I Shall Not Want

Room 249 was dark and drear; the hospital decor of 20+ years ago when hospital rooms were typically less like a spirited painter's palate and more like tombstone shades of grey. I was working on a general medical/surgical unit in a friendly provencial hospital where the evening supervisor's mantra, "You will NOT have overtime" started each shift. The woman in 249 (I'll call her "Elsa") suffered severe rheumatoid arthritis and had multiple areas of skin breakdown.  She was a sweet and gentle person who, in spite of her crippled body whose very bones you could feel separate when you lifted her, rarely complained.  Her care often required several of us working together, and even with all the caution we could muster, any movement resulted in extreme pain for her. 


After completing Elsa's nighttime regimen as tenderly as we could, the other RN and I said our goodnights and prepared to leave the room. "Would you girls say the 23rd Psalm with me before you leave?" Elsa asked in her quiet, husky voice. Both of us stopped in our tracks, went to either side of Elsa and held her knobby hands.  "Of course."   We both were glad we had this beautiful canticle committed to memory. Together, with Elsa's quavering voice joining ours, we recited this hymn.  For the first time, I understood....

The retelling of this incident causes a swell of emotion within me as I'm reminded of how the three of us experienced God's comforting presence through the words of a psalm and a circle of believers. Elsa could have said the words independently, and she probably did, but her invitation for us to join her in this song and prayer invited comfort and peace to that dreary room granting me the experience of our Creator in a new and beautiful way.

 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,^*

   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me.

The early church, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, seemed to integrate her understanding of God as shepherd in very tangible ways.  Brother Mick will lead us in examining the texts, Psalm 23 and Acts 2: 42-47. How does the individuality of our culture today affect our perception and practice of God's shepherding?   As a number of our young people will be baptized this Sunday, this is an especially pertinent situation to ponder.

This weekend Ridgeview will be bustling with junior highers as they are led by Infuzion, a team of people committed to "spiritually impact the students of this generation for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God..." They are also providing resourcing for adults from 5-8pm on Saturday, so if you'd like to come, just come!  Supper is provided. 

Julie's knee surgery yesterday went well, and she is happy to report permission for "weight-bearing as tolerated."  Yay!

In the Upper Room on Sunday at 9am, Steve and Val Kauffman will be sharing some of their life journey.

My prayer for you (and me)  today:  Shepherding God, in your presence we are offered rest and provision.  Open and available, you invite us to your fold.  Let your church be so caring and invitational! 

Thank you for these young people. I pray that you would reveal yourself to them in new and tangible ways.  Thank you that Julie's surgery went well. Thank you for the beauty of your creation.

 I bring my irritation and frustration with the very technology that allows this communication, and lay it at your feet.  I desire to have a grateful heart, not a grumbling one, yet I am feeling grumpy with my lost work and the delay to post this message. 

I pray for our broken and hurting world.  Help us to be ambassadors of your peace and hope rather than carriers of strife and despair.  Come Kingdom of God.  Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  In the name of Jesus.  AMEN

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!  Feel free to contact me.

love and light, carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"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. "

Who Is It?

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us^* while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’

Good morning! 
Last week the office administrator was away, so I answered the phone, "Good afternoon, Ridgeview Mennonite Church, this is Carol." 


Oh, Dear!



The voice on the other end said, "Hello, this is Cliff.  I need some information from Mick.  Is he available?"

 I replied, "No, he is out today.  Would you like his cell phone number?"  

Cliff replied, "Yes, please."  Cliff told me later, "I was trying to figure out what "Carol" worked in the church office.  Carol B? It didn't sound like her." 

 Then I said, "I'll work on getting screens in the windows at home  this afternoon, before we bring the girls home from EMU."  Then it dawned on him-- He was talking to Carol Wenger, his wife!  :)

(Permission granted from Cliff before the retelling of this story! I like to think Cliff's heart was burning within him as he was trying to discern the voice with whom he was speaking.) ;)

This week Brother Mick is preaching a sermon entitled, "If I had a Dollar...." We'll examine the passage from Luke 24:13-35 soon after the resurrection where Jesus joins two believers who are discussing the amazing events of his life and death, still unsure of the truth in the rumors which are flying.  They do not recognize their Lord and Saviour. How many times do we fail to recognize the presence of God in our lives? I hope you can join us on this mother's day Sunday to hear the words of scripture and discuss the meaning of Christ's presence in our lives.

Korinne Wenger and Ian Mast have arrived safely in Honduras where they will spend the next 6 weeks studying with Eastern Mennonite University's cross-cultural program and building relationships with their hosts.

Julie Denlinger will be having knee surgery on May 12 to repair a tear in the meniscus.  Crutches with no weight bearing are on tap for the next 6 weeks.  :(

If anyone wants to help the senior high youth mulch the church grounds, come on over to Ridgeview at 7pm Wednesday the 11th.  We will also be mowing Albert and Frances's lawn for the rest of this month, so let me know if you'd like a turn. :)

My prayer for you today: Great God, creator of the heavens and the earth, it is in you we put our trust.  Well, Lord, at least we try.  I confess we often put our trust in the things of the world, in our locks, weapons,and armies as we live lives of fear. rather than trust.  Help us not to lean on our own understanding of the world, but to trust in you with all our hearts.  Help us to open our eyes and minds to your presence with us.  
Thank you for never leaving nor forsaking us.  Grant clear minds and good "rememberers" to our students who are taking exams and finishing papers. Grant Kori and Ian an awareness of your Being with them as they travel, meet new people, and experience a different culture.  Grant Julie peace and healing as she has surgery this week. Thank you for the opportunities we have to be love and light to others this week. Thank you for being our Hope.  Grant us courage and wisdom to respond in the Kingdom way.
Come Kingdom of God.  Be done, will of God; on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus. AMEN

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
carol


http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/



"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

"Resurrection Rejoicing"



Photo credit: Taylor Wenger

I know a girl named 'Lana, who loves to ride her bike. 

She rides so fast you'd think she's flying, she'd rather ride than hike. 

One day when she was riding home, down our long, long, lane,

 out of nowhere a groundhog came,

BOOM!CRASH! BANG!

Whew!  Talk about a flurry of emotions, from the elation of wind blowing through the hair and speed to abrupt shock and pain. That was the experience of our then 8 year old daughter as she a peddled her bicycle. Oh, I forgot to mention "anger."  Boy, was she mad at that critter! 

Our emotions are an important part of our makeup, and the scriptural story is full of the affectations of the  Bible characters.  The John 20:19-31 passage picks up after Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ, and the disciples are in a locked room because of their fear.  "Peace be with you," are Jesus' first words.  Wow!  Can you imagine the seismic emotional shift?  Brother Mick will be sharing  a message he has entitled "Resurrection Rejoicing" as we consider the absolute wonder as Jesus' followers comprehended his actual presence among them. 

Other happenings on Sunday include baby dedication for David, Smith and Rhonda Noel's son, and a "Haiti Benefit Meal" after church.  The Upstairs Room will be open during Sunday School albeit a bit messy as the revitalizing of the area is not quite complete.  Julie, along with a couple of assistants from the senior high youth,  worked on staining the trim on Wednesday night.  I made an appearance and promptly got stain on the walls...  :PCollege students who will be home, you will be welcomed!!

Good news about Lily!  At this point she is doing well and needs no further intervention for her breathing!  Now, if she'll just let her Mama sleep....

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, you show us the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures forever more.Ps 16:11    Lord, I ask your blessing of peace and grace over these young people as they journey.  Grant them an awareness of your ever-present Spirit.  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

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/



"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

It's Personal

"But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb."

Hello, My Friends,

     I was standing in the bathroom at our home in Brownstown getting ready for the day when the call came from one of my high school friends, "Carol, I just heard that Kathy died." 
     What? What did you say? Kathy? Died? No.  I'm sure you didn't hear right. I just saw her a few months ago when I was visiting in Illinois; we had lunch.  She told me about her 2 wonderful boys, ages 3 and 6. I  had put my hand on her abdomen and felt the kicking of her twin girls.  It cannot be.  We had talked as young women talked, about children, husbands, jobs, homes, dreams, fears.... It cannot be.

It cannot be. It cannot be.

     But it was.  My dear, sweet friend Kathy died just 12 hours after giving birth to 2 healthy baby girls.  A dissecting aortic aneurysm, they said. She was 30 years old. As I drove the 13-14 hours to Central Illinois, there were times I had to pull off of the road to sob.  Arriving at her home, I entered the living room and her dad clung to me and wept-- all of the family was stunned.  Her boys were doing what children do-- playing, not really understanding what had just happened. 

      I began to interact with them, running around outside in the hot summer sun, then lying on the bed with them and reading Dr. Seuss.   "I miss mommy,"  the six year old whimpered."Oh, me too," I whispered, "Me, too." 

     And I wrapped my arms around those dear boys, and we were swallowed by sorrow.  Such loss. Such pain. Such grief. Such heartache. I cried for my own loss.  I cried for her family.  I cried for her husband. I cried for her babies who would never know their amazing mommy, and for her sons whose memories would be dimmed and shadowed by time.

These are the last sentences Kathy wrote in my high school yearbook,  "Carol, always keep close to the Lord.  Someday we'll never have to be separated! :) Praise the Lord!  Well, so long!"


Life!  Hope!  Love!  In the midst of our despair and grief there is a Comforter. Today is "Good Friday" or as some traditions call it, "Great and Holy Friday" which seems to offer a bit more reverence to this day which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. I confess to being one of those people who cannot dwell too closely on the events of this day as I feel consumed by the agony;overwhelmed beyond functioning.  Do you ever imagine yourself in historical contexts and wonder what you would have done in those situations?  I hope I would have been one of the faithful women who stayed near our Lord.  This also gives me pause to consider our history in the making; am I being one of the faithful  in today's painful, real life circumstances where Jesus is asking me to be present? Jeff will be leading a service at 7pm here at the church tonight commemorating this Great and Holy Friday.


At 8:30am on Sunday the senior high youth will lead us in worship starting out by the cemetery and parading into the recreation room.  We celebrate life and love!  The jubilation will move to the 1990 hall with a breakfast. At 10:15 we'll gather in the sanctuary for further corporate worship.  Brother Mick's homily on Sunday is entitled, "It's Personal" drawing from John's account of the resurrection story. "Amid the glories and hallelujahs, we also hear our names being called by the risen Lord, and we also are sent to tell the message that he lives and reigns forever."  I hope you can join us!

I know finals are fast approaching for those of you in college.  Know that I will be praying for you and remember to soup breathe!  Slowly breathe in the scent of the delicious soup.  Cool the soup through pursed lips blowing gently so as not to splatter the broth... and again... slowly breathe.... 
(I'll bet if one of my daughters is reading this in your presence, you'd see her rolling her eyes!) :)


My prayer for you today: Creator God, in your love you created us, and with your love embodied in Jesus, you restored us. Thank you!!   I pray that each of these young people will rest secure in knowing that you will never leave us nor forsake us.  You have shown us the path of life, and you journey with us and care about our losses, our struggles, our suffering.  You call us to you so that we will be comforted, but also that we will become comforters.  You call us to you that we will be healed, but also that we will become healers.  You call us to you  that we will have hope, but also that we will share hope.     
     For our students, studying and working as finals approach, grant them clear minds, great recall, and calmness.  Come Kingdom of God.  Be done will of God; here on earth as it is in heaven. AMEN.  

You are loved by God, and I love you too!  Contact me if you need me!  

Love and Light, Carol

PS-- Kathy would have been 49 years old next week.

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"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

Called to Worship

 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

Good morning, Friends!

On November 18, 2001 the Wenger household crawled out of beds at 4:30 in the morning, putting on sweatpants and winter coats, went out into the cold, clear night where we stretched out together on our giant, heavy, Time Out Auction comforter aka "Nessie" which was spread out on the driveway.  Side by side, packed tight and cozy like a book of matches and covered with blankets, we reclined to stare up at the night sky. Our eyes beheld the glory of the heavens!  The show had already begun as the Leonid Meteor Shower sent streaks of bright shiny lights across the sky-- one right after another, sometimes several at once. Teeny, tiny fragments, some as small as grains of sand, (so the science tells us) became incredible blazes of glory as they ignited and flashed.   For 45 minutes we oohed; we ahhhed; we giggled; and yes, we worshiped together as these beacons blazed.
 

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his 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.

Ahh, that we would look at one another and exclaim the wonder of our Creator instead of arguing, judging, hurting, belittling, and killing....

Palm Branches will wave this week as our children will begin with the processional.  As I think about the "Triumphal Entry" when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on the donkey, the people spontaneously honored him. No one ordered the palm branches ahead of time; no one instructed the children where to walk and what to shout. The community had expectations of who this Jesus was and what he was about.  Did Jesus meet those expectations?  Were the same people who shouted "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday the same ones who shouted, "Crucify him!" a few days later?  Brother Nelson will will share exegesis on this Matthew 21 passage in a message entitled "Who Is This?" as well as consider Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 31:9-16; and Philippians 2:5-11.

Yesterday our dear sister Minnie passed to her next life while surrounded by family.  My, how that sweet saint blessed my life! I will miss her, and my life is fuller for having known her. (I can close my eyes and see her riding on the back of Jeff's scooter at the church yard sale just a few short years ago.  She was beaming!)

At 9am the Upstairs Room will be ready for you! Hmmm... anyone hungry for a
particular bfk snack?  Let me know and maybe I'll hire the Wenger culinarian to prepare something.  :)

Next Thursday, April 21 at 6:15 pm will be our Maundy Thursday "Love Feast and Foot Washing" here at church.  On Friday, April 22 at 7pm is a Good Friday service.  All are welcome to attend.

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, the sky is yours, for you have made it; the earth is yours, for you have made it; we are yours, for you have made us.  Help us each to recognize your presence.  Help us to realize we are yours.  Help us to accept your love and grace offered to us, for your love endures forever.  Help our lives to overflow in worship and gratitude as we recognize you in the extraordinary and the ordinary moments of our days and in each other. Come kingdom of God. Be done will of God; here on earth as it is in heaven.  In the name of Jesus. 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, what you believe, and where you are going, because it does make a difference.  Oh, and don't forget to attend the church of your choosing this week."   jd

Called to Life

“Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”John 11:43-44

Good morning, Friends!
c 70's -- I awakened with a sigh as my alarm went off at 4am. Our mare Lea was ready to foal any time, so my sisters and I had a night-time schedule to check on her.  This was Lea's first baby, and this was my time slot. I slipped into my robe and slippers and left the warmth of the house to enter the night, out to the old white barn.  Lassie, the collie/golden mix happily joined me, seeming indifferent to the darkness.I was especially glad for the company as I heard the eerie yipping of the coyotes from down near the river.

As I reached the barn, I realized I forgot my glasses.  "I'm not going back for them now, " I muttered to the dog even though I really couldn't see well without them.  We were soon joined by Rascal, Fluffy, and PJ, some of our feline farm crew. A dim light cast a soft glow over Lea's stall as I entered the barn.  My oldest sister had instructed us to "leave on a soft light so Lea gets used to it, rather than flicking on a bright light when we check on her."

"How are you, Girl?" I asked our maternity patient while I stood outside her stall.  She was contentedly munching hay at the manger and turned her  eyes toward me offering a greeting and a nod.  With my blurred vision I looked around the indistinct stall.   "What is that lumpy shadow over there in the corner?" I whispered to myself.  A chill of fear and dread started at the top of my head and travelled like lightning through my being as I strained  to see the unmoving lump in the corner.  Totally spooked, I bolted for the big old house.  I was unsure of what I saw and too much of a chicken to go check it out.

"Dad, Dad, I think Lea had her foal, but it's not moving!"  Within moments the old farmhouse was lit and the occupants animate, hurrying to the barn. Dad spoke soothingly to the mare as he entered the delivery room carrying some old towels to the shadow in the corner.  He began drying and vigorously massaging the little horse.  Lea moved in closer to watch.  Suddenly the still form sprang to life, and Lea's Sun Rae, aka Sunny joined the family. I really thought he was dead, but he was alive! (Mom wanted to name him "Lazarus," but we vetoed that.)

The new testament scripture for this week is the dramatic account of Lazarus from John 11. "Down in the Valley" is the title of Brother Mick's message this week.  Do you remember that story from Ezekiel 37 where God commands him to prophesy to the bones that fill the valley? This is the Old Testament passage that he'll be utilizing.  The story reads like something from an epic fantasy movie,

The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. ²He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. ³He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” ⁴Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. ⁵Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. ⁶I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.” ⁷So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. ⁸I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. ⁹Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.”

Dry, hopeless, empty, meaningless-- sadly these words describe all to well the state of many of our souls.  Ahhh--  but there is life that comes from the breath of God-- refreshment, hope, fullness, significance.  Let the wind of the Holy Spirit blow! Life!  Hope!  Joy!  Love!  No more chasing after the wind but rather be filled by the zephyrs of our Creator whose breath gives us true and meaningful life.

On Sunday Ryan and Jessica Horst will be sharing with you in the Upstairs Room, telling some of their life journey.  With the story telling that will be going on in your class in the coming months, you'll soon know a variety of people quite well! Be sure to check out the Ridgeview Mennonite YA facebook page for details of other happenings. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_158265147558908.  The last I heard, Josh is planning on starting the framing for the old curtain area tonight.  I'm sure he would appreciate help.
For a bulletin preview check out http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletin.htm

My prayer for you today:  Creator God who brings new life and refreshment to our souls, send your Spirit breath to renew us.  There is new life blooming in the lives of many of our young people, guide and direct them, fill them with wisdom and hope.  We so easily get weighed down by the stresses and losses in our daily living; remind us of your unfailing love and the hope that comes from you.  Help us to keep perspective on the things that really matter.
Come Kingdom of God.  Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus- 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

Called to Light

For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— ⁹for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-9
                                                                                                  Hello, Friends!

            The pathway through the woods was dark—more than dark—it was black—pitch black.  No moon; under the cover of trees—it was a deep cavernous kind of dark.  Our "singing around the campfire" time was over, we were returning to our rustic log cabins.  Tentatively placing our feet as we felt the path,  we each held onto the person in front of us. Flashlights?  Not allowed—our leaders said our night vision would adjust fine and that flashlights would just play havoc with our night sight. 

     The camp counselors had not accounted for the blackness –that lack of any light at all.  We stumbled on blindly with impending dread beginning to gnaw as we knew we were approaching the log that was across a stream.  The log bridge that was about 10 feet above the creek.  The log bridge with no railing which hadn’t been a problem in the evening light.  Did I mention that it was now dark—pitch black—couldn’t see your hand in front of your face kind of dark?  Yet our leader led on—onto the log—all sixty three 11 and 12 year olds hesitantly began to cross, single-file, creeping— sightlessly 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 of the log.

     This week Brother Mick will be sharing a message he is calling "Sight Unseen" from the passage in John 9:1-41 where Jesus heals a man born blind.  As Mick describes his theme he says, "All of us are so easily prone to believing we have the ability to make judgements about events, situations, or people quite apart from ever having actually seen them first hand.....I will encourage us to look beyond the limited vision of our own eyes and see as God sees during the sermon time."  What would we see, really see, if we saw others through the lenses of the Christ?  Additional scriptures we'll be reading are Ephesians 5:8-14 and I Samuel 16:1-13.

 

The Upstairs Room is beginning to take on a fresh look as Julie, Kristie, Tyler, and Josh got to work last Sunday.  I believe a second coat will be applied this Sunday, so wear your old clothes and join the fun.  :)  No, they won't make you climb that ladder!

Next week our facility will be used by the Beachy Amish for their pastors' conference.  I confess to looking forward to being in my office and observing the activities! 

 I was reminded of the challenges for those of you in college as Kori asked me to proofread her 16 page paper entitled "Tail variation and the role of inefficient predation on tail autotomy in lizards."  The title alone was daunting to me.  Ask me anything about lizard tails, anything at all. I'm thanking God  for your sharp minds!

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, you are wrapped in light as a garment and ride on the wings of the wind.  Your light sparkles in each of us.  When you formed us, you ignited life in us with the torch of your being. We call on your Spirit to fan the flames to grow like the burning bush in the desert, engulfing but not consuming.

Help us to see, Lord Jesus, truly see, with eyes whose vision comes from the light of your love.

Bless these young people in their relationships, classes, families, work, play, and service.  Thank you for their sharp minds and energetic bodies.  Grant us all a greater awareness of your presence today.  In your name, Jesus, we pray.  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!  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