There was the time I was preaching a sermon, and as I'm prone to do, I was fidgeting. Now obviously I couldn't fidget with my hands as that would be noticeable, so I was twirling my shoe behind the giant pulpit.  Yep. You know the rest of the story. Multi-tasking was the next order of business as I brought home my message point and tried to dance my toes around the area "looking" for my shoe at the same time.

There was the time during church that several of us were overcome with mirth as the Christmas song we were singing was to the tune of an Italian love song that had us ready to tango down the aisle.

There was the time when we were singing "Faith of Our Fathers" with the revised inclusive language changed to "Martyrs," and my hubby started singing "fathers" but switched to "martyrs..."

Try it. 

Now these church stories may have resulted in serious cases of sophomoric silly giggles, but, dare I say, many times our countenances, actions, singing, and attitudes seem to suggest boredom or drudgery rather than praise and joy. Bubbly, always happy and charismatic little churchers aren't realistic or even desired; life is too painful for that. But in the "habit of church" have we misplaced Resurrection joy and instead settled into crucifixion fear and sadness or at the very least a "Ho-Hum, God's work is already done" expression?

Brother Mick's message "Euphoric Exuberance" invites us to "A rejoicing that frees us to laugh and sing and wonder at the greatness of God's redeeming work." His sermon text is John 20:19-31 where Jesus appears in a closed room where the disciples were gathered. The text I'm reading says, "The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord."  Can you imagine?! (Perhaps that's part of our problem; many of us have tucked our imaginations into the bottom drawer of our childhood. Dare we open it?)  Additional texts for the morning are Psalm 126 and I Peter 1:3-9. 

The service begins at 10:15 AM with classes preceding at 9 AM. If you don't know what class to attend, there are options for everyone! Please ask when you arrive. 

Laura and Taylor graduate from Eastern Mennonite University on Sunday. Congratulations!  (That's where I'll be!) 

Let's all breathe a prayer for Travis as on Sunday he runs a marathon! Go, Travis!  

Thanks for the excellent response for shoes!  I will deliver them to Korinne for distribution at the nursing home. 

This is the final Sunday for the in-gathering of food for The Factory Ministries.The Factory  Canned goods, granola bars, cereal... etc. 

Prayer for today: Praise the Lord! Praise God in  the sanctuary; Praise God in the mighty firmament! Praise God for mighty deeds; Praise God according to God's exceeding greatness! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!  Psalm 150 

Creator God, thank you for your living, loving, light-giving Presence. Thank your for the accomplishments of Laura and Taylor and grant them peace and wisdom as they prepare for the next chapters. Fill Travis with strength and perseverance as he runs.  

Free us, Lord, from the binds that keep us from fully rejoicing in Resurrection joy.  

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

Ridgeview Mennonite Church

"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

c 1985 I blew it.  This is one event that I wish I could do over.  You see, I was working night shift in a med/surg unit at Ephrata Hospital, and it was crazy busy!  Those of you who are nurses know the kind of shift I mean-- Lots of pain meds to give, blood to hang, bedpans to empty, orders to take off, new admissions... and then there was Mr. Omar.  Ringing his bell. Calling for the nurse.  Ringing his  bell. Calling for the nurse.  Ringing his bell... you get the idea.  And what was it Mr. Omar wanted?  Little things.. a drink of water, covers adjusted, a different pillow, and so on...  He was alert but weak and couldn't really take care of his own needs. I was exasperated and annoyed.  I didn't have time for him.  Sigh-- I did the bare minimum while hardly speaking to him as I fulfilled his requests and then bustled to my next task.  

When I came in the next night for my shift, I was hit by a sledge hammer. (figuratively, of course) Mr. Omar had died that day in the morning a few hours after I had left the hospital. My eyes were suddenly opened as I  realized why Mr. Omar had been ringing his bell constantly--  He was alone.  He was afraid.  He knew he was dying.  He needed a caring person to be by his side; to hold his hand and pray with him; someone to speak gently to him and assure him.  God had put me in that place to be that person. Overwhelmed with my "to do" list, I failed to see the truth that was right in front of me. In the chaos of my tasks,  I failed to center in Jesus and in the peace that transcends all else.  I believe without a doubt that had I been more centered, I would have given those drinks of water with more kindness and gentleness; I would have brought an extra blanket and held his hand for a minute or two.  I would have thought to call the chaplain.  I would have fluffed his pillow and asked him if he wanted me to recite the 23rd Psalm with him before I went back out to the nurses' station. If I was writing this with pen and paper, it would be smudged because I still cry a little when I reflect on that night. 

I became a better nurse; one more focused and centered in our Lord. I learned to look beyond the physical needs.  I've asked for Jesus to forgive me, and I know he has, but I am so sorry, Mr. Omar.  I hope one day to apologize to him in person. 

We enter Holy Week as Sunday signifies the final week of Lent. Please join us as our worship service this Sunday will move from loud hosannas and palm branches to the scriptures of passion and pain. Classes-9 AM. Church Service- 10:15 AM.

Additional services this week to which you are ALL invited: 

• Maundy Thursday Love Feast: 6:15 PM
• Good Friday Service: 7 PM
• Early Easter Sunday Service: 8:15 AM
• Easter Breakfast: 9 AM
• Easter Celebration: 10:15 AM

There will be no communique next Friday. 

Food items of any form are being gathered to share with The Factory Ministries.   

There is a box under the mailboxes for either new or slightly used, clean adult sneakers to share with residents of the Philadelphia Nursing Home. Questions about the shoes may be directed to Korinne Wenger or me. 

Prayer for today: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; God's mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in God." Lamentations 3:22-24

Lord God, fill us with a renewed awareness of your presence in our lives. Jesus, Jesus, draw us to you as we face the tough times and heartbreaks in life assuring us that you are on the journey with us; remind us to pause and be centered in You as we relate to each other. Spirit of the living God, guide us with wisdom and equip us with the needed tools to do the work of reconciliation for which we are called. Thanks and praise to you, forgiving and gentle God! 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

Ridgeview Mennonite Church

"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

There are those with the skill, willingness, time, and vision to see the "bones" of run down old houses and transform them into something new and beautiful.

My parents are people like that. With my mom's optimism for what "could be" coupled with my dad's unstoppable carpentry skills and "know how," they labored on an old broken-down farmhouse which became my family home. My memories of the process are few as I was only 4-5 years old at the time, but if I close my eyes and drift, I can smell the wood and paint; I can certainly feel the itch from falling asleep atop a
roll of soft, pink insulation; I can recall squabbling and playing with my sisters in an unfinished living room.

I wish I had before and after photos of the house to share with you.

I'm struck how the word "labor" is so appropriate as in a way, something new was "born," and I can attest to the abundant life that filled that old house!

What if we could see the value of our dry, old bones and be open to the transforming, life-giving power of the Creator in us? What if we could see each other with not as we are but rather as God intended us to be? What if...?

Brother Nelson is preaching a message called, "Renewed for Life," with scripture text from John 11:1-45 where Lazarus is called back to life. Additional texts include Ezekiel's valley of dry bones in chapter 37. Our focus statement for the morning is: "We encounter God in our mortality and our need for renewal. God replenished the "dry bones" of Israel, and Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. As we breathe, we witness God's breath, which restores creation. We wait with hopefulness for resurrection."

The service begins at 10:15 AM with Sunday school at 9 AM.  I hope you can join us.

It is not too late to join the Easter choir! People of all ages are invited. Practices are April 8 and 15 at 7 PM.

Holy Week events:
April 17  Maundy Thursday Service 6:15 PM  (A light supper will be offered.)
April 18 Good Friday Service 7 PM
April 20  Easter Early Service-8:15 AM;  Breakfast-9 AM; Worship-10:15 AM

For the month of April we will be collecting food items such as cereals, granola bars, peanut butter, canned goods, etc. for The Factory Ministries The Factory Ministries.

Korinne Wenger is part of a team of Drexel University students initiating a "sneaker drive" for Philadelphia Nursing Home residents. During a recent visit, the students discovered many people did not have adequate footwear to enable safe walking. The students are collecting gently used (and cleaned!) or new adult sneakers of all sizes to distribute. I will place a box in the lobby for shoe collection; please tie the shoelaces together.

Prayer for today: 

We Give thanks to you, Lord, we call on your name; let us make known among the nations your glorious kingdom of justice and peace.

Despite our brokenness and dry bones; despite our forgetfulness; despite our unloving ways and impure motives you continue to grant us grace and mercy—a love that endures forever. You offer living water to revive us from our dry bones.  You are our hope and our salvation. You didn’t say to us that you were so disgusted with us that you sent us Jesus . NO! You said you LOVE us, the world, so much that Jesus came to bring healing to our relationship with you.   Thank you, Shepherd King! 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

Ridgeview Mennonite Church

"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