Madison Ave. Church of The Brethren

Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren
645 Madison Avenue, York, PA  17404
Phone:  854-1885

The Lamplighter
September  2009
Editor:  Lillian Geltz

From the Pastor’s Desk
Ever watched a water bug?  You know, those little bugs that skate across the top of the water? They are truly amazing. They have long legs that splay out, supporting the weight of the insect’s long skinny body. The bugs never get wet; they simply skate back and forth, constantly searching for whatever it is that they’re looking for! Water bugs don’t live in the water; they live on it. Their world is the shimmering, glassy surface. Beneath them are the depths – of which they likely have absolutely no awareness.
In the helter-skelter of our lives we are much like water bugs. We race to and fro, busy with one thing, then another – oblivious much of the time to the deeper dimensions of life around us. We spend so much of our time gliding along the surface. Seldom do we plumb the depths.

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Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren
645 Madison Avenue, York, PA  17404
Phone:  854-1885

The Lamplighter
August  2008
Editor:  Lillian Geltz

From the Pastor’s Desk
Because I’ve grown up in the church, I have many memories of Sunday School teachers who – though they had no way of ever even guessing – helped shape who I am theologically and what I’ve become. I’ve often wondered why perfectly nice folks (especially ladies, it seems) would give up their time and sanity and lock themselves in a room with socially inept and theologically void young minds. My fondest memories are those years with Mrs. M. She was a busy mother of 5, yet she chose to spend her Sunday mornings with a bunch of nose-picking, gum-chewing adolescents. She was interesting though in her teaching style, though we constantly tried to get her off the subject!! (unbelievable, right?)
One day we were discussing the topic of heaven. Foreshadowing the theologian I would some day become, I asked the obvious question I was certain everyone else was thinking (except those guys who were planning an escape out to the parking lot during Worship). I asked Mrs. M “What do you think heaven will be like?” I’ll never forget her answer. She smiled and said, “Oh, it’ll be a lot like Church.”

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The Lamplighter
July  2008
Editor:  Lillian Geltz

From the Pastor’s Desk
When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE, I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one body, moving gracefully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE. When I saw “G,” I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i.” “God ‘u’ and ‘i’ dance.” God, you and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

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The Lamplighter
June 2008
Editor: Lillian Geltz

From the Pastor’s Desk
It’s that time of the year again! School’s out – or almost so – and the kids are excited about summer and all its activities. Summer is the time for many new and exciting and fun-filled things to do. It’s the time of vacations, and camps, and travel, and people on the go. It’s also the time many people go Church shopping, or at least Church visiting, because of the many changes in schedules that prevent their attending their home Church. I would encourage you to worship at other churches during your times of vacation and travel this summer, to get an appreciation for worship in different settings and to experience the many varied ways we, as a family of faith, worship God. And be sure to invite others to worship here with you each Sunday you are home.

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