Church of the Living Christ

Today we worshiped at Church of the Living Christ, 699 Riverside Drive, Bridgewater, PA 15009, 724.728.2057, www.myclc.net, Rev. David M. Howells, Senior Pastor.

Scripture – NASB

Genesis 32:24-32 –

Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him and said, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And he blessed him there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved." Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh. Therefore, to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh, because he touched the socket of Jacob's thigh in the sinew of the hip.

Genesis 25:21-23 –

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is so, why then am I this way? " So she went to inquire of the LORD.

The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger."

Bob’s thoughts:

I haven’t been to a Pentecostal Church in quite a while and looked forward to our visit.

We were warmly welcomed, enjoyed coffee before the service, and engaged in conversations. The social area walls were white with random gold sparkles of glitter; I also enjoyed the banners in the sanctuary that were edged in sparkles.

I was impressed that there was a room downstairs devoted to intercessory prayer…there seems to be a good prayer program in place. They also enjoy a healthy age mix within the congregation and a good location for ministry.

I missed seeing a cross until I noticed it was behind a large flower display. Thought the exposed tie bolts presented an interesting decorating potential.

I got a little lost as the message went on but I liked, “He leads you, He knows where you are going, God holds our destiny.”

Something I’ve never heard before: the pastor inquired if he might be too loud. I found it refreshing that he would think to ask that.

I loved his answer when he spoke of people who would ask him to go pray for someone: he would get them to go along, and if the opportunity was there, he suggested they pray for their loved one while he agreed.

I was reminded of a line from long ago: we chase after God till He catches us.

Jan’s thoughts:

We arrived early and I was glad we did as we could sit and enjoy coffee and conversation with some lovely folks, including the pastor’s father who is pastor emeritus of this church.

We were greeted warmly and often by numerous people.

The sanctuary was decorated with stunning sequined banners bearing the words Bless, Honor, Praise, Shout, Dance.

Following the music there was much prayer, prophetic speaking, and speaking in tongues and interpretation.

The message was part two of “Stepping Into the Moment – When God Becomes More Than an Acquaintance.” The point of the message was, God alone holds our destiny in His hands and we had better be more than an acquaintance.

Much of the message had to do with Jacob’s contending with God, and what I heard shed some light on this passage. I thought the contending was physical, since it is referred to as “wrestling” with God in other translations. But hearing this made me wonder, what if the contending was not physical, but verbal? What if what Jacob was doing was talking with God and being entirely honest and transparent? He said contending allows you to be how God sees you.

The pastor defined contend as: to assert something, as a position in an argument, but stated that the position we should assume is that of dependency and a determination to stay in God’s Presence until God gives us something.

What God has for us is a name that comes directly out of our desire to know Him and not just be an acquaintance, and the key to our relationship with God is open honesty, just as Jacob learned.

I always appreciate messages that throw new light on Scripture.

Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray You continue to bless and grow Your church and that this congregation will contend for You. Amen.