Impact Christian Church - Beaver Valley

Today we worshiped at Impact Christian Church - Beaver Valley, meeting at the Monaca Cinemark, 99 Wagner Road, Monaca, PA 15061, 412.329.7128, www.impactpittsburgh.com Steve Hammer, Lead Pastor; Bill Harris, Beaver Valley Campus Pastor.

Scripture –

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (Contemporary English) –

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do. The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.

Mark 1:32-35 (New Century) –

That evening, after the sun went down, the people brought to Jesus all who were sick and had demons in them. The whole town gathered at the door. Jesus healed many who had different kinds of sicknesses, and he forced many demons to leave people. But he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was. Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus woke and left the house. He went to a lonely place, where he prayed.

Philippians 3:13-14 (Contemporary English) –

My friends, I don't feel I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.

Romans 12:1 (Today’s English) –

So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.

Bob’s thoughts:

What a great welcome…from the moment we came in the door we were warmly greeted, information was shared about the church and facilities, and we were given a tour of the nursery/child care areas. I was wondering how the children could be accommodated in a theater environment, and I think they did admirably.

The praise worship team sounded delightful together; I thought the women were particularly harmonious. With the attention to acoustics in the theater, the volume was just right.

We were given cards for a free coffee and encouraged to bring our drinks in with us. I could not find a cross but when you have to bring everything in and out again maybe it’s one thing too many. It is a blessing to be a church and not a church building. I thought the announcements should be on the screen as Previews of Coming Attractions, then maybe a cross could be projected also.

With the theater venue, it would probably be hard to offer the Communion elements verbally.

There must be a way of letting visitors know they are welcome to contribute an offering without making them feel obligated to do so. Visitors should not be dissuaded from the blessing of giving. I don’t know the answer, but non-members need to know they are welcome to give their offering to God.

The lead pastor was here to preach on part of a series about being different. The message developed well with scriptural support, and best of all it spoke to me personally. I love coming away from a message with something to think about that helps me focus and refine my personal ministry. God gives me a host of people to minister to; sometimes I think I seek them out but I know Who orchestrates the meetings and the venues.

I wondered if his analogy about soaking up Christ’s knowledge like a sponge with water and then giving it back out explains why some churches are still on mother’s milk sermons.

It is always a joy to hear Christ’s message through a pastor.

Jan’s thoughts:

It’s been quite a while since I felt directed to a particular church a day in advance, but that’s what happened this week. So, that’s where we went.

The gentleman who opened the door as we approached did not recognize us and cordially welcomed us then passed us along to someone else to show us around. The greetings were warm and genuine.

This is only our second time worshiping in a movie theater, and a great deal of work was obviously put into making this as comfortable a space as possible with backdrops, carpets, stretchy table covers, and tables with information all down the hallway. It looked transformed, and I almost forgot we were in a cinema.

Some of those who greeted us kindly took the time to show us the children’s areas, which were thoughtfully transformed and lovingly staffed.

We found seats toward the back, thinking the praise team might be at high volume, but the acoustics were made for volume so it was fine. The team had terrific harmony and the voices blended impeccably.

A first for me was hearing applause upon the announcement of the offering, and I interpreted it as gratitude for the opportunity to give.

Communion was slightly different, lacking the usual words of institution and with something like a prayer of confession but without actually mentioning confession of sin.

The message was part 3 of a 4-part series called “Be Different!” This installment, entitled “A Different Satisfaction!” explained why church participation can be frustrating at times and what can be done about it.

He began by reminding all present that God made every person deliberately and equipped each to do something particular and special in the world.

He listed Why Many Christ Followers Have Stopped Serving Jesus: the consumer mentality, the clergy system, the talent survey, and the never-ending commitment, and gave examples and details about each.

Next was, I Will Move From Frustration To Fulfillment By: Being Myself…i.e., knowing your personality and your spiritual gifts, and by Finding Balance: make sure you are learning enough and serving enough. He provided an excellent visual example using sponges to illustrate learning (soaking up knowledge and understanding) and serving (giving it back out again.) Too much taking in and not enough giving out leaves us saturated and unable to absorb more, whereas too much giving and not enough learning leaves us resentful of being squeezed. Balance is vital.

His final point was about Staying Focused on your one primary ministry and on your one primary audience: Jesus. True worship is serving Him.

I am grateful for God’s direction to this church today.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray this church continues to focus on what You are calling them to be and, like Living Water, take the knowledge they have absorbed and share it in their personal walk. Amen.