Connections CONESTOGA. Mission Trip to Camp Deerpark. February 2017 Vol. XXVIII No. 2

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1 Connections CONESTOGA s February 2017 Vol. XXVIII No. 2 Mission Trip to Camp Deerpark

Are you a member of a Small Group here at Conestoga? Check out the new bulletin board in the fellowship hall (inside the east door) and get involved in a small group!

.. that Conestoga s oldest member is Ruth Stoltzfus born in 1922? If you enjoy taking a step back in time and learn about life in the 1930s and 1940s up to today... you are in for a very special treat!

2 Are you a member of a Small Group here at Conestoga? Check out the new bulletin board in the fellowship hall (inside the east door) and get involved in a small group! Questions can be directed to either Wes & Lois Boyer, Small DNA Coordinators and pictured above, or Pastor Bob. Did You Know Conestoga Mennonite Church 2779 Main Street, Morgantown, PA Monthly newsletter for Conestoga Mennonite Church, published since Deadline for articles and photos is the 20 th of the preceding month of publication. Editor: Lois Ann Mast Assistant Editor: Elizabeth Petersheim Contributing Editors: Anna Martin and Jill Waters... that Conestoga s oldest member is Ruth Stoltzfus born in 1922? If you enjoy taking a step back in time and learn about life in the 1930s and 1940s up to today... you are in for a very special treat! Ruth is a walking encyclopedia of interesting information because she enjoys history and genealogy. Recently, Mike and Liz Petersheim spent an afternoon with Ruth and enjoyed looking at her genealogy charts and this old 1693 Bible given to Ruth by her Grandfather Good. Can you imagine carrying this heavy Bible from Europe to America? 2 Conestoga Connections

Sewing Circle Sewing Circle met on January 4, 2017. There were 18 ladies present.

For devotions, we sang Great is Thy Faithfulness followed by the reading of I Samuel 7:12-13.

The special offering amounted to $51.00 intended for hygiene kits.

We welcome new persons to join us as we sew and quilt and knot together the first Wednesday of each

~ Betty Cannell, Secretary Neighbors meets on Tuesday mornings during the academic school year in our

February 7 Tour of Lighthouse Ministries in New Holland Please pre-register for this schedule change.

February 21 What Now? Can Life Still Have a Purpose?

which goes through two partitions enabling us to rest in God and rejoice.

3 Sewing Circle Sewing Circle met on January 4, There were 18 ladies present. Donated items were 25 school kits. Completed items included 6 comforters and 20 hygiene kits. For devotions, we sang Great is Thy Faithfulness followed by the reading of I Samuel 7: The theme of the devotional was The God of this far is the God of the rest of the way. The special offering amounted to $51.00 intended for hygiene kits. We sang I know Who Holds Tomorrow before adjourning. We welcome new persons to join us as we sew and quilt and knot together the first Wednesday of each month. See you on Wednesday, February 1. ~ Betty Cannell, Secretary Neighbors meets on Tuesday mornings during the academic school year in our church fellowship hall from 9:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this time of fellowship! February 7 Tour of Lighthouse Ministries in New Holland Please pre-register for this schedule change. February 14 Sweetheart Dinner with Pastor Bob and Cindy Petersheim on Building a Love That Lasts at 6:00 p.m. Pre-register for this Dinner costing $10 per couple by contacting Tina Essick at February 21 What Now? Can Life Still Have a Purpose? A Widow s Journey by Gayle Roper February 28 An Anchoring Hope We are told to hang onto this hope which goes through two partitions enabling us to rest in God and rejoice. by Joyce Stoner S A V E T H E D A T E & refresh Renew WOMEN S RETREAT 1 DAY 3 SPEAKERS BONNI GREINER, DENISE GROVE, SYLVIA GEARHART PRE-REGISTER, $10 DONATION CHILDCARE PROVIDED APRIL 8, am-1pm Saturday Contact Conestoga Mennonite Church for details and to register: Tuesday, February 14 Sweetheart Dinner Appetizers at 6:00 p.m. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Building a Love that Lasts by Pastor Bob & Cindy See page 7 for more information Conestoga Connections 3

4 4 Conestoga Connections Scavenger Hunt at Walmart organized by Jr. Youth Leader Madison Parris was a huge HIT!

Again, there are a variety of issues and topics we will study and discuss as we strive to grow more like Jesus by seeing Him through John s eyes.

5 2017: Seeing Jesus Through John s Eyes Where does your life and faith meet on your journey? Last week, I read the following phrases in my devotions: In February, we are focusing on John 4-5 with a theme of The Word Sets People Free. Again, there are a variety of issues and topics we will study and discuss as we strive to grow more like Jesus by seeing Him through John s eyes. As I read through John 4-5 and then checked Google, I found the above sign Where LIFE and FAITH meet! We certainly have each been given a LIFE as a gift from God to live here on this earth and how we connect our life with our FAITH is our gift back to God! I am totally enjoying learning to know the Jr. Youth here at Conestoga as we meet each Sunday morning in Sunday School. I love their sincerity and outlook on FAITH! They are an amazing group of youth who truly want to learn more about Jesus. And I cannot wait to see how and where they will choose to connect their faith with the life that God has already given them in the coming years. 1) Life is a journey. It is a path a path to meet Jesus. 2) We meet people for a reason either they are a blessing or a lesson! 3) Let your faith be bigger than your fear. And then as I looked back on my life as a mother of little children, I thought about how my life and faith met. Here is a prayer I would often read: A Mother s Prayer Oh give me patience when wee hands Tug at me with their small demands. And give me gentle and smiling eyes; Keep my lips from hasty replies. And let not weariness, confusion, or noise Obscure my vision of life s fleeting joys. So, when in years to come my house is still No bitter memories its room may fill. ~ Author Unknown ~ Lois Ann Mast Jr. Youth Sunday School class (left to right): Marissa Buckwalter, Haley Patton, Madison Martinez, Celia Johnson, Josh Kurtz, Kayla Richardson, Rosa Johnson, and Jack Hu. The colorful chain continues to grow around our classroom and when it connects, we are all looking forward to doing something special together. On this Sunday, we added nine links to the chain one for each person present. Conestoga Connections 5

Conestoga Happenings Pastor Bob and Cindy Petersheim celebrated

Since we did not acknowledge this before the date, we will do it

!! Happy 93rd Birthday to Alma Peachey on January 12!

distance) while visiting Egypt in a recent Cross-Cultural Study

FOOD FOR Families FUNDRAISER Fri. FEB 3 3:00-8:00pm Sat.

RAFFLES SILENT AUCTION VENDORS Drawings are on Saturday at 4:30 PM.

Winners will be contacted to pick up their prizes.

All money raised will be donated to the Twin Valley Food Pantry to

It was time to fill the Meals From the Heart freezer again and

6 Conestoga Happenings Pastor Bob and Cindy Petersheim celebrated their 40 th wedding anniversary on January 1, 2017! Since we did not acknowledge this before the date, we will do it here! Congratulations, Pastor Bob and Cindy!!! Happy 93rd Birthday to Alma Peachey on January 12! Mason Stoltzfus holding up a 4,500-year-old pyramid (in the distance) while visiting Egypt in a recent Cross-Cultural Study class through Eastern Mennonite University. FOOD FOR Families FUNDRAISER Fri. FEB 3 3:00-8:00pm Sat. FEB 4 10:00am-4:30pm 2017 Support your LOCAL Food Pantry! RAFFLES SILENT AUCTION VENDORS Drawings are on Saturday at 4:30 PM. You do not need to be present to win! Winners will be contacted to pick up their prizes. CONESTOGA MENNONITE CHURCH 2779 Main Street, Morgantown, PA All money raised will be donated to the Twin Valley Food Pantry to help serve local families in need. It was time to fill the Meals From the Heart freezer again and five volunteers enjoyed working together to prepare four different menus. At the end, we shared a bag with Lena Smoker who came to pick up a bag for Becky Yoder, gave a bag to Pastor Bob to enjoy while Cindy was in India, and prepared bags for several of our members each Sunday. Thank you, Conestoga, for money in the church budget to bless this ministry! 6 Conestoga Connections

Senior Connections Thursday, February 9 12:00 noon A Valentine Lunch plus a Valentine Surprise for everyone! Living By Faith presented by Dr.

with cheesestuffed biscuits and Apple Dapple cake.

considerably over the years. Then we played several paper games. Sweetheart Dinner Valentine s Day, Tuesday, February 14 Appetizers at 6:00 p.m. and Potluck Dinner at 6:30 p.

7 Senior Connections Thursday, February 9 12:00 noon A Valentine Lunch plus a Valentine Surprise for everyone! Living By Faith presented by Dr. Leo McCormick Senior Connections was off to a great start on Thursday, January 12, when samples of three different kinds of homemade soup was served with cheesestuffed biscuits and Apple Dapple cake. Above, seniors walked around the table attempting to identify whose baby picture matched the senior in the room yes, some of us have changed considerably over the years. Then we played several paper games. Sweetheart Dinner Valentine s Day, Tuesday, February 14 Appetizers at 6:00 p.m. and Potluck Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Bob and Cindy will be our speakers sharing on Building a Love that Lasts. A $10 charge per couple for the evening will benefit the Neighbors Childcare. To register, contact Tina Essick at or tina.m.essick@gmail.com Conestoga Connections 7

Audrey Mast (third from the left) sitting around the supper table with the other Mennonite Disaster Service workers in Texas! LETTER From Audrey Mast Greetings to my Conestoga Church family!

Some of our group participates in the choir, plus the group leaders and I have joined the bell choir! In the past two weeks, we worked on two houses that experienced flood damage last August.

The most rewarding experience happened this Sunday. We invited the one couple, whose house we were working on, to come to the Baptist church with us and they came on Sunday!

8 Audrey Mast (third from the left) sitting around the supper table with the other Mennonite Disaster Service workers in Texas! LETTER From Audrey Mast Greetings to my Conestoga Church family! I think of you often and miss you! Our team of MDS RV ers have plugged into a Baptist church here in Texas. Some of our group participates in the choir, plus the group leaders and I have joined the bell choir! In the past two weeks, we worked on two houses that experienced flood damage last August. We replaced and painted floor trim, laid vinyl in two bathrooms, installed a new bathroom vanity, began laying down laminate flooring, and realigned a low pavestone retaining wall. The most rewarding experience happened this Sunday. We invited the one couple, whose house we were working on, to come to the Baptist church with us and they came on Sunday! They have gone through so much in the past five yrs. First, their house in Austin, Texas flooded.next, they moved to a house 40 miles away and a huge forest fire burned their house to the ground along with about 1,600 other houses. Now in August, their current house flooded. Somewhere in that time frame, the husband had a heart attack and is now on disability. Please pray for them, as they seem so discouraged. I pray that the Holy Spirit will touch them, just as He has touched me! I am so thankful to have this opportunity to be part of the MDS RV program! Blessings to all of you! ~ Audrey Mast, P.O. Box 1211, Smithville, TX 78957; Audreymast582@gmail.com Audrey describes the above photo (left to right): the MDS trailer (equipped with a laundry; you can see the white plastic waste water container); Keith and Dotties RV, and then my little peanut RV. Let s pray for Audrey as she participates in this Mennonite Disaster Service mission experience. For those who are curious, Audrey is the daughter of Walter Petersheim and sister of Greg Petersheim. This area near the Colorado River was devastated by a fire in 2011 which burned 1,600 homes, actually part of the greater Austin, Texas, metropolitan area! The worst single fire in the state s history had scorched 100,000 acres and forced thousands to evacuate all within an uncomfortable range of the Texas capital of Austin. Photo of the intense Smithville fire in 2011! 8 Conestoga Connections

Connections CONESTOGA. Small Group Bible Studies. November 2016 Vol. XXVII No. 11

Connections CONESTOGA. Small Group Bible Studies. November 2016 Vol. XXVII No. 11 Connections CONESTOGA November 2016 Vol. XXVII No. 11 Small Group Bible Studies Conestoga has a number of small groups that gather on a regular basis to share with each other including singing and studying