APRIL 2019 NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 2 APRIL 2019 NEWSLETTER LADIES BRUNCH SATURDAY, MAY 4, :30-11:30 AM (DOORS OPEN AT 9:15 AM) Farm-to-Fork Foods with speaker Marty Smucker of Smucker's Meats in Mt. Joy. Marty is the daughter of Becky Fisher. Cost: Adults: $10 Children ages 3-10: $5 Children ages 0-2: no charge This is a special day for Stumptown women and girls and their guests. Please save the date and invite friends and relatives to enjoy a delightful morning of farm-to-fork foods, pleasant conversation, and inspiring worship. SEWING CIRCLE Report for: March 12, 2019 Attendance: 20 Finished articles: 16 Small comforters 3 Large Comforters 52 Newborn kits 160 Kit bags to MRC ~Submitted by Audrey Eby APR 7 - GUESS WHO S COMING TO DINNER?! APR 8 COMMUNITY LIFE MINISTRIES MTG (6:30 PM) APR 9 SEWING CIRCLE (8:30 AM) MINISTRY TEAM MTG (7 PM) APR 10 PRAYER GATHERING (7 PM) SR YOUTH GROUP (7 PM) APR 14 PALM SUNDAY APR 17 JR HIGH YOUTH GROUP (7PM) APR 19 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE (INCLUDES MUSIC, COMMUNION, DRAMA & MORE) (7 PM) APR 21 - EASTER SUNDAY BREAKFAST (9 AM) NO SS WORSHIP SERVICE (10 AM) APR 24 CHURCH COUNCIL MTG (7 PM) PRAYER GATHERING (7 PM) SR HIGH YOUTH GROUP (7 PM) LATER IN THE YEAR: MAY 4 - LADIES BRUNCH MAY 5 - CONESTOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES WALK FROM HUNGER MAY 11 - ANNUAL CHURCH CLEANING JULY 14 MINISTRY FAIR (9 AM) JULY 28-AUG 1 - VBS AUG 6-12 SR HIGH YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO YWAM-VA AUG 12 - COMMUNITY MEAL-- EAST CHESTNUT ST OCT 12 - CRAFT FAIR NOV 2 WOMEN S GATHERING NOV 9 WORLD RELIEF WORK DAY NOV 24 AMISH FILLING MEAL The Walk & Ride from Hunger is a great way to build community in (what we re praying for.) a day of sun and warm weather to walk and ride motorcycles! Triple Tree Ministries will lead the charity ride & biker blessing. And Stumptown Mennonite Church will conduct a pre-event worship and prayer service. The wonderful Glick family will be managing our food stand with lots of ideas! We hope you can help us make this event a success by participating in, volunteering for, or sponsoring the event. Registration is open now at To sponsor or volunteer for the event, please contact Angie anytime at

2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 In January, we introduced Hebrews 12:1-2 to be our verse for the year. When reading this verse, one may consider the theme of running the race, which would be appropriate. However, running the race is just part of this verse. We can run many different directions. We can run very fast. But unless we run with our eyes on the goal, that is fixed on Jesus, our running will not necessarily lead to victory. Yvonne helps a man walk who has Parkinson s. One of the effects of Parkinson s is that somehow the thoughts in your brain don t make it to your feet. At times it takes intentional concentration to convince his feet to move. Interestingly enough, in order to be successful, he needs to look ahead to where he wants to go and not to his feet. The same is true of our walk with Jesus. Our growth, our goals, our victory, is found as we keep our eyes on Jesus. You may remember WWJD, What would Jesus Do?. We don t see WWJD as much anymore but the idea still is good. Fixing our eyes on Jesus naturally asks what would Jesus do? In this Easter season we are reminded of the cross that Jesus bore. Hebrews says He did this with joy. Jesus no doubt had his eyes fixed on God the Father. This example demonstrates to us the joy that we can also experience by fixing our eyes on Jesus. Pastor Keith Nyce He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Matt 13:9) Everything in the kingdom depends upon whether or not we hear the word of God. Everything changes when I hear from God and act upon that word. I strongly advocate for a prayer life that is comprised mostly of silence. It s a great delight to talk to God, but it s even more thrilling when He talks to us. Things don t change when I talk to God; things change when God talks to me. So the power of prayer is found, not in convincing God of my agenda, but in waiting upon Him to hear His agenda. Psalm 95:7b says, If only you would listen to His voice. It says if because hearing His voice is conditional built upon the condition of quieting our hearts to listen. (Excerpts from Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge) Learning to listen to God is a challenging discipline. Be prepared to make this discipline a life-long pursuit. Carol Zimmerman, Prayer Coordinator

3 FROM THE COMMUNITY PASTOR SABBATICAL PLANS FOR MARK/CATHY MENTZER My hope and reason for times like this are to return, with fresh strength & renewed passion, to pastoring. With the help of Church Council, a plan is in place for this time. Please pray for Cathy and I as the Lord brings us to your thinking. During these 90 days of sabbatical (April-June) I have developed a plan to help build personal character, to be inspired through hearing the Voice of God and to expand my understanding of what God is currently doing around us in Lancaster County. PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT I plan to read the course requirements for The Anabaptist Story: A Survey (a class offered through Evangelical Seminary) Becker, Palmer. Anabaptist Essentials: Ten Signs of a Unique Christian Faith. Herald Press, 2017 Bender, Harold S. The Anabaptist Vision, Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online Klaassen, Walter. Anabaptism: Neither Catholic nor Protestant, 3 rd ed., Pandora Press, Neufeld, Alfred. What We Believe Together, Good Books, Roth, John D. Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be, Herald Press, Ruth, John L. Forgiveness: A Legacy of the W. Nickel Mines Amish School. 2 nd ed., Herald Press, "Schleitheim Confession (Anabaptist, 1527)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online Simons, Menno. Confession and The New Birth. Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, Snyder, C. Arnold. Following in the Footsteps of Jesus: The Anabaptist Tradition. Orbis Books, Weaver, J. Denny. Becoming Anabaptist: The Origin & Significance of 16 th Century Anabaptism. 2 nd ed., Herald Press, 2005 Williams, Stuart Murray. The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith, Herald Press, HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD With the day-to-day responsibilities removed, I look forward to hearing from The Lord in fresh & new ways. I plan frequent visits to 24/7 Gateway House of Prayer (Ephrata) & times of solitude in Southern Lancaster Co woods. EXPANDING MY UNDERSTANDING -Cathy/I plan to attend many different churches to experience how they approach collective worship services. -I plan to log these visits to use the experiences to help SMC to be a relevant, life-giving church. -We also hope to go on a 2-3 week trip through some of the Western United States--continuing to visit churches & experience as much as we can in hopes of broadening my vision to see beyond Lancaster County---as good as it is. Apr 7 Pastor Keith - "Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone) 1 Cor 10:31; Ps 19:1-6 Apr 14 Roger Weaver PALM SUNDAY - Through the Eyes Series"(Luke 10:27) Apr 19 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE w/communion, music, drama, etc Apr 21 Pastor Keith EASTER SUNDAY - Through the Eyes Series"(Luke 10:27) Apr 28 Milt Stoltzfus - Friendship Community Worship Team

4 APRIL 5-6, RD ANNUAL MCC PA RELIEF SALE at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. APR 8-12, The Way of the Cross: An Interactive Prayer Experience (9 am 4:30 pm) - FREE to all at Parish Resource Center. Follow the way of the cross during the last hours of Jesus life. Through this interactive and contemplative experience, imagine yourself witnessing the events of Jesus final hours: being condemned, the journey to Golgotha, his crucifixion and death, and his burial. APRIL 10 QUICKBOOKS 102 (7-8:30 pm at Parish Resource Center(2160 Lincoln Hwy E #18, Lancaster PA) led by Robin Ingram & Diana Miller. Contact PRC at APRIL 11 WOODCREST RETREAT S LADIES NIGHT OUT (6 pm) Enjoy delicious buffet and learn from guest speaker Denise Grove. Special Music by Amanda Black. Cost: $17. See APRIL 12 HOMES OF HOPE MENTOR WORKSHOP (8 am-4 pm) at Willow Street Mennonite Church (399 E Penn Grant Rd, Willow Street PA) Cost: $65 includes lunch & materials. Contact smoyer@loveinclancaster.org or ext 105 APR 13 - FINGER WEAVING (9AM-12NOON) Without using a loom, Native American finger weaving can be used to create a variety of projects. Learn this folk art in class taught by Mark Warfel, Lenape, at the 1719 Herr House & Museum. This class costs $35. Register by March 30 at hansherr.org or by calling (717) APR 15 - STORIES FROM THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM What does it mean to live out peace in the way of Jesus today? Hear Gerry Keener, Nancy Heisey, Ed Martin & Tala Bautista share how their identities as disciples of Christ have shaped their responses in times of conflict or crisis at 7 pm at Akron Mennonite Church. APR EMM SOUL CARE RETREAT Register to get away, recover your life & become who God has made you to be. Cost: $385 (includes meals, lodging, materials). Open to 20 guests at EMM.org/soulcare APR 24 WOODCREST RETREAT S SPRING SENIOR DAY (9am-2 pm) Bishop of Martindale District, Daryl Weaver, will speak on in the Eye of th Storm. The afternoon session will include music by the Weaver Family. Lunch is provided; freewill offering taken. Call by Apr 19 to reserve a spot. APR 25 - CHARLES JANTZI MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN THE PLAIN COMMUNITIES (7:30 pm) at Elizabethtown College s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. Info at or visit APR 27 - AN EVENING WITH BRIAN MCLAREN (7-8:15 pm) at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 E Roseville Rd, Lancaster PA) Join Parish Resource Ctr for evening with bestselling author, speaker & public theologian Brian McLaren. He is the founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church, an innovative, nondenominational congregation. MAY 11 SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY PREGNANCY SERVICES (SVPS) WALK RUN FOR LIFE at The Junction Center. Contact Heather Muncy at heather@svps.org or ext. 315 with requests and questions. MAY 18 - PLAIN MEETINGHOUSES LEARNING TOUR Visit meetinghouses belonging to Weaverland, Groffdale & Lancaster Conference Mennonites (8 am-4 pm) with Beth Oberholtzer & Lloyd Weiler. Cost: $95. Register by 4/18 at lmhs.org or (717) MAY 30 MUSIC FOR ASCENSION (7 pm) An evening liturgy to celebrate the ascension of our Lord at Luthern Church of the Good Shepherd (750 Greenfield Rd, Lanc). More info at or MAY 31 FINANCIAL COACHING: FAITH IN ACTION (8:30 am-1:30 pm) at Everence (2160 Lincoln Hwy E #12, Lancaster PA) This training will help you explore serving as a volunteer Financial Coach for your faith community or non-profit programs like LoveINC or Homes of Hope. Cost: $15 which includes materials & lunch. Register at smoyer@loveinclancaster.org or contact Shawn at x 105. JUNE 1 FATHER/CHILD CANOE ADVENTURES at Woodcrest Retreat (8am-8 pm) for ages 9+. Cost: $85/person. See JUNE 7-8 FATHER/SON CAMPOUT at at Woodcrest Retreat for ages 5+ with speaker, Jere Cassel. Cost: $75/person. See JUNE 28 LANCASTER BRITISH BRASS BAND (4 pm) perhaps the most popular musical ensemble in South-Central PA Don t miss this opportunity at Luthern Church of the Good Shepherd (750 Greenfield Rd, Lanc)! More info at or JULY 13 EMM GLOBAL FAIR (11am-3pm) at Hans Herr House, Willow Street PA. Sign up to volunteer at EMM.ORG/VOLUNTEER FROM PARISH RESOURCE CENTER: Monday Morning Meditation Every Monday morning (except holidays) 8:00 8:30 am FREE to all attending! Led by Allen Rushmer, Centering Prayer and Contemplative Meditation Group Leader Each morning meditation will consist of a daily reading, a simple chant, and a 25-minute silent meditation. The readings and meditation are based on the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) tradition. The Way of the Cross: An Interactive Prayer Experience Weekdays, April 8-12 and :00 am 4:30 pm FREE to all attending! At the Parish Resource Center Follow the way of the cross during the last hours of Jesus life. Through this interactive & contemplative experience, imagine yourself witnessing the events of Jesus final hours: being condemned, the journey to Golgotha, his crucifixion and death, and his burial. Stop by PRC over your lunch break, after work, or when you re out running errands. This is done at your own pace (15+ min).

5 LIBRARY/ARCHIVES ASSISTANT Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society Part-Time Library/Archives Assistant (16 hours/week) with a tentative start date of mid-april of To apply for this position, please send a resumé and letter of intent either by mail to the LMHS Library, 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, PA, or by to library@lmhs.org. MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE (MDS) FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE MANAGER to oversee controller functions for administration and financial management and reporting. This role is based in Lititz Pennsylvania. Applicants must be active in an Anabaptist church and committed to the Anabaptist faith and peace position. See Resumes may be sent to jobs@mds.mennonite.net or MDS, Attn: Human Resources, 583 Airport Rd, Lititz, PA Review of resumes begins immediately. Recruitment continues until the position is filled BLACK ROCK RETREAT VOLUNTEER with Discipleship Crew for 2 wks this summer - new/revamped program, the Discipleship Crew helps serve food and clean our dining hall, takes care of basic maintenance needs around camp, assists in some games and activities, and serves in other ways as needs arise, all under the guidance of leaders who are committed to discipling and encouraging the Crew members in their spiritual growth. Contact Ben Herr (Summer Camp Program Director) at bherr@blackrockretreat.com/ EMM - LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITY IN KENYA - EMM seeks one or two individuals to serve as regional representative(s) for East Africa to develop and shape the overarching goals and strategies for the region, oversee EMM persons who live within the region, and maintain relationships with national partners. Applicants must be willing to live in Nairobi, Kenya. This long-term assignment is available May Apply at emm.org/serve. EMM - KINGDOM TEAM SUMMER STAFF NEEDED - EMM Kingdom Team summer staff is needed in Lancaster, Pa. You can disciple youth groups as they serve on one-week Kingdom Teams in Lancaster, Pa. Staff will lead discipleship sessions, engage one-on-one, and help lead service opportunities. Learn more at emm.org/discipleshipteams. MCC - AKRON PA NEED FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS & HOUSEKEEPING. Volunteer drivers use MCC vehicles to pick up/drop off MCC staff/guests at airports & train terminals---mostly Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Housekeeping needs is at the MCC Welcoming Place in Akron. Volunteer at times that fit your schedule. Please contact Tina Mast Burnett at TinaMastBurnett@mcc.org or call (717) LANDIS HOMES / WELSH MT COMMUNITIES are ready to match a variety of talents and skills with new and existing VOLUNTEER opportunities. Volunteers partner with staff fulfill the missions of these two Landis Communities affiliates. Persons interested in volunteer opportunities at Landis Homes may contact the Volunteer Services office at or volunteer@landishomes.org. To learn more about options at Welsh Mountain Home, please contact Melody Jacobs at or mjacobs@welshmountainhome.org. For more information, contact Larry Guengerich at LGuengerich@LandisCommunities.org or call CVCCS (CONESTOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES) VOLUNTEERS needed for Summer Lunch Program that feeds children over summer vacation at various sites in the Conestoga Valley School District. For more information contact Deb at ext FROM CVCCS Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services as you plan VEGETABLE GARDEN this Spring, consider adding a 10% increase to share with CVCCS Food Bank FROM CVCCS Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services CLOTHING BANK - men s jeans inseams 32+ FOOD BANK - canned fruit esp pineapple, rice products (Minute Rice, Rice-a-Roni, etc) SOAP AND TOWELS NEEDED BY MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) Zote is preferred brand of laundry soap---please leave in wrapper. Towels (new bath & hand towels) - good quality, dark or bright colors, medium weight preferred. (No Washcloths) Information at mcc.org/kits or contact the MCC East Coast Material Resources Center in Ephrata, PA, at (717) or EastCoastMRC@mcc.org.

6 SMC Mission and Outreach Team Stumptown supports a number of families living outside our community. They are active in Kingdom building in a variety of ways. Consider a short-term mission trip to one of these locations: Chile Dale and Kathy Mast (4-6 People - Feb or Mar 2020) o Serving on a Dental and probable construction team - Dale Mast team leader Zanzibar Peter and Christy Sensenig (2-3 People - Dates TBD) o Prayer and encouragement ministry - Visa restrictions prevent volunteer work from happening o Peter Sensenig along with EMM team in Zanzibar will lead Domestic with either MDS or ReachGlobal (4-12 People - Dates/Locations TBD) o Construction/clean up/disaster Relief - Sam Beiler team leader If you have interest in or have questions about any of these, please contact a Mission/Outreach Team (MOT) member. Randy Zook John Sauder Mark Mentzer Bob Meck Charles Maina Andy Deiner

7 Hello from North Carolina, FROM THE WARFELS: This is the first prayer letter that we are sending via Mail Chimp. There are a number of news items that we would like to share with you. In early December, Evan began working for a small retail company near Charlotte, NC, that sells and repairs electronic devices, especially cell phones and accessories. He is enjoying this full-time job where he is able to use his technical skills to repair phones and computers. He is growing in his ability to interact with customers and help them to find a phone and plan to fit their needs. We re delighted to see Evan in a role that is well-suited to him. On January 19, Rachelle s boyfriend, Ben Davis, proposed near a lighthouse on the NC coast, and she joyfully said yes! Ben s family lives just a few miles from us here in North Carolina. Ben is living in the Washington, DC area, where he serves in international relations with Wycliffe & SIL. Rachelle recently found a nursing job in Charlotte and is currently going through the orientation required for that. Plans are underway for a summer wedding. We are happy for their desire to serve the Lord together. Angela has been working at a school in SC for about 14 months, but she has recently been promoted to a position of increased responsibility. She seems to be thriving at the school in general and in this new position in particular. We are happy to see her using her God-given gifts to honor Him. On January 26, Anita's mother, Marlyss, was moved into a memory care unit of a nursing home in Peoria, IL, because of her accelerating Alzheimer s symptoms. This facility provides a good environment for her, and we are very thankful for the care she is receiving. Anita s brother, John, lives only a few miles away and remains very involved in her life. We re grateful for his willingness to oversee Mom s care. Plans are being discussed for a Rapid Word Collection workshop for a Midwestern Native American group which Kevin may be involved in this summer. We ll share more details as we learn them. Some other groups have expressed an interest, but nothing definite is on the calendar. During the past two years here at JAARS, many new staff have come to serve in various roles. But, one department, the Auto Shop, has had to discontinue service to JAARS and Wycliffe members vehicles, due to a shortage of staff. We used to have car repairs done by the JAARS Auto Shop, but now we have to go elsewhere and pay a higher rate for labor. Please pray for more volunteer mechanics so that the shop can reopen to Wycliffe members and JAARS staff. Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. We thank the Lord for upholding us and answering prayers far beyond what we expect! Blessings of God's love and care, Kevin & Anita

8 FROM THE MASTS: The dental outreach went especially well this year. This was dental team #9 to Chile with our dentist friend Greg Johnson. And this was the fifth year in a row we have served the clinic at the church in Puerto Montt and with YWAM on the remote island of Chiloe. The set up for the team for me was made smoother due to the fact Greg & Stacey are now living here in Chile. They have sold their house and dental practice in Harrisonburg and plan to serve as missionaries full time. We actually planned an extra day in Chiloe since the needs seem greater there. About 150 persons were treated in Puerto Montt and at least that many in Chiloe as well. I was invited to stay over in the YWAM base and teach in the DTS on Servanthood. The morning I taught Psalm 71:18 was in my readings about teaching & equipping following generations! The students were eager to hear stories from my years in missions; the more years, the more testimonies! It was really a worthwhile time. With that I ll close. Thanks for your faithfulness to pray!