St John's UCC Lansdale

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:01:00 +0000

The other day I was online and i came across a video that got me thinking.
I am not sure why..
I am not, and never have been a skateboard person.
But it does amaze me why a group of folks,a video productions studio and band named Unkle would want to called this Heaven..

My guess is that this is how they visioned Heaven to be like.
What do you envision Heaven to look?

Maybe Heaven is ultimate Freedom??
The Video from Unkle has many images of Freedom

Being on a skateboard is freedom

Breaking through a wall is freedom

Having that which you know to change is Freedom.

In the bible (John 14:2) Jesus describes Heaven as a House made by God with many Rooms, Room for each of us if we need it.

and in Paul's Writing ( Ephesians 3:20) Heaven is described as more then we could ever ask for in one location.

Could Heaven be the only place that God has given us that we can be truly free?
It could be.....
Untill I get there I only have images from artist and musicians

I hope that you are able to give one person a sense of Heaven Today

Peace~RH

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:01:00 +0000

One Love...

The other day I was driving down the road~ I guess I was going too slow~ but a car pulled around me and as they got in front of me I saw they had two bumper stickers one that said ~ Give Peace a Chance, and the other that said One Love..

The One Love sticker got me thinking~ it is possible for people all around the world to know and experience the One Love that comes from creation? is it possible for a love to exist that is so strong that everyone sees it, knows and says "it is good"?

I am on the fence if this love exist today~ I have seen too much hurt, pain and arguments in the world to think that a one Universal love does exist Today. HOWEVER~ I fully believe that living and making this universal love is possible and happening all over the world~ Right now.

I came across this group called playing for change, and they set up singers all over the world that are joining together to sing to make change possible. There rendition of One Love by Bob Marley struck me~ What do you think?? Is One Love possible??

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:36:00 +0000

So today in our worship experience we spoke about "Cleaning up our act" one of the points that was shared was the responsibility of faithful people to commit to living "in tune" with the world.

Monday AM our group will be visiting the Cooperative of Equal Exchange in East Bridgewater MA.

Equal Exchange works one on one with farmers and group of farmers in developing second and third world countries trying to encourage and support:

Fair Business
Maintaining of cultural identity
Access to needed Medical and health resources, Fostering Farming techniques that are environmentally sustainable
Giving the ability of people to compete in the global exchange of products at livable wages..

As I go to sleep, to dream God's dream for life.. I continue to ask...

How are our actions connected to our faith??

More answers tomorrow

Peace~ PR

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:55:00 +0000

We will be here soon!!

Keep watching!!

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:26:00 +0000

THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN POSTED ON FRIDAY AUGUST 8TH

A Dose of Joy

Friday~ During lunch we went over to Andre’s house~ where the VA group was working, and said good bye to half of the group as they left in the afternoon. Parting in bittersweet as there is a connection that is made in the midst of mission trips, you experience people at a different level and bond within faith and the desire to serve others.

We finished up at Miss Sophie’s and worked till about 4pm (kinda late). Made sure to got all the tools back to Little Farms. It is amazing how much Jake, Marci and I did this week~ we finished he punchlist that was out for us.

When we showered and cleaned up, the group that was left from VA and us, headed out for dinner in the French Quarter and ended up at Jimmy Buffett’s restaurant called Margaritaville. The cheeseburger in paradise was well cooked, but the atmosphere was amazing, and the location near bourbon street was a once in life time experience

The German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said “ if you do a good job, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is spiritual care”

Looking back on the last few days there has been much spiritual care within me, and within our group. We have done a good job for Miss Sophie, for Andre and for all the people the UCC’s groups have served. In addition, from my observation~Each of us have had a dose of joy through our experience and grown in ways ~some ways we may not know.

I am sure as we head back and get back into our lives and leave the memories of paint, sweat, and daily life in NOLA~that the things we have done will become fond memories, and times we aspire to be at again. For in the joy that has been found in this time of work, lives have been changed ~Both those whom we have served and us as we worked and served in God’s name.

Peace~Rev Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:31:00 +0000

Just got home a few days ago and am definitely thinking about all of my old friends and new friends down in New Orleans. It has once again shown that it is a place where people truly care about each other and are so appreciative for all of the help that they get from the volunteer groups that come down. There is still so much to do there and that concerns me, but I do see that the people of New Orleans are of nothing but hope--the grass was greener and the flowers were more colorful. Hope does bloom there and it is truly a special place. It was of course awesome to see our old friends from Virgiania and to meet new ones in Ray, Ernie, Bobbie, John, Jen and Jeff--let's make that road trip and see each other before next summer! Special thanks to Pastor Ryan for all of the work in getting this together--I look forward to next year!

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:54:00 +0000

Dinner with new NOLA Family and Broken (Sweet) bread

Last night we went out to Dinner in the French Quarter on the invitation of a wonderful name Laura, She is a close friends of a couple at St John's. While we did not know Laura for very long, it felt like we were having dinner with a beloved long lost grandmother. As part of the dinner Laura invited two of her NOLA friends to have dinner with us as well~ Sue and Mary. Sue worked for the Presbyterian Church USA disaster relief, and Mary ( A retired University Prof) works as part time tour leader, and avid admirer of Stained glass. Needless to say the conversation around the table was amazing, full of laughter, and stories living through the struggle of the hurricanes. But isn't that what family is supposed to be about~ being around the table and sharing emotions and stories that matter.

It should be noted that Jake ended up sitting next to Laura at the table, and for some reason Laura really talked to, and asked Jake allot about his life....Jake was the center of attention for much of the table conversation...

Today at Miss Sophie's house we finished the 1/4 round on the base board, long with spackling, and painting it all. We also primed, painted, and begun the top molding in Miss Sophie's storage area. Jake also put another coat of paint on The back door to Miss Sophie's kitchen. Tomorrow I hope that we finish the storage area and are able to..

For some reason at Breakfast this morn. John ( from the VA group) freaked out over a pastry called Monkey Bread.

so, you could say that~Most of today's activity have been around a table.

I think often of the model of Jesus as he gathered at Table much during his earthly ministry, He welcomed everyone that would break bread, and treated everyone like family. What a model to have and share in New Orleans..

Peace~Rev Ryan

P.S. Daniel got a new dog, his name is Kingston...

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:27:00 +0000

Baseball and Kitchen Cabinets

Tuesday was long day for all us. We spent the day working at Miss Sophie's home. Miss Sophie is lovely woman that just celebrated her 80th birthday~ she is smart as whip and has a million stories about growing up on a farm outside the city New Orleans. Miss Sophie's home is close to being complete, as all the walls have been put in, new tile has been laid in all the rooms. This week we are focusing on putting some cabinets in her kitchen, and putting 1/4 round on all the baseboard molding.

Little Farms UCC ( our host church) is in Jefferson parish, and within two miles of the church on airline road, is the training facilities for the NO Saints, and the ball diamond of the NO Zephyr's~ the Triple A baseball team for the NY Mets. They happened to be playing on Tuesday night against the Las Vegas 51's~ the triple A team for the LA Dodgers. As we walked up to get tickets we found out that it two-for tuesday. if you brought a non=perishable item to donate~ you would get your tickets buy one get one free. We didn't have any extra non-perishable items with us, so we proceeded to the window to buy, but before we got to the window~ many people proceeded to ask us if we needed some free tickets? What!? Sure!! Folks handed us little cards that got half of our group free tickets to the game. Wow to experience extravagant, even at baseball game~ does the soul good..

So recently~ The song we sang alot in VBS has going through my brain, and I find myself humming it as I work. I think to myself~ what it is that is happening or doing that makes me feel like God's spirit is in the midst of what I am doing. I remembering learning at a young age that We are the hands of God on earth and that when we serve others we are actually serving God. But how often do we need to remind ourself?? How often do you remind yourself??

The song I have been humming goes like this:

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true.
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary, for You.

(For a great youtube version of this song)~ Click here

Peace~Rev Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:51:00 +0000

Today has been a great day full of old friends and new stories.. The gracious folks of little farm provided dinner when we got off the plane on Monday night. We were able to have our fill of red beans, rice hearing stories from Skelly and seeing how big daniel has grown since the last time we have seen him...

Everyone is in good spirits as the Little Farm Farm worshiping community has seen growth in the last year now somewhere around 60 on Sunday morning. The new steel roof has been well received fixing many of the problems associated from the Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

The kitchen has been completely done over, and even has a restaurant quality Stove and oven.

I've dropped some pictures in here so you know what we are doing..

Peace and Hope~ Rev Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:46:00 +0000

In the Philadelphia Airport~

So Jake, Marci and I are sitting waiting for our plane to Atlanta. Right next to us is an Army Solider along with his wife/partner and three young kids ( under 5~ I'm guessing) . I find myself over come with emotions as the two hug, cry and say Goodbye. Who knows how long he will be deployed or how long he will be away, or when his family will get back to being normal as they are gathered in the tears of goodbye in the hustle and bustle of the busy airport. It make me wonder about what type of ideals are worth living for, and what is the cost of putting yourself in harm's way? or how far will I go for the sake of something I believe to be true?

God bless the unknown teary-eyed solider and his family where ever he and they go.

May he be brought back in safety..

Peace~Rev Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:44:00 +0000

We Will be in NOLA on Monday by 5pm..

Plan to be back and check this space for updated thoughts ands views

If you have any comments , feel free to leave them in the comment section..

Thanks to all who have supported us, and all who have said "YES" to praying for us..

Many Blessings~ Jacob, Marci and Rev Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:17:00 +0000

Come Hear our Story about New Orleans

and Find ways you can help as well

Sunday November 25th

After the 10:15 Worship Service

Food, pictures and Answers will be provided!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:18:00 +0000

Home~ 8/14/2007

Whoever said absence makes the heart grows fonder, must have been someone who went on mission trip once before.

While it is good to go away, and the conditions of where we stayed were amazing and comfortable~it is also good to be home. Home smells different, pillows fell better, Richard is snoring in my home, and home is where our hearts feel rejuvenated.

As I reflect back upon the time away I hold close of the stories heard and quiet moments spent in awe and prayer looking at conditions that I hope will never happen again.

I am also amazed by the deep faith that feed many of the people we met. I am envious of that faith in the midst of so many things that have gone wrong for some. I think about the reaction of Jesus when asked by the apostles to increase there Faith. Jesus said "If you have faith the size of mustard seed"...All will be possible..

I have been blessed to see many mustard seeds of faith this week, in each person we met and every person we shared our work with. Thanks to Marci, Jean, Stephen, Nate, Jacob, Missy, my best buddy in life-Richard. The Va Group-Susan, Roger and Lisa. The office staff for Disaster response-Alan, Dale, Sarah, Tim, Garrett and Elaine. Our family in Faith at Little Farms including Andrew, Skelly, Ron, Rosemarie, Eleanor and Rev Jim...

May each one of you be the Faith that one person needs to find home this day

Peace~ RH

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:49:00 +0000

Marci Grossman

Thurs Night at PJ's

Wow...what a week...it went so fast. It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day of work. We've sweated ALOT (Jean...how about that bathroom?), but it has been so worth it. The people here are extremely kind and Missy, how much do we LOVE Daniel? Yesterday was incredible seeing the hardest hit area. People's lives in the streets, their homes crumbled, or simply not being there was very emotional. I had a similar feeling when visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Local people have told us that it is so important to them for us to go back home and remind people that things ARE NOT close to being fine here. There is still so much damage. Being with this group has been a blast. Rich and his stories are hilarious (BLOATED)!! Gotta get back for dinner...probably put some cheese on my dinner, Guys!

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:55:00 +0000

Jean Francis Thursday evening

This continues to be an incredible week in River Ridge. One highlight for me yesterday was seeing one of the worst areas destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the Lower Ninth Ward. As we crossed the bridge over the Mississippi River to the Lower Ninth, we saw that the levee had been repaired and behind it was a large field with dozens upon dozens of cement slabs where houses used to be -- only patches of a driveway or a front stoop or sidewalk to suggest where once a family had lived. We entered several buildings still standing to view the damage. In one church that was still standing, the cushioned pews were covered in now baked mud, a grand piano had been overturned and a three inch layer of muck covered the carpeting. Someone was living in a gutted home, a sleeping bag and cans of food were in a corner. I had never experienced such widespread devastation in my life and I hope I never do again. Seeing how many thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by Katrina only inspires me to work harder.

Speaking of work, we're coming along nicely in the house we've been in -- taping wallboard seams, spackling, more spackling and the sanding and sanding and sanding. Did I mention that I sanded today -- all day? The walls are all primed and tomorrow we hope to paint with color. Yeah, something besides white to work with. Today the heat index was only 110 degrees, yesterday it was 118!

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:30:00 +0000

August 9th, 2007

>>Missy Zirkel

Nothing but smiles coming from my way! =) It's ridiculous .. it honestly felt like it was Sunday but a few days ago, and to think that it'll be Friday tomorrow. Last day of work tomorrow! It's a bittersweet feeling. Let me tell you, the days are long. Waking up at around 6:45 in the morning to Pastor Ryan... "Good morning everyone. It is now 6:45 in the morning. In five minutes I'll be back in singing...." So all of us teenagers would groan and roll over in bed and pretend to be awake. Then we would hop out of bed a few minutes later. Like I said before, the days are long but at the end of the day there's a certain feeling that runs through me. I know that there's a darn good reason that I woke up at 6:45. Sure, I too would moan and groan at the thought of 6:45, but when we would be packing up the truck and getting ready to leave the work site I couldn't help but be a little upset. Such a productive day and in the end it always leaves me with a feeling of accomplishment. But not any accomplishment. The accomplishment and feeling of joy, of goodness, of love. The feeling of joy in knowing how happy that home owner will be when they come in to find a new house. The feeling of goodness in knowing that my time as well as many others may be spent doing something that will mean a whole lot to the owner of the house, to the community, and to me. And lastly the feeling of love. I can't quite describe the feeling .. all I can say is that it's overwhelming but in a good way.

I'm having a great time. The people I'm with are hilarious. (Need I mention the stories I've heard from Pastor Ryan's good friend Richard!) Needless to say, time flies. I can't wait to finish up tomorrow with probably one of the biggest feelings of accomplishment I'll ever experience. To the time spent in New Orleans, to the memories made here, to the people. Thanks for everything

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:15:00 +0000

Steve Clement

August 9, 2007

This week has been an amazing experience of sightseeing, working, laughing, and enjoying the wonderful heat! I came here to New Orleans not having extensive experience in house constructing, but I am glad we were challenged enough to work on drywall all day, as opposed to simply destructing a house with a hammer. I have learned that drywalling is a tedious process and needs to be handled with just the right amount of care and gentleness. We have also seen the results and damages of Hurricane Katrina. I was surprised to see how many severely damaged homes there are despite the two years this city has had to recover. I am glad to know that I had helped some people this week. However, I am disappointed that we could not work on more houses. I hope to come back again, possibly next year or the year after that. I came here wanting to get it over with, but I truly hope to come back in the near future.

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:13:00 +0000

Tired to our Soul~8/9/2007

It is amazing how the hot weather, high humidity, broken building and long days can make person tired..

if I read the feeling of the group correct there are a bunch of folks who are tired to their souls..

But it is from the stories of the people we have met, the laughter of children we have met and the amazing faith and Grace that leads to hope and transformation...

Our days have been full of Drywalling, which is talents that not all of us had, but each one of have gained, just Ask Jean~ she is now master of the Feathering technique of finishing Drywall joints. or Ask Marci she finish corner joints with dust in her eyes, and keeping Richard from telling too many Pastor Ryan stories or ask Nate, Jacob, Missy or Stephen~ each can spread mud, smooth it, sand it and prime it like a pro...Each of us have felt the edge of our comfort zone, crossed it and continue to live..

Yesterday was early day for us, and we spent the afternoon touring the city..

We began by driving down by Lake Pontchartrain

then heading down to see the area of the 17th Street Canal Levee, the place where the big Levee broke and flooding the Lakeview area of New Orleans~ Construction was still in full effect even yesterday.

Lastly we went to the Lower Ninth Ward, a second area that got Very hard hit during Hurricane Katrina and Rita. It was amazing to see the weeds and plant life that have grown sine last year..

We ended our day having dinner at the Acme Oyster House, have po-boys, Crawfish tails and Missy have risked having soft shell Crab, C'est super bon!!!

Our hope today it to finish up the last of the Drywall at Gwen's house and hopefully move onto priming and painting by Friday...

A prayer~

O God of hurried busy days, late nights and early morning

Thank you for all the blessing you give

remind us never to lock up our gifts storing them for other days

but allow to share all you give

as we continue to move outside of ourselves

seeing your face

and hearing your saving voice

In your son's name

Amen

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:49:00 +0000

Monday 8/6/2007

Today was the first day of our "Work"...We began by having a gathering this AM of all the mission groups in New Orleans. We got to see the huge group from Rochester/Buffalo NY who are staying at St Peter's UCC in the area, it was great to see and meet fellow UCC missionaires.

We then got assigned our jobs this week....Drywall. We have some mud, some taping and some finishing. It doesn't look like the most difficult job, but it will take alot of effort and the finesse of artist. It was about 104 during our working time, but everyone was drinking enough and eating granola bars!!

Dinner was provided the family of Little Farms UCC, and it was true Church supper in every sense of the word. We had Red Beans and Rice, Shrimp and Okra over Rice and Fried Chicken~WOW ( I didn't see any sauerkraut or shooefly pie~ maybe next time..

This has to be quick as PJ coffee shop is closing and kicking me out in two minutes...

I promise to write more tomorrow...

Be hope for one person Today!!

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 01:51:00 +0000

Saturday 8/4/2007

What a good airport Atlanta is, we toured it for few more hours then we planned on as Air Trans decided to cancel our flight for no reason.. We survived and got to New Orleans by 8:30pm local time.. Above we are in the Philly airport!!!

Sunday 8/5/2007

Today has been a good day full and we haven't even begun our work yet!

We began our day with fairly traded hot beverages and some Krispy Kreme doughnuts brought to us by Andrew (a member of Little Farms UCC) Geez~ hot and now, WOW!

We had Bible Study, worshipped and heard from Rev Dr Jim Hightower (pastor of Little Farms UCC) about how we have be careful about storing up grain in our barns without using it.

I am amazed by the way the group is coming together~ there is feeling of one big family. We joke around, laugh, pray and sweat together, and live in anticipation of what the week may hold. Each one of us seems to have many gifts to share, yet we may not be aware of what to do. What to do with our gifts that we have been given, is the question that drives us to come to this place of doing what we can to help the over-all process of rebuilding "Community" in New Orleans.

We did shopping at Sam's club and picked up other things at Winn-Dixie to round our menu of Bagels/fruit/cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch along with lots of water!!!

Our dinner tonight was spaghetti, meatballs and Garlic bread~ the blessed best meal of holy mother church with many thanks to Susan and Roger from 1st UCC in VA..

My personal prayer this night as we go to sleep, is that each one of us may get in touch with the many gifts we have stored up within, and that in the next few days we are able to use them in the next possible way for God's glory...

O God of new and friends to make

Bless us in this moment

with the patience to humbly listen

with the dedication to give our best

and the courage to do what must be done

even if our bodies hurt

make us a sanctuary for your love

Amen

noreply@blogger.com (Java) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:29:00 +0000

We Will be Here Soon!!!