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Last weekend was a busy weekend. Ruth and I greatly enjoyed participating in the “Feed My Starving Children” food packing event at Willow Street Mennonite Church on Friday evening. On Saturday, we were with the Oaks ministry at the play at Lampeter Church of the Brethren Saturday afternoon followed by the Men’s Banquet Saturday evening. As you recall Saturday was a beautiful day and Ruth and I were able to squeeze in a few hours of outside work. And a great Sunday followed with the Branches Brunch and an Every Generation Sunday School. It was quite a weekend.

After a weekend like that, I was able to get away for a few days, sort of. On Monday and Tuesday, I was at the Annual Conference of the Eastern Regional Conference, Churches of God. This two-day event is held at their church camp near Newville, PA. For ten years, I planned this event as the Executive Director so it is nice to go and have no responsibilities. I was with about 300 pastors and delegates, many whom I know well for the two days. It was great catching up with old friends and fellow pastors.  One of the highlights for me was talking with the current pastor at the Martinsburg Church of God. I served there for four years right out of seminary from 1997-2001. It was a wonderful pastorate. The pastor shared with me that my name still comes up often at Martinsburg and that my influence from over 25 years ago still resonates with some in the leadership of the church. What I most enjoyed hearing from this pastor is how much he enjoyed serving as their pastor and how good the church has been to him. It was a reminder to me that the impact of our service can have a ripple effect that transcends not just years but decades.

Wednesday evening was a busy evening at Mechanic Grove with our Roots meal and Wednesday evening activities. Our adult bible study on I Corinthians will conclude next Wednesday evening. It has been a great study, and we have noted that many of the problems in the church of Corinth that Paul addresses in the letter are still problems in the church today. On Wednesday, April 16th we will have a Roots night and that of course is Holy Week. So, we encourage you to come as we will have a special Holy Week study that night. And, as a reminder, it is less than two weeks now to Maundy Thursday and our Love Feast service. This Sunday you can pick up a devotional in the gathering area to help prepare you for the Love Feast service on April 17th.

This Sunday will be the last sermon in the “Encounters with Jesus” series and involves someone who had it all. We know it better as the story of the rich young ruler. It is an encounter with Jesus that doesn’t end in life change. In addition, we will highlight another symbol of Lent as we draw closer to Holy Week. And don’t forget the Resurrection Sunday celebration is just over two weeks away.

I have continued praying for the church and for revival and my prayers were sparked with stories I heard this week from across the Churches of God. They too are struggling to identify and train pastors and many of their churches haven’t recovered from the pandemic. I was amazed at the conference this week when they recognized a pastor for sixty years of service…and he was still pastoring! Well into his eighth decade and with health limitations, he still serves a small church in York County. The writer of Hebrews says, “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (13:7). So, in addition to praying for revival, I am praying for the next generation of pastors and leaders for God’s church. Would you consider praying too for revival in the Church and for the pastors and leaders God is preparing now to serve His Church?

Ruth learned that her last surviving aunt on her father’s side passed away and the funeral is Monday in Philadelphia. She wanted to go but was reluctant to drive so, I will be going with her. With Ruth’s family spread out over many states and unable to attend services, we feel an obligation to represent her father’s side of the family at the funeral.

Let me close this. In my devotions this week, I read the story again in 1 Kings 19 when God instructs Elijah to go and anoint Elisha to be his successor. Elijah finds Elisha in a field plowing and Elijah puts his cloak over him and walks away. This symbolic gesture indicates to Elisha that he is to follow the prophet Elijah. Elisha runs after Elijah and asks him if he can go and say goodbye to his parents and then he would follow Elijah. Elisha was a wealthy farmer,

and God was calling him to be a prophet. Whether Elisha returned to say goodbye to his parents we don’t know, but what we do know is what happens next. He returned to his oxen, killed them and used the wood from the plow to build a fire and roast the oxen. He passed around the meat to the other plowmen. In a sense, they had a party and worshiped God together. And then in 1 Kings 19:21 it says Elisha went to be Elijah’s assistant. With no oxen and no plow, Elisha made it clear that he was “all in” and wasn’t going to be a farmer anymore. He was prepared to follow Elijah and become the prophet of God. May we have such a commitment as we follow the Lord.

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy the signs of spring all around us. But come Sunday, let’s gather again as God’s people in celebration of Jesus, the One who is still changing lives! Remember, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!