Hiland Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Hiland Presbyterian Church, 845 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229, www.hilandchurch.org.


Bob’s thoughts:

We know our way around Hiland so we didn’t need signage, but noticed some areas that could use signs. We were very warmly greeted by people we knew, but no others. Hiland has some great banners at Christmas, and I was pleasantly surprised to see some good ones today – enough to stop back after the service and take photos. There is a brass cross in the chancel with an off-center-looking tapestry behind it. The church has soft stained glass and the ceiling has a radius to the walls tying it all together very well.

There were about 150 people in worship, but they seemed like spectators.

The service started with a very well-done message from the youth on the upcoming dinner theater. I found it refreshing compared with the old Hiland; also the accompaniment of instruments was a fantastic addition.

We sat towards the rear to blend as Presbyterians and couldn’t see all those playing, but the passion of the cello player was apparent on her face.

The Children’s Sermon about the colors of the paraments made me realize that Larry is a good preacher because he’s a good teacher. The children seemed to readily absorb the message and I’m sure the adults benefitted.

The bulletin was laid out well and easy to follow. I’m sure Hiland is used to this excellence from Maureen, but it is a blessing.

I thought it was an intriguing approach to the “new hymnal” dilemma – keep them both. I was pleased that the offering was in response to the Word and that personal prayer time was offered after the service.

I believe Larry challenges the congregation to think – something that is lacking many churches. Sermon points included faith as a verb, requiring action. I find it easy to profess my faith but hard to make it part of my walk. I believe it’s very easy to claim our acts of faith as our own, and hard to admit it is really all God’s doing.

My guess is that we’ve all questioned God’s method of bringing the message of salvation, and would prefer flashing neon signs in the heavens, but in coming to know God we realize that just wouldn’t work. We’d be looking for yet something more before we could believe.

I sensed Christ’s presence at Hiland in the message, the music, and prayers, but most of all in the joy of some of Christ’s little ones in the back of the Sanctuary.


Jan’s thoughts:

It has been several years since I was last inside Hiland, and even longer since I was there for worship. I was curious to see what might have changed in that span, and much has indeed changed.

Because we were already familiar with the layout we didn’t need to rely on signs; however, when I headed to the ladies room prior to the service, I followed the sign with an arrow toward the general direction but was unsure where to go from there until a young lady kindly pointed me toward the correct door. So perhaps a few more signs might be in order.

We were greeted with warm hugs from many old friends, but people we did not know tended to give us a quick hello and a nod (except for the young lady who pointed out the ladies room to me).

Hiland’s buildings are older, but very well kept, nicely painted and decorated. Two strikingly distinctive banners adorned each side of the front of the Sanctuary, and a shiny new piano was in memory of a recently deceased member who had been a valued part of the choir.

The bulletin was easy to read and to follow, with the Order of Worship on one 8 ½ x 14 sheet and all announcements and calendar items on separate sheets.

We were blessed to hear a talented team of musicians who participated in the musical portion of the worship. The instruments included an oboe, cello, guitar, bass, flute, and saxophone. This special accompaniment was a joyful addition, and having the words of the choir’s special presentation printed in the bulletin also contributed greatly – the music is beautiful, but to me it’s the words that bring meaning to it.

It was a treat to hear Rev. Larry Ruby preach again. He taught during the Children’s Sermon, during the prayers, and especially during the sermon. He speaks animatedly with a gentle passion and sincere urgency. The Scripture reading was Philippians 2:12-30, but the sermon was based on only the first few verses. It was one of those sermons that contained so much that I had trouble remembering it all, but one point came through to me loud and clear: it was a remarkable example of how God puts just the right person with just the right background and experience in exactly the right place at precisely the right time. And I was grateful to be reminded of this because it was a message I needed to hear just now.