Last week, Pastor Mary Etta and Ed Reinhart and I attended the 238th recorded Annual Conference session of the Church of the Brethren.  There is much to share about the business session, equipping sessions, and worship experiences. It was a full week, and we will be sharing a summary of the conference at our worship service on Sunday, July 27th. 

I am off for a couple of days here at the end of the week as we have a number of out-of-town guests staying with us.  Tomorrow, a bridal shower for our daughter Tessa is happening at our home.  So, I needed to take some time to help Ruth get ready for tomorrow.  We in fact are having so many people at our house that our daughter Molly and I will have to sleep at my parent’s home.  It is all good though as we celebrate this milestone for our daughter Tessa and her fiancé Everett and anticipate their October 10th wedding.

Having a short week limited my ability to visit but I did learn that Sam Glick’s heart ablation went well.  I was busy in the office this week preparing to teach Sunday School this Sunday at 8:30 as well as for a very full worship service.  We will be celebrating the dedication of two children on Sunday as well as observing pew communion after the message.  My daughter Molly and a family friend Bob will be bringing special music.  In addition, we will pick up the story of David as he falls badly into sin in 2 Samuel 11.  Be prepared for another amazing Lord’s Day at Mechanic Grove.

My thanks to Pastor Rita for filling the pulpit last Sunday and I heard several positive comments about her message on freedom.  Pastor Rita has been instrumental in visiting and calling on people in the congregation as our Volunteer Pastor of Visitation.  If you know someone we have overlooked that needs visited, don’t hesitate to say something to Pastor Rita or myself and we will do our best to call upon them.

Our commissions and Church Board will be meeting on Monday and of course things are moving forward for FAM JAM.  We are just a few weeks away from that great ministry event.  If you haven’t taken the opportunity to volunteer in some way, please check out the board in the gathering area.  This ministry event requires many volunteers so there are so many ways which you can help.  In addition, your prayers for FAM JAM and your invitation to other children to register and attend are encouraged.

Our Wednesday Evening Adult Bible Study has just three weeks left in our summer session.  It has been a challenging series as we have considered Genesis 1 and 2 and how science validates the creation account.  I can’t say I agree with everything I have learned but it has helped me realize the importance of creation theology and celebrating our Creator.  Join us on Wednesday at 6:30 pm as our study will answer the question, “Did Humans Evolve from Apes?”

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the halfway point of summer.  The Major League Baseball All-Star game is next week, and we will start the second half of July early next week.  We have had our share of heat and storms of late and many of you have taken vacations or will be shortly.  Family reunions are happening, and Ruth and I will be traveling next weekend for a family reunion for her family.  We are excited to see more of our family in the summer and be able to spend quality time with them.  I hope you are finding the same.  Some of my greatest memories growing up involve family gatherings in the summer.  We want to continue to celebrate and enjoy the blessings of family. 

Let me close with this:  Pastor Mary Etta, Ed and I attended an equipping session at Annual Conference taught by the New Testament professor at Bethany Theological Seminary. It was based on Matthew 15:21-28, the story of the faith of the Canaanite woman.  We read through the passage multiple times, taking the perspective of the woman, then Jesus, then the disciples.  We had very fruitful discussion and focused in on the faith of the woman.  The session was entitled “Hope-Filled Feisty Faith” which we all agreed that this woman had.  After Jesus seemingly dismissed her, she was persistent (feisty?) to have Jesus heal her daughter.  Jesus realized that she had great faith and did indeed heal her demon possessed daughter.  Jesus even says to her “Woman, you have great faith!” (Matt. 15:28).  She certainly did—she had a hope-filled feisty faith.  May we as well even when the answer from God seems to be “no.”

Looking forward to being back with you this Sunday.  I am excited to continue the David series even though we will be seeing David at his worst.  We will celebrate the dedication of two children and fittingly, we will observe pew communion as reminder that like David no matter how hard we fall, we have a Savior who forgives and will lift us up once again. 

Have a blessed weekend—things will be hopping at our place for sure.  But let me encourage you to begin now to prepare your hearts for the worship of our Lord.  Why?  Because it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin