New Brighton Christian Assembly

Today we worshiped at New Brighton Christian Assembly, 1810 Valley Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066, 724.846.8820, www.nbcafamily.com, Pastor Sam DeMarco, Senior Pastor.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-6

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Bob’s thoughts:

I had clipped an ad for this church from a local paper, and from the yellowing of the paper it was some time ago.

God had prepared for us to be here today and spoke to both of us through the worship service. We arrived with little time to look around. We found the restrooms near the sanctuary but had to get within a few inches to read the door signs due to poor contrast. I noticed the same when it was time to sing as the words were projected in white on a yellow background. I couldn’t find a cross, but there was one projected on the side of the screen. Maybe there is a cross on the stained glass behind the screen.

I was greeted by a Marine coming in and another on the way out, and an usher thanked me for my service. I noticed a veterans’ appreciation board with photos of those actively serving.

We got to speak to two women who had missionary experience in Africa, so Jan was very happy.

There was a time of anointing and healing prayer early, a personal reminder from God that He still plans to use me in this area. I was so thankful that the prayer offered was with conviction of the healing that was occurring.

The sermon, “The Way of the Generous,” was part of a series on generosity. Today’s message was on Paul offering up the example of the Macedonian church’s generous giving while their resources were depleted, how they gave beyond their means and relied on God’s grace.

I thought it a powerful point that when we are stripped of our natural resources is a great place for God. As Marines we were often called to give that 110% and maybe now a realization that the phrase “super-human strength” was more accurate than we knew or wanted to admit. When our need is the greatest, when we are giving from our poverty, is when we leave room for God to bless us.

I was reminded of a story from one of my devotionals this morning about a woman who was in need who gave for a church expense that would keep them from having a worship space. She had been saving to buy a stove but gave the several hundred dollars to the church instead. When they realized that her needs were greater than the church’s, they tried to return it to her. She refused the money she had been saving for years, figuring she could continue to cook on a hot plate but had to have a place where she could worship with her church family.

With all our concerns over money, we are some of the richest people on Earth, but our giving doesn’t reflect it. We were told that with their tithes and offerings, Israel was giving at 25% and we struggle to average 3%.

There has never been anyone who was struggling financially to whom I recommended tithing who came back and complained. Don’t take my word for it, take God’s promise.

I usually have plenty of time during a service to pray for the church and pastor and seldom have trouble taking notes. Today the pastor’s passion and message development held my attention. I am thankful he would let Christ use him to deliver His message.

The singing was loud and boisterous for me, but it did give me time to pray. I look forward to seeing how God will use today’s message in our lives.

Jan’s thoughts:

A gentleman held the door open and greeted us as we entered the building and we were greeted warmly by a number of folks.

Several areas held both plusses and minuses…

1 – It was a plus that the restrooms were easily identified and bore beautifully engraved signs indicating which was which, but a minus that the signs were directly on the front of the doors and it was impossible to read the sign unless you stood at a particular angle.

2 – The huge stained glass on the rear chancel wall was a real plus; the minus was that the projection screen was down for the entire service, obscuring a good portion of the beautiful stained glass. But there was a plus to that – the screen was down for the whole service in order to show close-ups of the speakers, which I appreciated since we were in the very back.

3 – The choir exhibited joy and passion, smiling, clapping, and moving to the music, which was very well done. As is often the case though, the volume was almost too much for me and difficult to understand. The words were projected on the screen but the white letters were hard to read on the light-colored background.

During the announcements, visitors in general were greeted and a missionary visiting from South Africa was introduced. After the service we spoke for a minute about Malawi, where she has visited on occasion. It was delightful to exchange zikomo kwambiri (thank you very much) with her!

Toward the beginning of the service the pastor prayed and anointed with oil for physical healing of those self-identifying the need. I was grateful for the opportunity to spend the time praying for someone I know who needs healing. In speaking with the pastor after the service, he detailed how he works in some aspect of a healing ministry at each service.

The message, “The Way of the Generous,” was part 4 of the series entitled “Going Generous!” In past weeks he has spoken on various aspects of living a generous life, and today’s message focused on generosity through finances, although God’s Spirit spoke to me of other generosity-centered facets of life also.

The Scripture stemmed from Paul’s fundraising efforts benefitting the church at Jerusalem. His letter to the Corinthians spoke of the extreme generosity of the Macedonians who, having been stripped of their resources, were very limited. However, according to Paul they gave “beyond their ability” because they relied on God’s grace.

The pastor emphasized several truths of which I needed a reminder: that God wants to glorify Himself in our struggles, that He will show up when we are in limiting circumstances, that when we rely on God’s grace we are a living testimony that allows others to witness His grace. Testimonies are to glorify God and encourage people, and when that voice tells us that something is wrong with that because it draws attention to us instead of to God, that’s a lie from Satan. It’s okay if we don’t know all the details of how something will be worked out…God has them and He has it under control. We can relinquish our anger, our fears, and our past failures and trust Him.

He highlighted tithing as a way of expressing “He is my God” and stated that the average Israelite gave 25% to God each year, and they flourished. The average American gives 2.5%. We need to give our hearts to God and step out in faith.

I am grateful God brought us to this church today because the things I heard spoke to various areas of my family’s and my life right now. We are limited, and we are learning a deeper trust in God in the midst of our limitations. This is one of those seasons in life when all I know that my hope is in Him and Him alone.

Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray that You open this congregation’s eyes to the blessings You are holding for a faithful congregation. May they bring the whole tithe to Your store room. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.