Pathway Church

Yesterday we worshiped at Pathway Church, 239 Braun Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, 724.843.6381, lifeatpathway.com, Jeff McNicol, Senior Pastor.

Scripture – NIV

Romans 5:8 –

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 21:28 –

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Bob’s thoughts:

Last week we were in North Carolina and looking forward to worshiping there, but our daughter was called to the hospital for heart-related emergencies so often that we missed the opportunity.

For Saturday’s Christmas Eve service, we worshiped at Grace Church. A friend of our daughters’ from Geneva College recognized me before the service and we got to chat a bit before she returned to sit with her family.

We enjoyed our coffee and worshiped in the calmer, quieter overflow room, by ourselves as it turned out. I enjoyed the lead female singer and the talented music team.

This morning we were blessed to worship at Pathway where several people welcomed us. With the inspired Christmas decoration I almost missed seeing the impressive cross. The sax and strings were a welcome addition to the other musicians and the voice of the female lead.

The sermon was presented by three of the pastors who commented on their favorite Christmas hymns.

It was mentioned that the beauty of God’s invitation is God’s perfect timing: I can certainly vouch for that based on when He called me.

One of the pastors spoke of his tragic loss of a child and that unlike the loss of a spouse, where one becomes a widow(er), or the loss of a parent where one becomes an orphan, there is no equivalent word when one loses a child. I had never considered the unnamed aspect of this loss, but he added that God had experienced this loss Himself and thus He understands. I was thankful we got to minister to each other some after the service and grateful God led us to worship here.

Noticing all the businesses closed reminded me of when I was much younger, there were two drug stores in our small town. One owner was Catholic and the other Jewish, so when one was closed for a special day like Christmas, the other would be open to handle the needs of the community. They had a lot more freedom then to help the competitor’s customers.

I don’t remember so many churches closed on a Sunday Christmas but I am thankful for God’s Presence here today.

Jan’s thoughts:

After missing church while traveling last weekend, I was pleased we were led to invigorating services both last night and this morning.

We have worshiped here a number of times, but the facility looked quite different than I recalled as the church is in the midst of a building project. The atmosphere was festive and friendly: several folks introduced themselves and welcomed us, which made it even more of a joy to be there.

The message was centered on hymns that bore particular significance to the speakers. Each included some background on the hymn and explained what it meant to them. The stories were full of passion and significance, appropriate for the day.

I truly appreciated the music: it was outstanding, and the violin and saxophone added an exceptional texture.

I was grateful for the time of the one pastor and his wife and the opportunity for mutual ministry in loss.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we feel the excitement of Your church and pray for Your continued overwhelming blessings. Amen.