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Last Saturday I received an unexpected blessing. I was able to visit with Mrs. Givens, my third-grade teacher from 50 years ago. I had corresponded at times with Mrs. Givens over the years but learned that she was going to be in the area and she wanted to visit with me. Ruth and I met her at the church, and we spent an hour together, looking through her scrapbook and talking about our year together half a century ago. What a joy it was to learn that she was planning to be in worship on Sunday. I titled my recent newsletter article unexpected blessings and spending time with Mrs. Givens, who was by far my favorite and most impactful elementary teacher, was such a joy and an unexpected blessing.
 

This week I was busy with two cottage meetings, a Solanco Neighborhood Board Meeting, and our Commissions and Church Board meetings on Monday. Today, we will celebrate the life of Frances Kreider as her celebration of life service begins at 11:00 am. In addition, I was busy preparing another sermon, Bible study, and finalizing preparations for the service today. As such I didn’t get out to visit as much as I had hoped but was able to visit with Emma Dubble and Glenn and Anna Mary Kreider.

We are approaching the halfway point of our Lenten journey. Resurrection Sunday (Easter!) is just three weeks from Sunday!! Our taking Up Lent Challenge this week was to try fasting. I confess that I struggled with this but did spend some extra time in prayer and devotion in lieu of lunches several times this week. 

Janae and I shared an update at the Board Meeting of our time in Florida at the Church of the Brethren Large Church pastors gathering. We will be sharing highlights this Sunday in both the 8:15 am and 10:30 am worship services. Janae and I do have a summary report of our experience—just check with either of us if you would like the written report. One of the statements that I had written in my notes from the discussion during the gathering was actually the question “Where do our values meet today’s opportunities?” Our cottage meetings are designed to attempt to answer that question as we seek to discern how God is leading His Church in the coming years.

Tomorrow the Oaks Ministry is heading to the Promise Players production at Lampeter Church of the Brethren in the afternoon. The Community Choir dinner is here in the evening. Our Men’s Saturday morning Bible Study is not meeting this Saturday and will meet one final time on March 21st at 7:00 am before breaking for the summer. A big “thank you” to Bud Hart for facilitating our group each week.

The warm weather this week was yet another unexpected blessing. But more seasonal temperatures are returning and will likely be around until the official start of spring in a week or so. Nevertheless, the time change, the observance of robins, and the longer days are reminders that spring is close. Don’t forget that we have spring cleanup at the church on March 28th starting at 8:00 am.

Don’t forget to return your puzzles by Sunday. My thanks to all who shared puzzles for our exchange. A big thank-you to Aliza for sharing last week about the COM ministry and about the upcoming 50 year anniversary carnival. COM is looking for volunteers as well as for the carnival and for the ministry. Check out the signups in the gathering area. 

This Sunday we will begin the practices part of the Believe series as we look at practices that help us to grow as followers of Jesus Christ. We will be considering the practice of worship this Sunday with a message based in part on John 4, Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. True worship is simply a reflection of the heart of a believer. We worship what we love and if we truly love the Lord, we will worship the Lord. Psalm 96:9 says, “Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” May that be our heart’s desire as we gather this Sunday for week 11 of believe and the fourth Sunday of Lent.

Have a blessed weekend and I look forward to worshiping the Lord our God together as His Church this Sunday. Be blessed as we continue to think, act and be like Jesus. It is Friday...but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin