Two 2012 graduations and two to go!

May 17, 2012

Congratulations to our grandson, Benjamin Stoltzfus

on his graduation from Shady Grove Christian School!

(Or is it a flashback of Jonathan's graduation in 1988?)

Ben receives the important document from Simon Bender!

All the way from K-12!

 Ben's mother, aunts and sisters helped decorate the table.

It was so "Ben" with pines, nature art & photography, animal skins and turkey feathers.

Grandpa Landis did the shopping for the small cedar chest gift.

May 30, 2012

Congratulations to our granddaughter, Andrea!

 Andrea receiving her CNA certificate  from SUN Tech

She will graduate from Midd-West High School at Mifflinburg on June 8, 2012

Happy graduate!

Ready for the next chapter of life- with a luggage set to pack for college!

Inhalation therapy is her next goal to achieve!

And next week Brittany will graduate from high school too!

Historic moments

     Last evening we attended the first Mennonite service in the former St. Boniface church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. We have not heard a new name for the church yet. 

    For about twenty years, members from our congregation have been holding services by request in the home of a young family in that city. Within the past year, several  individuals have  received salvation from Jesus Christ through that work. Our congregation felt it was time to look for a church building to begin holding regular services. A large donation toward a property confirmed that God wants us to move forward. Settlement was made on this property last week.

      It was just in time for the scheduled program of the youth chorus from Union Valley and Lakeland Mennonite Churches. A church in Wilkes-Barre was John Weaver's vision for a long time. It was very fitting that the theme of the program was "Heaven" since John went to his eternal home before his vision became a reality.

    Some of the former members of the St Boniface came to the service last evening. The next door neighbor asked for a few minutes to publicly express her appreciation for what God is doing. She is thrilled to see the property being used as a house of worship.

    Some people have asked, "Why Wilkes-Barre?" We know the city does not have a good reputation- and that is precisely the reason we believe God wants a church there to proclaim the message of salvation. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance!

People came in buses, vans, cars and pickup trucks to fill up this auditorium.

The ascoustics are wonderful!

The attached  rectory could be made into several apartments for staff, VS'ers, a pastor family or whatever. There are so many possibilities for this property.

The two story school building has more possibilities!

And I did not get a photo of the other building- the nun's house.

We had a supper/snack in the school basement.

This place is about 1.5 hours from Mifflinburg, Union Valley, Lebanon Co. Liverpool and Haycock.

We expect to make many more trips to Wilkes-Barre in the years ahead.

You are welcome to join us!

Truth Never Dies

I discovered this poem while organizing folders at the Historical Center today...and was blessed by it. God's Word is truth- forever!

Truth never dies, The ages come and go;
The mountains wear away, the stars retire.
Destruction lays earth's mighty cities low;
And empires, states and dynasties expire;
But caught and handed onward by the wise,
Truth never dies.
Though unreceived and scoffed at through the years,
Though made the butt of ridicule and jest;
Though held aloft for mockery and jeers,
Denied by those of transient power possessed,
Insulted by the indolence of lies,
Truth never dies.
Truth answers not, it does not take offense;
But with a mighty silence bides its time,
As some great cliff that brave the elements,
And lifts through all the storms its head sublime,
It ever stands, uplifted by the wise,
And never dies.
The lips of ridicule dissolve in dust;
The sophist's arguments, the gibes are still;
God working through the all-compelling Must,
Has broken those who dare combat His will;
As firm and patient as Gibraltar stands,
So truth unwearied, waits the era blest,
When men shall turn to it in great surprise,
Truth never dies.