Slideshow image

On Wednesday this week, we had our second Roots night this fall. Pastor Mary Etta gave a great devotion sharing about Crop Walk (tomorrow!) and how important it is to walk to stop world hunger. After a great meal, it was off to activities. Our Bible Study looked at the 23rd psalm while the kids and youth were meeting. Praise God there seemed to be a lot of people here. I was so surprised when I came back to my office after Bible study to find on my chair a thank you from the Lil Roots! Boy, that was a great way to end a very special evening. Thanks to the Lil Roots kids and helpers for making my day.

On Monday this week, Commissions and Church Board met. Look for highlights in the upcoming bulletin. There is so much going on at Mechanic Grove it is hard for me to stay on top of it all. I am grateful for the wonderful team around me who does so much to see that ministry happens effectively and efficiently. While this is Pastor Appreciation month, I want to say “thank you” to the leaders I work closely with—Janae, Ed, Mary Etta, Rita, Rhonda, Sharon, Aliza, and Lori. Please know I feel blessed to call you not just partners in ministry but friends.

Pastor Rita and I were at Snyder funeral home in Willow Street on Tuesday evening for a pastor appreciation dinner. We joined with about 30 other pastors and chaplains and were blessed to have a speaker share after the meal about the importance of shepherding people through grief and loss. I found the speaker very engaging and spot on in much of what he shared about our role as pastors and chaplains to help people better understand death and how to help people process the grieving process in a healthy way. I was so glad I could be there, and I was glad Pastor Rita could join me.

Also, on Tuesday I participated in the ANE Senior Coffee House at Lancaster Church of the Brethren. This was a wonderful event with great fellowship and a very talented bell ringer for the program. There were about 15 from Mechanic Grove that attended. Next week the OAKs ministry is heading to Herr’s Potato Chip factory for a tour followed by lunch at Wyncote Restaurant. 

On Sunday, we showed a video of the work that has been done on the building and we are excited that very soon the rooms will become available for use. As Ken mentioned, there is a match right now of any funds given toward the strategic vision through the middle of November up to $100,000. If you have been waiting to give, wait no longer. Take advantage of the matching funds and let us see if we can’t end this year with the project completed and fully paid. Remember the words of Jesus, “To whom much is given, much is required” (Lk. 12:48). As God has blessed you, prayerfully consider giving in support of the strategic vision.

Tonight is the Dutch Blitz tournament, and I am planning to come although I am not a strong player. Something about being with God’s people that continually draws me to Mechanic Grove. Tomorrow of course is the CROP Walk and if you haven’t supported someone yet, check out the list of names in the lobby. We can still receive funds for a few more weeks. It looks like we will have a beautiful day, and my prayer is that this might be our greatest walk yet—in terms of participants and funds raised!

Our “Promises” preaching series is beginning to wind down. This week we will be in John 14 again, this time the opening verses where Jesus promises that He will come again. What a great promise not just of an eternal home but the promise that Jesus will come so that we might be where He is (John 14:3). Looking forward to jumping in again to John 14 as we continue this preaching series. Coming up in two weeks is our special “Remembering Our Saints” Sunday where we will recognize those members that have passed in the last two years. I will be sharing a message from Hebrews 12:1-3. Should be special Sunday of remembrance on November 3rd. 

With the coolness of fall and changing of leaves beginning, the seasons are again changing. This is a great time to pause and thank God that even though things may change around us, God is unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” and I am so glad He is. That is why we gather in worship week after week—to celebrate our unchanging God in a world that is constantly changing. I look forward to being with some of you tonight and tomorrow morning but most importantly gathering with you for worship on Sunday as we celebrate and worship our amazing unchanging God.

Enjoy the beauty of this fall weekend. Join us tomorrow at 8:30 am at Muddy Run Park for Crop Walk if you can. But be assured that I will be looking for you come Sunday. Remember it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

 Pastor Kevin