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It was a quiet week at Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren. We had a staff meeting on Monday to catch up on some things and prepare for the return to our normal programming. Janae was at the Lampeter Fair some this week, but things will be picking up here in October. Much of my week involved dealing with my father who has been hospitalized since last Friday with heart issues and a blood clot. He is now at rehab hoping to regain enough strength and mobility to return home.

Ruth and I left late yesterday for Harrisburg. Ruth’s birthday is Saturday, but our girls have something planned for tonight. We will gather at Tessa’s house for Ruth’s birthday meal followed by cake and gifts, but it sounds like there are a few more surprises in store. It will be good though to be with our daughters and fine tune some details for Tessa and Everett’s wedding two weeks from today. In addition, next Saturday I am excited to officiate the wedding of Wade Davis and Alexus Ravert. 

Sam Glick had his procedure done on Tuesday and it seemed to go well. Mary Poe continues to recover from her surgery several weeks ago. Herb Kreider had an incident with a sharp knife over the weekend that required an emergency room trip and some stitches. Prayers are needed for Jim and Cinda Showalter as well.

Last Saturday Ruth and I attended my 40th High School Class Reunion. It was an amazing evening with about 50 graduates plus spouses in attendance. One of the highlights for me was catching up with a childhood friend who I last saw in the mid 1990’s. His journey of faith was compelling, and I am so glad he is plugged into a local church. We shared memories of being at each other’s homes as kids as well as time together in school. Others from the Class of 1985 at Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren include Kris (Esbenshade) Welk, Rhonda (Scheffel) Heidinger, Missy (Welch) Kreider, and Cindy (Trimble) and Greg Schneider. 

My devotions this week had me in the book of Daniel. As a result, I have had the song, “Dare to be a Daniel” stuck in my head all week. Daniel remained faithful to God even while living in captivity with his fellow countrymen in Babylon. Stories of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego along with Daniel refusing to bow down to King Darius and ending up in the lion’s den made my devotions more like Sunday School this week. Daniel was a man of faith, and a man of prayer and God used him mightily as an advisor to two Babylonian kings and two Medo-Persian kings. Daniel was placed in a high position in the kingdom because of his ability to interpret dreams. When Daniel came of the lion’s den unscathed, he praised God for protecting him by sending an angel to shut the lions’ mouths (Dan. 6:22). Daniel lived in Babylon for 70 years, from his youth until the Israelites were allowed to leave. Even then, he remained in the king’s service in Babylon where he died after 70+ years of service to the Lord in a foreign land.

Last week we looked at Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and considered His worship-hungry heart. This week we will be in Matthew 18:21-35 as we consider the forgiving heart of Jesus. To be just like Jesus requires that we too have a forgiving heart but boy, that isn’t easy. This may be the most important message in this series as forgiveness is something we all struggle with. I am looking forward to sharing this message with you.

As a reminder, this Sunday is our last Sunday of only one worship service at 9:30 am. Next Sunday, October 5th, we return to the 8:15 am traditional service, 9:30 am Sunday School, and 10:30 am contemporary service. Also, we will observe Love Feast next Sunday evening (October 5) at 6:00 pm. In addition, our first Roots night is this Wednesday, October 1 at 5:45 in the Family Life Center. I hope you are ready for an amazing fall season.

Have a blessed weekend and don’t forget to prepare yourself for worship on Sunday. Let’s strive to have that worship-hungry heart just like Jesus. Until then remember, it is Friday, but Sunday’s coming!

 Pastor Kevin