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It was a quiet week for Ruth and I. We enjoyed our Labor Day holiday at home but left yesterday to head to Harrisburg. Last night we had dinner with both girls and our soon-to-be son in law as we finalize plans for the October 10th wedding. Many of the details are coming together but there are still some loose ends that Ruth and the girls are trying to figure out. October 10th will be here real soon.

I was able to visit with Pastor Rita at her new home this week and she is improving but slowly. She and Glenn are grateful for the meals, cards, and prayers offered for them since her accident. She will be limited in her visits to others over the coming weeks, but she is available via telephone and email. 

I was able to provide the opening prayer for the Wee Friends preschool orientation which happened Tuesday and Wednesday night this week. The COM ministry is celebrating 50 years this year, and it was good to see the kids coming back and the families that are being blessed by this ministry. Thanks to Aliza Kraynak and Sharon Godfrey for their leadership and to the teachers and aides who serve so well in this ministry.

I mentioned in last Friday’s column that on Saturday I would be participating in the funeral for my pastor and mentor Randy Jenkins. The service was amazing, filled with many stories about him, and I was able to share how impactful Pastor Randy was in encouraging me in my ministry. His service reminded me that it is not in titles or degrees that we are honored, but rather in our service and the impact our life has on others. From the testimony last Saturday, Pastor Randy impacted many lives including my own to follow Jesus.

The Solanco Fair is rapidly approaching so if you haven’t signed up yet to help in the milk shake stand the Wednesday of the Solanco Fair, look for the sign-up sheet in the gathering area.   This year there will be a float in the parade for Journey to the Nativity and I was at a planning meeting this week in regard to the float. My thanks to Diane Herr for making this idea a reality and getting a great team on board to help. If you are watching the parade on the 17th, be sure and look for the Journey to the Nativity float.

Tomorrow is a big day here at Mechanic Grove as the Next Man Up event is here from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. We are excited for this event and trusting that those men and boys who participate will be encouraged by the stories of David as well as our worship and fellowship. We are hoping that the weather cooperates and praying this might lead to a greater discipleship and ministry focus for the men of our church and community.

This Sunday we are celebrating our family ministry. We are pleased to have a child dedication before Janae and I team preach the morning message. Family ministries are continuing to develop, and we are excited about some new opportunities that will be shared on Sunday. It is now less than a month until the return of our Roots Nights with the first one being Wednesday, October 1.

This week my devotions had me completing the book of Jeremiah which for me is always a difficult book. The book is not written chronologically, and it includes many pronouncements of judgement for Israel and her surrounding nations. Jeremiah’s task of being a prophet to a people who weren’t listening was exhausting. Throughout his life, Jeremiah stood alone declaring God’s message of doom and weeping over the fate of his beloved country. In fact, Jeremiah is known as “the weeping prophet.” Yet, Jeremiah stood firm and did what he was called to do. The book of Jeremiah reminds that what God calls us to isn’t always easy, but He promises to be with us as we see it through.

As we prepare for another amazing Sunday at Mechanic Grove, let me remind you that no matter what kind of week you have had, God is good, and He is on the throne and worthy to be praised (see Psalm 47:8). As we celebrate our family ministry this Sunday, we rejoice that God has blessed us with families and with His family, the Church. So, it is most appropriate that we gather in celebration of our amazing God who is on the throne and worthy to be praised.

I look forward to seeing some of you tomorrow at our Next Man Up event and even more on Sunday. Enjoy your weekend and the fall-like temperatures. And remember, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

 Pastor Kevin