Last Sunday was a challenging Sunday to have worship with the snow and this Sunday looks even more challenging. I am grateful for the 80 people who were able to be in our 10:30 worship service last Sunday. You may recall I challenged you for Mealbarrow Sunday to bring nonperishable food times for the Food Bank with the goal of overflowing the wheelbarrow. Despite the weather, we were able to meet that goal. We had items stacked around the full wheelbarrow and this week I dropped them off at the food bank at Solanco Neighborhood Ministries.

This week Men’s Work met Monday in preparation for the Men’s Banquet coming March 28th. The deacons also met last night as we prepare for cottage meetings during the season of lent starting in mid-February. If your deacon contacts you about attending a cottage meeting, please make the effort to come. This will be at time of sharing, visioning, and praying together for the next several years for Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren. Cottage meetings will be only about an hour long and a great way to build upon our Dream Big series from 2025.

Our Roots night this week was well-attended and we appreciate the many volunteers that make a Roots night so successful. From meal preparers and kitchen help, cleanup and tear down, as well as volunteers with our children and youth, so many of you are involved in the Roots night ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness in supporting this great ministry of the church.

All eyes are focused on this Sunday and the weather forecast. I have already had discussions with Board Chair, Phil Hershey and our staff about whether or not we will be able to meet this Sunday. I keep checking the weather forecast for when the snow will begin and how much we can anticipate. One thing is for sure; this will be a sizable snowstorm and make for extreme difficulty for having services this Sunday. Therefore, with an abundance of caution, we are cancelling all Sunday activities because of the incoming winter storm.

Be on the lookout Sunday for an email with a link to the video for the Believe small group sessions, and an activity sheet for our children. In addition, last night I preached the morning message that will be “live-streamed” Sunday morning for you. This week’s Believe theme is the Bible and the key idea is “I believe the Bible is the Word of God and has the right to command my belief and action.” We will take a deeper dive into Scripture around this theme next Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm in the Adult Bible study. Look for the message to be shared on our website and YouTube Channel at 10:30am Sunday morning.

In our Wednesday evening Bible Study this week, we were looking into biblical passages that affirm our need for salvation and God’s provision of salvation through the death of His Son Jesus. We talked about the sacrificial system in the Old Testament and how Jesus’ death is different and we shared how salvation which is so central to our faith has become so convoluted in two thousand years of church history. One thing we all could agree on though is the biblical truth that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8). What we believe matters and what we believe about salvation really matters. Let me encourage you to read through Session 3 of Believe again because of the importance of this biblical truth.

In my daily devotion time this week, one of my readings was in Romans 8. This chapter has always been a favorite of mine. Paul’s letter to the Romans has some deep theology but also some rather straightforward truths that are easier to grasp. Romans 8 is one of those chapters and it begins with the great truth: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” From there Paul then elaborates on how followers of Jesus Christ live through the Spirit. But it is the ending of the chapter that is so powerful to me as Paul reminds us that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. When the snow is falling this weekend, take some time and read Romans Chapter 8, one of the grandest chapters in Scripture.

This Sunday the focus is on the Bible, and I will share a message entitled “God Wrote a Book” as we consider the significance of the Bible and how it is our rule of faith and practice. Read in your Believe book Chapter 4 before listening to the sermon this Sunday. Next Sunday, February 1, we will be in week 5 for a message about our identity in Christ. I hope you are growing through this series and don’t forget to sign the posters in the gathering area if you can agree with the key belief on the poster.

Well, I regret that we are not going to be able to gather this Sunday but trust that you understand the situation and we want all people to be safe in light of the impending snowstorm. Do plan though to watch the “LiveStream” of the sermon as we continue in our Believe series and as we seek to think, act, and become more like Jesus. Have a blessed weekend, stay warm and stay safe, and remained engaged in what God has for you at Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren. It is Friday, but Sunday (and snow!) is coming!

 

Pastor Kevin