CMC Happenings
The sanctuary was full to overflowing May 2 when the Eastern Mennonite High School Touring Choir led a service of worship through music on the theme of listening for God’s voice, based on I Kings 19:11-13. Director Jay Hartzler is a member at Community.
Shirley Yoder Brubaker, who began May 1 in an interim role on pastoral team through November, preached on the “Easter Faith” theme that continued through Pentecost Sunday. Yoder Brubaker is meeting in various settings with members to hear what the congregation envisions in its search for a long-term pastoral team member to succeed Meg Wightman, who served the congregation 10 years. Team members are Jennifer Davis Sensenig, lead pastor; Jason Gerlach, youth pastor; and Lonnie Yoder and Tina Beachy, pastoral elders.
Linda Pfamatter of the congregation gave an inspiring report May 9 on the church’s 10-year involvement in holding monthly prayer and support meetings with women inmates of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Prison Complex that is adjacent to the church. The jail ministry will be taken over by another church group. Persons who have served in this ministry over the years were recognized for their involvement.
The Bible is full of stories that encourage faithfulness in contemporary life. A summer worship series on the theme, “Tell Me a Story,” opened June 20 with guest preacher Bert Newton of Pasadena, Calif., speaking on the “subversive wisdom” of Jesus, whose life story included washing his disciples’ feet. The series will continue with stories of great Old Testament characters that Jesus grew up on - Deborah, Samson, Ruth and Naomi, Jonah, Daniel, Queen Esther and others.
Lonnie Yoder, pastoral elder, led a forum June 27 on “congregational dialogue on difficult issues” as an introduction to a three-part intentional corporate call “to deepen our spirituality in 2010: to enrich our prayer practices, to follow Jesus in our relationships with persons who are gay or lesbian and to respond to the Holy Spirit’s invitations.”
Death: Wayne Sneary, 41. Members of Wayne’s Dunkin’ Donuts Sunday school class donated the materials for and constructed his casket. Members of the Donut group were pallbearers at Sneary’s graveside service June 7 at Lindale Mennonite Church. A memorial service followed at Community Mennonite Church. - Jim Bishop
Jack Rutt (l.) and Matt Carlson offer a gathering prelude at the first service in the summer worship series, “Tell Me a Story.” Photo by Jim Bishop