Views from the Valley

Photos from EVCoB's Women's Retreat 2007

2007-11-15T13:33:00.000-05:00

Every year, the women of Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren take an unstructured weekend in November to relax, surrounded by friends and laughter, fun, and nature's beauty.

We hope you'll join us for Women's Retreat 2008!

This week at Elkhart Valley (Aug. 20-26)

2007-08-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007
7:00 p.m. -- Deacon Meeting

Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday school for all ages
9:45 a.m. -- Teacher Appreciation Reception 10:30 a.m. -- Worship

Commission chairs are asked to submit 2008 proposed budgets to the Finance Commission as soon as possible.

Attention all Deacons! Don’t forget the Deacon Council meeting this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Are you running the race?

2007-08-21T08:33:00.000-05:00

Are you running the race that the writer of Hebrews talked about? The one we are inspired to run because we run in the presence of so great a cloud of witnesses? The race that is before us each and every day? The race we run with perseverence because we know God is at our side?

A writer has shared this prayer:
Holy are you, Shepherd of all people,
and blessed is Jesus Christ,
your sign of hope and grace.
Surrounded by all faithful,
he humbled himself,
coming to set the pace for us
in this race we call life.
Worthy of all glory and praise,
he disregarded human acclaim,
and died on the cross
that we might be given life.
Picking up sin and death,
and tossing them aside,
he cleared the way to you,
that we might enter your kingdom.
As we remember his death and resurrection,
as we look for signs of his life in our time...
may we be transfornmed
into signs of peace and hope
for our time. Amen.
(Shuman)

Keep your toes pointed forward

2007-08-07T09:16:00.001-05:00

Good Morning!

On this gray drippy morning I have been thinking how easy it is to look back and celebrate what has happened previously and how challenging it can be to look forward to the possibilities we have before us. Don't you suppose that the early church sat around after potluck meals drinking coffee and recalling tales of those glorious days when Jesus walked the earth teaching, leading and healing? As a church getting ready to celebrate our 300th anniversary as a denomination, it is easy to bask in the glory of yesterday. The task for the faithful is to look forward with purpose and hope.

Recently I had the opportunity to travel with a football coach. To while away the miles he tried to teach this non-football minded soul about the rules of the game. Most of it did not stick, but one rule seemed a good life lesson; keep your toes pointed forward. Tempting as it is to lose our sense of direction and look back or shuffle sideways, we as a church are called to keep our toes pointed in the forward direction. Paul reminds us that Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith and we must not lose sight of our Savior. The focus must be forward and the call to new and exciting challenges is before us.

Keep your toes pointing forward!
Pastor Beth

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

This week at Elkhart Valley (May 28-June 3)

2007-05-31T15:39:00.000-05:00

June 3 our worship will be at Camp Mack. After worship on Vesper Hill on June 3, you are invited to eat lunch at the camp ($7 per person age 9 or older, $3.50 for children 3-8, children under age 3 eat for free). Camping in the Northeast cabin area will be available on June 2 ($14 for a cabin or bring your own tents/campers).

Come and celebrate with two of our high school graduates!
- Levi Mevis, Sun., June 3, 3:00-7:00 p.m. in the cabin
- Adam O’Haver, Sat., June 9, 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the cabin

All Church Bible School will be Sunday, July 8. Make plans to attend and bring a friend!

Representing Jesus

2007-05-31T15:36:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Our worship Sunday will be at Camp Mack at 10:30 a.m.!

Tony Campolo tells the following story:

A believer wanted to serve the Lord, but had no clear sense of leading. Finally the brother concluded that there was something he could do. He could take the youth group to the old folk’s home. Once a month the youth group of this church went to the old folk’s home and put on a little church service for the people who were there. He went with the youth group and he stood in the back of the room. The young people were performing and this old man in a wheel chair rolled over, rolled his chair over to where this man was standing, took hold of his hand and held it all during the service. That was repeated the next month and the next month and the next month and the next month and the next month. Then they went one Sunday afternoon and the man wasn’t there. The brother asked the nurse in charge, "What happened to that man?" "Oh," she said, "He’s near death. He’s just down the hall, the third room. Maybe you should go in and visit him. He’s unconscious, though.

The brother walked down and went into the room. There were tubes. You know how people are when they are just about gone - and lying there was quite a tough scene. The man went over and took hold of the hand of the gentleman in the bed. He said a prayer. Just instinctively led by the Spirit, he said a prayer. And when he said "Amen," the old fellow squeezed his hand. He was so moved by that squeeze of the hand that he began to weep. He shook a little. He hurried out of the room, but as he was leaving the room, he bumped into this woman who is coming into the room. She said, "He’s been waiting for you. He said he did not want to die until Jesus came and held his hand and I tried to tell him that after death he would have a chance to meet Jesus and talk to Jesus and hold Jesus’ hand. But he said, ‘No. Once a month Jesus comes and holds my hand and I don’t want to leave until I have a chance to hold the hand of Jesus once more.’" [Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo, "Being Upbeat in a Downbeat World, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2002.]

We never know when we will be called upon to represent Jesus! Let us live in ways that show Jesus to the world and continue his work, Peacefully. Simply. Together.

Blessings,
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (May 7-13)

2007-05-09T08:40:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, May 8, 2007
3:00 p.m. -- Christian Education Commission
6:30 p.m. -- Ministerial Commission
7:00 p.m. -- Trustees Commission

Thursday, May 10, 2007
7:00 p.m. -- Council Meeting

Sunday, May 13, 2007
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship

This Sunday, May 13, will be our Tools and Blankets Sunday. We will take a special offering to support Church World Service's Tools and Blankets programs around the corner and around the world.

Harnessing the energies of love

2007-05-09T08:39:00.000-05:00

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the Roman Catholic theologian, once wrote:

“Sometimes after the mastery of the winds and the waves and the tides; after the mastery of the sun and the sea and the laws of gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And when we harness the energies of love, for the second time in human history, we shall discover fire.”

What if we harnessed atomic fusion? Wow! But what if we harnessed the energies of love? The world would then be transformed.

I trust that every person who reads this is living to bring about God's realm in the world. The trouble comes when we forget that work is our focus. We plod along trying to do the right thing and share the love of God but we sometimes forget we are a part of a major movement. We have been charged with living everyday in ways that bring God's realm into being. The work you do, the thoughts you think, the love you share, all contribute to God's work. Thank you!

And may your week be blessed.
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (April 23-29)

2007-04-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

Saturday, April 28
Garage sale to raise funds for outreach -- Frank and Carole Walker’s home, Green Valley subdivision

Sunday, April 29
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship

Today noon through Wednesday late afternoon Pastor Beth will be at Camp Mack for the pastor's sabbath and a meeting with the clergy couples she and Tim traveled with to South Africa.

Garage sale items should be delivered to Marv and Judy Roush’s home by Wednesday, April 25. Volunteers are needed to transport items to Frank and Carole Walker’s home and/or work the sale on Friday, as well as to work on Saturday.

Tuesday. May 1, 11:30 a.m. Classes 15 and 16 will meet for lunch at Pastor Beth's home. If you need transportation or directions, please ask Beth!

Signs of God's promise and love

2007-04-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

The sun was warm but the wind was chill,
You know how it is with an April day,
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March.
~Robert Frost

These words of poetry certainly describe the fickle weather we have "enjoyed" this month. For me they also have a bit to say about life in the church. As a congregation we have been working diligently to discover ways to bring the love of God and the joy of resurrection alive in ways that communicate with our neighbors. Sometimes it feels like we take one step forward and then a few back! My hope is that the bigger picture finds us moving, like the seasons, relentlessly forward. When April snow covered our lilac bush and froze our bleeding heart, I worried. This morning I had to look but there are again signs of life and color in our backyard. Can you see signs of God's promise and love, as well?

Blessings,
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (April 16-22)

2007-04-18T09:34:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, April 17
6:30 p.m. -- Ministerial Commission

Thursday, April 19
7:00 p.m. -- Deacon Commission

Sunday, April 22
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship

Looking Ahead
April 27 – Elkhart Valley Garage Sale: Garage sale items should be delivered to Marv and Judy Roush’s home between now and April 25. Volunteers are needed to transport items to Frank and Carole Walker’s home and/or work the sale on April 27, as well as to work on April 28. See Judy or Marv for more information.

Pray for those suffering through tragedy

2007-04-18T08:56:00.000-05:00

Good Morning,

It is difficult to focus on Easter thoughts this morning as we try to process the horrifying events of Monday at Virginia Tech. It seems most right to invite one another to pray for those who are suffering through this tragedy. And as we ponder the awfulness of the event, I would also remind us to pray for those affected by the daily death and destruction in Iraq. One report would add to the 3305 United States Service personnel killed the death of 65000 Iraqi people. In the face of so much loss of life it is good to remember the Psalmist's words, "God is our refuge."

Blessings,
Pastor Beth

Yesterday we received this press release from the Church of the Brethren Newsline:

April 16, 2007

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Prayer is requested for Virginia Tech University and Surrounding Communities Prayer is requested for the community of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va., and surrounding communities, following a shooting in which as many as 33 people have been killed and many more wounded.

Prayer has been requested by Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Blacksburg, where Marilyn Lerch serves as pastor; by Virlina District and by Shenandoah District; and by the Church of the Brethren General Board. The districts of Virlina, Shenandoah, and perhaps other districts, include several congregations with Brethren students at Virginia Tech.

News reports say this is the deadliest mass shooting in US history. As of late afternoon, the Roanoke Times of Roanoke, Va., reported that at least 33 people had been killed. According to news reports, shootings began around 7 a.m. and took place at two sites on campus, in a dormitory and a classroom. The unidentified shooter is reported to be among the dead.

"Pour prayers in this direction," requested pastor Lerch. "Surround us with prayer."

"The prayers of the Virlina District are with the students, parents, faculty, staff, and all concerned," said an e-mail from district executive minister David Shumate.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those of the Virginia Tech campus community in the aftermath of today's shootings," said an e-mail from Shenandoah District. "We know that many of our churches have students on the campus and pray for their safety and comfort in light of this tragedy."

General secretary Stan Noffsinger and staff of the Congregational Life Teams, Area 3, requested prayer for all affected by the shootings. Noffsinger called for prayer for families and friends of victims, the university and its staff and student body, for Brethren congregations that include university students or staff, for first responders among police and medical staff, for the faith community in Blacksburg, and for the family of the perpetrator. "They all need our prayers," he said. "There are the innocent and their families, there's also the family of the perpetrator with so much hostility focused toward them, and the law enforcement officers and others who are called. They all need to be embraced by an understanding that they do not walk alone."

Good Shepherd pastor Lerch, who also serves as one of the campus ministers, was on her way to the university when she was reached by telephone in mid-afternoon. She requested prayers for the university community, and prayers for the town of Blacksburg because of its close relationship with the university. "The town is stunned," she said. This is the second time that the campus has suffered from shootings this school year, she added. The fact that on the first day of classes a gunman was loose on campus, she said makes the situation today "especially difficult."

At this time, Lerch said that very few details are known. She reported that the Good Shepherd congregation includes employees and faculty of the university, and so far no one in the congregation has been directly affected by the shootings at this time. She said she has been able to be in touch with most of the university employees in the congregation.

Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren will hold a silent prayer vigil this evening from 5-7 p.m., when the church will be open as a sanctuary, Lerch said. The congregation will be waiting to see what is needed, beyond this time of prayer, she said.

Virlina District shared the address for a website created by the Virginia Interfaith Center for those wishing to share comments, prayers, and condolences: www.compassion24x7.org. The center will be sending a copy of all appropriate messages to the president of Virginia Tech.

This week at Elkhart Valley (April 9-15)

2007-04-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, April 10
3:00 p.m. -- Christian Ed. Commission
6:30 p.m. -- Ministerial Commission

7:00 p.m. -- Brethren Service Commission, Trustee Commission

Wednesday, April 11

7:30 p.m. -- Choir Practice

Thursday, April 12

7:00 p.m. -- Church Board Meeting

Sunday, April 15
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages

10:30 a.m. -- Worship

Looking Ahead

April 27 – Elkhart Valley Garage Sale: Garage sale items should be delivered to Marv and Judy Roush’s home between now and April 25. Volunteers are also needed to transport items to Frank and Carole Walker’s home and/or work the sale on April 27, as well as to work on April 28. See Judy or Marv for more information.

Easter is everywhere

2007-04-10T09:11:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Sometimes we think of Easter as an isolated incident, a day to rise early and celebrate well the news that the tomb is empty and eternal life is a reality. The truth is that Easter is just an obvious step in a progression made obvious in the events of Jesus' earthly life.

Nathan Nettleton preached an Easter sermon that included these lines: "Look at the stories of Jesus’ life. All the way through you can see that death is losing its grip. Every time somebody once crippled stands and walks, or blind eyes begin to see, or prisoners of fear break free, or the outcast dance in the temple, death is being pushed onto the back foot, and fullness of life is having its way over deathliness and despair. Every time Jesus is confronted with the finger prints of death, life breaks through. By the time we get to Easter, how could the tomb be anything but empty?...

"Easter Sunday is not an isolated event. It is unique in its climactic nature, but we had glimpses of it over and over again as God repeatedly responded to people faced with the power of death and led them forward to freedom and fullness of life. Easter is everywhere, wherever the Spirit of God comes back in the hearts of downtrodden people and they begin the dance of life, with futures resurrected as they follow the resurrected Lord of life and become part of God’s great movement of raising life from the midst of death when all hope seems gone."

May your week include many reminders that Christ is risen, the tomb is empty and He lives!

Blessings for your week,

Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (April 2-8)

2007-04-03T08:02:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, April 4
11:30 a.m. -- Class 15 Lunch
7:30 p.m. -- Choir Practice

Thursday, April 5
Maundy Thursday
7:00 p.m. -- Love Feast & Communion

Friday, April 6
Good Friday

Sunday, April 8
Easter!
7:30 a.m. -- Easter Sunrise Service
8:30 a.m. -- Breakfast
9:00 a.m. -- Easter Egg Hunt
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Easter Sunday Worship

Looking ahead
April 12 -- Church Board meeting
April 27 -- Elkhart Valley Garage Sale. Garage sale items should be delivered to Marv and Judy Roush's home by April 25. Volunteers are needed to transport items to Frank and Carole Walker's home and/or work the sale on April 27, as well as to work on April 28.

A special week

2007-04-03T07:59:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Jesus approached Jerusalem knowing it would be the end of his earthly ministry. He entered the city with humility and hope. It made me think of this story:

Albert Einstein once arrived in London carrying his violin. After greeting him, an old friend asked, "You still play the violin, Albert?"

The mathematical genius nodded and said, "Yes, but not very well. My teacher says, 'The trouble with you, Mr. Einstein, is that you can't count.'"

He knew that he had much to learn if he were to play the violin well. So he approached his endeavor with a sense of humility, even to the point of laughing at his poor rhythm.

This is a special week. From the excitement of Palm Sunday we move on to the gift of Maundy Thuirsday and the horror of Good Friday. And then, after the waiting, the wondrous celebration of aster morning. Those responsible for the services this weekend are working hard to make them meaning-filled and worshipful. I hope you are planning to attend and mark the events that have changed our lives.

Blessings,
Pastor Beth

God's welcome

2007-03-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

On Saturday the "tree guy" -- who is working on behalf of the Goshen airport and preparing to trim the trees on our property -- came to see us. He has each of the almost 90 trees numbered and has a plan to trim most of them. Twenty will be removed and the others have a reasonable chance of surviving. He and his daughter are interesting people who seem to take this change in our property seriously. It was almost fun to hear him talk about individual trees as though they have become his friends. He does indeed care about our little corner of creation.

When he said "we will remove 15 feet of branch that is five inches in diameter," it sounded not too bad. "We will make lots of cuts of large and small branches" sounds quite serious. The truth is that removing lots of branches means the tree is already healthier and will probably withstand the trimming better than that one major cut on a sparsely branched tree. In the realm of God, so many things are not as we first expect. The reassuring news is thet the "mother hen" we call God is always ready to welcome us into the nest and cares for us as friends.

I pray your week includes God's welcome!

Blessings,
Pastor Beth

How can I refuse to give God so little when he lets me keep so much for myself?!

2007-02-14T12:46:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Sunday was certainly a day of celebration. Thank yous to the finance commission for making all the arrangements and for all who helped make it an informative and fun day. And may the valentine theme continue as we share experessions of love for each other and for God!

Here is a short stewardship story, that I thought most appropriate, (especially since the menu included crunchy potatoes!):

In the Old Testament God taught the people to tithe – giving back one tenth of all the produce or livestock that they raised. This tithe was then used to feed the poor and to support the temple. One day a potato farmer was reading God’s instructions about the tithe in the Bible, “All tithes of the land, whether in grain from the fields or in fruit from the trees, belong to the Lord, as sacred to Him…The tithes of the herd and the flock shall be determined by ceding to the Lord as sacred every tenth animal as they are counted by the herdsman’s rod.” Leviticus 27:30,32 The potato farmer became angry at the idea that he should give to God one out of every ten of his potatoes so he went out into the field and started throwing potatoes into two piles – nine potatoes for him, one potato for God. Soon his wife came out and found the man no longer angry but sad. He was standing beside one very large stack of potatoes and one smaller stack of potatoes. “Why are you so sad?” she asked. He answered, “God asked me to give back 10% and I thought that was too much. But look how quickly my pile of nine potatoes has grown and look how little His pile of just one potato at a time has grown. How can I refuse to give God so little when he lets me keep so much for myself?!”

Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Jan. 29-Feb. 4)

2007-01-30T17:08:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, Jan. 31
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy (Menu: Chicken Pot Pie, Tossed Salad, Rolls, Cake)
6:30 p.m. -- Activities for children; Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir

Thursday, Feb. 1
7:00 p.m. -- Church Board Mtg.

Sunday, Feb. 4
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship

Dress shopping and sharing God's love

2007-01-30T17:07:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

During my message Sunday I shared the following story. But I like it a lot and so I decided to share it again in the email. I hope it inspires you to find ways to continue the work of Jesus where you live!

Julie Pennington Russell tells the following story:
A woman was an associate pastor of a large Presbyterian church in southern California. This woman loved to go to Nordstrom department store in Bel Air during the Christmas season, mostly just to enjoy the ambiance and the live Christmas music on all five floors.

On one of her visits, the minister was on the top floor of the store looking at some of the finest dresses in the world, when the elevator doors opened and out stepped a very disheveled looking woman. Her clothes were dirty and torn, her hair was matted, her stockings were rolled down to her ankles. She just stood there holding a very full and very dirty gym bag in her hand and it was obvious that she probably wasn't going to buy anything—all the dresses were all in the multi thousand-dollar category.

The minister half-expected a security guard to come and show the woman out. But instead of a security guard, a stately saleswoman came over to the woman with the gym bag and asked,

"May I help you, madam?"

The woman said, "Yeah! I wanna buy a dress!"

"Any particular kind of dress?" the saleswoman asked in a very kind and dignified manner.

"A party dress!" the woman answered.

"Well you've come to the right place," said the saleswoman. "Follow me. I think we have some of the finest party dresses in the world."

The saleswoman then spent more than fifteen minutes matching the dresses with the woman's skin color and eye color, trying to help her find just the right match. After selecting three dresses, the saleswoman said, "Shall we go and try them on?" They headed into the dressing room. The minister hurried into the adjoining dressing room and put her ear up to the wall. She had to hear what would happen next.

The woman with the gym bag tried on the dresses with the saleswoman's help. But then, after about ten minutes, the woman said very abruptly, "I've changed my mind. I'm not going to buy a dress today!" The minister in the adjoining cubicle held her breath and heard the saleswoman say, "That's all right." And then, in a gentle voice she said, "But here's my card. Should you come back to Nordstrom, I do hope that you'll ask for me. I would consider it such a privilege to wait on you again."

May your week include surprising opportunities to share God's love!
Blessings,
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Dec. 11-17)

2006-12-13T16:11:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, Dec. 11
6:30 p.m. -- Ministerial Commission
7:00 p.m.-- Trustee Commission

Wednesday, Dec. 13
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy - supper will be baked potatoes. Bring a topping to share.
6:30 p.m. -- Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir Practice

Sunday, Dec. 17
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School
10:30 a.m. -- Worship
12:00 p.m. -- Cookie Walk

Looking ahead
Dec. 17, 12:00 p.m. – Cookie Walk in the Cabin
Dec. 24, 9:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Service

Sharing joy this Christmas season

2006-12-13T16:08:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Last Sunday evening, after our Open House, Tim and Craig hurried off to Bethany Church of the Brethren to help with their evening of caroling. Mother, Daddy, and I cleaned up the house (just so you don't think I simply slept the time away)! When they returned home, Tim told the story of their trip to sing carols for Cheryl.

Cheryl would have been one of the carolers, enthusiastically sharing her good voice to sing for the older members and friends of the congregation. Instead, Cheryl was in the hospital recuperating from emergency surgery. So, the carolers checked about singing and the group trooped off to her room to carol. Tim, a volunteer chaplain who knows the hospital rules about chaos and quiet, shut the door so their noise would not bother other patients and staff. But Christmas carols must be a different category. The staff had wanted the singing to carry beyond Cheryl's room. So, the carolers had to sing again as they went down the hall so others could enjoy a bit of Christmas spirit.

It must have been that kind of evening. When they were singing at Greencroft, several people asked the group to carol to friends living down the hall. One woman taped their singing for another to listen to when she returned home. The music of Christmas is something that we want to share. It reminds us that the Savior we anticipate is to be shared and celebrated. Christmas music brings us joy and joy is something to share with others.

Share a little joy this day as you remember the greatest gift we celebrate this season, the birth of Jesus, the Christ.

Blessings,
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Dec. 4-10)

2006-12-04T14:15:00.000-05:00

We hope you can join us for some Christmas again next week as we share an Open House from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Our family looks forward to welcoming you into our home. ~Pastor Beth

Thank you to all who had a part in making the All Church Christmas party a wonderful welcome to the Christmas season. Good food, good fellowship, good program. Thank you!

Don't forget to bring your gifts for our Salvation Army family to church. There are still things they need. Check out the bulletin board and take a note so you can be a part of this project.

Wednesday, Dec. 6
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. -- Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir Practice

Sunday, Dec. 10
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School
10:30 a.m. -- Worship
11:45 a.m. -- Second Sunday Soup

Looking Ahead
Dec. 10 2-4:00 p.m. -- Sollenberger Morphew Open House

Dec. 17 12:00 p.m. -- Cookie Walk in the Cabin

Dec. 24 9:00 p.m. -- Christmas Eve Service

Sign sightings

2006-12-04T14:13:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Yesterday the scripture reminded us we are looking forward to God's coming realm. That longing we feel for a better world is something we share with generations who have preceded us. William Willimon describes it this way: "By the time Luke’s Gospel was written, the church had been waiting for 75 or 80 years for the return of Christ, and that was a long time to be standing on tiptoe. It’s difficult to maintain a sense of crisis for 80 years....'There will always be a tomorrow,' some must have begun to say. 'After all, there have been about 29,000 tomorrows since Jesus told us that he would return for us.'"

Jesus says we can see signs. Are you looking for them? Do you see things that speak to the coming Kingdom of God? Last evening at the Bethany Church of the Brethren's hanging of the greens service, I heard a nice story. One of the women had been to Chicago with her husband and their adult children. Since they all had cell phones, they had gone their separate ways anticipating that they would call and check in about meeting places. When the father called his daughter's cell phone, a man answered the phone. Assuming he had dialed the wrong number, he dialed again. The same low voice said "hello." After some sputtering about and careful effort because of language differences, the father discovered that the daughter had left her cell phone in a taxi. The taxi driver brought the phone to the father standing on a street corner. Later when the family gathered in, the father asked the daughter what she wanted this year for Christmas. With resignation in her voice she said, "I guess I need a new cell phone." "Merry Christmas" he said as he handed her the phone. Isn't it nice to experience the good help of strangers? Could it be a sign?

May your week of waiting include sign sightings!

Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Nov. 13-19)

2006-11-13T16:28:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, Nov. 14
7:00 p.m. -- Trustees, Brethren Service, Christian Education Commissions

Wednesday, Nov. 15
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. -- Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir practice at Creekside Church of the Brethren!

Thursday, Nov. 16
7:00 p.m. -- Deacons

Sunday, Nov. 19
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Joint Thanksgiving Worship service at Creekside Church of the Brethren

Health Kit items
Next Sunday: Hand Towel

This coming Sunday, Nov. 19, we will worship with the Creekside Church of the Brethren at 10:30 a.m. It will be a Thanksgiving worship followed by a potluck. We have been invited to bring salads and desserts. Table service will be provided. Sunday School will be held at Elkhart Valley from 9:30-10:00 a.m.

The All-Church Christmas Party will be on Sunday, Dec. 3, following worship, with a tasty dinner and entertainment provided by Class 16. Sign-up for the event is next week, so please check your calendars. Donations will be accepted that day to cover the cost of the meal.

Items for the December issue of Valley Views are due by next Sunday, Nov. 19.

Remember to give thanks

2006-11-13T16:26:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

It is the season of gathering in and giving thanks. As I wondered about what to write this morning, I found a list of table graces. This one is new to me and I like it! Sometimes at our house the blessing for the meal is more a formality than a true pause to give thanks. We sing often and sometimes struggle to begin on the same note. We speak occasionally and make it a quick token of thanks. Thanksgiving cannot really be done in dissonance or without thought. God is the source of all we have, are, and will be. Mealtimes are a regular pause in the business of life. Whether said in solitude or unison, let us remember to give thanks to God for the food we eat, the people we share life with and God's blessing and presence ever with us.

Gracious God,
Thank you for the food before us,
The friends around us,
The love between us,
and Your presence among us.
Amen. -Bass Mitchell

With gratitude to God for you!

Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Nov. 6-12)

2006-11-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, Nov. 7
11:30 a.m. -- Class 14 Potluck
7:30 p.m. -- Finance Commission

Wednesday, Nov. 8
10:00 a.m. -- Bible Study – Library
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. -- Church Council Meeting
7:30 p.m. -- Choir

Friday, Nov. 10 – Sunday, Nov. 12 -- Women’s Retreat

Sunday, Nov. 12
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship
11:45 a.m. -- Second Sunday Soup

Health Kit items
Today: Toothpaste
Next Sunday: Soap

Chocolate sale order forms are available from Class 14 members. Please return the forms to Judy Roush.

The All-Church Christmas Party will be on Sunday, Dec. 3, following worship, with a tasty dinner and entertainment provided by Class 16. Sign-up for the event is next week, so please check your calendars. Donations will be accepted that day to cover the cost of the meal.

The Elkhart Valley Women's Retreat at Camp Mack will be held from 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, through 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12th. The retreat ends in time for campers to attend Sunday School. If you are interested, pick up a brochure in the Narthex. Women of all ages are welcome...invite a friend!

The Manchester Church of the Brethren invites you to an Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing, followed with pie and ice cream, on Sunday, Nov. 12. The evening begins at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Come ready to call out your favorite hymn.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, Nov. 12, Second Sunday Soup. Join other in the Fellowship Hall following worship for a light lunch followed by the continuation of our discussion of Church Mission and Peace Evangelism.

Sunday, Nov. 19, we will worship with the Creekside Church of the Brethren. It will be a Thanksgiving worship followed by a potluck.

Love God

2006-11-06T10:32:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

“Let us help all of our neighbors discover that those who are labeled as “aliens” or “illegal” or “undocumented” are nevertheless people created by God, people for whom Christ died, people who matter. They laugh like all of us; they cry like all of us; they bleed like all of us; they dream like all of us. Jesus cares about them all. Jesus reached out beyond his own race, beyond his own faith, to those considered to be of less stature. He cared for the poor; he reached out to the rich; he cared for the dominating Roman soldier as well as the dominated peasant. He preached justice and mercy, and he cited the requirement of God that we love all our neighbors.

“Loving all our neighbors calls us also to pray for and care for those who are afraid of the strangers who live among us. We have a Gospel to proclaim – the Good News of Jesus, which brings alienated persons together through forgiveness and grace.

“Let us avoid harsh and hurtful words. Let us work for liberty and justice for all who live among us, loving all our neighbors, including the foreigners in our midst.” (quoted from the letter from our General Board)

"Love God," the Old Testament proclaims. "Love God," Jesus reminds us. And to love God we must also heed the second commandment to love our neighbors. Yesterday was a day of celebration as we enjoyed our Harvest Party. What fun to realize that our little effort has resulted in $5,200 that will be sent to the Foods Resource Bank. There it will be increased through grants and then sent on to programs that work at eliminating hunger from our world. Thank you for your part in this effort to "love our neighbors."

Take time soon to thank Marv and Judy for the effort they donated to make our project happen. And start making plans so that next year our Growing Project will result in an even bigger effort to end hunger in our world. Thanks for your part in making our Growing Project a success!

Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Oct. 30-Nov. 5)

2006-10-31T08:25:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, Nov. 1
10:00 a.m. -- Bible Study in the church library
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. -- Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir

Thursday, Nov. 2
7:00 p.m. -- Church Board meeting

Sunday, Nov. 5
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship
4:00 p.m. -- Harvest Celebration

Health Kit items
Next Sunday: Soap

Chocolate sale order forms are available from Class 14 members. Please return the forms to Judy Roush. Chocolate should be delivered before Thanksgiving.

Looking Ahead
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 4:00 p.m. we will have our Harvest Celebration. Come and enjoy food and fellowship as we give thanks for the Growing Project harvest.

Sunday, Nov. 19, we will worship with the Creekside Church of the Brethren. It will be a Thanksgiving worship followed by a potluck.

A place to get warm

2006-10-31T08:21:00.000-05:00

On Saturday evening our family hosted a campfire and hayride. The partiers were a group of junior high cross country runners from a neighboring school. They were an active and cheerful crew!

As we prepared for the evening, Tim and I kept repeating the refrain, "It sure is a cold evening for a party!" As a few adults joined us in waiting around the fire while kids played, we kept up the refrain, "It sure is a cold evening for a party!" But the partiers were oblivious to the cold. We reminded them to consider coats; they did not need them. They ran around and played games among the trees of our yard. They ate a hotdog and raced some more. They clambered onto the wagon for the hayride and we described them as kittens or puppies, making a pile of people on the floor of the wagon, those in the middle working their way out to the edges and then diving back into the center to get warm. Always in motion.

One of the most poignant moments of the evening came when a chaperone from the back of the wagon reported an overheard comment, "This is the first time in my life I have had friends from school." No wonder they enjoyed each other so. They were probably a bunch of individuals discovering the joy of friendship. For many of them it was for the first time. It was great fun to watch. They played, they ate, they played some more with never a prickly moment. Just a good time.

May the church be for you a place to get warm, a place to savor friendship and especially joy.

Blessings for your week,
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Oct. 23-29)

2006-10-23T09:58:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, Oct. 25
10:00 a.m. -- Bible Study in the Library
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. -- Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir

Thursday, Oct. 26
7:00 p.m. -- Church Council meeting

Saturday, Oct. 28
8:00 a.m to noon -- Fall Clean-up

Sunday, Oct. 29
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship
5:00 p.m. -- Service Project

Health Kit Items
This week: Washcloth
Next Sunday: Toothpaste

Looking Ahead

Sunday, Nov. 5, at 4:00 p.m. we will have our Harvest Celebration. Come and enjoy food and fellowship as we give thanks for the Growing Project harvest.

Sunday, Nov. 19, we will worship with the Creekside Church of the Brethren. It will be a Thanksgiving worship followed by a potluck.

Continuing the ministry

2006-10-23T09:52:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

When I opened the cereal cupboard in our kitchen this morning I had several choices. And I am very aware that if the shelves had been empty, I could have made a quick trip to the grocery for another box. There are many people in our community who are not faced with those choices. They have to take what ever is left on the Church Community Service's almost empty shelves. And there will be no more choices unless people like you and me share. Will you add a few items to your grocery list this week and bring them to church next Sunday for the food pantry. Some of the most helpful items are spaghetti sauce, pasta, canned meat, peanut butter, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, and, of course, keep that toilet paper coming.

Jesus began his public ministry with the statement: "The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord's year of favor." (Luke 4:18) We are called to adopt the same and I believe one way we can continue the ministry is to share from our abundance with those who need food. Many of us will be coming past the church sometime this week. Drop off a gift for the food pantry. I will be happy to deliver it to Church Community Services.

Thank you for sharing,
Pastor Beth

Alternative Holiday Fair 2006

2006-10-22T08:27:00.000-05:00

Did you see us on the news?

WSBT did a story on Elkhart Valley's Alternative Holiday Fair yesterday, which included an interview of our own event co-chair, Judy Miller!

In case you missed it, here are some photos from the event.

Thank you to Judy Miller and Jeff Stern-Gilbert for co-chairing this year's Alternative Holiday Fair, and to Ellie Burton and Pastor Beth for coordinating the food counter! We appreciate your efforts!

This week at Elkhart Valley (Oct. 16-22)

2006-10-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, Oct. 17
7:00 p.m. -- Finance and Brethren Service Commissions meet

Wednesday, Oct. 18
10:00 a.m. -- Bible Study
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. -- Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir

Thursday, Oct. 19
7:00 p.m. -- Deacons meet

Saturday, Oct. 21
8:00-2:00 -- Alternative Holiday Fair

Sunday, Oct. 22
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship

Health Kit Items
Today: Nail File
Next Sunday: Hand towel

Looking Ahead
Thursday, Oct. 26: Church Council Meeting

We can't get away with saying "I'm not rich."

2006-10-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

We were privileged to enjoy a musical message this past Sunday. Thank you to Kathy Stump for making the arrangements for Doyle and Carolyn Ramsey to sing for us.

If we had read the lectionary gospel Sunday, we would have heard Jesus say, "It's harder for a rich person to enter God's kingdom than it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle."
One commentator addresses the text:

"I'm sorry to say, though, that there is no evidence whatsoever that there was ever any such 'Eye of the Needle' gate. It's a kind of ecclesial version of an urban legend -- invented, I would guess, as a metaphor that, as generations repeated the story, turned into a solid "archeologists have discovered" report. But it's fiction."

She goes on to say: "We can't get away with saying, 'I'm not rich.' Try entering your income in the Global Rich List and see where you end up. I'm back to full-time seminary/dissertating now, but the $36,000 salary I earned in my last full-time job would have put me in the top 4% of wage earners worldwide."

This seems an oh-too-appropriate text for us as we prepare to host our Alternative Fair this weekend!

Blessings for your week!
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Oct. 9-15)

2006-10-09T10:27:00.000-05:00

Announcements for the weekly bulletins are due by the Tuesday of each week. Articles for the November issue of Valley Views are due Oct. 22.

Health Kit Items
Today: Washcloth Next Sunday: Toothpaste

This week at Elkhart Valley
Tuesday, Oct. 10
6:30 p.m. -- Ministerial Commission
7:00 p.m. -- Trustees Commission

Wednesday, Oct. 11
10:00 a.m. -- Bible Study
5:45 p.m. -- MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. -- Bible Study
7:30 p.m. -- Choir

Sunday, Oct. 15
9:30 a.m. -- Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. -- Worship

Looking Ahead
Sunday, Oct. 15: Our worship service will be led by Doyle and Carolyn Ramsey. Kathy Stump has arranged for them to share their ministry of music throughout the service and provide the message in song. Invite a friend to join us for this special time of worship.

Saturday, Oct. 21: Elkhart Valley’s Alternative Holiday Fair, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 26: Church Council Meeting

General Board Prayer Calendar: Pray that the children of God all around the world may come to know Christ. May the contributions to the World Mission Offering be generous.

Glimpses of God's kingdom

2006-10-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Yesterday we read from the gospel of Mark, the story of Jesus inviting children to come and receive a blessing despite the disciples' reservations. Then I found this paragraph on the Taize website about welcoming children and the kingdom of God into our lives.

"Welcoming a child means welcoming a promise. A child grows and develops. In the same way, the kingdom of God on earth is never a finished reality but rather a promise, a dynamism and an uncompleted growth process. And children are unpredictable. In the Gospel story, they arrive when they arrive, and in any case not at the right time for the disciples. But Jesus insists that they must be welcomed because they are there. In the same way, we have to welcome God’s presence when it presents itself, whether it is the right time or not. We have to play the game. Welcoming God’s kingdom like we welcome a child means keeping alert and praying so that we can welcome it when it comes, always unexpectedly, whether at an opportune moment or not."

Many times we find ourselves so focused on what we need to be doing that we miss the God sightings and kingdom glimpses that come our way. On this beautiful, busy Monday and throughout the week, make an extra effort to glimpse signs of God's kingdom and images of God's presence.

Blessings for your week,
Pastor Beth

This week at Elkhart Valley (Oct. 1-8, 2006)

2006-10-03T09:13:00.000-05:00

Sunday, Oct. 1
9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. Worship
2:00 p.m. CROP WALK

Tuesday, Oct. 3
11:30 a.m. Class Meeting (15 and 16) -- Campfire by the cabin, hotdogs provided.

Wednesday, Oct. 4
5:45 p.m. MeOhMy
6:30 p.m. Bible Study
7:30 p.m. Choir

Thursday, Oct. 5
10:00 a.m. Cabin Crew Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Church Board

Sunday, Oct. 8
9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. Worship
11:45 a.m. Second Sunday Soup – Church Mission and Peace Evangelism

Health Kit Items
Today: Washcloth
Next Sunday: Toothpaste

Looking Ahead
Saturday, October 7: Camp Mack Festival. Volunteer to help with children’s activities or serve at our food stand.

Sunday, October 8: Second Sunday Soup begins. Following worship, meet in the Fellowship Hall for a light lunch (soup, bread, and fruit) and discuss the Perspectives essay Church Mission and Peace Evangelism by Robert Johansen.

Saturday, October 21: Alternative Holiday Fair

Thursday, October 26: Church Council Meeting

My gratitude list

2006-10-03T09:08:00.000-05:00

It was a meandering trip to the church Monday morning because of the detours around road construction projects. As a fun diversion I found myself pondering things to be thankful for. Since there are many who suggest we would be far more healthy people if we would list five things to be thankful for each day, I decided to share my list:

Since I was listening to the news I can say with complete sincerity: I am glad I am not in the business of reading the news and trying to pronounce the multi-syllabled names of our world leaders!

Watching lightning streak across a very dark sky yesterday, I am glad the CROP WALK was Sunday. What a beautiful afternoon to walk and raise money for a good cause. Thanks to Evi and Kim, Judy and Jim, Madalyn and Kris and Steve and Carver, Rosalie, Ryan, Alex, Nolan and Jamie. And thanks to all who sponsered us in the effort to support the work of Church World Service.

I am grateful for the deacons who baked bread, filled juice cups, served us and cleaned up the leftovers Sunday as we celebrated with the world; Christ's invitation to the table and his saving and renewing place in our lives.

My list of thanks also includes all of you who pray for our congregation and its members and friends regularly. Thank you for Mary Earnhart for being always willing to set the chain in motion and for all who share in this valuable ministry of our church.

Thank you for all who are working behind the scenes to arrange an Alternative Fair for October 21. Even thought I believe in the need for simplifying my life, it is good to be a part of a church that encourages us to remember, the reason we celebrate has more to do with God's gift to us than our gifts to each other.

Should you be inspired to share your gratitude list, I would be happy to receive a copy!

See you Wednesday night at MEOHMY!

Blessings for your week,
Pastor Beth