Mars United Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Mars United Presbyterian Church, 232 Crowe Avenue, Mars, PA 16046, www.mars-up.org.


Bob’s thoughts:

Very appealing Sanctuary – lots of natural wood work and original wood ceiling. The stained glass windows have a repeating rectangle pattern in the lower pane that was particularly interesting. The pews are arranged in an arc with upholstered seat and back. There is a conventional brass cross on the Communion table and a very interesting carved wood cross on a pole off to the side. I noted two baptismal fonts, I assume either from the merging of the two churches or for baptizing twins.

There was little directional signage, but there seemed little need. Observed a good kitchen off of the fellowship hall. There is an overlapping photo frame of some of the young children of the church. Also noticed photos of recent new members on a bulletin board. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay to sample the muffins I smelled earlier.

The bulletin was well laid out and easy to follow, and I noticed a basket just outside the Sanctuary requesting that worshipers “recycle the bulletins.”

The sermon was delivered with some refreshing youthful passion but also with seeming apprehension. Two points from the sermon caught my interest: one, that Christ was not just a “great human teacher” as some try to state, and two, that Barabbas was also named Jesus. Pilate’s call could have been “Do you want me to release Jesus or Jesus?” I was reflecting just this week that Jesus was a common name but besides Christ, could only find Barabbas identified as such.

The pastor also reflected on an aspect that we don’t consider – if Barabbas was still confined at the time of Pilate’s questions, he would have heard the crowd yell his name and then “Crucify him.” What a reprieve, then, to be brought forth to freedom.

My only complaint is that the offering was taken before the Word was preached and not in response to the Word.

Jan’s thoughts:

Due to my niece Sarah’s wedding this afternoon, we sought an early worship service this week. We arrived early and thorough the back door, giving us the opportunity to tour some of the building on our way locating the Sanctuary. We met the pastor in the process, and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with him. Though some people were in the kitchen preparing the after-service snacks, we did manage a glimpse.

We noted several lovely touches throughout the building. The first, on the wall outside the nursery, was a multi-frame picture holder with photos of the infants in the congregation. Each was labeled with the child’s name, date of birth, and date of baptism. Near the Sanctuary we saw a bulletin board with photos and names of the active Elders and Deacons.

As we made our way upstairs past the elevator, we saw a bulletin board labeled “Prayer Board” and containing notes with prayer requests. The restroom signs were on the doors, but easy enough to locate anyway. The ladies room was one of the nicest I’ve seen – spacious, clean, nicely decorated, and there was even hand lotion on the sink.

As we approached the Sanctuary, we noticed everyone was sitting in the left-hand pews, leaving the pews on the right completely empty. The gentleman usher noticed we were headed for the right hand pews and stopped us to explain that at this early service everyone sits on the left because 30 years ago the pastor asked it be done this way and they still do so. It’s definitely a Presbyterian church.

The people were very friendly, introducing themselves and shaking hands during the service as well as afterward, inviting us to stay for muffins and coffee. The muffins looked scrumptious, so it was unfortunate we had to leave.

The Sanctuary was quite pleasing: the stained glass was unique and stunning, the wood on the padded pews matched that in the Chancel, and the color of the padding on the pews matched the walls. The rosy-red carpet looked quite striking and it all worked together very well. Another of those “lovely touches” was in the back corner of the Sanctuary, a small double shelf holding only the collection plates. I thought it looked utilitarian and simple and perfectly functional.

The sermon, titled “What Shall I Do With Jesus?” was thought-provoking, educational, and well-done. He spoke about how, especially with children, an adult will say, “What am I gonna do with you?” Then moved into Pilate’s dealing with Jesus and in essence asking that same question, “What am I going to do with you?” He pointed out that in human perspective it was Jesus who was on trial, from a heavenly perspective it was Pilate who was on trial. I was fascinated by the point that Barabbas would have been in prison when Pilate asked the crowd who he should release, and Barabbas would have heard the crowd yell his name, after which he would have heard the crowd yell “Crucify him.” Certainly that would have convinced him that he was the one the crowd wanted crucified. What an interesting perspective.

Perhaps someone knows what happened to Barabbas after he was released. Did he ever know that Jesus gave His life for him also? Did he come to faith in Christ? Or did he leave and never look back, never wondering what changed from the time he heard the crowd yelling for what he thought was his crucifixion and the guards letting him go free? This sermon made me think.