Harmony-Zelienople United Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at Harmony-Zelienople United Methodist Church, 123 North Pittsburgh Street, Zelienople, PA 16063, 724.452.7670, www.hzumc.org, John. K. Jefferis, Pastor.

Scripture – NIV

2 Timothy 4:6-7

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Bob’s thoughts:

We were a little early and got to look around the sanctuary a bit. At first I only noticed the cross on the Communion table, missing the larger wooden cross with hearts all over it.

We were welcomed by some people including two families of Marines. Both had a son in the Corps, though I’m not sure they knew of each other. We also had the chance to say hello to the director of the Child Care Center.

I appreciated that the Praise Band circled for prayer before the service began.

I enjoyed the lead female singer; she not only sounded excellent (as did the whole team) but she smiled often and sang with enthusiasm. The Praise Band did well with “It is Well with My Soul,” an old favorite that now cuts deeply as it was sung at church the day after our son’s death.

The pastor was away and the service was a strategy meeting reporting on where the church thinks it should go.

Jan’s thoughts:

The last time we were at this church was for the Christmas program presented by the preschool, of which two of our grandchildren were a part, so we already knew our way around, but today I noticed how well the signage was done. Also the sanctuary is quite pleasant and beautifully decorated, though not for Christmas this time.

We arrived early but everyone sitting in the narthex area was busy talking with others so we found seats in the rear of the sanctuary. Bob hung his coat over the corner of the pew (with the Marine Corps emblem showing) and we were soon greeted by a young woman and her grandfather who told us his grandson is currently in boot camp at Parris Island. Conversations like that are always uplifting.

As with most contemporary services, the sanctuary was all but empty 10 minutes beforehand, and suddenly people appear during the first two songs. It always amazes me.

And as with most churches with more than one service, there were only a few who greeted us. There was only the one conversation.

I was blessed by the excellent music that was so well done, as well as the songs themselves, especially “It is Well with My Soul,” which never fails to bring me to tears.

Apparently the pastor and his wife were away, and I was reminded this was a Methodist church when the name of the new pastor was announced. He will start in July and the current pastor and his family will move on to another assignment.

The message was presented by a member whose position is unknown to me. However it was an important time for this church family, hearing about their history, how they got where they are, and looking to the future, where they want to go and the course charted by their leadership.

I thought it an interesting assertion that churches need a mission statement because, referring to the above Scripture, the church is like the race organizer. I suppose there is some truth to that since the race organizer lets participants know what sort of race it is and the best strategy to win.

We will keep this church in prayer as they face this task and the additional requirements of their responsibilities as this year progresses

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray You open the eyes of the leaders of this church to where You are leading them. Help them to put Your vision into words. Amen.