Shannopin United Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at Shannopin United Methodist Church, Jordan Street, South Heights, PA 15081, 724.375.2239, www.shannopinumc.org, Rev. Dennis L. Bouch, Pastor.

Scripture – Mark 10:2-16 NIV

Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” he replied.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Bob’s thoughts:

After being redirected, we were led to worship at a church we had been hoping to visit. There is not a lot to the building but visitors could benefit from directional signage for restrooms.

The large cross and pastel stained glass windows made the sanctuary seem inviting and gave it the feel of a family church, which it certainly is. We were welcomed by several members and the pastor came down from the chancel to greet us by name. We had met him where he served previously and I appreciated encountering another Marine.

The sermon on divorce brought an interesting statistic that nearly 52% of marriages in the US end in divorce. The message developed well with support of personal testimony and Scripture. It also brought back some memories.

Growing up I knew of one woman who was said to be divorced and had she not been an attractive redhead, I probably wouldn’t have taken such notice. She lived in a house we passed walking to school. I knew something about the residents of every house on the way to school, their name, profession, something. But this knowledge was given second-hand because it was something that just was not talked about. This was the only divorce I knew about through high school.

We were fortunate to live in a nicer neighborhood when we raised our children and sometime after they graduated high school the topic of divorce came up one day. That was when I learned our children were in college before they had a single friend’s family where the birth mother and father were still married.

In the course of one generation there had been a complete turnaround on divorce. One of my brothers divorced twice, went back to the same place he met his first wife to meet his second. Many others dear to me have ended their marriages in divorce, and I can no longer believe that God would have wanted them to continue in the bitterness and pain.

I was thankful to be able to partake of Communion and grateful that the words were spoken in offering the elements.

Jan’s thoughts:

We were originally headed for a different, multi-site church, but it turned out they were enjoying a single service Sunday at the main site. This sort of thing happens when there is no advance notice on the website but God is never surprised, so we followed Him and found this church.

The church is located in a semi-residential area with plenty of street parking available. Once inside several people introduced themselves and welcomed us and after a quick trip downstairs to the restrooms we found seats. As we were getting situated, the pastor headed our way and welcomed us warmly then took us quite by surprise by recalling a visit we made to his former church 3½ years ago (obviously he possesses an enviable memory). He reminded us that he is also a Marine.

The sanctuary is adorned with some lovely wall hangings and beautiful stained glass.

When the service began, the pastor greeted everyone present with, “Good morning sinners!” and the first thought that crossed my mind was that this church has its head screwed on straight.

One announcement had to do with a collection to help provide mosquito nets for people in parts of Africa.

The sharing of joys and concerns was almost more like family time around the dinner table discussing the topics of note. It felt sweet.

The music was provided by the organist and two vocalists whose combined voices sounded marvelous together.

Because the liturgical calendar so stated, the message centered on the sensitive topic of divorce and was entitled, “Divorce or not to divorce?” I had to give the pastor credit for full disclosure as he stated he is divorced, and I believe someone with first-hand experience can speak on an issue from a place unimaginable to someone without that experience. Consequently I tried to listen carefully to what he said.

With a current divorce rate of 52%, he referred to divorce as a plague on society. He said it was painful whether one stayed in a dead marriage or ended the union, and that Scripture was never intended to be used as a weapon against those who divorce.

In Biblical times, to marry was to acquire property because that is how women were viewed. Jesus flipped that concept on its head when He moved divorce from being viewed as a cold, legal question to a relational one, and women went from being viewed as property to being seen as human.

He declared that God hates divorce because it hurts His children, but rule-following won’t bring about healing. The healing comes as a gift from God when we move toward real concern for the vulnerable and powerless.

I was blessed to be able to participate in World Communion Sunday.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray You will continue to bless this church and encourage them to bring their lost neighbors to You. Amen.