Mount Lebanon United Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Mount Lebanon United Presbyterian Church, 255 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, 412.531.3387, www.mlupc.org, Rev. Dr. Timothy A. Janiszewski, Lead Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

Seems almost like a conflict of interest when there is contemporary worship at an old Presbyterian church. It is impressive to see the stone and wood work, the stained glass from an era of pride in workmanship. It seems a somber setting for contemporary worship, but it works well here. There is great attention to detail on the upkeep of the facility.

There was a good age mix in the congregation and the praise team. We arrived while the praise band was practicing and it was so loud that we thought we might have to be elsewhere when they played, but with 200-plus in worship, the sound was dissipated significantly.

We were only welcomed by a few, perhaps thinking we were from the other service?

As with a lot of contemporary worship there was no Order of Worship, but I was so entertained by a young family in front of us that I barely noticed. There are carved crosses on the wing walls of the Chancel but I still felt the lack of a central cross. The offering was taken in response to the Word, and those who served us Communion spoke.

The sermon spoke to the converse of the fruits of the Spirit, “the works of the sinful self.” In our relationship with others, who we are is for others. We seek the power to love one another. The pastor related a Bonheoffer quote that “Jesus is the man for others.”

I thought the message was well developed, thought-provoking, and an unusual take on the familiar Fruits of the Spirit. The message was well presented and seemed to be received well by the congregation.

There was a moment for stewardship which I had some trouble discerning what was said, but sensed it was an area the congregation was striving with. I can guarantee, they can’t out-give God.

Jan’s thoughts:

I drove past this church regularly when I worked at Sunset Hills Church, and I always thought the parking lot I saw next door, on Scott Road, belonged to them. Today I learned that it doesn’t. They probably have a large parking lot somewhere, but I’m not sure where. We attended the 9:15 contemporary service, and due to the time change, we arrived early enough to wander around and meet some people prior to worship.

The facility is huge, with probably the best signage I’ve seen anywhere. The building is old and stone, and felt cool but not cold. There was an old-time feel to the building, but everyone we met introduced themselves warmly. Those we met offered to answer any questions we might have, indicating we were welcome to ask any church member we might come in contact with as well.

The bulletin was unique: a single folded 8 ½ x 14 sheet with a ½ sheet inside and two “fall outs”. The only Order of Worship was at the top of the page an indication of the Scripture Lesson and the Sermon. I don’t know if the traditional service received a different bulletin (I imagine they did), but this was enough for this service. Besides, there is so much going on here that they needed all the space they could find for the announcements.

The Sanctuary contains some magnificent stained glass, and both dark and medium-shades of wood.

When we arrived early, with virtually no one in the Sanctuary while the praise team rehearsed, I was afraid we’d have to sit downstairs to tolerate the volume. However, soon after the service began the Sanctuary was about 75% full, so the volume was not a problem. I was surprised, but grateful.

The sermon was part of the pastor’s “Back to the Basics” series and was entitled “Who You Are Is for Others.” Based on Galatians 5:13-26, he began by contrasting the works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit as outlined by Paul, then continued to look at the Scripture in the context of surrounding Scripture. He concluded these vices and virtues “must be considered in our relationships within our lives.” Therefore we are who we are in order to be “set free to love others by serving them through Christ.”

We are who we are not because we’re so great or lovable or pious or any of the other attributes we secretly want to believe about ourselves, but so that Christ can make Himself known through us for the sake of others. It’s about Christ first and then others; it’s not about us. We are His handiwork and His tools, to use as He sees fit, and which He treats with grace and mercy and love...the same way we’re to treat others.