Monthly Messenger 1-07.rtf

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:19:27 GMT

Monthly Messenger
Neffsville Mennonite Church

Volume XV, Issue 1 January 2007

Faith at Work by Calvin High
Early life experiences shaped the values I took into the corporate world. I grew up in the midst of the Great Depression in a rented farm house with no utilities except electricity. I helped with farm chores, but mostly enjoyed going along to my father's welding shop.
My early spiritual training came from Sunday school, summer Bible school and pastors at Mellinger Mennonite Church . But the real lessons about ``where the rubber hits the road,'' came through my father, Sanford High. He demonstrated generosity, integrity, humility, perseverance and a dedication to customer satisfaction. He established a company policy to ``put down a good weld and give full measure.'' Dad told me about when he bought his business from a respected man who sold out so he could spend time with evangelist Billy Sunday. But the man deceived him with undeclared liabilities, and I learned that ``actions speak louder than words.''
When I attended Goshen College , I learned about the Mennonite Church beyond Lancaster County , and gained a greater appreciation for the broader church. That appreciation helped form basic business principles as the business grew. We decided we wanted our businesses to participate in uplifting society, and not to participate in those things that do the opposite. The black and white decisions were easy, but the gray ones were more difficult to discern.
As a Mennonite Christian with a great number of stakeholders, I sometimes have to explain to new associates what our 75-year old company philosophy entails. For example, we chose not to build and lease a new building for a defense contractor because we view war as detrimental to society.
Today I appreciate the Sunday morning discussions from various view points in the Men's Bible Class. I cherish the ``down-to-earth'' spirituality derived from those studies.

Women's Ministries will meet on Tuesday, January 30 at 9:15 A.M. Bring something for the pot luck meal at lunch.
We will be doing projects for Mennonite Central Committee. All women of the church are invited.

January Sermons
Jan. 7 Love reveals the way , Matt. 2:1-12
Jan. 14 Look who's talking , Deut. 4:32 -40
Jan. 21 Poker night all in , Mark 13
Jan. 28 Who can hear him? Gen. 4:9, Dan. 5:5-6, Acts 9:3-5
Marriage Encounter
January 12-14, 2007 ; Park Plaza Lancaster, Lancaster , PA
March 9-11, 2007 ; Spruce Lake Retreat
March 23-25, 2007 ; Beaver Camp, Lowville , NY
July 20-22, 2007 ; Kenbrook Bible Camp
Birthdays
1/1 - Martha Bauman, Andrew Hostetter
1/2 - Richard Cunningham, Ken Fisher, Gary Neff
1/3 - Serena Hartzler
1/7 - Luke Brubaker, Amy Denlinger
1/8 - Rachel Brubaker
1/9 - Brittney Bemis, Kate Buckwalter, Andrew Burkholder, Donald Clark, Jeralyn Fenstermacher
1/10 - Clyde Buchen, Cheryl Lennon
1/11 - Melina Godshall, Michelle Witmer
1/12 - Lois J. Martin
1/13 - Keith Hoover
1/14 - Steph Herr, Merle McGallicher, Wilmer Shelly
1/15 - Luke Hair, Brad Hess, Sydney Weaver
1/16 - Greyson King, Kirsten North, CJ Shenk, Lilly Witmer
1/17 - Harry Jarrett, Stan Shenk
1/18 - Marilyn Denlinger, John Hess, Nicole Martin, Rachel Schaeffer
1/19 - Marv Lennon
1/20 - Rick Schaeffer, Clyde Wissler
1/21 - Sandy Lindsey
1/22 - Sue King, Matthew Landis
1/23 - Ruth Gamber
1/24 - Diana Erb, Kim Kauffman, Nadia Martin
1/25 - Betty Bucher, Don Brubaker, Betty Bucher, Justin Wissler
1/26 - Arlene Graver, Jeff Witwer
1/27 - Katherine Martin, Carolyn North
1/29 - Becky Marshall
1/30 - Justin Gordon, Rob Hein, Lois Heller, Earl Siegrist, Bruce Waters

Anniversaries
1/3/42 - Earl & Esther Siegrist
1/14/84 Rick & JoAnn Schaeffer
1/16/60 - Richard & Jessie Bemis
1/23/88 - Jeff & Heidi Brown

Ministry in YWAM - Ashlee Rohrer

On January 19, 2007 I will be traveling half-way around the world to join YWAM (Youth With a Mission) in Maroochydore , Australia . I will begin by attending the 5 month Discipleship Training School . During the first 11 weeks I will be in the ``lecture'' portion of the DTS where we focus each week on a different topic. Some topics are ``The Christian's relationship with God'' and ``The Christian's relationship to the world.'' The focus of YWAM is to know God and make him known through our words and actions. The following 9 weeks I will be in an Outreach in another country. My particular Outreach will be determined once I begin DTS. During my Outreach I will have the opportunity to share God's love with children, young adults and seniors. The last week of DTS will be spent again in Australia to re-group and share with the others of God's work in my life.
Although it will be hard to leave home, God has given me much comfort in knowing that this is the best decision I will ever make. After tossing the idea of going with YWAM for over two years, I realized that there may never be a better time to go. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers during the next 6 months. Thank you all for supporting me as I begin this life-changing journey!

Mission Network Prayer Requests

·         · January 7-13 - Pray for the staff of Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Church USA executive leadership in Elkhart, IN as they get settled after a recent move. Leaders were hoping to remain in the building on Main Street until the completion of a proposed new facility in 2010, but the offices have experienced nearly two dozen water leaks in the past year. Mailing and e-mail addresses and phone number remain the same. The new Elkhart offices are located at 1601 W. Beardsley Avenue .
·         · January 14-20 - MMN workers Pat and Rad Houmphan thank God for the land purchased to build a church in Borabu , Thailand . Pray for a smooth and quick transfer of the land title so that construction can begin this month.
·         · January 21-27 - The Service Adventure leaders are meeting January 24-28 in San Antonio . Pray that this will be a time for encouraging one another as they lead teams of young people in communities across the United States .
·         · January 28-31 - Mennonite Mission network workers David and Erika Gingerich request prayer as they plan activities for the youth group and teach Sunday school in the Quito Mennonite Church in Ecuador . Thank God for closer relationships among the youth and increased involvement in church and outreach.
ACC News
Organic farming pioneer and agricultural visionary Fred Kirschenmann will join the 2007 Farming with Values that Last Conference on February 23-25 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center . Be present at the intersection of Christian faith and innovative farming that builds farms, families and community. The weekend will feature singing, worship, Bible teaching, reflection, stories and time for building relationships. For more information, visit the website at http://laurelville.org/01Program/Sustainable.html or call 800.839.1021.
A copy of the DVD, Nurturing Spirit Through Song: The Legacy of Mary K. Oyer is now available in the Atlantic Coast Conference office. Mary's wisdom, gained from years of leading congregational singing, will inspire and educate the song leaders of the church in this and future generations. Contact the ACC office at 717.355.0550 if you are interested in borrowing the DVD.

Community News

CONTACT Lancaster Helpline , a 24/7 telephone, listening, caring and referral center in Lancaster County for the past 30 years is looking for volunteers to answer the phones in the CONTACT Phone Center. They offer hands-on-training in communication skills and mental health related issues.
Each course runs two evenings a week for six weeks. The 2007 spring training course will run Mondays and Thursdays from Monday, February 5 through Thursday, March 15, 6:30-9:30 P.M. All classes will meet in room 220 at the Community Action Program (CAP) building at 601 South Queen Street , Lancaster .
Cost of the training is $50 for adults, $25 for teens who commit to working one year on the phones and $125 for those taking the training for personal growth. For application forms or more information, call the CONTACT office at 717.299.7388, ext. 3123 or 3121. You can also find more information at the website at www.contact-lancaster.org .
Ten Thousand Villages Warehouse Sale is scheduled for January 19 20. Enjoy great discounts on overstocked, slightly damaged and one-of-a-kind items.
Highlights from Elders Meetings
In the past month some of the issues the Elders have worked on are:
·         · Spent time in devotions and prayer for the congregation.
·         · Conducted elections for the two open elder seats
·         · Received and accepted Amy Herr's resignation as Office Administrator.
·         · Formed a profile, advertised, and received resumes for the Office Administrator position.
·         · Submitted 2007 memos of understanding to staff members for their consideration of acceptance.
·         · Discussed ways to better meet congregational care needs.
·         · Discussed vision of spiritual emphasis for 2007
For more details, pick up a copy of the minutes at the bulletin board outside the fellowship hall. Feel free to contact the elders if you have any questions or concerns: Jon Burkholder; Roger North; Bertha Roggie or Rick Schaeffer.

Upcoming Events

· Jan. 3 - Roller skating at Overlook, 6:00-9:30 P.M.
·         · Jan 8 - Moms Group, 9:30-11 A.M.
·         · Jan 9 - Beth Moore Bible study, 9:15-11 A.M.
·         · Jan. 10 - Elders meeting, 6:30 P.M.
·         · Jan. 12 - Crop Club, 6 P.M.-12 A.M.
·         · Jan. 16 - Beth Moore Bible study, 9:15-11 A.M.
·         · Jan. 16 - Council of Ministries meeting, 7 P.M.
·         · Jan. 22 - Moms Group, 9:30-11 A.M.
·         · Jan. 23 - Beth Moore Bible study, 9:15-11 A.M.
·         · Jan. 30 - Beth Moore Bible study, 9:15-11 A.M.
·         · Jan. 30 - Women's Ministries, 9:15 A.M.-2 P.M.
·         · Feb. 4 - Jr. High Super Bowl party, 5 P.M.
·         · Feb. 5 - Mom's Group, 9:30-11 A.M.
·         · Feb. 9 - Crop Club, 6 P.M.-12 A.M.
·         · Feb. 11 - ACC Quizzing at NMC, 6:30 P.M.
·         · Feb. 13 - Beth Moore Bible study, 9:15-11 A.M.
·         · Feb. 27 - Women's Ministries, 9:15 A.M.-2 P.M.
·         · Mar. 5 - Moms Group, 9:30-11 A.M.
·         · Mar. 6 - Council of Ministries, 7 P.M.
·         · Mar. 11 - Celebration of Praise, 4 P.M.
·         · Mar. 19 - Moms Group, 9:30-11 A.M.

NEFFSVILLE MENNONITE CHURCH
2371 Lititz Pike
Lancaster , PA 17601-3653

Phone: 717-569-0012
Fax: 717-569-2417
Email: ayherrneffmc.org
Web Page: www. neffmc .org

Neffsville Mennonite Church Purpose & Vision

Neffsville Mennonite Church 's purpose is to love God and to share the love of Jesus with each person we meet.

Because we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ,
à         à We willingly welcome and value each person as having been uniquely made in God's image.

à         à We nurture each person in a growing, Christ-centered faith.

à         à We serve as Christ's hands, feet, and voice locally and globally.
à         à

The Monthly Messenger is published on the last Sunday of the month. Articles and announcements must be received by the third Monday of the month for publication.
Editor: Amy Herr, Church Administrator

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With me it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.
                  Mark 10:27

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.

                  Mother Teresa

Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times, in all circumstances.
                St. Vincent de Paul