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On Tuesday, Ruth and I were back to see her foot surgeon. We were hoping her stitches would come out but he said it would be another week. He gave her a boot to help her with her walking which has helped a lot. Everything is healing well and so we will return on Tuesday to have the stitches removed. Afterwards, we did our civic duty by voting.

Wednesday was the last Roots Night until October and the Roots kids seem to be having a great time. My thanks to the many volunteers who make our Roots nights so special. Our Wednesday evening Adult Bible study will meet one more time on Wednesday at 6:30 before breaking for the summer. It will return in September after the Solanco Fair.

I was able to visit with Tom and Linda Hunter this week. Tom is home recovering from a stroke and doing rather well. He will start additional therapies next week. Also visited with Dennis Findley who is doing well after his knee replacement surgery. Paul Trimble continues to recover as well from his hip replacement surgery. Each are grateful for the prayers of God’s people over the last several weeks.

On Tuesday this week, I was at the breakfast at Wesley Church where representatives from Solanco Neighborhood Ministries, Solid Rock Youth Ministry, New Hope Counseling services, and the Solanco School District shared the challenges children, youth and families are facing in the southern end. It was very informative and reminded me of how special the southern end of Lancaster County is that allows non-profits, churches, schools, and local governments to work well together to serve our beloved Solanco community. 

Yesterday, the Solanco Pastors Fellowship met for the last time until August. I have actively participated in this fellowship and enjoy the friendships I have made with community pastors and the opportunity to share together and pray together each month. Afterwards, Ruth and I headed to Harrisburg for an afternoon doctor’s visit before having dinner with our daughter Molly.

Two special weekends are coming up. This Sunday we will have our 20th week of Believe as we talk about sharing our story. Believe will then be put on hold until September when we will return and complete the last ten weeks. Over the summer we will be in an engaging series from the book of Genesis as we look at some of the great stories in the first book of the Bible. This Sunday is also Pentecost Sunday, which you will hear about in the children’s story in both services. Wear your red for Pentecost Sunday as tradition suggests.

Next Sunday, we will encourage you to again wear red as we will be taking a church family picture, recreating the one in the gathering area from the early 90’s. This will happen during our Every Generation Sunday School hour. Next Sunday we will begin the “Great Stories in Genesis” preaching series. Summer Sunday School with the adult electives will begin June 7 at 9:30 am. Check out the details in the gathering area for locations of the classes.

Our hot weather from earlier this week has been replaced by cooler temperatures and rain which we certainly need. Tomorrow and Sunday look to be cooler and wetter with some improvement for Memorial Day. As a reminder, the church office will be closed on Monday for the holiday.

 As I was thinking about the Memorial Day holiday, I was thinking of the many ways in which we try to memorialize people and/or places. In the Old Testament, Memorials are tangible reminders—often physical stones, annual feasts, or sacred objects—instituted to preserve the memory of God's miraculous acts, covenants, and deliverances. They were primarily designed to anchor faith in the present and pass the history of God’s faithfulness down to future generations. Jesus, of course, in the New Testament elevated the place of memorials through the institution of communion with the bread and cup, tangible reminders of the sacrifice Christ made for us. With Monday being Memorial Day, let us once again pause and remember those that have gone before us and those that have given their lives in defense of our country. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” As you celebrate Memorial Day, may you pause to remember and give God thanks for those who have lived out this verse and are to be remembered.

Have a great weekend and I look forward to our time together this Sunday as His Church—the Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren. Remember, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin