Bakerstown Alliance Church

Today we worshiped at Bakerstown Alliance Church, 4030 Bakerstown Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044, 724.443.7040, www.bakerstownalliancechurch.org, Pastor Vern Borchert.

Scripture – Proverbs 30:8-9

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Bob’s thoughts:

Our arrival just as the service started eliminated any opportunity to exchange greetings.

The church had a warm feel to it, like a country chapel, and I appreciated the large wooden cross on the chancel wall.

The singer/keyboard musician was enjoyable, and the woman in the front row interpreting the songs in sign language brought back a significant memory of when our daughter did the same thing. When our daughter signed the Lord’s Prayer I never could stay all the way through it.

My guess is these folks have worshiped together for a long time: when prayer requests were made, often someone added to or clarified the request.

The sermon was about greed, but the very personal story the pastor shared – along with the time he spent telling about the loss of a friend – made me think he needed prayer, so that is how I spent the time.

Most of the congregation stayed for a meeting after church so we did not get to visit with them.

Jan’s thoughts:

Unfortunately we were a few minutes late arriving, but an usher immediately handed us bulletins and we found seats while we joined partway through a song.

Musical leadership was provided by a talented gentleman who played the keyboard and sang.

The sanctuary was the only part we saw of the interior of the building, but it boasted a huge wooden cross, a stone chancel wall, white frosted windows topped with a decorative triangle of frosted purple glass, and, with only 3 walls, a very open feel.

The pastor spoke at length about a member whose memorial service was held yesterday after which the prayer requests took a good deal of time as everyone seemed to know all about everyone else.

The message was entitled “Greed” and I was a little confused when the stated Scripture was not read or even referred to. The point was that “greed is a disease that stems from worry and if we allow worry to control our lives we will end up choosing to have security at any price. The cure for greed is to sell/give away what controls you.”

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray the heart of this congregation will be receptive to Your leading. May they grow in Your service. Amen.