Mosaic Community Church

Today we worshiped at Mosaic Community Church, 2801 North Charles Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15214, 412.321.3911, www.mosaicpittsburgh.org, Rev. Saleem Ghubril, Volunteer Presbyterian Pastor.

Scripture – Luke 11:1-13 NIV

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ”

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Donʼt bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I canʼt get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Bob’s thoughts:

We went to hear a friend preach today but the election affected a change in the preaching schedule so we were there for a message from another dear friend instead.

It is always a joy to worship here, this congregation has such contagious enthusiasm and a hunger for the Word and message.

There are always more than a few young children to make me smile and it was a delight to see old friends and meet new ones.

The message took Scripture and gave it current application, particularly to the recent election. I pray we all remember nothing happens that surprises God and there is nobody God can’t use for His purposes. Thankfully, in that we have no vote.

I was encouraged to hear about the funding that has come to the Pittsburgh Promise and the good that has come from the program Saleem has steered.

As always it is a joy to see how Christ is at work in and through our Christian brothers and sisters. I found a personal assurance and reminder from the large wooden cross decorated with colorful mosaic pieces: God has places He can use each of us.

Jan’s thoughts:

It was three weeks ago that we were invited to worship here today, and the world seems very different than when the invitation was received. Nonetheless, it was good to be here as this church has always been warm and welcoming and we were able to worship with friends old and new.

Hospitality was evident with friendly chatter around the generous breakfast spread, and every time we visit here there are more little ones running around.

The music was led by the talented praise band and many present took advantage of the opportunity to request prayer.

Saleem began his untitled message with stories detailing why this past week was at once and for different reasons a hard, glorious, and humbling one for him. He spoke of justice and the Biblical definition of a just society as one where the widow, orphan, and alien fare well. He reminded that God’s people are called to care for those who have no one else to care for them, and that being alive means being called.

He said he would pick up where he left off last week in teaching about The Lord’s Prayer. I appreciated his statement that when we pray we should let our prayer shape us. And the teaching about Luke 11:13, (If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!)…Jesus taught that His Father gives not “good gifts” but the best gift, the Holy Spirit.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we are grateful for Your steady hand that still guides Your Church. We pray for continued understanding and love in and through this congregation. Amen.