Hampton Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Hampton Presbyterian Church, 2942 East Hardies Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044, 724.443.3201, www.hamptonpresbyterian.org, Rev. Ted Martin, Senior Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

We hadn’t visited Hampton for a long time, and when we were last there we heard a guest preacher. But there is a third service we haven’t attended, so perhaps we may yet have an opportunity to hear the pastor. My guess is the three services are why no one greeted us.

The church has good signage, restrooms and nursery were easy to locate, and the woman in the nursery was pleasant. The Sanctuary is long with an arched wood ceiling and beautiful stained glass at the rear of the Chancel. The window is mostly dark blue with a magenta stripe around the perimeter, adding a vibrant touch. I thought the large cross in the top pane was perfectly placed. The side aisles are flat-roofed, giving the impression of exterior balconies…perhaps for angels looking in.

I thought the anthem was especially well done (as did the congregation) and from near the rear of the Sanctuary I could detect smiles from the choir.

We were blessed to hear two interns who did a remarkable job. Both were very comfortable with the congregation and did a fine job with prayers.

Mike, who preached the sermon, brought up an interesting point in his message on Exodus 2:1-10 – the incredible faith of Moses’ mother in releasing him to be raised as an Egyptian. The threat from Pharaoh was not an idle threat for the future, but a real and present danger: the male offspring were being killed.

The duo that performed the offertory, “The Power of Your Love,” was good together and appreciated.

Jan’s thoughts:

We visited this church once before, probably about five years ago when a friend was helping start up one of the new services. Today, though, we visited as virtual strangers. As anticipated at a church with three services, visitors can easily remain anonymous.

This is a particularly well cared-for facility with exceptional signage.

The bulletin consists of one 11x17” sheet and, true to the season, an insert inviting folks to order Easter flowers. The bulletin is very well done, easy to read and follow, visually interesting (i.e., enough graphics to grab one’s attention), and well organized.

The Sanctuary is long and narrow with unusual banners hanging on both sides. The arched ceiling boasted light-colored woodwork that matched the pews and the walls were white. The windows on both sides were balcony height with electric vertical blinds. The only stained glass windows were on the rear Chancel wall and in the walls between the Sanctuary and the Narthex.

The choir was outstanding. Adequate time was given for silent confession. I appreciated that the Prayer for Illumination was asked for “not because of who we are but Who You are, and not because of what we’ve done but what Christ did.” Amen to that.

I also appreciated when one congregant, during the Prayers of the People, simply stated “Unspoken request.”

The Senior Pastor was leading a mission trip to Haiti this day, and the Youth and Outreach Minister was with the youth at the Confirmation Retreat at Camp Crestfield. The gentleman who preached, Michael Haddox, was engaging, warm, honest, and natural, making me wish I knew more about him. Unfortunately there was no additional information about him in the bulletin, and according to the church’s website he does not seem to be a member of the staff.

Nevertheless, the sermon, based on Exodus 2:1-10, was entitled “Everyone Loves a Slinky.” He began by talking about accidental inventions (such as the Slinky) and moved into the importance of having plans (which I gathered was a concept he has come to appreciate more recently in his life). And I completely agreed with his observation that “Plans can become idols, and should therefore be held with an open hand.” The point, of course, was the reminder that “not even death can stop God’s plan,” – and praise God for that!

“Through Jesus, where we’ve put a period, God puts a divine comma.” These words spoke to the heart of someone who appreciates words. There are several events in my life that I will now pray for God to make into “divine commas” instead of the periods I’ve been afraid they were.