Local Ministries
Young Adult Fellowship
The
PMC Young Adult group is a wonderful ministry to be involved in. We meet twice a
month and rotate locations between the Cloud’s home and the Brenneman’s
home. We are currently studying a book by J.I. Packer entitled Decisions. During our meetings we
usually sing a few songs, share prayer requests, and then our host will lead our
chapter study and our discussion time. After that we spend time enjoying
snacks….yummm…and spending time visiting with each other. There are
currently about 10-15 young adults in our group and when the “College Kids”
are home they often attend as well. Some of the activities we have enjoyed as a
group include: camping and boating at Bugg’s Island, bowling, and several
bonfire hot dog roasts.
When
I moved to Virginia over three years ago, I did not know anyone and felt very
apprehensive about living in a new place, starting a new job, and finding new
friends. The young adult group at PMC was so welcoming and supportive of me. I
immediately felt included and I was amazed at how friendly everyone was. Of
course, since then I have formed friendships with everyone in the group. I feel
that one of the best things about this close group of friends is that we keep
track of each other through the week…we share our experiences…we have
fun…and we pray for each other. This ministry has blessed me personally as
I’m sure it will bless others as it continues to grow.
By Kristie Cloud
Neighborhood Bible Study
Reach out to your
neighbors! I am grateful that PMC is full of people that continue to reach out
to others. Without fanfare, many of you carry on relationships with people in
our community. Some of these people live close by and others are across the
county. Our neighbors are those we work with, do business with, go to school
with or maybe just pass at the grocery store. Some of them are needy and we’ve
tried to help, others are just average folk who know us and think that
Mennonites are good people who can bake a mean pecan pie. We love them
regardless if they ever attend church or come to the saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ… but if they do, we will be ready for them.
Not too long ago we
started a neighborhood Bible study. We began in Genesis and we have continued to
work our way toward the New Testament. I’d like to say that our house is
crowded and we don’t have room for everybody. I’d also like to say that over
half of those that come are men. The truth, however, that I am obligated to
always tell, is that two of the families have moved and we are down to only one
family. From this family, presently only the mother now comes. Sometimes it
seems rather useless to continue but it is one way to at least connect with one
of our close neighbors and we have formed a friendship with the family. They
call me their pastor and even though they don’t attend, they call PMC their
church. We love them, we care about them, and we will continue to open our home
to those who are willing to come.
Let’s continue to
reach out to our neighbors and to see people as God sees them.
Who is coming to your
house this week?
Romans
10: 14-15
How
then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they
believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a
preacher?
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel
of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
By
Tim Kennell
Christian
Motorcycle
Association
It is so special when a person
can become passionate for the Lord with the desires of his heart.
That is what Frank Vaughn is doing. Frank
is Chaplain of the local chapter of Christian Motorcycle Association.
They meet monthly on the fourth Saturday.
They have a unique ministry in prisons and
often show up at secular motorcycle events to hand out water.
This gives them a presence and natural opportunity to witness.
Care Groups
Several years ago the congregation was divided into Care
Groups which met on a bi-monthly basis.
Two groups have continued to meet and thrive.
Nowlin Group:
When Tim designed and started Care Groups
a couple of years ago, I don’t think even he realized the results.
Under the guidance of Pres and Carolyn Nowlin, our small group studied
God’s Word, prayed and sang together. We
also dined and fasted, laughed and cried, and
shared and cared together. We traveled and spent a weekend at the beach. All the
while we were building friendships and respect for one another. Thank God for
friends to share these moments with.
Now our Care Group consists of Pres & Carolyn Nowlin, Bill &
Bertha Schaefer, Dave & Linda Benson, Sam & Poe Powell, Ann
Brendle, Virginia Hohenberger, John Spiller, and Corey Hunsdon. We still have
these special moments together while we are studying our way through A Thirst for God,
studies on The Lord’s Prayer by Max Lucado. In this study we are reminded that
we are sons and daughters of God, and that he adopted us, not because of who we
are, but because he loves and cares for us so much that he adopted us
unconditionally. This fall we have reservations to see “In the Beginning” at
the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. Can you imagine our wacky group
spending three days and two nights together? Lancaster beware!
If anyone is looking for a group to join, we will be glad to have you
join us. We get together every other Sunday evening in different homes and share
the leading responsibilities while we study how to have a closer relationship
with our Father and bring honor to Him.
By Sam Powell
Burkholder
Group:
May 5, 2007
The
Wednesday night meeting of The Mennonite Group begins around the table for
wisdom and wit. They sing for joy and joke for fun.
As Rob’s contagious laughter is about to raise the roof, Louie calms
The Mennonite Group for discussions of Biblical reason and wit.
The subject tonight concerns marriage. Wow, what a concern!
The Bible’s voice of eloquence completely engages the mind as many
references to marriage are read by Louie and discussed by the group.
Fortunate indeed is the oneness of a woman and man joined in the belief
in the teachings of Christ, happy in the harmony of trust and Christian faith
that enfolds God’s embrace.
Marriage and divorce!
Together, apart…. Look at Louie and Helen, Art and Joan, Vernon and
Frances...like six cups of good morning coffee stirred with cream and sugar…..
still in the process of a work of art! (Joan,
notice I said, “A work” rather than “the
work” of art.) I can’t picture “the work” without God in the heart,
supported by solid preparation and married in God’s love; for love means to
care, to be aware and share in all of life.
Members request prayers
for others and themselves for comfort through pain and sorrow, to seek peace
which seems lost in the chaos of life for children with weapons and war.
Members know the need to stop and pray for peace, to stop and wonder, to
consider what seems to be lost and found only through the way, the truth and the
light of Christ. Mennonites are
Christians, happy and thankful, knowing that as they meet, Christ is in their
midst.
The meeting adjourns and
food for thought is on the way to the kitchen chow!
What a spread1
By Frances Jewel Burton Gillie
Basement Blessings
With the girls married
and Casey working in South Carolina, our nest was empty. I recalled Beth Moore
sharing about women's ministry and
how we can have spiritual children after our biological children
have gone. Dickie and I prepared a room in our basement for
such a ministry, filling it with
seasoned sofas and chairs to seat 15 - 20 ladies. I
hosted SHOP (Sweet Hour Of Prayer) Night twice a month for a year. Ladies
from PMC and the community were invited to pray together and watch videos of
various speakers concerning topics relevant to women. Since then I
have had various Bible studies and mini-retreats in our basement.
On May 19th, the ladies
from Faith Bible Fellowship from Farmville will be coming to our basement for a
Saturday Retreat. I will share about "The Angry Heart - Choosing
Forgiveness.." I've enjoyed
group Bible studies but recently I have felt God's leading to host several
one-on-one studies in our home.
The past year has
brought new opportunities for ministry. The
sweet pitter-patter of little feet blesses our basement floor
as our three one- year old grandchildren tumble and play. Dickie and I are
enjoying this grandparent season with Gavin, Kendall and Grant.
God's word is such a
light to me and it is a privilege to share it. Jesus Christ makes a
difference in our lives wherever a difference needs to be made. We
have good news to share. He is our hope! We can shout it from a
rooftop...or in a basement. "Our God Reigns!"
Love and blessings!
Brenda Walton
Mission
Craft Idea by Brenda Walton
Carolyn Nowlin and I
have mutual friends, Ken and Barb Hitchens, who will be leaving with
a group from their church in July for a ten day mission trip to
Brazil. There they will minister to three hundred children
and share the gospel.
The theme of their trip is "He lives!" I designed
this craft for the children to make with the
words "He lives" written in Portuguese. If you contact me I
would like to share this idea with any interested Sunday School class or group.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
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Hear
Ye, Hear Ye, Men!
Lend an Ear! Some men get up early to go deer hunting: some men get up early to go fishing. I can tell you something worth more than an hour of sleep, or a shot at a big buck, or the chance to catch a big fish. |
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Some of us
men meet at the church on Saturday mornings to drink coffee, fellowship, study
the Bible and pray.
Some men
come from a distance, and some come from not far from the church.
However, we have all found that the fellowship and Bible study is worth
the effort. Also, the coffee is not bad!
Some of us have been tied down in years past
because of work or chores, but now we are able to come together on Saturday
mornings to feed our souls.
The hour long meeting is informal, no one is put
on the spot. There is no high
pressure input. Some must leave
before the meeting is over.
We meet in the spirit of II Peter 1:21, which
says “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit”.
It is the same Holy Spirit that meets us on Saturday mornings as we open
God’s Word.
I am aware that some are tied up on Saturday
mornings with chores, or a job of some kind.
That is understood. However,
for any man who wants to receive a real blessing, Hebrews 10: 24-25 is a
scripture to read and consider. It
probably means more than just Sunday morning.
Some of us have found it’s fulfillment on Saturday mornings.
By Lewis Burkholder