Today we worshiped
at Zelienople Church of Christ, 112 Mennonite Lane, Harmony, PA 16066,
724.816.2035, www.zeliechurch.com, Pastor Reid Moon.
Scripture
– NIV
Hebrews
12:18-24
You have not come to a mountain that can
be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a
trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged
that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was
commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to
death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with
fear.”
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the
city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon
thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose
names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the
spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant,
and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Exodus
19:9-13
The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to
come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you
and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the
people had said.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the
people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and
be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount
Sinai in the sight of all the people. Put limits for the people around the
mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or
touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. They
are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No
person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a
long blast may they approach the mountain.”
Exodus
19:16-19
On the morning of the third day there
was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very
loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people
out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire.
The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain
trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses
spoke and the voice of God answered him.
Bob’s
thoughts:
This
has been an interesting Sunday. We chose (or were led to) a church in Harmony.
We had wanted to worship here to facilitate meeting up with one of our
daughters and grandchildren in Zelienople to share lunch.
The
church building is small but the church has a large heart. Signage was
virtually non-existent but we entered directly into the sanctuary, which has a
low enough ceiling that the ceiling fans would be effective.
I did
find a cross on a wall banner and the Communion serving trays. The service has
a lot of music and no instruments are used, though I’m not sure why.
It
was a joy to hear a baby somewhere in the sanctuary that tried to sing along
with each selection.
My
uncontrollable cough came back and someone slipped out to get me a bottle of
water…a sign of a healthy church.
The
sermon was about the difference between God’s inaccessibility during Moses’
time when sinful people could not be near to God and now, following Christ’s
death for our sins, God does not see our sinful selves, but our Savior. There
was some insight into Christ’s Crucifixion: we get caught up in believing there
is something more we need to do to earn our salvation. It brought to mind
something I read from Max Lucado in this morning’s devotions: Christ’s payment
was so complete that He used a banking term when He said “It is finished” (John
19:30)…“tetelestai” (the final payment, the ultimate payment). We don’t earn
grace and we can add nothing.
We
were warmly greeted and got to talk to some members after the service. A
highlight was a boy who asked if he could pass out the bulletins and then went
and welcomed everyone as he gave them.
After
a pleasant lunch with family where I was blessed with a gracious server, we
stopped for a few things at Shop & Save. When the woman at the checkout
asked how I was, I told her honestly that I was overwhelmingly blessed. I was
telling her how I felt I missed an opportunity earlier in the week to pay for
the groceries of the woman ahead of me when a clerk ran up with $20 from the
woman who had been ahead of me checking out. The woman asked to put that toward
my bill and abruptly left the store. As much as I appreciated it, the clerk’s
reaction was priceless. “You just told me you were overwhelmingly blessed and
this woman pays for your order.”
What
an awesome God we serve.
Jan’s
thoughts:
Within
moments after we entered we were greeted and engaged in friendly conversation
with the pastor and several others. This was followed by greetings from still
other members and an invitation to join the chili cook-off following worship.
A
friendly youth gave us each a bulletin and verbally welcomed us to the church.
As
the pastor had mentioned, there was plenty of singing but no instruments of any
kind. However there surely was beautiful music praising God.
Celebration
of Communion every week is unusual in my experience, but this church does so. I
am deeply grateful for the opportunity to partake.
Early
in the service one of the members who had greeted us handed me a notebook. He
referred to it as a Prayer Journal and invited us to write any prayer requests
we might have. The journal was then passed around the rest of the congregation
and used by the pastor as the basis for the morning Praise and Prayer time.
Since we are perpetual visitors, we seldom participate in this part of the
service and I felt blessed to be included.
The
sermon was titled “Angels in Joyful Assembly” and was a study of the contrast
between the unapproachability of God at Mt. Sinai and His mercy at Mt. Zion.
I
found the subject fascinating and plan to read more of the Scripture; I also
enjoyed his fervent, authentic style of preaching.
Partway
into the sermon Bob had a coughing spell and one of the gentlemen left for a
moment and brought him a bottle of water. This is the kind of thoughtful
hospitality that makes an impact.
Our
prayer for this church:
Father,
we pray You continue to bless this congregation and let them share their joy in
serving You. Amen.