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Last week during our Roots Night, I was blessed to be with the Little Roots downstairs. We talked about our Dream Big series and had them pray and begin dreaming about what they would like to see at Mechanic Grove in the coming years. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing the Little Roots form their own prayer and share triplets and pray together. The results of their “dreaming” are above the Dream Big board in the gathering area. This Wednesday I will be with the Jr and Senior High Youth as we hear from them as they “dream big.”
 
 

 

 

This week began with tremendous worship service on Sunday morning and followed by an outstanding football game Sunday evening. Today, the big celebration happens as the Eagles bring home their championship trophy. But the week got better as spring training opened for the Phillies on Wednesday. The weather was a mess this week and looks to be for the weekend as well. There is much more to celebrate though than an Eagles Super Bowl victory or the start of spring training. We serve an awesome God as we mentioned on Sunday; how vital it is we gather in worship together. Looking forward to another great Lord’s day celebration with you.

Our Deacons met last night as we looked at some upcoming events. I am grateful that many of them are leading prayer and share triplets or are participating in one. They serve in so many ways behind the scenes with caring for people, preparing Love Feast and for pew communion (coming March 2nd!), helping with baptism services, and assisting with the pastoral care of the congregation. The deacons are always available so if you ever have a need, please feel free to contact them. The new directory identifies the deacon board and who your deacon is.

I was able to do some visiting this week as I saw Emma Dubble and stopped in to wish Mel Shaub a happy birthday as he celebrates his 98th birthday today. Mel was so appreciative of the many cards he has received, and Emma was so thankful for the prayers and visits as she recovers from her surgery. I was able to visit Ron and Linda Bolt in their home this week. Ron has an important doctor visit on Tuesday which he hopes will clear him to receive his new knee. I was also able to talk with our snowbirds in Florida who are all well and enjoying the 70 – 80 degree weather each day. 

Two weeks from tonight is the next Grace Marriage date night. There is a signup sheet in the gathering area. This is a great way to invest in your marriage and encourage your participation. I have been working my way through the puzzles on the puzzle table. I think I am on my third one now. My thanks to Donita Reimold for the idea and for those of you who are sharing your puzzles. They will be available through early March.

If you haven’t done so, please check out the dream big board and read the Little Roots dreams on the white sheets as well. You will see some great ideas, but you will also see plenty of room for more. There is just a few more weeks left in the series and I am hoping to see the dream big board as full as the puzzle table. So, keep praying and keep dreaming and when God gives you a dream for Mechanic Grove, write it on the board. 

This week I was praying through the directory and got to the last names starting with K and M. It took me a couple of days to get through all the Kreider’s, but it is always good to be praying for my church family. I will be praying for those with last names starting P, R, and S this coming week. If that’s you and you have something specific you would like me to pray for, send me an email, note, or call me. 

As I continued my reading through the Bible in a year, my devotions this week were in Numbers and Deuteronomy. Numbers certainly lives up to its name with lots of history of tribes, boundaries, and how many people were living where. There was also lots of instruction on the offering the Israelites were to make before the Lord. I also read of how difficult and critical the Israelites were as they wandered in the wilderness even though God was with them and blessing them. It reminded me that God is with me and blessing me and that there is no place for a complaining or critical spirit when I remember how truly blessed I am.

This Sunday we will be in Matthew 25 as we consider Jesus’ parable on the sheep and the goats. The focus this Sundy is on need meeting ministry and how important we see the needs of others and seek to meet them. Of course, the greatest need that people have is for that life giving relationship with Jesus Christ at their Savior and Lord. We will unpack that more this Sunday, but feel free to read ahead in Matthew 25:31-46. And as mentioned last Sunday, corporate worship is vital to our spiritual health so come with an expectant and worshipful heart.

Let me close with this: On Tuesday this week, I got to visit with Pastor Lester Swope at QPRC. Pastor Lester was my pastor for ten years when I was a child and teenager at Providence Church. He discipled me in my faith and I consider him one of the pastors who really helped me grow spiritually. I have seen him several times in the last couple of years, but it was so good to visit with him, pray with him, and to thank him for his faithful service to the Lord. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Thank you, Pastor Swope, for speaking the word of God to me as a young follower of Jesus Christ many years ago.

Have a blessed weekend. Ruth will be away this Sunday as her cancer support group goes to Penn State for the women’s basketball game. Every year they celebrate these ladies who have survived cancer and Ruth and her friend have participated for nearly ten years now. No big football game this weekend either but a great Lord’s day celebration is in store for us. Keep praying and keep dreaming for Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren, and I will look for you this Sunday. Remember it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin