North Main Street Church of God

Today we worshiped at North Main Street Church of God, 1201 North Main Street, Extension, Butler, PA 16001, 724.285.4214, www.northmaincog.org, Brandon Lenhart, Lead Pastor.

Scripture – Luke 2:41:52 NLT

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and as

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Bob’s thoughts:

I passed this church on a recent trip and got the impression that it was an active worship center to add to our list.

We didn’t have much time to look around.

If the restroom signage is typical of the rest of the signage, the need is well addressed with doors labeled and signs projected into the hallway for visibility.

I found a print of the facility layout amongst some papers I picked up on the way out.

For me the visit was encouraging just for the crosses: two large wooden crosses backlit on the chancel wall and centered between them a large lit stained glass mosaic cross.

There are two large screens that I am confident everyone could see, and comfortable upholstered pews.

The female vocalists sounded pleasant together and there was a power in the presentation that didn’t require high volume. A special treat was the addition of a cello and saxophone…they added a lot and I enjoyed the duet during Communion.

We were blessed to be there for the quarterly youth in worship and were treated to an interpretive dance.

The sermon was based on what the children had been studying, wisdom. He referenced a lot of Scripture and broke it down to basics, to ask for wisdom like Solomon, to choose carefully whom you ask for advice, to think before you speak…he went on with Christ’s teaching and directed us to speak honestly and openly, adding that you cannot be wise without love. He interjected enough of his family life and personal struggles to really connect with the congregation.

There didn’t seem to be near the enthusiasm from the congregation as there was from the praise team; maybe like me they were quiet to enjoy the presentation.

I saw a mission information board highlighting work in Uganda but don’t know if there are other missions.

Jan’s thoughts:

Bob drove past this church several weeks ago, so today we decided to attend worship. I somehow expected a small country church, but the building is large enough that the facility map that’s provided is exceedingly helpful. I could not have asked for better signage.

We entered via the door in the children’s area and were greeted as we walked down the colorfully decorated hallway. Several other folks greeted us as well.

As we entered the sanctuary and noticed the instruments on the stage, it was obvious the music would be contemporary. Anticipating volume, we sat all the way in the back; however the volume was perfect in spite of our accidentally sitting in the path of a small speaker. In addition to the usual guitars and drums, I enjoyed the saxophone and the cello, both of which came through clearly at just the right time. I would not have expected such a difference with those additions, but they were fantastic.

Dance and sign language were combined in an imaginative and smooth interpretation of one of the songs.

In months with a 5^th Sunday, on that day the church has “Family Worship” where the children stay in the sanctuary with their parents during worship and experience “big church.” A few youth even assisted with the service.

The very first item on the order of worship was the offering.

Due to Family Worship, the pastor interrupted another sermon series to present the message “Wisdom, What is it and Why is it Important?” in order to speak to the topic the youth were learning this month.

The pastor recommended that anyone who wanted to be wise should find out what Jesus said since Jesus is the personification of wisdom. He referenced numerous Scriptures, mostly from Matthew’s gospel, which clearly illustrated Christ’s wisdom about all things.

The message seemed like an excellent way to wrap up such an essential topic for the youth as well as for adults.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray You bless us all with wisdom in the love of Christ. Amen.