Sharon Community Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Sharon Community Presbyterian Church, 522 Carnot Road, Moon Twp., PA 15108, 412.264.7400, www.sharonpc.com, Rev. Roger P. Howard.

Scripture – Ezekiel 18:1-32

The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“ ‘The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? “

As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

“Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations with a woman during her period. He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.

“Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things (though the father has done none of them):

“He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor’s wife. He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things. He lends at interest and takes a profit.

Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.

“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:

“He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife. He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.

He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

“But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!"

Bob’s thoughts:

I was glad to be led back to worship at Sharon Presbyterian Church. It is a pleasant sanctuary with a larger cross over grill work.

A welcome group stood at the door but they seemed to be waiting for us to make an overture.

There are two projection screens, however the one on the right was not readable.

The organ was so loud I couldn’t tell if my wife beside me was singing. Maybe it was because there were only a couple dozen in worship, but I was sorry I didn’t have earplugs.

The directional signage to the downstairs rest rooms was good; some of the other signage could only be seen from one direction.

The sermon could be summed up with the following quote: “God is not fair, thanks be to God.” We should all be grateful that we don’t get what we deserve but instead are granted His mercy.

It was announced that the pastor of 19 years had resigned. I am encouraged with the pastor’s plans; it will be a chance for rebirth for both him and the church. I hope we get to visit the church again and see how Christ is using them.

Jan’s thoughts:

We last visited this church about 7 years ago and today chose to attend the 8:30 service. Unfortunately some recent changes had affected attendance at this service.

As we walked in the door the narthex was full of things on display with some signs that likely indicated their purpose but were a mystery to me.

One gentleman, whom I guessed to be the greeter, stood in the narthex just outside the door to the sanctuary and the two ushers stood just inside that doorway. We entered and stood looking around the narthex but it was left to us to initiate the greetings. Once inside the sanctuary several others said hello, including the pastor.

Ornate wrought iron nearly covers the rear wall of the chancel and the white ceiling is accented with delicate-looking chandeliers.

As usual we sat toward the rear, but today the organ and pipes were in the rear balcony, so once the music began we quickly realized we should have sat closer to the front. I could feel the bass, so I think my issue with the volume was more than just my personal issue. During hymns it was impossible to know if anyone else was singing.

During the Passing of the Peace everyone present sort of met in the center aisle where all exchanged greetings.

Both projection screens were visible from where we sat, but the one on the right was drowned in light so I used the other. However the black-and-white background graphic made it difficult to read the white words being projected. The timing was excellent.

In the sermon entitled “God Desires Life; and Responsibility,” the pastor emphasized God’s desire for everyone to live but that we should refer to our disobedience as sin, not character flaws or mistakes as our culture has taken to doing.

During the time of Joys and Concerns, the gentleman who was the liturgist announced that the session had accepted the resignation of the pastor and encouraged the congregation to show their appreciation to the pastor.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we are so grateful that You do not give us what we deserve. Thanks be to You for Your grace. Amen.