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Well, the Friday column is back after a week’s hiatus. Ruth and I had a wonderful time along with our daughters Molly and Tessa and son-in-law Everett at the beach June 18-24. We enjoyed a lot of biking, soaking up rays on the beach, completing puzzles (Molly and I completed four 1000-piece puzzles that week!), and just relaxing. I took my daughters miniature golfing, a long-standing family vacation tradition. Our girls also celebrated Mother’s and Father’s Day with us since we were all together and treated us to dinner at a local restaurant one night and ice cream the next. It was a great start to our summer.

Back now for over a week, things are moving right along. June is over and July, and the heat, has arrived. The July 4th holiday weekend is upon us, and Ruth and I are looking forward to spending that together as both girls are out of town. Today, we are in Harrisburg and will be swimming in our daughter’s pool even though she is visiting her aunts in SC. 

Ruth was back to her foot doctor this week. She is still trying to get out of the boot, but inflammation is keeping her from fully recovering. He tried a cortisone shot that he believes will help. The doctor remains pleased with how her foot has healed but is puzzled why the inflammation is lingering. It will be two months since her surgery next Friday. So, we are trying to be patient and trust God that complete healing will come sooner rather than later.

On Sunday, we were blessed to baptize Amber and Kinsey Grumbling and Isaac Kreider as believers in Jesus Christ and now the newest members of Mechanic Grove Church of the Brethren. It was also great to hear about our young people serving the week before in various ways across the area. A big thank you to Janae and Bobbi Davis for leading the service sprint June 22-25. And I heard great things about the Father/Daughter event at Black Rock Retreat as well. I am thankful for the unique ministry opportunities that summer brings.

On Monday this week, the Oaks ministry had a great picnic at Huffnagle Park in Quarryville with nearly 30 older adults gathering for great food, games, fellowship, and lots of laughter. A big “THANK YOU!” to the Messengers Sunday School class who provided the food for the event. The next Oaks event is a trip to the Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia on July 16. Check out the bulletin or the bulletin board for more details and sign up.

July will become rather busy after the July 4th holiday. I will be holding new member classes July 8 and July 15 for anyone interested in joining the church. We have pew communion scheduled for July 12th. I am hoping that some young people will take up the opportunity to be “Pastor for a Day.” And there is a commission and board meeting night coming as well as continued work on the strategic plan. In addition, planning is underway for our coming fall and advent seasons.

I was able to visit some folks I hadn’t seen in a while this week. In particular, my visit with Emma Dubble was a blessing as she shared how blessed she was the by the many cards and flowers shared with her for her recent birthday. I am always amazed at how well we as a church family care for one another. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Thanks to so many of you who live that out week after week as together we care for our church family.

Last Friday, I was blessed to attend the memorial service for Pastor Earl Ziegler. What a wonderful tribute to a devoted servant of the Lord.  The service was filled with music and the family very poignantly eulogized Earl. Brother Bob Kettering shared an appropriate meditation and I felt we truly worshiped God in celebration of a great servant of the Lord. I was blessed to know Pastor Earl and Vivian somewhat, but I know how influential they were to many in our church family. As a pastor, I stand on his shoulders in seeking to serve the congregation in the very Christlike way that he did. May God bless the Ziegler family with His continued peace in the days ahead.

This Sunday we will be in Genesis 11 for the story of the Tower of Babel. This is yet another great story in our “Great Stories in Genesis” series. We will be blessed with special music as well. Most importantly though we will be together as the body of Christ for the glory of God. As we celebrate freedom this weekend, let us be reminded that true freedom comes only through Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Looking forward to celebrating our freedom in Christ this Lord’s Day with you. Have a great holiday weekend and remember, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin