April
13, 2013
As I
begin to write the report of the meeting today here’s ‘a take’ from Don
Jacobs book “What a Life.” I say “What a Meeting”! We
truly had a fellowship meeting. I came home thinking that these meetings are
like my relationship with Mary Lou – they just keep getting better and
better!
The
last meeting was wonderful and you would think “could we ever have a better
meeting” then you come home thinking, “yes, I think we did !” But it’s just a
testimony to the freshness of fellowship with Jesus. In fact, today we
sang “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.” We
started singing “Jesus, the very thought of Thee with sweetness fills
my breast, but sweeter far Thy face to see and in Thy presence rest.” The
announcement said Bible stories shared from the heart will
keep you awake!
Today
one brother put that to the test: Marlin Fahnestock was
up at 4 a.m. to help his son but later called to say he could attend this
meeting. As Dan & Catherine Longenecker shared
from the gospel of John and also from 1st Peter, and Glenn Stauffer shared from Matt. 26:36-46 giving Bible stories from
their hearts –not just memorized but internalized, Marlin said “I
didn’t go to sleep”. Wayne responded by saying, “I’ve read 1st Peter but never felt like I ever heard Peter
preach, until today.”
Marlin Ressler quoted G. Campbell Morgan in saying “it’s not how much
scripture you go through but how much scripture goes through you that
makes the difference! John Maust gave
words of encouragement from scripture too.
Roger Hornberger is claiming healing for several health issues. Anna
Ruth Ressler testified that during some low times
physically she rested fully in the love of Jesus and He carried her through
victoriously! Betty Miller testified. Wayne mentioned that Chuck Higgins in Sun
City, AZ had sent a testimony via e-mail last week that really spoke volumes.
Chuck’s wife, Marge, passed away in November so he is now a widower. When he
would go to church or be with his Christian friends he would wonder “Why didn’t
they ask me 'How are you doing now, without Marge, Chuck?'” And he would have an
empty feeling. But the Lord convicted him of self-pity and said “Am I not
enough, Chuck. You still have ME?” As he repented, the Lord filled him with His
love and he is rejoicing even when people forget to ask how he’s doing! How
many times do we feel “nobody noticed me,” “nobody spoke to me!” And then
people wonder, do Christians need to repent of anything ? When we are honest
there are many things we need to turn back to God with.
Dan
said he thought after he became a Christian he wouldn't need to repent
any more, he could just tell others to repent. Then he heard the missionaries
who returned from East Africa talk about the need for repentance in the
Christian life. Catherine shared how Erma Maust helped her when she was
still single in NYC, teaching her to pray honestly. She also shared how fearful
she used to be and didn't want Dan to leave her home alone with the children
(in Harrisburg) but one evening after Dan left to serve at church peace came
over her from head to toe and she felt like there were 12 angels in the room.
When Dan returned he asked her how she was. She told him of this wonderful
experience that she just couldn't explain. Then Dan told her that before he
left for church he had gone to the bedroom and kneeling prayed “O God, give
Catherine Your peace and take away her fear”. How can anyone say
that the day of miracles is past when you hear such things as this !
At the
very beginning of this meeting Gad and Anne Gigonyo told of their wedding in
Kenya (in December). They and others from the fellowship in Baltimore (the
younger generation) said how they love to come to the fellowship in
Pennsylvania to see and hear the older saints testify.
Betty Miller is a "keenager" at 97. Simeon Hurst will be 100 on April 29 and Laura Kurtz had shared a report
from Simeon’s daughter asking the fellowship to send birthday cards to him.
John Graybill gave testimony today (he is in mid 90’s) and his wife, Elizabeth
is 99. Their faith is being renewed and they sound so young!
Anna
Jean Dorwart offered a prayer for her sister in-law, Ruth Lentz who just had
hip surgery. Nathan Hege prayed for Yosef Haileselassie who is in Ephrata
Hospital.
Before
we took the offering, Anna Ruth Jacobs shared that we have received several
money gifts by mail from Dorothy Stover
in Alabama, Glenn Galfano in Illinois, and Betty (Mrs. Ernie) Gilmore in
Florida. They all appreciate reading the testimonies shared at these meetings!
Miriam
Maust Achenbach, Todd Saltzer and Michael & Collins Muikia gave testimonies.
Samuel Muikia told how he was unwilling to come today – but he did choose to
come – and Wayne commented “and Erma didn’t teach him that (to pray I am not
willing but I choose!)” Samuel led us in singing “Glory, glory,
hallelujah, glory, glory to the Lamb, for the cleansing blood has reached me,
glory glory to the Lamb.” The fellowship
continues to meet bi-weekly in Baltimore, Maryland.
We
stood in a big circle and sang “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in
Christian love ….” Dan Wenger, who had driven the bus from
Landis Homes today offered the closing prayer and thanked God for the food we
were about to eat.
Response from persons locally and around the world that were
invited to this meeting were printed on the back of the song sheet.
Thanks to Becky Maust Kurtz and Deb Eger for
serving a delicious lunch! And to Bruce & Norma Stauffer for opening the
church today, and Martin Peifer for taking out the trash and closing the building.
I feel like I may have forgotten to include someone’s testimony in today’s
report. If I did please forgive me. I wasn't taking notes.
Wayne
Lawton, reporter
Photo
attached of the Kenyan's singing that Jesus is the Water of Life !
