Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church, 2662 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, 724.776.5310, www.ccupc.org, Rev. Dr. James M. Moran, Senior Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

I didn’t look at our blog before we re-visited CCUPC and didn’t remember even where it was, but when we pulled into the parking lot I remembered where we parked and the condition of the lot.

The signage is good and offers something extra: where the sign identified restrooms it also directed where others could be found. I couldn’t find a wastebasket near the Narthex however, and there was an echo from the Pulpit on the higher tones. We were welcomed by a number of folks and had a longer talk with an usher.

The Chancel has an atrium-look with lots of natural light; the Sanctuary is comfortable and pleasant. We sat near the rear, and the passion of the choir came through even at that distance. It’s great to hear a choir worshiping. I do wish there had been a moment for silent confession.

I was impressed with the prayers of the Assistant Pastor. She seemed very comfortable in prayer, something seldom seen.

The sermon was part 4 of a series; today’s addressed Paul’s direction to Timothy. Paul’s legacy to Timothy (and us) that he had fought the good fight and withheld nothing. Over lunch we discussed how people who live life that way are sometimes put on a pedestal and how we are sometimes hesitant to act lest we be so categorized. We came to realize the larger sin is not to act when called.

A story related in the sermon sounded like a country song: mountain climbing as though you have no tomorrow. The climber, at the point of giving up, heeded the call to rescue another climber and so in rescuing, he was rescued. The one-line wrap-up – What will the Master say? Thought the sermon was well developed and delivered.

The pastor told me of a co-op situation with other Presbyterian churches for the good of the catholic church. Pretty radical and exciting thinking for Presbyterians.

Jan’s thoughts:

This was our second visit to this church. Two years ago next month we attended the later service, and this time we attended the earlier worship. It was interesting to notice how my point of view has changed since our last visit, as well as what contributed to such a different experience this time.

This facility is still very well kept with excellent signage. We still did not use the name tags for visitors. This time we encountered a friend who belongs here, but she was part of the choir so we were unable to sit together. We also had the opportunity to catch up with the Assistant Pastor, who had attended Grove City College with one of our daughters.

There were several bulletin boards in the greeting area: one contained photos and pre-printed mailing labels for the college student/members – what a great idea; another was full of detailed financial statements; and there were several others with various types of information. The one that caught our eye bore military photos. As we were looking it over a gentleman approached us and initiated a conversation centered around the photos and the Marine Corps emblem on the back of Bob’s shirt. We learned that this man’s son is currently serving in the Navy, and of course, we talked about our son Dan, his time in the Navy and then the Marines, and how he currently came to be guarding the streets of Heaven. It was a warm conversation that helped us to feel very welcome.

Numerous other people also greeted us and invited us to stay for lunch and the Steeler game following the later service.

It was so ironic that the prayer during worship included a joy expressed in thanksgiving for God’s protection of a son who escaped injury during an auto accident on I-79.

It was a joy to sing some contemporary music as well as learn some hymns I did not know previously. The Offertory was a different rendition of “Come, Go with Me,” which was quite well done.

The sermon was based on 2 Timothy 4:6-8 and was the fourth and final part of a series entitled “Notes to a Young Pastor.” This entry is called “Your Personal Stamp,” and he raised questions regarding the legacy each person would hope to leave in their wake. “How will we be remembered? What will be our legacy? Will we be remembered as one who gave all they had or who took the easy way? Whose life will be better because we lived?” And most importantly, “When our ‘race’ is over, what will the Master say about our lives?”

These very questions have preyed on my mind for some time of late. As much as I wish I could sit down and list the answer to each issue, I’m slowly reaching the conclusion that that is impossible. I do not know enough. But I think his basic advice is good: live with passion. At the very least I think it’s one of the keys.