This was a quieter week and a much-needed week for me. Our daughter Molly was done teaching 2nd grade last week and came down mid-week to spend some time with us. It was great having her and she helped Ruth accomplish a lot of little projects around the house. Wedding plans are still in the making, and we picked up some ideas after being at Ellie Mankin and Lane Weaver’s wedding last weekend. Our daughter Tessa and her fiancé Everett are going to be married October 10th.

Things are coming together for two big upcoming events. FAM JAM is happening in less than two months now and a team leader meeting happened this week. In September a men’s and boy’s event called “Next Man Up” is happening on a Saturday afternoon. Be prepared to hear more about these two events in the coming weeks.

I was able to do some visiting amid the sermon preparation and meetings for the week. Our Wednesday night Bible study called “Navigating Genesis” began on Wednesday and you can join us this week at 6:30 pm in Room 14 where the discussion will revolve around the Big Bang Theory. This series taught by a scientist turned pastor shows how science and the Bible agree and how science can be a tool of evangelism for us.

Last Sunday we had our first combined worship service of the summer at 9:30 am and it was great to be together as one as we recognized our graduates and kicked off our summer preaching series on David. Keep in mind that we will be starting at 9:30 sharp so we can be done as close to 10:30 as we can for the Sunday School classes meeting after worship. In addition, no formal offering will be taken during the summer worship schedule. There will be a collection container as you enter the sanctuary. Also, special offerings like Change for Change will have their containers insider the sanctuary doors. We encourage your continued faithfulness in giving and if you have considered automating your giving, this would be a great time to do that and not have to be concerned with getting your offering in each Sunday.

This Sunday we are having a mission’s moment as we hear from Ginger Yost from Solanco Neighborhood Ministries. We will be collecting supplies for backpacks for the ministry which you will hear about on Sunday. In addition, Brooklyn Sagers will be sharing her Discipleship Essay as she is this year’s winner. In addition to an inspiring blended worship experience, we will be preaching about one of the greatest Old Testament stories, the story of David and Goliath. I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 17 in preparation for the sermon as we continue to look at David, a man after God’s own heart, and a genuine hero of faith. 

The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference is less than a month away and Pastor Mary Etta Reinhart and me will be serving as your delegates. You will find an overview of the Conference including some of the queries that will be discussed in the business sessions in the overview printed for you and available in the gathering area. Pastor Mary Etta and I would like to hear from you as we want to represent you well at Annual Conference and vote according to what the congregation believes and supports. So, if you have any thoughts, comments, or feedback, please say something to either one of us. Annual Conference will be in Greensboro, NC July 2-6.

It was one week ago that we had the celebration of life service for Mel Shaub. I learned so much more about this faithful servant of the Lord who never drew attention to himself but just served and blessed others. Mel participated in a number of mission trips/oversees service projects during his lifetime. In one of those trips to Haiti, we learned that Mel took an extra suitcase full of toys which he gave out to children while in Haiti. And then, before returning home, Mel filled that suitcase with items made by the locals in Haiti to help them as they sought to survive in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. That is the heart of a servant, the heart of someone who loves God and loves others. Mel Shaub did that very well and God blessed him with 98 years of life. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Mel Shaub lived out that verse in countless ways before us and touched many lives with his well-doing this side of heaven. Thanks, Mel, for your faithful witness and service of the Lord you so loved.

Well tonight is graduation for Solanco High School and that brings back memories of my own graduation forty years ago (WOW! Did I actually write that!). What I remember from my graduation from the football field forty years ago was that I was extremely surprised when I learned that I was awarded the “Outstanding Business Student” award from the Bank of Lancaster County. So, I am praying for our graduates today as they celebrate this milestone but continue to seek the Lord, just like David did, as they begin to walk into their anticipated vocations and careers. 

Have a blessed weekend and let’s get together again on Sunday. We have so much to celebrate and a message about facing the giants in our own lives as we look at the story of David and Goliath. Looking forward to another blessed Lord’s Day with you. It is Friday, graduation Friday, but oh Sunday is coming!

Pastor Kevin