We were blessed to worship again at Crafton Heights. It was special to celebrate World Communion on the 20th anniversary of the Malawi Partnership. We were warmly welcomed back and made to feel at home.
Even if our twin grandchildren had not been there, I had plenty of babies to watch.
CHUP has effected a steady progression of updating projects, and it was good to see their progress. It was also a joy to hear Dave’s sermon and have the opportunity to catch up a bit after worship.
And when we left, I truly felt as if we had worshiped.
We had gotten word that CHUP would have a Malawian visitor on World Communion Sunday, and there would be a celebration of the 20 year anniversary of the Partnership between Pittsburgh Presbytery and the Synod of Blantyre. “Zikomo” (thank you) was all I had the opportunity to say to him, but it was wonderful to again sing “Amazing Grace” in Chichewa and to hear that beautiful Malawian accent.
Our family has a long-standing relationship with CHUP, and it was a treat to visit with some friends we seldom see. It was a joy to meet some of the babies in the congregation and to be able to introduce our grandtwins to them.
This church is alive in the Spirit, and the recent renovation seems to have brought out a new enthusiasm. The premises look beautiful and are set up to be useful.
The sermon was based on Luke 4:14-21 and entitled “I Wish My Eyes Were Bigger.” Dave explained that this was his first comment upon landing at the airport in Malawi for the first time. He went on to tell of one particular journey that involved much hiking up a mountain for considerably longer than he anticipated. When he arrived at the church to which he was being escorted he learned it had been three years since a pastor had been present, and consequently there were many baptisms, ordinations, installations, and, of course, Communion. It was a full day of worship and the joy of being among and serving God’s people. The story brought back many strong memories of Malawi for me, along with some tears of joy for those memories.
I am pleased to recommend Dave Carver’s blog, where you can read this or a host of his other sermons: www.castyournet.wordpress.com. In my humble opinion, they’re more than worth it.
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