Gloria in Excelsis Deo

 

Photo credit- Jim Lapp


 I wish you could have seen her face.  Joy and light emanated from this dear friend as she lay against the bed, oxygen prongs in place, and although was struggling with the "timeline" of reality and her very breath, she sang wholeheartedly the  "Glooooooooooooooooooooooria" in Angels We Have Heard On High with those of us who were caroling to her Wednesday night. I was reminded of the power and blessing of music, the power and blessing of this tradition, and the power and blessing of a relationship with our Lord. 

 Music is a gift that permeates our hearts and souls unlike any mere spoken word. Forgotten memories awaken as familiar melodies are rendered taking us to other times and places. Although we may no longer be able to create beautiful sound, music can incite our very souls to sing. Joy. Praise. Hope. Love. Peace.

I used to make caroling a priority during the Advent season, singing with various groups several times each season. Busyness has distracted me. I'm not a great singer, but I can hold a tune, and I certainly know Christmas songs. If you think of it next year, keep me accountable.  Ask me, "Carol, how many times are you caroling this year?" or better yet, ask if you can join me! This tradition is one that certainly blesses all the participants and truly is worship. I hope when I am 90 years old someone comes to sing for me!

My dear sister Frances has lived her life in relationship with her Lord even spending time in the convent as a teen considering if her call was to dedicate her life as a nun to her Jesus (I use the possessive pronoun "her" Lord, "her" Jesus as that is how she discusses her relationship with God.) She is very human and like all of us has struggled with living out this relationship in ways that honor God. Yet the depth of joy that radiated from her on Wednesday was more than the music; her very soul was praising the Lord  with all her being and the glory of God radiated from her face.

"Rejoice in the Lord!The fullness of time has come.  As the earth brings forth its shoots, so God sent the Son, born into the human condition, to set us free to live as beloved children.  The unexpected has happened. We belong to God."

Brother Mick will be sharing the message, "This Is Real Life" from Luke 2:1-7 reminding us of the harsh reality to which Jesus was born, yet with him the glimmer of light and hope of all.  There will be no Sunday school classes, so the service will begin at 10:15am with coffee, cookies, and fellowship time beginning at 9:30am.  

Christmas Eve service will begin at 7pm here at Ridgeview Mennonite Church, 3723 Ridge Road, Gordonville PA. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/ 

My prayer for today:  Creator of the stars and sun, you are the one true light. You are the one hope. You are the living joy, the heart's home, the breathing love. You call each of us by name to dwell with you. O God, powerful and mighty, you became one of us that we could gaze into your eyes and know life and true love. Thank you. Bless each reader with a reminder of your loving presence today and always.  Peace. Love. Life. Joy. 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

   "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
    

"Haves" and "Have Nots"

 Have you seen the photo image that has been making its rounds on facebook depicting a split picture with half showing emaciated children reaching upward as if for food and the second part displaying women with overflowing shopping carts filled with games and stuff? None of the photo subjects appears happy.  The caption reads, "Define Necessity."

I must confess, as one of the "haves," these images cause me to feel really uncomfortable which I would guess is the intention of the post. I enjoy the overflow of gifts we have under the tree. I have a lovely home with a bit of land. I have warmth and clothing. I have clean water, hot water, and running water. I have cars (plural) to drive, an education, books, bikes, electricity, a piano, toys, phones, computers, and a few extra pounds.   Many of us glance at the images of these dear children and quickly skip to the next post because we don't want to be reminded of the want and need in the world. Many of us look at the images and say, "Wow, this is a good reminder of how blesssed we are," and yes, that is true but is that where we stop?  I am more and more convinced  as I mature (aka get older) that for those of us who are followers of Jesus, it is worship when we feed and clothe the hungry.  God's way is not our comfortable way. Afterall, God came to the earth as a "have not"  and was even an "alien" for a while in Egypt. Is not the best way to honor and praise our Lord to model the sacrificial love exemplified by our Jesus?

Mother Teresa's statement of "We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love" helps me when I feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the pain and despair in the world. 

Small things--Great Love.

Mennonite Central Committee  http://www.mcc.org/ has urgent needs for hygiene and school kits. There are cloth bags on the MCC table which you can pick up, fill, and return to the table.

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/missions.htm  We are helping to feed the hungry children in our community. If you live locally and would like to help pack or deliver the food packs, sign up in the lobby.

http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1528  If you spend time on the computer, why not play "freerice" and feed the hungry at the same time?

Small things-- great love-- Doable--Today--Tomorrow-- At home--At shopping centers--In cars--With family--With friends--With strangers--With adults--With children--At church--At school--At work--At play. Small things--Great Love--NOW!

Whoo! Got a little preachy there!

Brother Mick, with his knee securely in a brace, will be preaching a message he's calling, "Let It Be." In Luke 1 Mary responds to the angel with "let it be with me according to your word." Do we trust God to be in control of our lives? Additional scriptures are 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Romans 16:25-27.

College students, I hope to see you in the Upper Room this Sunday at 9am! I've been praying for you as you've completed papers and taken exams!

Blessings to Craig who is back in Minnesota after having blessed us with his presence this fall. Craig, you added much thought and wisdom to our discussions. Thank you!  Keep us posted on life!

On Wednesday, Dec. 21 I plan to take a group Christmas caroling to Manor Care Health Center on the west side of Lancaster where Frances and Albert, and Amanda reside.  Would you like to join me? :)

My prayer for you today: Creator God, you are present in this new day.  In fact, you have a plan for this day and for each of us.  Help us to pay attention to your schedule. Help us to see people as you see them. Help us to enter your plan even if it messes up our own activities. Grant us courage to act. Let us do small things with great love so that others will see YOU in us. 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
"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

We're waiting...we're waiting...we're waiting....

 As we are now in the season of Advent, the time of waiting for the coming of the Christ, I've been thinking about all the waiting we engage in on a daily basis. I think of that dial-up sound we came to know so well and quickly a few years back as we waited to connect to the internet-- oh, and the sound of the coffee maker as it drips; and the sound of the running water as the tub fills; and the sound of a hungry infant.  My dad had an old single-slice toaster that had been his Aunt Nettie's which said, "tickatickatickatick ...." as the bread browned. Even as I write this, I am waiting for the wood stove to reach a high enough temperature to close the damper, and I hear the flames nibbling the wood.   

 

Hurry Up, Brooke!

Here's a "waiting" list:                                                    

• for baby to be born
• to stand in line to purchase Christmas gifts   
• to be seated at a restaurant
• for the electric power to return after a snowstorm
• for there to be an open gate for the airplane to park
• for the turkey to finish roasting
• for the professor to grade exams
• for the game to begin
• for the website to load
• for the book you've ordered from the library 
• for the bus 
• for the store to open
  

  

  Coming home after school

• for your photos to upload
• to see the doctor
• for the children to come home from school
• for the school bus to pick up the kids
• for your ride to pick you up to go swimming
• for the biopsy report
• for the morning to dawn
• for traffic to move on a Saturday afternoon driving 340 in peak tourist season
• for the job interview

--And I could go on, and on, and on! What kind of attitude do you "wear" as you abide? On what are you waiting?

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting....

Brother Mick will be sharing from Psalm 85 which as many psalms has verses that recount history of God's faithfulness, question God, and yet return to God's love and faithfulness.  Verses 10-11 have beautiful imagery:  "Love and faithfulness meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven."  Hmmm.... what can it all mean? Ahhh, this God of Grace who awaits us with open arms like the Prodigal son's father, forgiving and transforming. The message title is "What are you waiting for?"  Hmmm... reads two different ways, doesn't it?

Monday, Dec. 5 is the annual Time Out auction with food available to purchase at 5pm benefitting missions, and the auction starting at 6:30pm.  Even if you don't bid on anything, this is always great fun!  Cliff and I've made some wonderful purchases over the years, from a pink playhouse to delicious chocolate cake.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 is the Service of Rembrance and Hope at 7pm.  The holidays are really difficult for some of us due to loss, loneliness, and brokenness.  We want to acknowledge our pain and invite the Light of the Divine to be present in new ways.  Feel free to bring photos of loved ones who have died.

As you may recall, Brother Mick had a knee replacement several weeks ago.  He experienced a "pop" during therapy afterwards, and although at first the medical staff thought  all was just the normal "waiting for healing," it is determined that there was a muscle tear at that time. Mick has reparation surgery scheduled for this Monday.  He will need to wear an immobilizer for 6 weeks. I think I need to add
"as we heal" to the waiting list above...Please be in prayer for him and Julie.

By thy rivers gently flowing, Illinois! Illinois!

Next week I will be in Illinois on Friday so I am not planning to post a communique. Be sure to check out the bulletin for details of events! http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletin.htm 

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, you are wrapped in light as a garment and ride on the wings of the wind. Fill us with your Spirit so that her fruit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-contol, is exemplified in our actions. For Anthony, Mim, Mick,  and others who are experiencing pain and brokenness, cover them with your blanket of light that they will experience peace, healing, and wholeness. 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 love by God, and I love you too!
Love and Light,
Carol

"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



  



                             

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a day of gratitude and fellowship in some way or another yesterday, and I hope you continue to live life in thankfulness.  I'm revamping a post from July relating to Thanksgiving for this week.  I hope you don't mind!

The gravel road a few miles from my Illinois home led down to the Mackinaw River and the old bridge. It was one of those structures that we describe as rustic and rickety... could we really drive across it?  Would I fall through if I walked across it? The road and the bridge were scenic and beautiful in the way of postcards, but across the river spanned by the creaky bridge, the scalp prickled and tales of legend were told.  You see, on the other side of the river was a sad, rundown house which, although appeared uninhabited, was the home of a recluse.  A man who was notorious in our small community with stories of pulling out the shotgun to pepper folks who entered his property, drinking and bathing in the muddy river water, squirrelling away a fortune.... Of course, this made him the subject of pranks and dares by the area's fearless and foolish.

This changed for me one Thanksgiving; my mom began building a new bridge.  You see, she was driving to our rural home which wasn't far from the scary man's shack, and she saw him walking along the road.  Well, the next thing we knew, there was going to be an additional guest for our Thanksgiving feast!   I don't recall many of the details of that dinner other than he was very scruffy, ate lots of bread and drank tons of water which perhaps prepared him for his stint in prison for tax evasion a year or so later.  But he was also very polite, very grateful, and treated my mother like a queen. My mom bridged a gap between us and our neighbor as I realized that at our table was a broken, old man. and one of God's own.  Fear: it keeps us from stepping on that seemingly rickety bridge, doesn't it. 

In reflecting on my childhood Thanksgiving feasts, we often seemed to have a few extra guests, residents from the local nursing home, college friends, or the local recluse who may not have liked the traditional rutabagas cooked in bacon grease but was thankful none the less.  Hmmm... Have I forgotten my Midwest hospitality? 

Brother Mick's message this week is, "O God, Where Are You?"  I suspect we've all thought or uttered those words at various stages of our lives.  I know I have.  The scripture passage is Isaiah 64:1-9 with its powerful words and images of a people frustrated and impatient when their reality wasn't the lovely home picture they envisioned. As this is the first Sunday of Advent with its waiting, longing, and preparation for the Messiah, the message is appropriate.  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+64%3A1-9&version=NIV;NLT 

I hope to see some of you college students in the Upper Room on Sunday at 9a.  You'll be surprised at the changes in the room!  We'll soon be ready to decorate.  :)

Please continue to be in prayer for Anthony and his family as he begins chemo on Monday. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 7- 7pm there will be a service of Hope and Remembrance at Ridgeview to bring our hurts, losses, and loneliness to lay at the feet or our Lord.  For some of us these holiday times are painful and difficult, and it is important to acknowledge this and journey together.

My prayer for  today:  Creator God, we praise you!  Though at times our journeys are difficult and lonely, you never leave us nor forsake us.  Give us pause to recognize your presence.  Surround Anthony, his family, and others who are in pain or struggling with your light, hope, and healing. Restore us, Lord, make your face shine on us. Let your healing and hope flow through us to a despairing world.  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

"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

Things that make me smile......

 Last week I challenged you to write down things that make you smile with the number of items matching your age. In these darker days of November, I find it helpful to think on these things! Here is my list.

 -Seeing my girls laugh and love together

 -Spotting a hawk sitting in a tree along I-81

  -The scent of the woods after a rain

  -Hearing a song on the radio that takes me back to a different time and place

 -Birthday greetings on facebook

 -That glob of hot fudge at the bottom of a sundae

  -When I'm reading a book so good that I can't put it down

  -The trees dancing wildly in the wind

  -Lying in bed and watching the changes of the sky from crimson to pink as the sun rises 

-The way the tree looks on Christmas eve after the gifts have been placed 

-Watching the family beast at soccer

-The warmth and scent of the wood stove

-Crawling into our bed after a few nights away from home

-The feeling of power as a plane takes off from the runway

-Finding out one of my PA friends knows where Tremont is

-When the girls were young, finding chicken corn soup, milk, and cookies waiting for us from my mom-in-law on our return from a vacation

-Fun snail mail

-Moon shadows

-Friends

-The scent of curry which takes my memory back to Belize

-Going  to museums

-The way my mom's voice can twinkle

-Sisters

-Moser popcorn

-The way my dad shrugs his shoulders

-Seeing my girls happy with their boys

-The light saber sound of hummingbird wings   

-Saturday morning coffee on the deck with my hubby                     

-Curly sliding boards

-Blue jeans and comfy sneakers

-Waking up in the middle of the night with moonlight on my face

-Entering Tremont

-Obie's "nosy" thank you when fed 

-Stimulating conversation

-Katydids

-Cloud art

-Having someone tell me I don't look old enough to have a married daughter

-Having Kitty Pennie settle in my lap

-Family game night

-Hymn sing at Menno Convention

    -The hoot owl choir

-The first crunch of the stones on the lane when I get home

-The girls singing along to the radio in the backseat of the car after supping out

-Rocking a baby

-My hubby's deep set eyes and strong jaw

-Standing on the bank of the Mackinaw

-The first oriole in the spring

-Birds at the feeders

-Fawns in the springtime

-Imagination

I would love to read your "smilers" so feel free to leave them in comments, fb, or email me. :) 

This week Brother Mick's message title causes me to smile, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Potatoes."  As he delves into Psalm 95:1-7 and Ezekiel 34:11-16, our brother will take us beyond the trite to the "unfettered praise to God because of God's character and being."

For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.....I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God.  I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over; I will feed them in justice."

At the end of the worship service, we will have a dedication of the Peace Pole.  http://www.peacepoles.com/

The Upper Room continues to evolve as Bob and others transform it with their carpentry skills.  This week Etta will be joining you for discussion and prayer during the 9am hour. 

Check the bulletin for other details of the morning and week. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/documents/bulletin%2011_20_2011.pdf

-A few other upcoming events to note:  Persons interested in the health care of the congregation are invited to attend a meeting on Nov. 30 at 7pm at Ridgeview.

-The holidays can be a dark and difficult time for many people for many reasons; loneliness, loss, etc.  We will be having a service on Dec. 7 at 7pm to invite God's light to be present to us in new ways.

I finally saw the last Harry Potter film.  I would love to have a book/movie discussion talking about the gospel parallels.  Interested? 

My prayer for today: Lord, you are God--Creator of the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains, the deeps of the sea. Power. Might. Majesty.  Yet you come to us as a gentle shepherd, guiding, leading, feeding, protecting, loving, giving. In you and through you we are covered with grace, filled with peace, and bathed in joy so that the healing and hope that is You can pour out of us to a hurting and broken world.  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   

"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 saw a former neighbor at the grocery store this week which got me thinking of our shared stories.  This tale (or is it tail) got a lot of mileage.  :)

Having all converged at a soccer game to watch our eldest play, Cliff, Alana, and I were now driving home at the same time, one behind the other.  There was a bald eagle perched in a tall tree watching our caravan!  Cliff parked his vehicle outside; Alana pulled into the garage, and I followed.  As we got out of our vehicles we were greeted by a big, shaggy, golden dog whose tag read "Jake" and looked similar to our "Obie."  We called the number on the tag and the owner from a couple of miles away came and collected this friendly lug.

After sending the dog on its way, I hit the play button on the answering machine and heard this message, "Hi, Carol. This is Chris..."  Meanwhile, Cliff released Obie from his crate and went into the garage to find the dogfood spilled across the floor.  Curious..... Chris's message continued, "Obie is over here and keeps bothering our dog. Would you come get him?" 

Hmmmmmmm.....The next message on the machine was Chris's mom, Abby, with perhaps a slight irritation in her voice. "Carol, Obie just keeps bothering our dog, so I put him in your garage." Well, the giggles at our house began as we realized what had happened. 
I picked up the phone and called our friends. The eldest son answered the phone, "Hey, Nic! Would you give your mom a message?" I said laughingly. "That dog she put in our garage? It wasn't Obie!" 
Chortles turned guffaws by all the players, as a new and fun memory was created that day. Good times!

This week Brother Mick will be sharing a message he has titile, "Here, Hold This" based on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.  Monetary gifts, natural resources, talents--what kind of stewards are we? The response song for the morning, "Take My Life" in which the first verse reads, "Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise, let them flow in ceaseless praise." Seems like a great prayer for everyday.
A guest from SEND International will also be sharing about this mission in which the Smoker family participates.

As a wholistic people, we care about our physical selves too. Join in the "Maintain Don't Gain" challenge as the holidays approach.  Check the bulletin for more info. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletin.htm

I plan to join you in the Upper Room on Sunday, although I might be a few minutes late arriving as I finish last minute details for leading worship. 

On my last birthday, my son-in-law challenged me to write 50 (yes, my age) things that make me smile which I did easily.  I would encourage you to take your age and do the same! Just creating the list made me grin. :)

My prayer for you today:  "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Ps 90   Creator God, fill us with a renewed awareness of your presence;  Jesus, Jesus, draw us to you as we face the tough times and heartbreaks in life, assuring us that you are along for the journey.  Spirit of the living God, guide us with wisdom and equip us with the needed tools to do the work of reconciliation of which we are called as your people. Thanks and praise to you, God, for the beauty of your creation. 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

"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

     The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork.  Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.  There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  Psalm 19:1-4

The proclamation of our Creator through nature was beautiful and clear last Sunday morning after the rare October snow. We were inconvenienced by the loss of power for 48 hours, but already I'm smiling at the images of Cliff and I sitting in the dark and listening to the cracking and falling of branches on Saturday night and reaching for the peanut butter jar for yet another meal.  What is now at the forefront of my mind is the speech that poured out without a voice on Sunday morning.  Yes-- a holy moment and vision of God's glory.                                                                       

This weekend is missions emphasis weekend at Ridgeview. There is opportunity to serve at Mennonite Central Committee's Material Resource Center in Ephrata on Saturday morning with a meal served Saturday evening with cuisine of Venezuela.  If you are interested in joining the workers, contact me, and I'll see what I can do!  

Sunday school at 9am will be in the sanctuary with our guest speakers Willis and Brydalene Horst.  They will also be sharing during the worship service with a message, "Celebrate God's Faithfulness."  For a look at Sunday's bulletin, check out the link below. :)

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/documents/bulletin%2011_06_2011.pdf

Craig is back from his work with Mennonite Disaster Service.  I'm looking forward to hearing about his experience.  Ask him about it when you see him!

Please keep praying for Anthony, Mim and their families as treatments are determined and implemented.  

Ridgeview is going to be implementing the Food Pac program to send food home on weekends to school children in need, a service to which we've historically been involved but not given leadership. Talk to Marie K.  or Charlotte L. for ways you can help.

My prayer for you today: Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  How precious is your love!  Despite the many uncertainties of our lives, God, you are our constant presence.  So often we pray, "God, be with us," and you already are here.  Let us be still, and aware. Love, joy, peace-- these are your fruit. We ask that your healing will cover Anthony, Mim, their families as well as others who are hurting 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!  Contact me anytime. 

Love and Light,

Carol

         

"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. "