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Windows Into Zion is the monthly newsletter of Zion Mennonite Church. The publishers are Dorothy Hartman, Julie Hottinger, Fern Nisly, and Myrna Piper. Return to the Newsletter Archives. September 2003
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| Volume 8 |
Number 11
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September 2003
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What is the Sabbath? --Barbara Risser The Hebrew understanding of the word Sabbath actually meant to stop doing what they did all the others days and take a rest. Then… Two lambs to be offered twelve loaves of shewbread presented, willful Sabbath-breaker put to death, could not light a fire, no business transactions, limited journey on Sabbath, a day to study laws, only sewing two stitches, only writing two letters, was only part of the list of rules to be observed. Jesus must have had these rules in mind when he said in Luke 11:46, “Woe to you…lawyers who load men with grievous burdens that you yourselves do not touch…” (paraphrased) Jesus conflicted with religious leaders on two points: His claim to be Messiah and laws regarding the Sabbath observance. Jesus taught that Sabbath was made for man’s benefit and man’s need must take priority over laws. Now… Offerings of time and money, Sabbath-breakers not punished, businesses open as usual, often travel long distances, usually doing one’s own thing. The Sabbath was instituted at Creation. (Genesis 1:1 and 2:3) God put a special blessing on the seventh days and “made it holy.” The next mention of the Sabbath in Exodus 16:21-30 was when the Israelites in the wilderness were instructed to gather manna. They got fresh manna daily for six days. On the sixth day they were to gather double portion to last the seventh day, which was a day to rest from their labors. One of the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20 was “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Exodus 23:12-13 emphasizes the importance of obeying that commandment. Isaiah 58:13 gives the blessings that follow those who keep the Sabbath holy: you will find your joy in the Lord; you will ride on the heights of the land; you will feast on the inheritance of your father, Jacob. The reason given is God rested on the seventh day and hallowed it. God intended this day would be a blessing to man both physically and spiritually. Did God really need a time of rest from his labors or was it to give us an example to remind us of our humanity and God’s resources? However you come out in the discussion, God evidently expected his people to obey if they desired the blessing. Among the Hebrews, the idea of rest, worship and divine blessing were associated with keeping the Sabbath. The prophets exalted the Sabbath and found fault with non-observers among the Israelites. The list of “do’s and don’ts” grew longer with additions by leaders in the synagogue until New Testament times. Jesus came to do the will of the Father and that meant to do away with man-made rules for keeping the Sabbath. (Colossians 2:16,17) My Seventh-Day-Adventist friend asked me, “Why don’t you observe Saturday as a day of worship?” I explained it this way. “As a New Testament Christian I observe Sunday as a day of worship because it is considered the first day of the week since the resurrection of Jesus.” You may have a different reason. Paul directed the early Christians at Corinth (Acts 2:1) to bring their weekly offerings on the first day of the week as a worship experience. More important than keeping certain days holy is the love that prompts us to reach out to a needy person, demonstrated by Jesus in a healing recorded in John 5. This act on the Sabbath created hostile feelings and actions on the part of unbelievers to the point of planning his death. It’s so easy to be sucked into the lifestyle of those around us who have no time for worship of God or fellowship with believers. This Sabbath study has made me more aware of the care God established for the good of humankind. He knew our bodies needed change. Then as now Sabbath is a time to worship our Creator who set us down on earth for a while to prepare us for heaven. In 2003 we rush to and fro with little regard for a Sabbath rest. One writer says he carries his Sabbath with him. He found an inner space within his own being…a place of contemplation where body, soul, and spirit could commune with the Creator…a place where restoration took place in a balance regardless of outward circumstances. That can be a goal worth working toward. It just may be that the straight and narrow road is set down right in the middle of the broad way, just going in the opposite direction. However you choose to rest your one day in seven, let obedience to the Holy Spirit’s promptings lead you into an exploration of the Christ-image. Your comments on this article are welcomed. E-mail me at bbrisser@juno.com |
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???September’s who am I???
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Windows on Africa --Laura Lehman This summer I attended the Mennonite World Conference in Zimbabwe, Africa. I went with a group called LEAP, which stands for Learning, Exploring, and Participating. We were a group of 62 from all over the East coast. One youth from each local Mennonite church in Harrisonburg was chosen to go. There were also large groups from New York, Philadelphia, and Hampton. There were four days of orientation at EMU before we left. Linford Stutzman was our Theologian in Residence and we had a lot of intense Bible studies. After orientation we left on Aug. 5th and flew to Paris, France. We had a twelve-hour layover, so amid 103-degree weather we were able to tour the city. Then we flew to Johannesburg, South Africa. From Johannesburg we traveled a long fifteen hours by bus to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Once we arrived in Bulawayo, we attended the Global Youth Summit. The summit was held at the same place we stayed, the Polytechnic Institute. This was the first time a youth summit separate from the General Conference had ever happened and it went really well. There were groups of college and high school age youth from all around the world. LEAP was by far the largest of these. Every day we had worship services and discussion times. Our roles in the church as well as other issues were discussed. After the Global Youth Summit we attended the General Conference. There were many things to do. Worship services were held each morning and evening; however, we did not attend the morning ones because we had our own sessions with Linford. There was a Global Village where people from different countries displayed their arts. Tours, as well as a variety of seminars were also offered. Our group went to Victoria Falls for two days during the conference, which was a lot of fun. We also did a service project at an orphanage and helped wash dishes at the conference. After the conference we drove back to South Africa for a day of debriefing before flying back home. It was a good time to reflect on all that had happened and how it changed our lives. MWC was a life changing experience and I thank God, Sarah, Clyde, my parents and everyone else for making it happen. |
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Jr. MYF trip --Jessica Myers Before we started this trip, I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to go. I mean, sure, it was Kings Dominion, but none of my good friends were going and I’d have to spend two whole days with my sister! It turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in Jr. MYF and since it was my last big trip with the Jr. MYF it was even more special. We started our trip on Thursday, girls in Sarah’s car and guys in Grant’s van. We communicated by walkie-talkies for about three hours until we got to Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center. It had just rained and was still drizzling, so it turns out there were no jobs for us to do! We didn’t argue! So we went to find our campsite and we ate lunch and swam for the afternoon. That evening, we went to pick up pizza for supper. While Grant and Sarah were doing that, the kids in Jr. MYF went across the parking lot to K-Mart and Erica, Lauren, Kristen and I decided that Adam would look better with spiked hair. So we picked up some mousse gel stuff at K-Mart! On the way home we spiked his hair. Adam tried to argue, but we didn’t listen. Haha… That night we had a campfire and were in bed by 11:00. The next morning was Kings Dominion! We all had a great time riding the coasters, but the highlight for me was the drop zone: free-falling 305 feet in a small seat alongside 55 other people. It was so great! I, personally, screamed the whole way down. Adam said to me, though, when we got off, “I didn’t open my mouth.” Haha, I don’t’ think I could’ve ridden that thing without screaming! Anyway, we rode rides the rest of the day until about 6:00, when it rained! A few guys (Grant, Zachary S. and E, and Jonathan) stayed and waited the rain out, which I should’ve done, but my feet hurt too badly! The rest of us (Sarah, Erica, Lauren, Kristen, Adam, and I) went to find the church that we were staying at that night. We played hide-and-go-seek tag and card games and did a little bit of ‘beautifying’ until the rest of the guys got back. That night we played a little more hide-and-go-seek tag and then went to bed at midnight. We woke up the next morning to find a flat tire on Sarah’s car! They could fix it, but they just needed a part for it. So Grant went out for that and then took Zachary E. and S. and Jonathan to get Krispy Kreme donuts. Yum. So we changed the tire and headed home and made excellent time. All in all, I had a great time and I think everyone else did too. It made me realize how much I’m gonna miss Jr. MYF! And to everyone in Jr. MYF, thanks for making my three years as great as they have been with you guys! Offering project: Operation Christmas Child --Susan Stoltzfus and Marci Myers A new Sunday School year has begun and we are excited to tell you about our new offering project for the fall quarter in the Junior Department! We will be participating in OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD, a project of Samaritan's Purse (a non-profit Christian relief and evangelism organization). We are encouraging each Junior Department family to fill a shoebox with toys and necessities for an underprivileged child. We will be showing a short video about this project to the children, and then send home a shoebox to fill, along with the details. Parents, be watching for that shoebox to come home!! We would welcome those of you who do not have a Junior Dept. child to participate in this project as well. We have extra brochures and a 15-minute video with more information about this worthy cause. If you are interested, please contact Marci Myers or Susan Stoltzfus, the Junior Department Superintendents. Thanks A Heap! • To Steve and Betsy Dintaman and Joe and Cheryl Hollinger for sharing their service experiences with Zion. • To everyone who helped make the past church school year at Zion a success. Our congregation filled 84 jobs during the past year. Thanks also to the Gifts and Appointments Committee for coordinating the new year. Seventy-four persons are willing to serve in the coming church school year. |
Dintaman update --Ron Piper Steve and Betsey Dintaman are back at Lithuania Christian College for the second year of their three-year assignment. The support package committed for year two comes from a combination of six congregations at $18,500 (including Zion’s budget commitment at $6,000), thirty-four individual and family units from across the county at $12,150, and 25 families from Zion at $7,800. Your contributions for second year contributions can be placed in the regular Zion offering plate designated for “Dintaman support” now or at anytime in the next 12 months. The “network” of financial and prayer supporters are a tremendous encouragement to Steve and Betsy during this time of mission service representing the Mennonite Church and the Zion congregation “around the world”. Welcome to Zion’s new members… …Ed and Lori Gant ???Did you know??? • Anna Henderson traveled to Boston with the Broadway High School Honors Choir for a concert festival. The choir received a gold second place and was invited to return to next year’s invitation only “Festival of Gold.” They enjoyed sightseeing, went to a show, and ate at the Hard Rock Café. This spring they sang in eight various churches in the area and Anna enjoyed seeing how other denominations do church. She also traveled to Pittsburgh with Broadway High School’s Honors Band. They attended the Pittsburgh Symphony and participated in a Master Class with one of the Symphony’s conductors. ???August’s who am I??? Tony Brenneman • Attended Zion since nine months old • Ran on two state championship cross country teams • Hiked for one month on the Appalachian Trail • Honeymoon was a camping trip to Alaska Welby Showalter, Megan Hartman, Nellie Alger, Katherine Goins,
Brenda Fairweather correctly identified Tony. Nellie’s
name was drawn and she will receive the gift certificate from Dairy
Queen. |
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Home with Amy --Amy Shrock School has started, and we must bid adieu to summer. I am a little sad to end the warm days, but they will still be here for a short time. I have been busy putting away peaches, jams, applesauce, green beans, corn, and salsa. The grapes will be coming yet for grape juice, and then I will have time to get started on winter projects. This past month we traveled to Glen Echo’s Cottages, in Ontario, Canada for a week of swimming, fishing, and spending time with family. My sister, Claudia, and her family, several aunts and uncles and their married/unmarried children came from Ohio. We ate supper together, but were on our own for breakfast and lunch. The food was wonderful, my mom's sisters are very good cooks. Drew caught his first Northern Pike fish in Lake Nipissing; he and Jimmy also caught small-mouth bass. I caught a sheephead, which almost pulled me into the lake! Abbi and Chloe kept busy playing with their cousins. We cherish the time we have with family because of not living near each other. We have reserved cabins to vacation there again next summer with my parents and siblings. On Labor Day weekend, Jimmy's family came down from Ohio. We took them all to Luray Caverns, and the older children loved it, as did the adults. The men spent most of their time playing horseshoes. The recipes listed are from our meals in Canada and the holiday weekend with the Shrocks. Taco Pizza 1 jar Old El Paso taco sauce 1 pre-baked pizza crust 1 lb. hamburger 1 dry packet taco seasoning 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese 3 plum tomatoes, sliced 2 c. shredded romaine lettuce sour cream Fry hamburger, add taco seasoning. Spread taco sauce on pizza crust, sprinkle on seasoned hamburger. Sprinkle with one-cup cheese. Arrange tomato slices over cheese, sprinkle with remaining two cups of cheese. Follow pizza crust package directions for baking. Top with shredded lettuce and sour cream after taco pizza is baked. Makes 1 pizza. Buster Bar Ice Cream Dessert 1 lb. crushed Oreo cookies ½ c. melted margarine ½ gallon vanilla ice cream 1 ½ c. dry roasted peanuts 2 c. powdered sugar 1 ½ c. evaporated milk 1 c. chocolate chips ½ c. margarine 12 oz. Cool whip Mix cookies and 1/2 c. melted margarine, press into 9x13 pan. Freeze until hard. Place ice cream on top of cookies, place peanuts on top of ice cream. Freeze. Mix powdered sugar, evaporated milk, chocolate chips, and 1/2 c. margarine in saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat for 8 minutes then cool. Pour over ice cream when cold, top with Cool Whip. Freeze until hard. French Breakfast Muffins 1 egg, beaten ¾ c. milk or cream ½ c. oil 2 c. flour 1/3 c. white sugar 3 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt Beat the egg and add milk and oil. Stir in dry ingredients. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. While hot, roll muffins in melted butter and then 1/2 c. white sugar plus 1 tsp. cinnamon. Makes 12 muffins |
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Birthdays 2 David Emswiler 4 Layne Fawley 6 Anne Juarez, David Pence 7 Kathryne Skillman 8 Beth Skillman 9 Maude Lantz 10 Emily Lantz, Ed Gant 11 Jenny Yoder 12 Eva Glanzer 13 Erica Lehman, Jessica Stauffer 14 Larry Snader 15 Eric Chapman 16 John Stauffer, Steven Stauffer, Irene Thompson, Emma Resto 18 Jewel Yutzy, John Jacobs II 20 Elwood Yoder 21 Jenni Piper 22 Joel Lehman, Linda Moats 23 Amanda Halterman 25 Caroline Detwiler, Diann Beach Anniversaries Worship schedule |
Coming Up September 13 Daphna Picnic at Zion September 27 Showalter Barn Party October 26 7 pm Autumn Choral Vespers Please place news items for the June issue in the Windows mailbox by September 30. You may also send your news by email to: pipermr@aol.com. We appreciate all your comments, ideas, and submissions! Dorothy Hartman, Julie Hottinger, Fern Nisly and Myrna Piper publish Windows Into Zion. |
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