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Last Sunday, Ruth and I were able to worship at Providence Church. I got to sit with my mother and be a parishioner rather than a pastor. It had been many years since I was able to be at my home church and was grateful for the opportunity again. Later I worshiped at Memorial Church with the Grace Community Church that is meeting there. It was good to experience worship in two other community churches.

My thanks to Pastor Rita for filling the pulpit and sharing about biblical community. We dug a little deeper on Wednesday evening into biblical community as we looked at Acts 2:42-47 and Titus 2:1-10. What we noted about the first century church was how important teaching and preaching was for the church to grow. Each of the worship services I experienced last week had 40-minute sermons. Not that I am advocating for my pulpit time, but just a reminder of how important the preaching and teaching of the Scriptures are for the growth of God’s church.

I was able to visit some this week seeing both Bunnie Bledsoe and Emma Dubble in addition to a number of phone calls that I made. My prayer and devotional time kept me focused on praying for the needs in the church and in our community. As a reminder, Monday evening is our First Monday zoom prayer time at 7:00 pm. I would love to have you join us as we pray together from the comfort of our own homes. Look for the link in the Monday email.

Speaking of prayer, next Thursday is National Day of Prayer. Kay Swarr has a display in the gathering area that highlights several local prayer opportunities on this day. Please consider participating in one of these prayer services on this most important day. I plan to be at the Quarryville Borough Building at noon for that prayer event.

This week I had opportunity to bring greetings and the opening prayer both Monday and Tuesday evening at the Wee Friends end of year programs. There were a lot of families here both nights and it reminded me again of how impacting the COM ministry is that brings multiple generations together in celebration of our children. For 50 years, the Wee Friends preschool program has been a blessing to the children and the families of our community. What a joy it was to see that impact in the many who were here this week to celebrate our children and thank the great COM staff.

Tomorrow is the celebration of life service for Betty Zerphy at 10:00 am at the church. Pastors Mary Etta Reinhart and Rita Carter will be officiating. On Sunday, we will be in week seventeen of Believe and looking at the practice of spiritual gifts. And now that May is here, we are looking forward to Mother’s Day, the Spring Congregational Business meeting (May 13th) and our final Roots nights until the fall.

Ruth is still scheduled for foot surgery on Friday, May 8th and she is anxious to get the surgery done. Tomorrow Ruth and I celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary which we will observe by holding a yard sale as our neighborhood is having a community yard sale this weekend. 

This week my devotions included Psalms 51-53. I was familiar with Psalm 51, David’s psalm of confession but was drawn more so this week to Psalm 53. Psalm 53:2 says, “God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there is any who understand, any who seek God.” That verse reminded me again of why the Believe series is so important for us as we seek to understand and we continue to see God together. Under the Believe heading on the study guide are the words: Living the story of the Bible to become like Jesus. That’s why we are engaged in this transformational series such that you and I will become more like Jesus. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

I am looking forward to being back with you on Sunday and sharing about spiritual gifts from Romans 12:3-8. And let us resolve to use our spiritual gifts to help each other become more and more like Jesus. Have a great weekend, the first weekend of May and remember, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin