Ingomar United Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at Ingomar United Methodist Church, 1501 West Ingomar Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412.364.313, www.ingomarchurch.org, E. David Streets, Pastor.

Scripture – Acts 16:16-34

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Bob’s thoughts:

We made it back for an early (8 a.m.) service with about 50 worshipers in the Outdoor Chapel. This is a small amphitheater centered on a stone table featuring a stone cross.

During the announcements parishioners were encouraged to sign up to tell their stories, which I think is one of the best ways to reach people for Christ.

The pastor talked about being raised in the church and his time in Sunday School which brought back memories of my Sunday School attendance pin and year bars. Like the pastor, I knew the Bible stories, attended church regularly, and thought I was saved. It took, for me, 50 years to truly come to Christ, and at the time I thought it was my doing. It was encouraging to hear that others didn’t automatically come to know Christ, though I believe I was a particularly hard case. But when it does “click,” you can’t imagine a time when you don’t need Christ.

I thought the pastor developed his message well from the Scriptures and personal story.

Jan’s thoughts:

It has been almost four years since our last visit to this church, and since worship at the Outdoor Chapel ends for the season next week, this seemed like a good time to go.

This casual venue has an intimate feel as worshipers sit on wooden benches set auditorium style with a table-like lectern at the front. The area is surrounded by tall trees making for a beautifully natural setting.

We were greeted by several folks as we approached the trail leading to the chapel and by others before and after worship.

During the announcements the pastor invited anyone who may be interested in relaying their story to the congregation to sign up to give “My Story.” What a wonderful way to allow members to get to know one another and to learn about others’ stories and give voice to their own.

The music was led by one woman with an acoustic guitar and another vocalist and was suitably simple and quite lovely.

The message was entitled “Click!” which made me wonder if it would be centered on our technological inclinations, but it was not. The pastor started by presenting his own story of growing up in the church, attending every week, of his parents’ service to the church, and knowing that God knew his name. He learned a lot about God, but it was not until he attended Jumonville Camp that he really understood his faith and took it to heart. He likened this to John Wesley’s Aldersgate Experience on May 24, 1738, when Wesley “felt [his] heart strangely warmed” and understood and believed to the depths of his soul what Christ did for him.

I think everyone needs such an experience. It is the equivalent of Jacob’s wrestling with God that compels us to seek His face and opens our hearts to accept our faith as real. And it changes us forever because we then know beyond any doubt how much we need Jesus. Thanks be to God.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray true knowledge of You will “click” for anyone for whom that has yet to happen. May we all come to know and enjoy You together. Amen.