DownloadJuly 6, 2009 issue
Act for peace
Bahia Vista Mennonite Church, Sarasota, Fla.
By CorrespondentSpring missions was on March 1, with guest speaker Don Jacobs.
Also in March, Ervin Stutzman told the story of his mother, “Clinging to God in Hard Times: The Legacy of an Amish Widow.” Ryan and Friends, a Christian comedian-ventriloquist, performed.
Holy Week included Maundy Thursday with communion and footwashing; a Good Friday service reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice; and a Saturday vigil, with fasting encouraged until breakfast after the Easter sunrise service. Several people gave testimonies during the sunrise service. We the had Easter worship.
On April 12, three of our youth were baptized: Stuart Graber, Ida Rodriguez and Kayla Tracy. Other special April events included music by the Blackwood Gospel Quartet, and a program by Loving Hands ministry, a Christ-centered recovery program for men who want to be free from addictions. Our Dave Schlabach has been a Bible teacher there for a number of years.
BVMC hosted a farewell for Gene Miller on May 3. He has been the administrator at Sarasota Christian School for a number of years. He and his family will move to Ohio.
Our youth gave a program to better acquaint us with them. Youth pastor Brad Graber brought a message “Act for Peace,” challenging youth and adults to experience radical peaceful living. Sarasota Christian School choir performed May 17.
We were involved in a work and service project May 30 at a mobile home park for adults. Many of the residents are unable to do work for themselves or are unable to pay to have it done, so carpenters, electricians and people who do clean up and yard work helped. BVMC women delivered food baskets the neediest and served a community meal to the residents and workers . Gift certificates were given to some residents for the World’s Attic MCC Thrift Shop.
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