Laketon Heights United Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at Laketon Heights United Methodist Church, 9601 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, 412.241.9170, Rev. Judy Winston-Thomas, Pastor.

Scripture – ESV

Job 1:1-12 –

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

Job 2:9 –

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”

Bob’s thoughts:

We planned to attend a 9 a.m. worship service only an hour away, the same place we considered a few weeks ago but then we had opted to worship elsewhere. Last night and this morning I felt some apprehension about worshiping there and thought it might be the devil trying to dissuade us, but we set out anyway to see where God would lead us. I knew if that was not where God was to meet with us, we would be led elsewhere.

The first mix-up was when we got off the Turnpike 10 miles early due to misleading directions and questioning the GPS. Still curious, we got turned in the right direction and found the nice modern church building…with nobody home.

After checking our phones for nearby churches we opted for one we had heard of and which had been on our list for a long time. Jan’s aunt and grandmother had worshiped here years ago. It was surprising to me the church secretary still remembered both of them, and got to share some with Jan.

We were warmly welcomed by a minister and some lay people. The building is older and still looks like a church with a cross on the Communion table and some distinctive-looking banners.

I enjoyed the passion of the choir; they understood that their singing was worship.

The sermon, “Double For Your Trouble,” preached from the beginning of Job, was delivered well to the congregation. While I differed somewhat from the presentation, it was what the congregation could wrap their hearts around. We were admonished to wait upon the Lord…excellent and necessary advice. The comment that God would raise the obedient to the next level of awareness was meaningful to me. The congregation being told to stay focused on Jesus brought back a memory of when I was referred to as a “Jesus Jerk”…some of the highest praise I have ever received.

A major highlight was during the joys and concerns (of which there were only joys), a man who lives across the street told how he went out to get a drink and afterward the Lord led him here. He was led by the Spirit, and will be back.

Jan’s thoughts:

Between the history behind our visit and the adventure getting there, this has been an amazing, divinely-guided day.

We started out headed for another church, but when we arrived, no one was home and the doors were closed and locked. So we stopped at a Sheetz and got some coffee while we used our phones to search for another church in the area. When we discovered we were only about 15 minutes away from Laketon Heights, we decided to head there.

Now for the history: my Aunt Peg lived with us while I was growing up. She was a wonderful lady, in many ways a mentor and a mother to me in the faith. Prior to moving in with us, Peg and her mother, my maternal grandmother, attended Laketon Heights and I knew it always held a special place in Peg’s heart.

We arrived plenty early and took some time to look around the building. As we entered we were greeted by the only two people present and enjoyed a conversation with a knowledgeable elder who took some time to tell us much about the church’s history. As people gradually trickled in many greeted us with a smile, some introduced themselves, and one, though a complete stranger, gave me a warm hug.

Last week being Resurrection Sunday, still present on the chancel was an enchanting wooden cross decorated with flowers and butterflies, my favorites.

The music was presented by a small but enthusiastic choir.

I had an uplifting conversation with the church secretary who relayed the story of meeting my Aunt Peg on her family’s initial visit there. When they arrived Peg was the first person to greet them and then took their 2- and 4-year-old daughters to Sunday school. Of course the daughters are long since grown, but she remembered my aunt well, along with my grandmother, of whom I have very few memories.

Since the pastor was away on vacation, the sermon, “Double For Your Trouble,” was presented by Rev. Patricia Lee, a daughter of this church. This message spoke loud and clear to me with the reminder that God is in the details of His children’s lives and that we are called to servanthood even when we cannot see the purpose behind it. We need to praise God while we wait for Him to make His purposes clear…persevere and wait.

She did NOT say it would be easy, only that it would be worth it.

Our prayer for this church:

Father, we pray You continue to bless this church with visitors that they both might experience Your love. Amen.