Be Still

• Where are those keys...? 
• Did you see my glasses...? 
• What did I do with my phone...?

     -In my hand...(ridiculous, I know) 

     -On the top of my head, oh yeah... 

     -In my pocket, hmmmm....

Crazy, right?  Have you ever done that? When the thing for which you are searching has been with you all the time?  This morning these images came to me as I sat with God. So often I think I need to spend more energy, more searching, more, more, more seeking God when all I have to do is stop and be aware. God is present, never to leave us nor forsake us. 

We live in a frenetic society, where hard work, busyness, and extremes seem to rule the day and establish our worth. We seem to think we have to labor at finding God in our lives; we think God is "out there" and God-time needs to be on our "to do" list.
 In my plethora of tasks, am I pausing, recognizing, and acknowledging that I'm not going it alone? That the very loving one who created me is closer than the forgotten glasses perched on the top of my head?

The other Sunday when I had this and that to do, so and so to talk to, and here and there to go, a friend said to me, "Calm down. You  look like a rabbit caught in traffic."
I had a good laugh at that image, but as soon as he said it, I knew he was right! I was running on my own waning energy and sad little wisdom to complete my tasks. Why would I do this when the Spirit of the Living God is present with me if I just pause, be aware, and listen?

Many of us can cite the verse, "Be still, and know that I am God."  Do you know where it is found?  I encourage you to take a moment and read the entirety of the beautiful, inspiring, and calming Psalm 46. psalm 46

This week is the final week for the elective class on Spiritual Formation.  That class and all others will be meeting at 9AM with our worship service beginning at 10:15 AM.  There will be singing for everyone at 9:55 AM in the Rec Room.
Brother Mick's message is called "No Shame in the Pain" with scripture text I Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11. "This passage from I Peter is a strong reminder that the way of Jesus can lead us to situations where the possibility of suffering because of our faith is a reality.  This would seem to be a counter argument to those who want their Christian faith to only be about blessings and victory..." I hope you'll join us!

Our ingathering for June is rather inJEANious, as we are collecting used jeans to be donated to the Material Resource Center which is part of MCC. Material Resource Center The jeans are recycled into sale-able items such as comforters.

Prayer for today: Creator God, you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear...let us be still and know you are God. Let us be still and know you are our refuge. Let us be still and know you are our strength. We praise you. We thank you.  Flow through each of us that we may offer healing and hope to all creation in your name. 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

Three Little Birds

My friend Beth who teaches music at a school in Lancaster city recently shared this account on Facebook: 

"Two 5th grade boys were starting to exchange unpleasantries. A girl in their class stepped between them, turned to one of them and started singing sweetly  "Don't worry...about a thing...'cause every little thing...gonna be alright!" from a Bob Marley song they learned in music class. three little birds By the time she finished the boy was laughing, singing along, and went off to play with her. Peacemaking at its best!"

In checking with Beth to see if I could share this story, she added that this girl is the constant target of bullying and struggles emotionally; even so, she was a shining light and vessel of peace diffusing this situation!

Wow. Once again, God provides tools and courage to the weak and disenfranchised to make a difference in the Kingdom. This is good news, Friends! (Well, I guess it is unless you are the strong and powerful...)

The courage, sagacity, and resourcefulness of this young girl inspire me; the power of music enthralls, delights, and energizes me. 

The Goshen College Women's World Music Choir has this quote in their program, "When you sing you have no evil thoughts, and when you are dancing you feel less hungry."-- Esma Redqepova, Roma (gypsy) performer and singer

Can I hear an AMEN?

This Sunday at 10:15 AM we will be privileged to hear the Lancaster Mennonite Campus Chorale directed by Marcella Hostettler, a Goshen College graduate, :) sharing a program of world music. 

LMS Campus Chorale 
Classes for all ages are available at 9 AM. 

Our ingathering for the month includes items for MCC relief kits.  There is a sign up sheet in the lobby. 

Prayer for today: Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End--Gracious God of music and hope, we praise you! Thank You for the gift of music that touches our hearts, souls, and minds in deep and meaningful places. Grant us courage like this young girl to be peacemakers with the tools you've provided us. As we journey in grace with You, let us be the people You've called us to be that in our uniqueness we accomplish the Kingdom tasks You've prepared for each of 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 

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

The Emmaus Road

Luke 24:13-35, which is one of the ancillary texts for this Sunday, is one of my favorite passages of scripture as two followers on their journey to the village of Emmaus are joined by the risen Jesus. I love to close my eyes and imagine this event.

As they walk, they are joined by a third person who just happened to be Jesus. They did not recognize him.  He is welcomed into their walk and talk, and he listens as they describe his own story to him. Jesus adds commentary to the conversation explaining the prophesies concerning himself which apparently causes the apostles "hearts to burn," and still, they did not know who it was. Only after they sat down to eat together, and Jesus took the bread and broke it, did they realize this was the Christ!

I wonder...

• I wonder how many times we fail to recognize God in our very midst as we have our preconceived ideas and notions as to what, when, how, why, and who the Incarnate is and is not.
• I wonder how many times the truth is precluded from us as we discuss issues, events, and yes, even scriptures?
• I wonder if it is in the sitting down together, the breaking of bread together, the very intimacy of gathering round the table in community that truth is found?
• I wonder if there is something to the very act of sharing our food and hospitality that releases us to sight? So many important events occurred in Jesus' life during mealtimes. (How many can you name?)
• I wonder if the focus on eating releases our brains to greater openness and the consideration of other paradigms.
• I wonder if as the church struggles with inclusion and welcome to all people if we might be more effective in our discernment if we were sharing our fare together around the table.

This very week I shared with someone how my own nebulous fear dissipated during the sharing of a meal. I'm not going to tell that story today, because I want to ponder the thought a bit more. 
I wonder... 

Open our eyes,Lord! (and maybe our dinner tables too!) 

This Sunday we will share the bread and cup of communion together as we also celebrate the baptism service for 5 of our young people. Brother Nelson will be sharing the message with his primary scripture text Acts 2:14a, 36-41.  "Today we celebrate that youth who have been nurtured in our homes and congregation have heard Jesus voice and have said yes and are taking an additional step in their trek with Jesus. We will reflect again on the confessions we have made as we join in hearing baptismal vows. We will marvel at the many ways Jesus has walked with us, at times unknown to us. We will celebrate as we share the feast of Jesus body and blood given for us." 

Baptism doesn't denote a  boring and safe life but rather the willingness to have crazy adventures with God! 

I hope you will join us at 10:15 AM for this meaningful time. There are classes for all ages at 9 AM. 

Please join me in the Rec Room at 9:55 AM for a time of singing. 

For the month of May we will be collecting items for relief kits.  Mennonite Central Committee is responding to dire needs in South Sudan and other desperate areas of the world. There is a sign up sheet in the lobby for the necessary items. MCC_South Sudan

Congratulations to Laura and Taylor for graduating with honors from EMU!  What a fabulous weekend of celebration! Lehmah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, was the inspiring commencement speaker. "Embrace the present. Uncertainty is no excuse for paralysis. Do not wait for good to happen for yourself in order to do good for others."

Travis has marked completing a marathon off his bucket list and at this point, he doesn't plan to run another!  Congratulations, Travis!  

They're back! I just looked out the window and there are two hummingbirds battling with their light sabers at the feeder.

Prayer for today based on Philippians 4:4-7 Lord, we rejoice in You. Yes, we praise You!
Help us to be gentle and patient with one another. You are near. We confess our anxieties and fears to You and seek Your guidance. Thank you for this very moment. Open our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus that the peace that is You and is beyond all knowledge and understanding will fill 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 

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 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