We gathered on Saturday, January 5, 2013 and sang “Another year is dawning, dear Father let it be, in working or in waiting, another year for Thee” and “Lead me, guide me, along the way “ a good prayer and lively spiritual by Doris Akers.
After prayer Bill Scott spoke from Psalm 46 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear . . . “. It wasn't only the words Bill spoke but the way he spoke them – you could sense the presence of the Lord in his life and that God is trust-worthy in every situation. “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Bill then commented on the wonderful heritage of this fellowship. He was ready to leave the ministry because he felt so frustrated and inadequate but God spoke to him [through Roy Hession] the word about Saul being rejected as king of Israel because someone “better than thou” has been chosen. Bill saw that in his ministry God had chosen Jesus to replace him. This ‘death to the self’ resulted in new life for Bill and he spent the next 45 years in fruitful ministry. Bill didn't mention that he and his wife Marian had raised seven children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and God has used them in spreading the gospel around the world. Bill read an excerpt from a letter Herbert & Erma Maust had sent in 1975. The thing that thrilled Erma was seeing people set free as a result of being challenged and helped to pray honestly, “Lord, I am not willing [a confession of the sin of unwillingness and the cleansing that takes place instantly] but I choose to do your will [the response of faith after being cleansed] !
Then Gloria Scott , daughter of Bill & Marian, spoke. She has been serving in scripture translation with Wycliffe, in Burkina Faso, Africa for the past 20 years. Gloria had prepared and interesting fact sheet with colorful photos. She gave some power point illustrations of the persons and work God is helping her to do. Gloria spoke about Elijah and the miracles that God helped him to perform. After the miracle at Mount Carmel (where the fire fell) Elijah became depressed and wanted to retire – he prayed that God would take him. (Gloria thinks that some in this fellowship may think it’s time to retire.) But God was not finished with Elijah. He sent angels to feed him and he got some rest. God rebuked him for self-pity (he thought he was the only faithful one left). And God sent Elijah back in to ministry and miracle after miracle took place – all this after he had recovered from ‘giving up’ !
There were some encouraging responses to this Word. Samuel Muikia sang the “Glory Song” in Kiswahili and Luganda and English. Testimonies were shared by the Lawton’s, John Maust, Marlin Fahnestock, Jane Njenga, Joanne Reist, Lydiah Muikia, Linda Berry, Becky Kurtz, Virgie Keener, Nancy Longenecker, Barbara Reed, Anna Ruth and Don Jacobs and Paul Burkholder. We realized that God has spoken today through His humble servants – and our zeal was renewed to keep on spreading this Word of His grace.
Don Jacobs mentioned that some books he has written are available today: "What A Life" (a Memoir); "As The Wind Blows" ( Stories of his ancestry) and "Consider Jesus" ( a daily devotional from the book of Hebrews).
A delicious meal was served by Becky Maust Kurtz and Linda Berry.
Wayne Lawton, reporter
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