Sunday, April 15, 2012

First Christian Church of Beaver

Today we worshiped at First Christian Church of Beaver, 360 Iroquois Place, Beaver, PA 15009, 724.774.0518, Scott Montgomery, Pastor.

Scripture for the message – Deuteronomy 5:19:

            “You shall not steal.”

Scripture for the meditation – Isaiah 53:2-6:

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”


Bob’s thoughts:

The church is attractive with unusual stained glass. From the architecture, I would guess this was formerly a Methodist church.

We were warmly greeted by most of the people. I couldn’t find any signage but did get directions to the restrooms.

I found crosses to focus on and some enjoyable children to watch before the service.

Communion was different: a meditation was delivered in lieu of the Words of Institution, the elements were served silently and the congregation partook as they were served.

The sermon was part of a series on the Ten Commandments. The pastor started his message with basic baby steps, but as he preached he did a good job of leading the congregation to form the conclusions to understand the message. The sermon developed naturally with a conversational approach by the pastor. The congregation reached the right end, and, I think, felt they were part of the preaching. An interesting means of developing the message of “You shall not steal” and what it really means to God.


Jan’s thoughts:

This church is set in the midst of a residential area and was a friendly group where numerous people introduced themselves and welcomed us.

I would humbly suggest that some signage would be helpful for visitors.

Worship began with three hymns in succession, the third as an introduction to Communion. There was also a meditation built around Isaiah 56:2-6, quoted above.

During Communion an announcement on the screen invited anyone unable to attend worship but wishing to receive the sacrament to call the church office and an elder or deacon would bring it to them at home.

The message was based on the Eighth Commandment found in Deuteronomy 5:19: “You shall not steal.” The teaching was well constructed and delivered. The pastor made a distinction between envy and jealousy: “Jealousy is when someone else has something and you wish you had it…you are discontent. Envy is when someone else has something and you don’t want them to have it. Envy is rooted in disrespect of someone’s life.” He also pointed out that one cannot love their neighbor and steal from him.

I’ve heard few other pastors lay it on the line so directly, and I appreciated his approach to teaching as well as his invitations for questions following the message.

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