Bethany Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 740 Washington Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017, 412.221.5132, www.bethanypresby.org, Rev. Dr. John G. Hamilton, Senior Pastor.

Scripture –

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Revelation 5:6-14

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Bob’s thoughts:

I appreciated this opportunity to visit Bethany with its well thought out, welcoming sanctuary and impressive cross. Maybe people thought we were only there for the baptism, which was enjoyable, however the only welcome we received was at the restrooms. I remember it being friendlier at past visits.

I understand little about music but I think the organ sounds different in a Presbyterian church.

The sermon was entitled “All People, Really?” The Bible teaches that all people who accept Christ as Savior and Lord will be welcomed to heaven. What about our church? They are different, will we welcome them? What would that be like? Heaven, perhaps?

Jan’s thoughts:

It has been about three years since we last visited this church, which this year is celebrating their 200^th anniversary. The building is as beautiful as I remembered but we saw none of the friends we have encountered here in past visits. I enjoyed a conversation with a woman I met in the ladies room, but no one else spoke to us.

A gifted tenor presented three solos and it was a joy to listen to his strong voice and perfect enunciation.

As visitors it is always a privilege to witness a baptism; seldom do we end up seeing the family and their guests at the restaurant where we randomly choose to have lunch afterward, as happened today.

Associate Pastor Rev. Robbie Ytterberg’s sermon, “All Peoples, Really?”, almost felt more like a passionate conversation. He spoke of people-watching and noted how different people can be. In listing a broad array of diversities, some cultural and others simple personal preferences, he reminded us of the biblical promise that ALL will be at God’s throne…those we love and those of whom we are not so fond, those who are like us and those with whom we are uncomfortable. Christ purchased every single one and all will be represented in the Kingdom.

His question “Do we pray for blessings for ourselves or so that we can bless others?” is a good question to ask when we pray. I believe it is acceptable to pray for ourselves, but I also believe God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others. That is one of the ways His living water flows through us. If we are not using our blessings to bless others, if we are hoarding our blessings, we are imitating the Dead Sea. This message has me thinking about how I have or have not used my blessings.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray we can all open our hearts and doors to Your children who are different from us. May we embrace them in Your name. Amen.