Volume 13, Issue 5 May 2013 The monthly newsletter of ...Volume 13, Issue 5 May 2013 The monthly...
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I called my Dad the other evening to check and see how things were going at his place after some really large storms passed through the Midwest. His responses intrigued me some as I listened to him repeat a number of times that he had “never in his life” seen or done something before this storm went through. Now, let me be quick to point out a couple of things; 1.) Dad will be 80 at his next birthday so he has seen and done quite a few things in his lifetime as it relates to storms; 2.) My Dad is not above using embellishment when telling a sto- ry. Still, what caught my attention in his telling was the utter surprise he seemed to be communicating about the magnitude of the rainfall and the fact that, to his mind, he had not experienced its like before. In essence what I heard the tone of his voice trying to communicate was the sense that “this should not be.” I find this reflective of the way our minds often operate to the point of stagnation. We shuffle along through life and begin to believe we have seen and understand (or at the very least been exposed to) most things. Consequently, we are then astounded when something new comes our way and struggle to fit it into our neatly arrayed understandings. Given the wonder and expansiveness of God’s creation I would suggest that we should always be on the look out for those things that move us beyond our limited experience and understanding. That events like the storm my Dad went through, while sometimes frightening and daunting, can none the less be used as a reminder of the greatness of God and embraced as a new learning in a life that is always open to what new thing God may have in store. Let us not fall victim to a mindset that believes we have achieved full understanding of the nuances of life and those who journey with us. Let us celebrate the opportunity to grow and be stretched along the way; shaking off the dust and cobwebs that can so quickly settle upon our hearts and minds when we assume we have settled this or that once and for all. I’m glad that my Dad had the chance, at 79, to experience some things he had not know before. I hope he will have many more surprises and new experiences in his life yet to come. As we move toward the busyness of summer may each of us be granted the gift of new experiences and learnings along the way as well and may we seek God’s hand at work in all the wonders that this world affords. Pastor Mick APRIL O FFERING REP ORT Year to date budget $185,600.0 0 Year to date receipts $175,799.8 1 Educatio n 2013-14 $ 3,950.00 2014 -15 $ 88.87 Ridge V I EWS Volume 13, Issue 5 May 2013 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church Greeters for May 5 Ray & Reba Ranck 12 Clair & Evie Blank 19 Larry & Evie Hershey 26 Jim & Joy Lapp
Transcript of Volume 13, Issue 5 May 2013 The monthly newsletter of ...Volume 13, Issue 5 May 2013 The monthly...
I called my Dad the other evening to check and see how things were going at his place after some really large storms passed through the Midwest. His responses intrigued me some as I listened to him repeat a number of times that he had “never in his life” seen or done something before this storm went through. Now, let me be quick to point out a couple of things; 1.) Dad will be 80 at his next birthday so he has seen and done quite a few things in his lifetime as it relates to storms; 2.) My Dad is not above using embellishment when telling a sto-ry.
Still, what caught my attention in his telling was the utter surprise he seemed to be communicating about the magnitude of the rainfall and the fact that, to his mind, he had not experienced its like before. In essence what I heard the tone of his voice trying to communicate was the sense that “this should not be.” I find this reflective of the way our minds often operate to the point of stagnation. We shuffle along through life and begin to believe we have seen and understand (or at the very least been exposed to) most things. Consequently, we are then astounded when something new comes our way and struggle to fit it into our neatly arrayed understandings.
Given the wonder and expansiveness of God’s creation I would suggest that we should always be on the look out for those things that move us beyond our limited experience and understanding. That events like the storm my Dad went through, while sometimes frightening and daunting, can none the less be used as a reminder of the greatness of God and embraced as a new learning in a life that is always open to what new thing God may have in store.
Let us not fall victim to a mindset that believes we have achieved full understanding of the nuances of life and
those who journey with us. Let us celebrate the opportunity to grow and be stretched along the way; shaking off
the dust and cobwebs that can so quickly settle upon our hearts and minds when we assume we have settled this
or that once and for all. I’m glad that my Dad had the chance, at 79, to experience some things he had not
know before. I hope he will have many more surprises and new experiences in his life yet to come. As we move
toward the busyness of summer may each of us be granted the gift of new experiences and learnings along the
way as well and may we seek God’s hand at work in all the wonders that this world affords. Pastor Mick
APRIL OFFERING REPORT Year to date budget $185,600.00 Year to date receipts $175,799.81 Education 2013-14 $ 3,950.00 2014-15 $ 88.87
RidgeVIEWS
Volume 13, Issue 5 May 2013 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church
Greeters for May 5 Ray & Reba Ranck 12 Clair & Evie Blank 19 Larry & Evie Hershey 26 Jim & Joy Lapp
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ANNIVERSARIES 8 Sanford & June Gehman Carl & Teresa Martin 18 Lance & Marsha Horst 19 Cliff & Carol Wenger 20 Tony & Christie Gehman 22 Ron & Ruth Martin 30 Reub & Anna Mary Stoltzfus
BIRTHDAYS 1 Clair Blank Janelle Stoltzfus 2 Jeff Siegrist 3 Mim Martin 4 Cameron Yoder 5 Isaac Horst 6 Todd Gingrich 8 Anna Mary Stoltzfus 10 Taylor Wenger 14 Donald Martin 15 Ethan Alderman 19 Alex Kauffman 20 Eli Smucker Junior Zook 24 Jan Stoltzfus 26 Dan King 28 Rhoda Beiler Steve Stoltzfus 29 Laura Glick
ALIVE WITH 55 & UP Forty seniors met for our April meeting. Dr. Calvin Wenger, a retired chiropractor and minister at the Lan-caster Brethren Church, was our guest. He gave an en-thusiastic talk, “From Where I Stand,” spiced with humor and tidbits about life as we age.
Earl & Etta Esch led in singing with Earl playing the bass guitar.
Sherlyn and Rose prepared and served our delicious lunch. It was a good morning.
Our next meeting, Tuesday, May 14, former pastor John Denlinger will be our guest…. “Hope for such a time as this.” Join us. Loretta Lapp
MINISTRY TEAM REPORT
Ministry Team met April 3, 2013, 6:15 a.m. @Bird-in-Hand Restaurant.
Updates were given on visits and contacts with persons resid-ing in retirement communities and those with health concerns.
Staff Updates – (Nelson) will be on sabbatical May & June. (Carol) – coffee house fundraiser scheduled for April 14 and graduate luncheon scheduled for May 19.
Commission Updates – (Community Life – Darlene Lapp) – meals being taken to Larry & Evie Hershey through www.takethemameal.com, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner April 22, Joy Lapp has joined the commission, will be planning for summer activities. (Education – Joyce Thomas) – No Sun-day school in August and September 1, junior high youth will wash the nursery toys for a service project, Youth Sunday July 28.
Agenda included discussions and reflections on Holy Week/Easter services, next communion (May 29) and Heritage Days.
June Gehman
Planning ahead...
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
July 8—12
Monday - Thursday @ Intercourse Park
Friday—Carnival at church
ALL ARE INVITED
Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 PM Mulching the beds at church
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Senior High Youth...Coffee House
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SUMMER As the summer breezes come along Lightning bugs come out Warm summer nights The adventure just began The night gets darker And the stars come out Summer is finally here The cool breeze Refreshing rain How can it get any better? The creatures come Beautiful butterflies fly Birds sing a sweet lullaby Wonderful plants and flowers Sweet honeysuckle smell
SEASONS The birds slowly come back Flowers start to grow Spring has finally arrived Wintertime is slowly coming to a end Warm weather is creeping back The leaves start changing colors Time to rake the leaves Pumpkins brightly orange Fall has come in Mmmmmh pumpkin pie Thanksgiving Christmas around the corner Snowflakes starting to fall Dancing across the sky Christmas is just about here Singing Christmas songs Jingle bells Wintertime is here
for your wonderful support of us as we shared goodies and entertainment at our Coffee House. We made just over $1500 which is a tremendous help in funding our way to Phoenix for the Men-nonite Convention. With our additional fundrais-ers and another support check from the church, we should arrive! Senior High Youth & Leaders
Poetry written by Jennifer Winters. Jennifer is in 10th grade at Pequea Valley HS. To read more of her writings…. www.allpoetry.com/JenWinters
Church Softball All games played Monday @ Paradise Park
May 6 7:45 Ridgeview vs Bellevue 13 7:45 Ridgeview vs Grace Point 20 7:45 Ridgeview vs Weaverland 1 No game May 27
The team….Sam Beiler, Sterling Beiler, Nick King, Austin King, Sam Echternach, Dustin Lapp, Ron Lapp, Charles Palmer, Dylan Palm-er, Todd Gingrich, Jared Gingrich, Rich High, Greg Troyer, Jason Roh-rer, Michael Bentivogli, and Brian Clark. Other guys who are willing to help as needed include, Ray Martin, Lance Horst, Mike Kauffman and Lynn Stoner.
Tuesday, May 7,
6:30 PM
Various projects around the church and there is something for everyone to do.
Please contact Bob Heine before the 7th to
sign up.
CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE Kyle Siegrist 9 Creek View Lane, Strasburg 17579
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[email protected] Mick Sommers, Lead Pastor [email protected]
Nelson Yoder, Associate Pastor
Carol Wenger Minister of Youth & Young Adults
Joyce Shirk, Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Everyone is welcome to submit material to the RidgeVIEWS, the newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church. Ridgeview connects persons and groups in the congregation together and with the broader Mennonite Church. It strengthens the congregation to answer the call of God to learn and share together God’s love with all of creation. Priority will be given to articles that serve this purpose, with Ridgeview staff providing editorial responsibilities.
JUNE NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DUE MAY 27
RIDGEVIEW MENNONITE CHURCH 3723 RIDGE ROAD
GORDONVILLE, PA 17529 PHONE 717 768-3143
[email protected] www.ridgeviewmennonite.net
