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Today is All Saints Day. It has traditionally been observed on November 1 since the seventh century. The day was established to remember the martyrs of the Christian faith. It comes the day after Halloween which means “Hallow’s Eve.” Thus, the church has commemorated “All Saints Day” for years and it is observed more earnestly in the Catholic tradition as well as some Reformed denominations. We will honor “All Saints Day” this Sunday with remembrance Sunday when we will remember those of our church family who have gone on to their heavenly reward in the last two years.

And yes, it is November 1st and the time changes this weekend so be sure to set your clock back one hour before going to bed Saturday night. The election is just a few days away and we are having a much-needed prayer vigil for the election this Sunday. Thank you to those who signed up to pray starting at noon on Sunday and concluding at 7:00 pm. If you didn’t get a time slot, please join us at 7:00 as we conclude the vigil with community worship and prayer in the sanctuary.

This week I wrote the message for the first Sunday of Advent. Yes, those days are coming but first we need to see what blessings God has for us in a busy month of November. As a reminder, we do have our Congregational Business meeting on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:00 pm and the packet of reports and such is available in the gathering area. Also, mark your calendar for the Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wednesday evening, November 27th at 7:00 pm. That is always a special service and we have several from the congregation who will be sharing.

This weekend is very busy at Mechanic Grove. Tomorrow morning, in addition to the men’s bible study at 7:00 am, my wife Ruth and Pastor Mary Etta are having an organizational meeting for the new small group PACE that will begin soon. The goal of PACE is to support weight loss and wellness in an encouraging and spiritual way. If you want to learn more, consider joining them tomorrow at 8:00 am. In addition, the Cooking for Crowds event is happening tomorrow morning as well. As a reminder, next Saturday, November 9th will be fall cleanup day at the church so keep that in mind as we look to spruce up the grounds before the winter season.

I was able to visit with Charlotte Miller at Q-ville Presbyterian Home this week. She is doing well there and was so appreciative of the many cards she received for her birthday. I was able to get around and visit a few others from our church family this week. Last Friday, Ruth and I were able to have lunch and catch up with some old friends from our days at Redland Valley Church. Jim and Ginny Wilt are just wonderful people and have always supported and blessed us. And thanks to all of you for continuing that support and encouragement that blessed us through the month of October. Please know how much Ruth and I appreciate each card, each expression of gratitude, and the many gifts that were shared with us during Pastor Appreciation Month. 

In addition to the service of remembrance and the prayer vigil on Sunday, several other exciting things are happening. We will be providing tours of the remodeled space after the first service and after Sunday School for anyone interested. You are encouraged to hang out near the stairs that go down in the gathering area and look for Ken Rutt. Also, we will be commissioning our BDM team that leaves the following weekend for Kentucky in the 10:30 am worship service. And we will commission the young men who are heading to NC next week to assist with relief efforts there in the 10:30 am worship service. All that to say that the first Sunday of November is filled with much to celebrate—people serving, new Sunday School rooms, prayer for our nation and the upcoming election and most of all the worship of our great God who makes this all possible.

As a reminder, we have just two weeks left on the match for the Strategic Vision but am so glad that nearly $50,000 has come in so far to be matched. Of course, the match is up to $100,000 so we have a couple of weeks to receive the full blessing of this generous offer but we must give. I am reminded of the words that Jesus said in Luke 6:38: “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” An important reminder that we serve a God who loves to give and continues to pour out His favor and blessing upon us.

My prayer and devotional time have been focused on the upcoming election and I have been praying for revival as well. I have been reading and praying through Psalm 33 each day and in the middle of that Psalm is the promise: “Blessed is the nation who God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance” (v. 12). That indeed is my prayer. And I remember growing up attending two weeks of fall revival services and then two weeks of spring revival services at Providence Church. My prayer is that the fires of revival would burn again in God’s church and then spread to the communities of our nation. No President is going to save our country—only Jesus can do that! Yes, we should vote and pray, but more importantly let us live, serve and share the good news of our amazing Lord and Savior. May the fire of revival begin to burn and let it begin with me.

God has so much for us this weekend and I look forward to joining with you in fellowship, prayer, and worship. Have a blessed weekend and I look forward to observing Remembrance Sunday with you. Don’t forget it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin