Faith Full Gospel Church

Today we worshiped at Faith Full Gospel Church, 319 E. New Castle Street, Zelienople, PA 16063, 724.452.5864, www.ffgchurch.com, Pastor Gail R. Davis.

Scripture – 1 John 5:1-5 (NKJV)

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Bob’s thoughts:

We were early and were greeted by the pastor who told us of his mission trips and a little about the church.

A large wooden cross adorns the rear chancel wall and some banners/paintings created by a member hang on the side walls.

I sensed more passion in the singing of the contemporary worship songs by these few worshipers in this chapel-like church than any number of large congregations.

A collection was taken for “City Rescue” in New Castle, a good mission.

The sermon, “Knowing God Intimately,” quoted a lot of Scripture to reinforce the message that “God loves me” and that “when you love yourself, you can love others.” Something I hadn’t heard before was that we are also triune, “soul, mind, and spirit.” It is easy for us to claim Christ as GPS, God, Personal Savior, but harder to accept Him as our Lord.

Communion was offered silently in a small circle in the front of the sanctuary. I don’t recall hearing anything about confessing our sins, but a lot of other topics.

Prayers were offered up for local churches, and parishioners responded well when asked to offer some of the other prayers.

Jan’s thoughts:

We arrived early, giving us lots of time to visit with the pastor and then others as they arrived. Nearly everyone greeted us and introduced themselves. We started the service with a total of eight people in the sanctuary and, as is customary with contemporary services, others arrived during the musical worship.

At least one member of this congregation is very artistic: in lieu of banners on the walls hung large canvas paintings interpreting their core beliefs and Scripture. I also noticed the directional signage decoratively painted on a piece of shale. It was imaginative and beautiful. On the rear chancel wall was a large wooden cross with uprights flanked by geographic shapes of the continents of the world.

I enjoyed singing some music that I’ve not heard for a while, including “My Savior, My God” by Aaron Shust.

What a blessing to be present as the pastor prayed an impromptu prayer for neighboring churches, specifically naming each one.

The message centered on having and maintaining a relationship with God. The pastor reassured the congregation that God loves each one personally and completely, that God wants us to want to know Him intimately and not just seek His blessings…head knowledge versus heart knowledge. We need to believe God when He says He loves us…we can’t give what we don’t have. He has promised that we will find Him when we get serious about finding Him. He wants to be our Lord as well as our Savior.

The service was closed with Communion as everyone stood in a circle at the front of the sanctuary. The entire service seemed intimate.

Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray this church comes to You as Lord of their lives, knowing how much You love Your children and learning to love ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.