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Ruth got released from her boot early this week and is now wearing a regular shoe. She started biking again and is improving each day. Thanks for all your concern, cards, prayers and encouragement following her May 8th surgery. 

This was a quiet week at Mechanic Grove so I tried to get ahead on some sermon preparation and preaching planning for the rest of the year. I am looking forward to sharing our “Great Stories in Genesis” series with you over the summer months. This week we will be in Genesis 4 as we consider the story of Cain and Abel, perhaps the first family feud. Also on Sunday, we will be having a Moment for Missions with a representative from Solid Rock Ministries here to share about their ministry to youth and families.

Ruth and I are planning on being on vacation starting on Thursday. We are excited to spend a week at the beach in NJ with our daughter Molly with us the whole time. Our daughter Tessa and our son-in-law Everett will join us for the weekend. So please keep in mind that I will be on vacation from Thursday, June 18th through Wednesday, June 24th. I am grateful though that Pastor Jim Rhen will return to share a Father’s Day message on June 21st.

This week is the Disaster Relief Picnic, and Ruth and I regret that we will miss it. It will be at Pam and Alan Platt’s home from 4:00 – 7:00 pm this Thursday. This is always a great event with wonderful food and fellowship and a great support to Brethren Disaster Ministries.

Looking toward the end of the month, we have the Oaks picnic at noon on Monday, June 29th at Huffnagle Park in Quarryville. Sign up is still on the bulletin board. We will be having a baptism service at the conclusion of the 10:30 am service on June 28th in the sanctuary. The memorial service for Pastor Earl Ziegler is coming on Friday, June 26th at 1:00 pm at the Lititz Church of the Brethren. In addition, we will be commissioning our Annual Conference delegates on Sunday, June 21st at the 8:15 am service. The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference begins Sunday, June 28th through Thursday, July 2nd in Fort Wayne, IN. Phil and Sheri Johnson are our delegates representing Mechanic Grove at this year’s conference.

This week will be the second week of our Summer Sunday School. We have received more books, and they are in the classroom where you are meeting. Please take advantage of these great electives as we engage in spiritual growth and discipleship during the summer months. Proverbs 1:5 says, “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Great advice as we seek to grow and become more like Jesus.

Tonight Ruth and I will be attending a Brethren pastor and family event at the Ephrata Church of the Brethren. This picnic is provided annually, but this will be first time that we can make the event. We are praying the storms hold off as we look to connect with more of the Brethren pastors and spouses of the Atlantic Northeast District.

Finally, this week I found myself praying for the needs of our church including praying for Carl Graver who remains hospitalized and our homebound people who are struggling. One of the great strengths of Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren is the way we care for one another. We experienced your love and care through Ruth’s surgery but let us not forget to care for and encourage those that are struggling and particularly those that are homebound and currently unable to attend Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” 

The Lord looks to be blessing us with summer temperatures and a beautiful weekend. What a great time of year to drink in the beauty of our Lord’s creation and praise our wonderful Creator God. May you be blessed with worship of our God long before we gather this Sunday. As Psalm 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Have a blessed weekend. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather to praise the Lord. Remember, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin