Southminster Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 799 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228, 412.343.8900, www.spchurch.org, Rev. Dr. Daniel B. Merry, Pastor.

Scripture – John 20:1-9 NIV

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Bob’s thoughts:

We thought a first visit might be skewed by light attendance and we are always happy to worship at Southminster.

An unexpected revelation about the worship music: we sang the same contemporary worship songs we have sung at any number of other services, but it felt more like worship.

The two lead female singers blended and complemented each other, harmonizing beautifully. The difference I think was the music didn’t come so much from the diaphragm, like singers are taught, but instead came from the heart.

I enjoyed a delightful children’s sermon…always joyful when it involves the children.

One of the songs contained the phrase “inside out” and I admit my mind went to the children’s movie of the same name we watched recently. So often movies have entertained children and also carried a good adult message, like a well done children’s message often does.

The message was delivered by the Youth Director. The sermon was about our resolutions, and asked how steadfast we are in serving Christ. We can’t live for others expectations, but we can live for Christ.

I might add to the admonishment to invite a friend to church, to consider asking an enemy to church.

Jan’s thoughts:

Today we chose to return to Southminster to worship with some friends at the Crossings service which is held in the cozy and informal atmosphere of Fellowship Hall. If memory serves this space has been updated, but its comfortable ambiance has remained.

The music was provided by the excellent praise band which included more members than I recalled from our last visit, and the two female lead vocalists’ voices blended exceptionally well.

The message, “Resolution Runner,” was presented by Karl Hudson, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. He referred to the 80%-within-two-weeks failure rate of New Year’s resolutions and advised that God wants us all to run daily – to Him. He referred to the mentions of running in the Scripture passage from John where Mary ran from the tomb to tell the disciples then Peter and John ran to the tomb.

He suggested the following steps to run after God:

1 – Run to know God for yourself…stop watching others live for God and do it yourself;

2 – Dig into God’s Word…read the Bible daily. He suggested using an app called Devotion to help remember to stick with the practice;

3 – Share your faith…invite one person to church…talk to people about what God has done in your life.

Running after God over the long haul takes perseverance, but the benefits last through this life and forever.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, You have blessed this church in many ways, and we pray they continue to run after You. Amen.