I grew up in a small Midwest village http://www.tremontil.com/index.html where the majority of kids with whom I marched to "Pomp and Circumstance" were also present when we gawked at the second grade teacher crying on the playground asphalt after she broke her ankle playing the dangerous sport of tetherball, giggled when 'you know who' kissed a girl at the Lakeview planetarium, and visited the sewage treatment plant on a thrilling fifth grade fieldtrip. While walking uptown over school lunch to Duke's for the world's best hot fudge sundae, we watched in horror when one of our classmates was hit by a vehicle, and some of us got in trouble for shooting water with the air pistons in eighth grade science class. We knew one another forever; our parents knew each other for an eternity.
Imagine our guffaws when one of our high school classmates got a speeding ticket en route to pick up his girlfriend only to be welcomed to her house with a call from one of his parents saying, "Do you have something to tell me?" Keep in mind that our communication device(singular), aka the telephone, was attached to our kitchen walls. OH, wait, some of us did have the CB radio. Anyway, I don't know exactly what his mom/dad said, but I imagine it was something like that.  (Feel free to remind me of the details if you read this. You know who you are.)  :)  Word got around, not always accurately, but it spread like wildfire without tweets and texts.

This week Brother Mick's message is called, "Speaking the Party Line" with scripture text from Luke 4:14-22. Jesus read and spoke in his neighborhood church. There is a bit of excitement, and I imagine some hometown pride. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" There is good news!  Good news for all! The worship service begins at 10:15am, and I'll join you in the Upper Room at 9am. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

Sunday, Feb. 3 the senior high youth will host the annual Amish Wedding Feast fundraising event in the 1990 hall following the service. Yum YUM! Please come to eat plenty and give generously.  The funds are needed to take us to the Mennonite Convention in Phoenix.

If you are considering baptism, let me know. A "discovery class" is being offered for late winter and early spring.

A prayer for today: 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. Ps 19:1-2 
Creator God, thank you for your presence with us. You never leave us nor forsake us. Let our lives declare Your glory by the way we treat each other. Let your Spirit fruit be sweet and ripe within us, and let us share that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control with all of 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

"Would you two grow up?"
You are probably thinking that once upon a time in my exasperation as a mom to young children, this was something I spouted off to them  followed by the directive to "sit on the step until you can get along." You would be wrong.  This is a question (more like an order!) that one of our daughters directs to Cliff and me (still!) on those occasions of childish bickering between husband and wife.  Properly chastised, we kiss and make up. Well.... sometimes not that quickly! ;)

This week's scripture passage is John 2:1-11 where Mary and Jesus interact during the wedding at Cana, and we get a miniscule glimpse of the human relationship between mother and son.  Brother Mick's message is called, "A Sign of What's to Come," and he'll examine not only the family interactions, but also ask the question, "How do we embody Jesus' example of boundless grace and extravagent generosity in our lives?" The worship service begins at 10:15am. Brother Nelson will be joining you in the Upper Room at 9am. I hope you can join us!
Ridgeview details at http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Dr. Martin Luther King's life and influence as we commemorate his vision next week. Here is a quote from Dr. King's "Loving Your Enemies" sermon delivered on Nov. 7, 1957. Was MLK a Mennonite? :)
"Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a descending spiral,ultimately ending in destruction for all and everybody. Somebody must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and the chain of evil in the universe. And you do that by love."  And to that I shout out "AMEN!"

Quizzing kicks off on Sunday evening at Lancaster Mennonite School. http://lancastermennonite.org/
The scripture material this year is drawn from the life of David. 

Couples, there is a Valentine Banquet on Feb. 9, 6pm at church. Yummy food and fun entertainment is the agenda for the evening! Let me know if you plan to attend so that I can sign you up. :)

Those of you who look forward to the delicious Amish turkey dinner (Tynea!)  fundraising event provided by the senior high youth, mark your calendars for Feb. 3!  This year's funds will help to carry the youth to Phoenix for the Mennonite Convention.

A prayer for today: Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.With you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Ps 36:5/9   Loving God, we rest and receive your light and love today. Open our eyes to see each other as your beautiful creation. Open our ears today to hear your whisper. Open our hearts today to love each other as brothers and sisters. Open our hands today to serve one another with grace and mercy. 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!  Don't hesitate to contact me.

 

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

 



Flames of Comfort

A few years ago when I went with the youth on our annual winter weekend to a mountain cabin, I was awake (as is not unusual for me at these events) at 3am.  Amazingly, quietness reigned at that moment, and a couch was open so I curled up with my bible and journal in front of the wood stove. I don't know about you, but sometimes those sleepless nights really bare the soul. Now, I'm not kidding on this next part but as I read, wrote, and prayed feeling rather lonely and vulnerable, I asked God to remind me of God's presence.  Seriously, this happened.  Within moments of my prayer, the wood stove which contained coals, popped and began dancing in flames. Yep, a divine coincidence that the log Jim had placed on the coals a bit earlier ignited at just that moment. I feel really silly at times sharing these types of stories, yet I am a believer that God is the supreme worker of coincidence, and I was comforted.

Flames,  water, clouds--God's presence was made known and is made known through pillars of fire, in burning bushes, fiery furnaces, and through parting waters.  The senior high youth watched a bit of The Radicals on Wednesday evening including the martyrdom of Michael Sattler who was tortured and burned for his beliefs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjJBEGcllE4 His wife Margaretha was drowned for her faith. Is it not a comfort that God's presence would be in the flames and in the water with them and with all of us at those times?

This week Mick's message is called "Through Fire and Water" with his text from Luke 3:15-22 telling of Jesus' baptism and drawing on Isaiah 43:1-7.  "Fear not, for I have redeemed you, O Israel: I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God..." Is 43:1-3a
I will join you in the Upper Room at 9am, and our worship time begins at 10:15am.
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

I look forward to hearing from those of you attending the music and worship leaders retreat at Laurelville this weekend! http://www.laurelville.org/ 

A "Discovery Class" for persons contemplating baptism will be offered this winter and early spring. If you are interested, let me know!

Our ingathering for this month is Progresso Soup, enough to fill the 88 food pacs we share with children in need in the Pequea Valley School district each week.

Prayer for today: The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Ps 29:3-4

Let us hear your voice today, Loving God, whispering your words of comforting presence to us in water and flame. 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

Sky Dancers

Yesterday while on my way to the grocery store just past Ranck's United Methodist Church, the mundane suddenly became extraordinary.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw them, sky dancing in perfect harmony. Setting the fourways, I pulled my subie onto the shoulder, and for about four minutes I stepped into a John Denver song where the air was still and clear, the sky was blue, and beauty was the spoken language. A pair of bald eagles were sky dancing over the fields; synchronized, dipping, soaring, twirling, mirror images of one another. I gazed until they flew beyond my sight, and then I continued with my daily tasks. What took less than 5 minutes filled me with awe, joy, thanksgiving, and inspiration affecting my actions and attitude for the rest of the day.(Sadly, I didn't capture any pictures!)
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; the voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Ps19:1-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcSJnDoAAg  For those of you too young to know who John Denver is, here he is singing "Eagle and the Hawk." :)

This week as we celebrate the manifestation of the Christ to the Magi, open your eyes and see! There are epiphanies, those understandings and manifestations of God, all around, perhaps even dancing in the sky! Brother Mick's message this week is called "Real Gifts to Give" with the scripture text from Matthew 2:1-12 exploring what insights and challenges this story has to share. The worship service begins at 10:15a with the Christian formation hour from 9-10a for which Brother Mick will be joining you in the Upper Room. There will be singing in the Rec room from 9-9:15a.
Here is a link to this week's bulletin for more info. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

What a joy it was to see some of you I hadn't seen for quite some time!  A special thanks to Rick and Gwen for hosting a fun Christmas party. :) Peace and blessings to those of you who are returning to classes, work, and training this week. Keep in touch!

Prayer for today: You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. Ps 104:10-13
We praise you, Creator God. Open our senses to your Presence.  Open our hearts to your love.  Open our minds to your thoughts. Open our arms to draw those who are in need, lonely, hungry, and hurting to your merciful embrace. 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

No Fig Leaves but Plenty of Hope

Many of us feel stripped and vulnerable this week; like we are struggling to hold ourselves and our families afloat in the depths of deep ocean waters teeming with unknown, horrible monsters. We live most of our lives trying to create the illusion of control and order, protection and provision for ourselves and our families. As we grieve and wail with our neighbors of Sandy Hook, as we face chronic and terminal illnesses, devastating car crashes, destructive hurricanes, drought, blizzard, war, famine, loss, ridicule, pain, and suffering, the reality of the deceptiveness of command and power overwhelm. We realize we can't make aprons of fig leaves to hide our bare selves and cover our children. What then is left? 

When all is gone, when we've been totally exposed and realize our helplessness, the Lord God will make for us garments of skins and clothe us. The Lord God whose love for us never ceases joined our human estate in the form of a helpless, vulnerable infant who grew to teach, heal, and guide us in our living; to protect us from the leviathan in the deep waters and keep us from drowning; to remove our fear in dying.

My soul is bereft of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, "Gone is my glory, and my expectation from the Lord." Remember my affliction and my bitterness, the wormwood and the gall!  My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his 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 him."  Lamentations 3:17-24

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, Mick will be sharing a message "Seeking Security" which is certainly apropos for our time. The scripture passage will be Micah 5:2-5a with supportive texts from Luke 1:39-55 and Psalm 80:1-7.  From where do we find our security? If  you are unable to join us at 10:15am at Ridgeview, I encourage you to listen on-line as the sermon will be posted shortly after the service. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/sermons/index.php

The Upper Room will be open this Sunday at 9, and I will join you after 15 minutes of singing in the Rec room. You are most welcome to join us for the singing too! I'm looking forward to catching up with those of you who are home for the Christmas season. :)

If you'd like to get together to talk, let me know! :)

Prayer for today:  How precious is your steadfast love, O God! For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Ps 36   Loving God, in you we rest and depend on for hope, joy, peace, and purpose.  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

In the Darkness

c 1973 The pathway through the woods was dark--more than dark--it was black--pitch black. No moon,under the cover of the tall, arching trees; it was deep cave kind of dark.  As young campers we felt the path with our feet, holding onto the person in front of us.  Flashlights?  Not allowed. Our camp counselors had assured us that our night vision would adjust to the darkness, and the torches would play havoc with our night sight.
They had not accounted for the blackness; that lack of any light at all leaving us blind in the middle of the woods.

As we stumbled along in the darkness, we came to that log across the stream which in the daylight had been fun and exciting to traverse.  Now it was terrifying. Did I mention it was dark?  That 'can't see your hand in front of your face' darkness? Yet we kept going--onto the log--all sixty-three 11 and 12 year olds tentatively began to cross single-file, creeping, blindly feeling each step.  I thought I was going to make it; I really did, but the girl behind me took a misstep and with a scream and a yank on my arm, we both tumbled off the log into the abyss.

This week Mick is preaching from Luke 3 where John the Baptist called to the people to repent and change. I think we often here the word "repent" with our narrow understanding of the word and don't read the rest of the passage. When the people ask John, "What shall we do?" Do you remember how he answered? 
"And the crowds asked him, 'What then should we do?' In reply he said to them, 'Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.' Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, 'Teacher, what should we do?' He said to them, 'Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.' Soldiers also asked him, 'And we, what should we do? He said to them, 'Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusations, and be satisfied with your wages.' Luke 3:10-14
Mick will expound on this theme of a Kingdom way of doing things.  'He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'  Hmmmm... can you name the fruit of the Spirit?  What would our world be like if those of us who claim Jesus as our king would manifest this produce?

Oh, you're wondering if I broke any bones or stumbled in the wooded darkness of Tiskilwa, Illinois until morning? When our leader realized what had happened, he left the others and came to our rescue.  :)

The Upper Room will be open, and I hope some of you college students will be joining us!  I think Merv will be there, and I will come up for a hello albeit a bit late.

A Service of Rembrance and Hope will be held at Ridgeview on Monday, Dec. 17 7pm.  This is a time to bring the grief, loss, and pain we are carrying. If you have a photo of a loved one for whom you are grieving, there will be a table on which to place it.

Safe travels, young friends!

You can listen to sermons online at http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

Prayer for today: Rejoice! God comes in mercy and light to turn us to the Kingdom way!
 Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit that your fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will be manifest in us.  Let your peace, O God, which transcends all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 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

  

 

My Tooth Ith Bothehing Me

I may have told this tale before, but in this busy season of preparation it popped into my brain this morning. 

A number of years ago I was working as  the health room nurse at my daughters' elementary school, and a 5th grade student walked in.  Actually, "walked in" doesn't quite capture it.  This boy was more like tigger and bounced in, every muscle in perpetual motion. I suspect he twitched in his sleep. Going directly to the mirror he said to me with his finger in his mouth, "Mithuth Wengeh, I have a looth tooth.  It'th bothehing me."

(Do you remember what that's like, that tooth that your tongue can't stop poking; that tooth that seems to have taken over your entire oral cavity and is screaming "I want to go live with the tooth fairy, NOW!"?)

"Do you want me to check it, Skippy?" (not his real name) :)
"Yeth!"
I slipped on a glove and wiggled the tooth. "Skippy, it's not ready to come out quite yet."
He grunted and returned to the mirror, wiggling and trying to yank out the tooth. His thumb and index finger of his right hand gripped the tooth, and his left hand grasped the right wrist in an attempt at manipulating physics. As I watched him, I realized he was not going to return to his class until that tooth was extracted.
"Do you want me to try?" I asked him. (Here we go! "What WAS I thinking?")

"YETH! I can't get anything done ath long ath thith tooth ith bothehing me!" He hadn't paused once in his attempts at dentistry.

Skippy sat in a chair with his foot tapping the floor like a drum roll, and I began.
"If it hurts too much, Skippy, let me know."
"JUST get it out!"
 My gloved fingers grasped that tooth and pulled. I twisted. I yanked. I wrenched. I twisted some more. I jerked. Finally, that little ivory was out! I shoved some gauze into the bleeding cavern, and Skippy popped out of the chair and over to the mirror.  I put the tooth in a little bag and handed it to him. 
"Thank you, Mrs. Wenger! Thank you! Now I can do my work." And with that he went back to class.

Are decorations, exams, cookie baking, Christmas shopping, papers, travel arrangements, gift wrapping, programs, and Dominic the donkey like loose teeth distracting you from the truth of the season?  Pull that tooth! Take at least10 minutes of "time out" today (and everyday!) and sit in a quiet spot. Listen to the voice of the Spirit. Think about the lives of a couple named Mary and Joseph as they journeyed without the luxury of a fine coach. Think about what God was about to do. Think about why God was going to do it. Ponder all God has done and is doing.  Believe and Rest. For God so loved...

"Believe it or Not" is Brother Mick's message title this week. His sermon text is Philippians 1:3-11 with additional scriptures from Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 1:68-79.  Perhaps in your quiet time today you could look up these passages. http://bible.oremus.org/  In his presermon notes, Mick says, "Spiritual life and religion, [Paul] is saying, begin with God, are carried out by God, and are completed by God.  The ultimate question we face, then, is whether we can actually believe that to be true and rest in that knowledge."  If you are unable to join us, I encourage you to check the website and listen to the sermon which will be posted follwing the service. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

Students, know that you are being remembered in prayer and with love during this time of coffee, little sleep, studies, and paper writing.  Those moments of quiet and rest are especially important for you!

I'm not sure who will join you in the Upper Room this Sunday. You might be on your own.  :)

Sunday afternoon at 4pm you have the opportunity to go caroling with your church family after which there will be refreshments and fellowship at the church.

A service of remembrance and hope will be held at Ridgeview on Monday, Dec. 17 at 7pm. For many of us this time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is dark and difficult as our losses and life struggles seem to stare us in the face. Know that you are not alone. Please join us for this meaningful time of sharing together.  There will be a place to set photos of loved ones for whom you are grieving.

Prayer for today: O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Ps 105

Loving God, we thank you. We praise you. We rest in you.  For You are our provider, our comforter, our teacher, our savior, our center. We pause and recognize your presence within and all around.  Let us not be distracted by our "to do" list but rather put you first and center. Then, Lord, we know that we can face the challenges of our "list" for we'll have our priorities in the right place. That said, Lord, I ask that you would grant our students clarity, energy, and focus as they take exams and complete papers and projects. You are our strength, our hope, our living water.  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