevators reaching up like stalagmites

Unnaturally natural

   

Farm houses, deceptively lonely and disconnected

Veritably welcoming and neighborly

 Barns with window eyes and wide door mouths

Some containing more memories than hay and tractors

Broken down plows, manure spreaders, and wagons

Purposes fulfilled now serving as sculptures commemorating hard work and days past

I’m close now, so close

 Backroads, straight and empty; the memory drawer is opened, Laughing children, crying, teasing, singing, arguing on bus #4

Invisible children becoming visible only through my adult eyes—poor, so poor, dirty, troubled, smelly, abused.  Understanding awakened.

The beauty and familiarity of the prairie overwhelm me. The nostalgia of my homeland fills me with feelings of sadness, joy, pain, laughter, tears all jumbled into this body now over half a century old. For that which I see; for that which I experienced; I am so grateful. Illinois!

I wonder what it will be like for the refugee family who will soon be joining our church family. This move to the East was my choice, and I am able to travel home again. My Illinois family is able to come visit us. Even if our refugee family comes from horrible life circumstances, I've no doubt their hearts will be heavy with the sights, sounds, and tastes of their homeland they will miss; loved ones left behind. 

This Sunday Brother Nelson will be sharing the message "Are we there yet?" A sentiment that crossed my mind more than once as we traversed I 70 on Tuesday! His text is from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 where the early church wonders if they missed the return of Jesus. "In the message, I hope to explore what the hope of the resurrection and the return of Jesus means to us." The worship service begins at 10:15 AM.

Please join us for singing in the Rec room at 9 AM

The wolf will be howling in the church tonight, all night. Some of you know exactly what that means! 

The young adult class will meet with the senior high youth for two more Sundays as we finish the "Jesus Is___" series.

My prayer for today:  I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because God is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:7-8
Creator God, thank you. You demonstrate your incredible love and grace and mercy through Jesus, yet we still struggle to understand and accept. We still tend to prefer walls, rules, and judgment to freedom, grace, and mercy. Thank you that you don't give up on us!  Thank you that you never leave us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

I was happily cleaning my windows on Monday whilst listening to Fresh Air when my doorbell rang. I had not heard a car arrive, and if you've ever been to our home, you know that we live a bit off of the beaten path so folks on our doorstep are unusual.

A middle-aged woman was standing there and handed me a document showing her identification as an agent of the National Circulating Co., Inc. Also included was a physical description; her height, weight, and hair-- 5'6," 180 pounds, brown hair cut in a modified mullet. Ok, the license didn't say it was cut in a mullet, but it was. She said she has two learning challenged brothers and is working to raise money by selling magazines to attend college so she can become a teacher of kids like her brothers. If she sells a certain number of magazines in a specific time frame, she will earn a bonus $1000.

I did the usual thing we do with strangers-- stood there in the doorway guarding the entrance to my inner sanctum while she stood on the porch giving her spiel. Suspicious thoughts raced through my brain; "Is she really who she says she is? What kind of person goes door to door selling
magazines? I wonder if she has some scheme to rob me? Is there someone hiding in the bushes?"
You know though, I've been trying to live my faith more intentionally; trying to see the beauty and God-spark in all people; trying to value "people connections" no matter how small and seemingly insignificant; trying to recognize opportunity when it knocks. For many of you, this was a no-brainer, and while I was thinking these cynical and skeptical thoughts you already had her sitting at your kitchen table. I eventually got there.
"I'm not really in the market for any magazines," I said, "but if you'd like to sit down for a few minutes for something to drink, you would be welcome."
She had walked up our long lane, and she had more walking to do, so yes, she would appreciate that.

For the next hour we sat at my kitchen table and discussed James Patterson books, apocalyptic literature, Amish, Mennonites, her home state of Indiana, and Goshen College. http://www.goshen.edu/ She carried extensive knowledge on many subjects. The time passed quickly and amicably, and the detour from routine was worth it on many levels even though I'll be working on cleaning windows today.

A committee I am on was recently discussing hospitality and what that means as a church. A few of us had read Michele Hershberger's book  Christian View of Hospitality; Expecting Surprises and had been challenged to think and act outside of our comfort zones as we opened ourselves to God's plan and purpose in relationship. (Here's a clip of Michele talking about hospitality.)
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=432952019459

Oh, yeah, ummmmm.....  I will start receiving "Vegetarian Times" in the near future.

This Sunday is designated by MCUSA as Heritage Sunday, and I am grateful for the heritage of hospitality that flows through the Christ-centered tradition of our Anabaptist
church, welcoming the stranger and alien, feeding and clothing the hungry, and yet at times we've let power and fear corrupt our faith. Let not my desire for power nor my fear get in the way of your call to this everyday purposeful living, Lord!

http://www.mcc.org/ (Mennonite Central Committee)
http://www.mds.mennonite.net/home/ (Mennonite Disaster Service)

Brother Mick is preaching this Sunday from II Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14 in a message called, "This Is Us." Mick says, "I would like to spend some time thinking about both the positives and negatives of carrying a spiritual heritage such as Anabaptism. Clearly many would see a celebration of heritage as little more than a mirror image of the Pharisee from today's gospel; chest pounding and braggadocio about who he is as compared to others."
Our worship service begins at 10:15 AM with the Christian Formation hour at 9 AM. Young adults will again meet with the senior high youth as we continue the "Jesus Is___" study. I'll be your teacher this week. :)

Progresso soup is being collected for the food pac program which provides weekend food bags for children with limited resources. If you'd like to help pack the food bags, stop by the church on Wednesdays at noon.

On Wednesday, October 30 for our family night activites, persons from Habecker Mennonite Church http://habeckerchurch.com/ will join the adults to share their experiences in sponsoring refugees. Join us for the meal at 6:15 PM with the session beginning at 7 PM.

Ridgeview hopes to be welcoming a refugee family soon. Stay tuned for details!

Prayer for today: Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come, ...for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you clothed me; I was in prison and you came to me."
       Hospitable God, grant us courage to be more like You. Open our eyes to see You in the stranger and to respond with loving kindness.  Today, Lord, some of us are physically hurting, some of us are facing loss, some of us are exhausted from parenting, working, and trials, some of us are cynical and hardened by the tough stuff in our lives. Would you reveal your love,healing,and grace to us in unexpected and gentle ways? Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name. AMEN. 

There will be no communique next week as I will be visiting my wonderful family! By thy rivers gently flowing Illinois! Illinois! O'er thy prairies verdant growing.....  

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

(PS For a closer look at the photos, click on them!) 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

This is another of those mornings where the words just don't want to come. What to write? What to write?  I decided to work backwards, starting with the prayer at the end and work up hoping that by the time I got to my opening, I would be inspired as I have found that a change in the routine stimulates ideas. :) Here I am at the opening....

I am a believer that we are all created to be "creatives," after all, we are created in the image of the Ultimate Artist. I know that there are many studies "out there" on brains and creative process, and I've not read very many of them.  Here are a few of my unresearched, "This I believe" statements on the subject. (Thanks Edward R. Murrow, for this phrase. I'll have to put my statements into essay form on another day.)

• We are created in the image of the Ultimate Creator.
• Children are masters of creativity and imagination.
• Sadly, as we grow up to fit into the "I'm a grown up now box," creativity is often stifled. I remember a few years ago a guest teacher for the Christian formation hour invited the adults to take crayons and paper and draw something related to the topic. You would have thought people were sitting in dentist chairs by their responses. 
• Creativity involves discipline, action, and practice. 
• Creativity can be useful in many life areas. I've been told that my husband is able to transform soccer practice making fitness, skill, and aspiration fun. Oh yeah! For those of you who say, "But it is supposed to be work and unpleasant,"  I say, "why can't we make work fun?"   Cliff has certainly been successful with this creative model!
• Creativity embraces mystery and imagination. 
• You are creative.  If you don't believe me, call me. We'll talk! 

I am really looking forward to hearing Brother Jon Hoover, who is an associate professor of Islamic studies at the University of Nottingham in England as well as someone who grew up at Ridgeview. Jon will bring not only his expertise in religious studies, but also his life experience of living in the Middle East for many years as he tackles the difficult passage of Ezekiel 6:1-14 where God punishes people so that they know God is God. Yikes! This passage seems quite foreign to my understanding of God.  Jon is calling his message "Knowing that the Lord is Lord." Please join us! The service begins at 10:15 AM. 

The young adults will continue to meet with the senior high youth for a few more weeks at 9 AM. Joy will be facilitating this week.  (Doesn't that sound wonderful?  "Joy" should be facilitating all our activities!") 

Congratulations to Tynea and Michael and the rest of the family on the the birth of Adelyn Shay. I can't wait for a snuggle! I'll be calling. :) 

Creator God, you are our keeper and our shade; our protector and constant comfort.  Though the mountains shake and the hills be removed, still your love for us will never fail. Lord, what does this mean when times are tough? When disaster and pain  strike, what then?  Life is difficult, and there is so much injustice. What then, Lord? Let our mustard seed faith hold on to You; to know in our heads and hearts that you will never leave us nor forsake us.  Grant us courage to act in loving You and loving our neighbors. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

(PS For a closer look at the photos, click on them!) 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Hmmmm....

Things that make you go hmmmmmm.....

• when the Keurig goes on by itself in the middle of the night
• when you find out about the 'weirdness' of the inventor of graham crackers; who would have thunk it?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_cracker (Thanks, Sara, for that one!)
• bad behaving coaches at soccer games
• when your 4 year old says, "You don't need to come in here, Mommy...." 
• when someones says, "I'm sorry, BUT ...." 
• when the ripening fruit disappears from the vine, and the dog smells strangely like tomatoes
• when a 16 year old Pakistani girl has more courage and wisdom than many world leaders and tough guys http://www.businessinsider.com/malala-yousafzai-left-jon-stewart-speechless-2013-10
• when your daughter messages you that she is now exactly half your age :) 
• when the chairs you set up in the rec room are mysteriously removed
• Double Dunker ice cream- no wait, that one is mmmmmmm... not hmmmmm...
• when someones starts a sentence with "I'm not prejudiced or anything, but...." 
• salamanders in the basement..... do they eat spiders? 
• speaking of the basement and arachnids, when you have to set a shoe within grabbing distance of your yoga mat, just in case
• when 10 lepers were cured and only one said thank you (Luke 17:11-19)

Brother Mick's message title this week is "The Tie that Binds," and his scripture is the Luke 17 passage. In his presermon notes he says, "Luke reminds us that we all come before God as persons in need of healing, yet our pride or arrogance, or mistrust of others can often cause us to miss out on such healing due to our own stubbornness."  The worship service begins at 10:15 A.M. with the Christian formation hour from 9-10 A.M.  The young adults will again meet with the senior high youth to continue the "Jesus Is____" series meeting in the newly renovated senior high room!

As we think about saying "thank you," a huge word of appreciation is going out to Vaunda and Erica Siegrist for the hours of time and energy they put into the remake of the senior high space. I only discovered near the end of the project that Red really dislikes painting!

Well, it is time to set out a few more buckets and ready my rowboat. (Any roofers reading this? Call me!)

Prayer for today: We rest in your love and presence today, Gentle God. Help us to know that is enough. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

(PS For a closer look at the photos, click on them!) 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Acrimonious, belligerent, contentious, divided, enraged, furious, galled, hateful, impassioned, jaded, know-it-alls, lacerated, malcontents, naysayers, oppositional, provocateurs, quarrelsome, rigid, severe, thorny, unyielding, vexing, wearisome, xenophobic, yapping, zelotic _________________________.

I started this diatribe with adjectives to describe our current politicians and quickly realized this list could just as easily characterize the church. GASP!

As we are in the midst of this national political estrangement, perhaps those of us who are believers should examine our attitudes, our Pharisaical ways, and our submission to the Holy Spirit, as we stand with arms crossed and brows furrowed, refusing to join hands and "break bread" with other believers. Much to the consternation of many, the Church is not the same as our nation.  Once again I plead with my sisters and brothers on both sides of the political spectrum to remember our origin and home. Remember the Christ who has brought us together.

Ambassadors, believing, compassionate, devoted, empathetic, forgiving, grace-full, hospitable, illuminated, joyful, kind, loving, mediators, neighborly, obedient, peace-acting, quotable, reliable, serving, transformed, united, veritable, willing, xenagogues, Yule-celebrators, zesty____________________________.

Which list best describes you? me? us?

On Sunday our sister Val will be sharing her difficult journey through brokenness to the healing and hope found in the "Bread and Cup," the life of Jesus. Her title is "Moving Mountains and Dodging Lightning Bolts." Scriptures for the morning are Psalm 37:1-9, II Timothy 1:1-14, Ecclesiastes 3:9-15. We will be joining people around the world breaking bread, pan, ksra, chapatti, naan, brot, as we share in communion on this day designated for the global community of faith reminding us of God's limitless, boundless, incredible love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uQCyxBL2O8 Communion scene from the movie, "Places in the Heart"

We'll have singing from 9-9:15 a.m. in the Rec room.  Brother John will teach the combined young adult and senior high class in the Upper Room following our time of joyful noise. :) The worship service will begin at 10:15 a.m. Fellowship time can continue following the service for our annual pig roast. Mmmmm, mmmmm, good!

Prayer for today: Do not worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they will soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Psalm 37:1-3a Loving God, help us to put our trust in you.  Gentle God, open our hearts and eyes to see ALL your people and know that your ways are not our ways, and we are called to be transformed to Your likeness. Many times our lives are messy and difficult, yet You do not give up on us. Help us not to give up on each other.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

(PS For a closer look at the photos, click on them!) 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

When my daughter Kori was in high school and there was "down" time with the youth group, she'd inevitably start a round of what we dubbed "Kori questions."

 Would you rather eat  cookies or cake? Would you rather be attacked by a shark or mauled by a grizzly bear?  Would you rather have an extra nose on the back of your head or a a third eye on your forehead?  Would you rather awaken with a tarantula on your chest (Brady Bunch, anyone? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh9dRcga8YE ) or trip over a yellow jacket nest?
You get the idea.

As I read Brother Mick's presermon notes for his message, "What are you chasing?" on Paul's words in I Timothy 6:6-19 for this Sunday, I thought about "Kori questions."
Would you rather....? 

• have oodles of cash or tons of friends? 
• be known as part of the popular, cool crowd or the kind, thoughtful individual?  
• be the one everyone turns to for the latest gossip or the one people turn to for an empathetic listener? 
• be the one known for outrageous pranks or generous good deeds? 
• be known for your quick wit and intelligence or your wise, gentle actions? 
• be known as hard-working and driven or playful and a rose aficionado?

In and of themselves some of these things aren't bad.  Brother Mick says, "I want to spend some time inviting us to reflect on our personal pursuits during the message time particularly as we prepare ourselves for sharing in the world communion event the following Sunday." 

Questions I pondered this week (and other weeks!) 

When life is so very difficult/hellish for someone, (e.g. child suffering the deaths of both parents, rape, war-torn lives, abuse, school shootings, earthquakes, hunger...), how does one best communicate God's love?  Does my saying, "You are loved by God" sometimes result in anger/hurt/frustration? There are times words sure don't seem like they have much meaning.  "For the Bible tells me so..." seems awfully flat to me in these situations. 

What do you think? Hmmmmm...... 

The senior high class will join the young adults for the second lesson in the Judah Smith study "Jesus Is____."  Brother John will be teaching. :) The Christian formation hour begins at 9 a.m., and the worship service is at 10:15 a.m. Everyone is welcome! 

Marcie will be joining a team from The Factory (http://thefactoryministries.com/wordpress/) at a national conference in Oklahoma City addressing poverty next week.  Sharing part of her story, Marcie will no doubt inspire hope and action.  I'm not sure I've ever met anyone so determined to get up again and keep trying after being "kicked in the teeth" time and time again. Those of us who are the "haves" could learn much from our "have not" sisters and brothers.  Those of us who are the "haves" should shut up (ok, I know I have to wash the dishes for saying, "shut up," but I'll take my medicine) and listen to the stories of the "have nots." Those of us who are the "haves" should have to walk in the shoes of the "have nots" for a month and gain understandings of the challenges. Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now.   

A "Walk for Hunger" is being held on Sunday, October 20 at the Salisbury Park. Monies will help support the food pac program for Pequea Valley School District.  Contact Char if you're interested. 

Thoughts of love and caring are going out to Tynea and Travis in the death of their grandpa this week.

Prayer for today:   For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God's constant love toward humankind. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Thank you! In you, Gentle God, is our hope and healing. Let us be aware of your Presence and Grace. Grant us wisdom in sharing your 

love be it in action or word.  As the Horst family grieves the loss of grandfather/father wrap them in your comforting light.  Thank you that Your grace and mercy are living water for our souls. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In JESUS name. AMEN. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

(PS For a closer look at the photos, click on them!) 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd