Volume 13, Issue 12 December 2013 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church

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1 RidgeVIEWS Volume 13, Issue 12 December 2013 The monthly newsletter of Ridgeview Mennonite Church Wait, wait, wait reflect, reflect, reflect prepare, prepare, prepare. These are the most common phrases that ring in our ears during the season of Advent. We are called into a time period and attitude of contemplation and pause. Good concepts to be sure, important too; but really, for many of us, the idea of actually coming to a stop from the pell-mell pace of our lives is unthinkable. Even those who have entered the golden age of retirement are often quick to point out that their lives haven t slowed at all and others, in the midst of child rearing and career advancement, are barely keeping up as it is. Of course, on top of everything else happening in our busy existence the Advent season comes along right between those two big national holidays with their parades and family gatherings and travel and shopping and eating and getting ready to eat and eating some more. Who can possibly give time to spiritual preparation and reflection with all that going on? I suppose the best many of us think we can do is sort of slow the head long dash of our lives and engage in a bit of stationary jogging while we reflect. At least it gives us the sense of slowing down even though movement continues and offers us the hope of reflection though our minds continue to be pulled in a thousand different ways. The truth is we can find, or perhaps better stated, make time to ponder the deeper aspects of God s interactions with humanity through the incarnation of Jesus in this time of Advent. More than that it is crucial to our spiritual existence that we do so. Ultimately it comes down to the choices we make. Must you spend that time cleaning again that which has already been cleaned just because you fear Aunt Freda will comment if a hint of dust is present? Is that additional course of food necessary for a meal that could already feed a multitude? Does your mini prince or princess really need one more item under the tree that means braving the hordes at the mall again? Or is it possible you could choose a different path?... a slower pace? Could you stop completely stop and engage in a period of prayer, praise, and contemplation? I encourage you to make the choices that will draw you closer to God in the weeks ahead. Choose those things that touch you and your loved ones on a deeper basis. Offer the gift of one of your most precious commodities to them and to God; time. Wait, reflect, prepare three good and important concepts that rely on the choices we make to have an impact on our lives. May you take the time, make the time to give yourself to God. Pastor Mick NOVEMBER OFFERING REPORT Year to date budget $48, Year to date receipts $48, Education Fund $ SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE & HOPE Friday, December 20, 7:00 PM In the middle of the festivities of the holidays, close to the longest night of the year, we will gather to acknowledge our pain for loved ones and friends who are no longer with us. We will receive hope as we hear God s word, sing together and share words of remembrance. Please bring photos of loved ones you wish to remember.

2 ALIVE WITH 55. We visited places like Philippi, Ephesus, Thessalonica, and Berea through the eyes of Nelson and Pat Yoder as they shared pictures of their recent travels to Greece and Turkey. The Apostle Paul spent much time in those areas as he traveled on his missionary journeys. The biblical stories become more real as you see the place where Lydia was baptized, where Paul & Silas were imprisoned, and walk the streets of Ephesus and Berea. Thanks to Sherlyn and Rose for a delicious dinner. Join us December 10 as we celebrate Christmas with songs and instrumentals by the Morrison s, a family of twelve from Honey Brook, followed by an Amish turkey dinner. Ray Ranck WOULD YOU LIKE TO DONATE for the Factory Ministries Gift Giving Event. Gift wrap, ribbon, gift bags, tissue paper and scotch tape are needed. Bring items to the church by Sunday, December 15. MINISTRY TEAM REPORT Ministry Team met Wednesday, November Restaurant. Loretta Lapp was welcomed to the team as Lay Minister of Mission to replace Tony Gehman who completed a 4-year term. Updates were given on those experiencing health concerns and life changing experiences. Commission Updates Mission (Tony Gehman) attended a recent VEMZO meeting and noted that two persons from Ridgeview are considering joining the group going to Argentina in February, Tony is interested in staying involved in missions, November 17 was designated to install Loretta Lapp as lay minister of the commission. Administration (Bruce King) will be taking nominations to replace Dawn Horst on TCRC. Community Life (Darlene Lapp) Fellowship Meal, December 8; Christmas caroling, December 8; Christmas breakfast, December 29. Education (Joyce Thomas) one elective will be offered for the spring quarter, working on staffing the nursery during the Sunday school hour. Worship (Joanne Dietzel) December 29, Christmas celebration with no Sunday School. Other agenda items included reporting that we are on the list and waiting for a refugee family, church auction discussion and planning for a Ministry Team day retreat. June Gehman BIRTHDAYS 2 Zach Smoker 11 Julie Sommers 12 Laura Riehl Debbie Rohrer 13 Pat King 14 Homer Schrock 15 Emily Alderman Kyle Siegrist Thelma White 17 Becky Stoltzfus Nathan Zimmerman 19 Lisa Eldridge 20 Molly King Cliff Wenger 23 Paul Stoltzfus Nelson Yoder 24 Vaunda Siegrist Bill Zimmerman 25 Nolan Kauffman 27 Yasmin Hoover 30 Donna Faulds Carissa Heine Mark Hover Joy Lapp 31 Edna Lapp Luke Stoltzfus ANNIVERSARIES 7 Levi & Jeanmarie King 11 Dave & Edna Stoltzfus 20 Amos & Rose Reiff 24 Bob & Lena Sloyer 31 Jim & Joy Lapp CHRISTMAS CAROLING Sunday, December 8 Meet at the church at 4:30 PM Return to the church for drinks & refreshments GREETERS for December 1 8 Paul & Louise Miller 15 Elias & Anna Esh 22 Rick & Gwen Fellenbaum 29 John & Norma Gehman 2

3 CHURCH AUCTION Monday, December 9 Mission Commission will have food available for purchase between 5:00-6:00 p.m. Auction begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the auction will be shared with The Factory Ministries (one-third) and the remaining proceeds will be for ongoing ministries of the congregation. LADIES CHRISTMAS TEA Tuesday, December 17 6:45-8:45 PM Celebrating the Flavors of the Season RSVP to Val Kauffman, Cordelia Stoltzfus, or the church office ALTERNATIVE GIFT GIVING Don t know what to get that person who seems to have everything. May we suggest Living Gifts through MCC. Booklets are on the literature rack. Winter coats, jackets, hats and mittens for Church World Services refugee families. (new or gently used). Bring to the church during the month of December. FOOD PAC UPDATE Two months of food packing and we are already seeing many changes in our packing program. At the end of May last year our packing totals were 96. Presently we are packing 126 bags. This increase of bag packing has given Marie and I pause to reflect on how we have been buying food. We are now buying at Amelia s, Sharp Shopper, Glenwood Foods and the Central PA Food Bank. We also participated in a matching grant program with the Food Bank. I am thrilled with the financial support from the community. Several folks from the community continue to send in the amount they promised from the onset of Ridgeview taking over the program. Several local churches contribute to the financial support. Several of the churches participate in the program by having in gatherings to supplement our food stock. We recently sent hygiene kits with the food bags. Thanks so much to the folks who helped by supplying towels, soap and toothpaste. Thanks to Dr. Whitley from Gap who supplied the toothbrushes. Thanks to the youth group for helping pack the kits. We have also supplied a winter health kit for the schools. This kit includes lip balm for chapped lips, hand cream for dry hands and band aids. The school nurse gives each teacher a kit. This is just another small way we can meet the needs of the kids. Thanksgiving packing was a heavier bag. We included more food as the children will be home for several days with no access to the free breakfast and lunch programs in their schools. More food means things like nutrition bars, boxes (12 oz.) of cereal, more soup, crackers for snacks, bags of macaroni, bags of cookies. We are most grateful for the faithful packers. Your energy, interest and willingness to pack and deliver bags is uplifting for Marie and I to observe. While the actual packing only takes minutes, we appreciate your interest in meeting the needs within the local community. We are also grateful for the folks who stay to restock the table for the following week. MEMO...we can always use large grocery bags but please remember YOU assist the program greatly when you take time to DOUBLE bag the bags before you drop them off at church. Charlotte Lapp 3

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5 Ridgeview Mennonite Church 3723 Ridge Road Gordonville PA Mick Sommers, Lead Pastor 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. JANUARY NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DUE DECEMBER 23 Nelson Yoder, Associate Pastor ridgeviewnelson@netlinx.net Carol Wenger Minister of Youth & Young Adults ridgeviewcarol@netlinx.net Joyce Shirk, Administrative Assistant ridgeviewchurch@netlinx.net 5