The First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights

Today we worshiped at The First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights, 50 Stratmore Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, 412.921.6153, www.chup.org, Rev. David B. Carver, Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

We are familiar with CHUP and made a visit to see our friend Dave before he left on sabbatical. We keep in touch via newsletters and email and were looking forward to seeing what was new at CHUP.

I have often used CHUP as an example of a church following Christ’s direction for them. They were called some time ago to minister to the youth in their neighborhood. I have told many times of when I worshiped there and counted 35 youth worshiping without their parents because the parents were not churched. I was introduced to some of those parents when they started attending with their children, so fulfilling the Scripture that “a little child shall lead them.” I have a strong feeling that this is part of God’s purpose for the sabbatical for Dave and this church – a time of reflection on Christ’s work at CHUP going forward. I think this will be an exciting time in close contact with Jesus.

There are a lot of improvements to make the church building work better for the congregation: updated fellowship hall, installation of an elevator, a renovated nursery, establish a welcome/coffee area, and a real improvement in signage.

The worship team met for a moment of prayer before the service. There is a brass cross on the Communion table and a rustic wood cross on the wall. We were blessed to witness two baptisms and enjoyed a talented brass ensemble.

The congregation’s Confession of Faith during the baptism was the Apostle’s Creed broken out into individual statements of faith.

The sermon was woven around our ability/inability to focus on things close and most important to us, relating our faith focus to a new focus for old eyes. We struggle with our expectations we react to what they were. With our eyes, as with our faith, we need to be sure of reality.

I think CHUP is more balanced than most churches, with a good sense of mission, ministry to their members, and maintenance of the meeting space. I sensed a strong presence of Christ, enthusiasm in praising God in song, and a warm welcome extended to visitors.


Jan’s thoughts:

We have worshiped at this church many times but not for about two years. Since we were last here they have completed numerous renovations, so I was able to look through the eyes of a near-stranger…except when looking at the people.

This church is one of the few points of stability in an otherwise rocky neighborhood, and they seem able to balance internal needs with outward-focused mission, much of it aimed toward the immediate area. They are a friendly, loving congregation with a wonderful genuineness about them. There are no pretentious airs of imagined importance, just open honesty.

This particular weekend was an exciting one for this church since one of their own was married here yesterday. Apparently members of the groom’s family are musically gifted, so they offered their talents by participating in the worship service this morning. And we were blessed to be present not only for that but for the baptism of two little ones as well.

Much of the music was contemporary, which I find uplifting, but there were a couple of good older hymns as well (“Eternal Father, Strong To Save” and “God of Our Fathers” – perfect for a brass ensemble like the group visiting today!).

We sat almost half-way back on one side (this Sanctuary has two aisles) and were hopeful that the brass music wouldn’t be too loud for us. They weren’t; however the volume of the piano came close to being a problem. I’ve never heard a piano that loud before.

The bulletin contained two different-colored 8 ½ x 5 ½ sheets inside a single tri-folded 11 x 17 sheet that included the Order of Worship, announcements, calendar, and a guide to daily devotional time for the week.

I enjoyed the imaginative Children’s Sermon. Dave had the children come forward and he escorted them into his study immediately off the Chancel. At that point he and the children were out of the sight of the congregation but Dave’s voice could be heard over the speakers. He pointed out that everything in his study was packed up in boxes and while he was on sabbatical (beginning tomorrow) people would come in and make some repairs and do some painting. Then when Dave returns in October his study will look different. He said the kids would look different too, and that Dave would seem different when he returns as well. I thought it was such a tender way to prepare the young ones for his impending absence and the inevitable changes.

We often think we are worshiping at a particular church for some purpose we have in mind, but, as usual, God had other reasons. We were glad to be able to say bon voyage to Dave Carver, but when I heard the sermon I knew another purpose for which God had brought us here.

The message, entitled “Treating Presbyopia,” was based on Ephesians 1:15-23. Dave’s self-deprecating humor helps the congregation hear the Word, and today I heard it loud and clear: “When we lose the ability to focus on things close to us” and “react to a memory of how a person used to be, some of what we’re sure of isn’t true and much of what we fear will never become reality.” He pointed out that, unlike the medical diagnosis of a physical case of presbyopia, what Dave called “spiritual presbyopia” is entirely curable. The prescription is more of Christ through prayer and His Word.

I am grateful to God for the opportunity to again worship with many friends at this church, to extend good wishes and prayers to a wonderful pastor, and for the chance to hear a sermon message that was aimed straight at my heart.