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

I was washing dishes when Vera who was sitting at the kitchen table said, "Say, would you wash this off?"

"Sure."  Having no idea what she was asking, I turned around, and she handed me what appeared to be a large marble. I glanced up at her face and saw the empty eye socket. Yikes! Her glass eye!  
Her twitching lips informed me that as much as desiring her eye rinsed, she was hoping to freak out this teenage girl just a little. 

One of my earliest jobs was as a companion/helper for a woman in my community who had become blind as an older adult. Arriving at her house each day, I would help with clothing and cooking, drive to appointments in her big brown Bonneville, and keep her company.  She had never visually seen the apartment in which she was now living, so there were strings from her bed to the bathroom, from her bathroom to the kitchen, and from the kitchen to the living room to serve as guide ropes.

Each day she would talk me through the preparation of food I'd never before made. I had to trust her mind's eye as under her tutelage I prepared chicken in a terrifying pressure-cooker; I fried zucchini and made mashed potatoes. Oh, I also had to call the plumber since the celery  I put into the garbage disposal choked all the moving parts with its fibrous self.

There were times our communication struggled as Vera's 70-something word set was different than my juvenile self's lot, and when she asked for her "pants" she did not mean the same thing I did. I suspect her patience was greatly stretched.

I am so grateful to Vera for teaching me not only about cooking but also about adversity and resilience. There are parts of our story for which I'd like to have "do overs," but it is what it is, and I am thankful for the relationship and opportunity.

"[Sunday's] texts are all about sight, both physical and spiritual," Brother Mick's presermon notes state. "They invite us to consider moving beyond whatever deeply imbedded, knee jerk reactions are so commonplace to us and consider other possibilities that may be present....Are we locked into our assumptions or can we allow the call and touch of God to expand our sight?"  The sermon passage is John 9:1-41 with adjunct scriptures from I Samuel 16:1-13 and Psalm 23.

You are welcome to join us!  The worship service begins at 10:15 AM with Sunday school at 9 AM.

I just had a great conversation with Heidi updating me on Ashlea's progress.  She is home and healing! Let's continue to hold her in our prayers.

Would you like to sing in the Easter Choir? After church you'll have an opportunity to meet the Mark Jackson who is directing.  :)

Prayer for today:  The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 Gentle Shepherd, open us to sight and understanding greater than ourselves that we may see the earth and its people as your earth and your people. Let us take care of each other and our world as we live in relationship with You. Thank you for Ashlea. We request your continued healing and loving Presence to be made tangible to her.  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

Encounters

Ranck's United Methodist Church 

Would I get the creamy and delicious broccoli cheddar soup with the Mediterranean veggie sandwich or perhaps the chipotle chicken panini? Hmmmmm and Mmmmmmmm! Panera Bread

I arrived a few minutes early for my lunch date with Joanne, and there were a gazillion other people who were in line pondering their lunch options. Opening the door for young moms, elderly couples, mothers and daughters, and friend groups, I made myself the unofficial greeter.  A man of undistinguishable age and ethnicity came in and paused.

"I think the nicer weather must be bringing them out," he said. "It's busier than usual for this time."
His clothes were shabby with a combination of layers not unlike Raj from "The Big Bang Theory"(Raj),
and the way his collar laid flat against him caused me to consider if they were also his pajamas.

"Church" entered our conversation, and he said, "I used to go with my girlfriend and always left feeling
inspired and cleansed." Wow.

As people continued to flow through the doors, he got in line, and we bid one another a "good day." I was kinda wondering if I should offer to buy him lunch, but I didn't.

The soup and sandwich won out, and now Joanne and I had the daunting task of finding a place to dispatch our fare. Every table and booth in that place was occupied.

"We could sit in the car," I half-jokingly suggested.

About that time the man I had been conversing with earlier observed our plight and with a smile and a nod beckoned us to join him at his table for four. For the next ten or fifteen minutes we made small talk as he ate his bagel with cream cheese, and we enjoyed our lunches.

Isn't it ironic that I stood in line wondering if I should buy this man lunch, and he freely offered a welcoming place for Joanne and I? I wonder what his story is? I wonder what encounters I'll have today, and if I'll be open to seeing God?

This week Brother Mick's message is called, "It Can't Be. Can It?" His sermon text is John 4:5-42 which is the story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. Mick in his presermon notes says, "It makes perfect sense to me that there will be times in our lives when, like the Samaritan woman, we will have an experience or gain an insight and ask ourselves in all sincerity, 'This can't be God, can it?' Such as this, I think is the way Jesus frequently comes to us. Not beating us over the head with cold hard truths or knocking us about because of our brokenness and sin. But rather offering the invitation to accept, to believe, to follow. To struggle with our own doubts and find faith. For the truth is, even the smallest event, the seemingly insignificant word or touch can be God's presence in our lives."
Our worship service begins at 10:15 AM with Sunday school at 9 AM. This is the third Sunday of Lent. "We encounter God through nourishment that meets our needs."

Since I did not blog last week, you may be unaware that our young friend Ashlea Loncosky Good had a brain aneurysm about 2 weeks ago. She is doing amazingly well and has moved from Hershey Medical Center to rehab.  Please join me in prayer as Ashlea heals.

An Easter Choir is in the works with Mark Jackson as our guest conductor. Would you like to sing? Sign up in the lobby or be in touch with Joanne Dietzel.

Prayer for today:  O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In God's hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are God's also.The sea is God's, for God made it, and God's hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95

Gentle God, as you wrap us in your love and grace in unexpected and seemingly insignificant ways, open our eyes to the gift, power, and beauty of these moments.  Grant us courage and wisdom, grace and peace as we relate to our neighbors, both friends and strangers. Forgive us our hubris, and help us to love with our whole hearts. Help us to practice gratitude and joy and know that in you, Jesus, we are "enough." Wrap Ashlea and her family in your healing and comforting light. Come Kingdom of God; Be done will of God; Here on earth as it is in heaven.  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

Winter and Spring Struggle

Vultures 

Eastern Bluebird 

"Are we like Judas, who was so overcome by his sin that he could not believe in God's mercy any longer and hanged himself, or are we like Peter who returned to his Lord with repentance and cried bitterly for his sins? The season of Lent, during which winter and spring struggle with each other for dominance, helps us in a special way to cry out for God's mercy." Henri J.M. Nouwen, Show Me The Way.

A powerful question, isn't it? Judas or Peter?

Lent has begun, this time of "springtime for the soul." I suspect the imagery of winter and spring struggling is especially poignant for many of us this year. Perhaps this long, harsh winter can itself be part of my Lenten discipline as the struggle of seasons intensifies.  Perhaps rather than despairing in the piles of snow and naked trees, I can live in the hope and knowledge that spring will, indeed, ultimately triumph; that when the forecast mentions snow and ice,  I respire "Yah-weh" breaths and hope in the merciful fecundity of spring; that this time of grappling seasons is not unlike the contention in my own soul.

Judas or Peter?  

Brother Mick's message is "Limits, Boundaries, and Freedom." "The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier....How do we understand our freedom as offered by God? Is it a freedom from or a freedom to choose?" Worship begins at 10:15 AM after the 9 AM learning and sharing hour. There is an elective on Spiritual formation to which everyone is invited even if you can attend only one!  We'll also have corporate singing in the rec room from 9:55-10:10 AM.

Penny Power is in full swing. Bring your nickels, dimes, quarters, pennies, and bills to drop into the big jug for this MCC food program project.Relief Sale Penny Power

Although I'm not quite 55, I may have to slip into the "Alive with 55" group on Tuesday to hear Marvin and Mary Lapp, parents of Glen Lapp who died while returning from a medical camp in a remote part of Afghanistan while serving with MCC, share their story.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad,you righteous, sing, all you who are upright in heart! 

God of compassion, reveal yourself to each of us today that we can truly understand a little bit more of your love and grace to turn from our ways of self harm and harm of others. Help us to listen to your whispers of encouragement and direction. As the winters and springs of our souls wrestle for dominance, teach us; guide us; grant us mercy.  Thank you for the life of each reader, and give each one courage to step onto the Kingdom Way; to be transformed into the beings we were created to be. Supply wisdom and courage, insight and protection, healing and hope. In your name, Jesus, we lay our thoughts, desires, thanks, and requests.   Come Kingdom of God.  Be done will of God, here, on earth as it is in heaven.  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

As we neared our destination, the roads became increasingly slick, upwards, and curvy. Our group of young people and their multi-aged leaders were en route to "Hilltop Haven" for a weekend of connecting with one another and our Creator. The lane leading to the cabin required a hairpin turn onto the icy upward slope, and the minivan loaded with luggage gunned it to get a running start. The youth, Cliff, and I watched from the road in the 15 passenger tanker.  The steep embankment on the "road" side of the lane allowed us a view through the winter trees. (Yep, steep embankment on one side of the glacier-like lane...) Nope; didn't make it. The headlights stopped moving.

A section of the lane plateaued, so we decided to at the very least to make an attempt at getting to that area. Cliff expertly maneuvered our tank into position and hit the accelerator onto the frozen waterfall. Some 30 yards (I really have no idea of the distance; I'm guessing!) behind the minivan, we slid to a stop and parked our van. The van in front of us was not only stopped but also wedged crookedly. Yikes!

I turned to the kids. "Grab your stuff. We're going to have to hoof it to the cabin from here. Be careful!"
Someone called out, "Can't we just sleep in here?"

With some of the youth wearing sneakers and moccasins rather than boots, the real fun began: the upward trek on a slab of ice carrying luggage, food, and sleeping gear. At one point my feet lost the workable snowy edge, and I found myself sliding backwards. Nathan offered a stabilizing hand, and I got back on course. Various lights from either phones, headlamps, or flashlights provided assistance for those of us without any illumination. The sound of a dropped 2-liter of root beer as it rolled and rolled and rolled and rolled provided laughter and warning lest "bowling for teens" became a new game.

Bruises, skinned knees, and ripped jeans resulted; I think all but 4 of us fell at some point. But helping and encouraging each other, we made it, AND I heard NO complaints from the youth.

As I've had time this week to reflect on our experience, I've thought about how this adventure is like life.

• We offer each other encouragement and aid
• We walk together 
• We keep positive attitudes
• We wait for each other
• We help each other up when we fall down
• The right shoes are important
• We may get bruised and bleed a little
• We share our light
• We help carry one another's stuff
• We prioritize what we really need to carry

But the very first thing?

• We have to get out of the van

Brother Mick is back from his adventure in Argentina, and he will be sharing a word he has titled, "Fluctuating Faith." "Our journey through faith is seldom as rock solid and consistent as we may hope it to be or even say that it is." His text for the morning is Matthew 17 which tells of Jesus along with Peter, James, and John climbing the high mountain where Jesus is transfigured before them. 

The worship service begins at 10:15 AM with Sunday school at 9 AM. 

There will be an adult elective class on "Spiritual Formation" beginning Sunday  and offered through the spring. Merv and Jan Stoltzfus, Joanne Dietzel, and Jane Hoober Peifer will bring leadership to these sessions which are based on a curriculum developed by Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation. Merv and Jan said that each class will "stand alone," so don't let inability to commit to all classes deter your attendance at one or more! 

Sunday School singing at 9:50AM will occur next week, March 9, rather than this Sunday. 

Our new friends from Burma/Myanmar hope to be present on Sunday. Be prepared to smile, nod, and communicate creatively!  

There is a basket under the mailboxes to collect new flat sheets and/or blankets for MCC to distribute in areas of need.Mennonite Central Committee

Have Hope! Warm days WILL come again! 

Prayer for today:  God of love and grace, thank you for each person reading this. Reveal your presence today in thought or heart, and remind each one of the treasure he/she is to you. You are always with us, even when we don't feel you. Help us to perceive you and realize we are yours. Grant us courage to "get out of the van" and walk in your Presence and with one another in life. Jesus, you've shown us how to love each other; help us to do so.  Spirit, you are within us; awaken us to your wisdom and direction.  In the life changes we face, you are ever-present. Thank you, Lord 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