Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh

Today we worshiped at Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh, 2225 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, 412.281.8437, www.macedoniapgh.org, Brian J. Edmonds, Senior Pastor.

Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NIV

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

Bob’s thoughts:

I remember years ago saying this was a church all church members should go visit when they get tired or feel staid in their worship and it still holds true. I don’t know how long it has been since we last worshiped here but you can’t help but be rejuvenated.

We were greeted walking to and from church and by many more inside. People took the time to not only say hello but to share some of their personal faith story. A touching sight was a circle of members gathered for prayer before the service.

A woman talked with us and told of how her children would be singing here today, and her enthusiasm was contagious.

I was waiting to go up to the sanctuary while a woman brought a young girl down, I assume to the nursery. As the child reached the last step she gave me a beautiful smile and a little wave…I would have felt most welcome if that was the only greeting we received. I met one Marine and a number of people thanked me for my service.

I enjoyed the familiar songs from the youth choir even though the volume was more than my sensitive ears could take.

There was some signage, but it seemed like it was for members not visitors who didn’t know the building.

The ushers distributed fans and offered tissues. I was impressed by their attending to the congregation, and more so that there were people who needed tissues. I can’t remember when we experienced such hospitality.

I appreciated that prayer is such an important part of the service but I lamented being unable to find a cross.

With the title “We Don’t Need No Water,” the message about not quenching the Holy Spirit was a natural.

I liked the advice that it may be while we are busy being in charge we might miss the blessing God is ready to bestow. I was impressed when the pastor stated his willingness to step aside and let God take over. It’s vital to be willing to let go and let God be God.

With a good overall worship experience, sermon, music, prayer, and conversations with many people, I took something new away from this service. While looking for the pastor so we could tell him of our visit and ministry, I met Arnold, one of the pastor’s Armor Bearers. I am in awe of a church who looks out for the pastor’s welfare. I think this is a most overlooked ministry opportunity and one that all churches should mimic.

Jan’s thoughts:

We visited this church probably about 15 years ago and it has remained strong in our memory as one full of the Spirit. Last week when this church came specifically to my mind and this morning all the pieces fell into place, I knew this was where we should worship.

Most available parking is on nearby streets and joyful greetings were exchanged throughout the walk to the church building. Once inside we wandered some, though many were exiting the 8:00 service and others, like us, were early for the 10:00.

Since we could hear the music as we walked around one floor below the sanctuary, Bob went back to the truck and retrieved his earplugs. We found seats very near the back of the sanctuary and watched as several people simply made their way around extending welcome greetings to others whether they knew them or not, it seemed. One friendly lady excitedly told us about her three teenagers who would sing with the praise team today. We were thrilled for her when it was announced during the service that this youth praise team would open for Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy at Carnegie Music Hall in December. After the service we sought out our new friend to share in her joy; I felt like I’ve known her all my life.

The sanctuary is a good size and it was packed full. Hospitality was shown to all by women who walked throughout the sanctuary passing out hand-held fans and offering Kleenex.

The music was enthusiastic with plenty of volume even from where we sat. The words were projected at the bottom of the screens along with video of the worship leaders as they sang. I was grateful for the monitors on the poles partway back so those in our section could see.

The message was part 4 of a series called “Fully Charged” about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. This part was called, “We Don’t Need No Water.”

The pastor began by referencing a couple of hip-hop/rap songs that were foreign to me (but not most of the congregation). The connection was fire and water and the verse from 1 Thessalonians that admonishes not to quench the Spirit. He outlined numerous Scripture references that referred to God and/or the Holy Spirit as fire: Exodus 3 and the burning bush, Elijah at Mt. Carmel, Moses stating that God is a consuming fire, Jeremiah’s reference to not preaching and calling God’s Word “a fire shut up in his bones,” in Acts 2 at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was seen as “tongues of fire,” John the Baptist’s statement that he “baptized with water but the Messiah will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire,” and in Paul’s letter to Timothy telling the young pastor to “fan into flame the gift of God.”

His main points:

1 – Don’t miss the move of God on our hearts.

2 – Don’t miss the move of God in our church.

3 – Don’t miss the move of God in our world.

We don’t need water…we need the willingness to allow the fire of the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do in us, for us, and through us. We must seek His heart, not His hand, and release control to the One Who knows best.

For this, I pray.

As usual, we sought out the pastor to let him know we’d be writing about our visit. Before we were able to locate him, we located a gentleman dubbed the pastor’s Armor Bearer. I asked if he was assigned a particular piece of armor, and he said simply, “All of them.” He assists the pastor and makes the way smooth for him, something I’m sure many pastors could appreciate.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we had a joyous celebration of worship with Your church. We pray You will continue to bless and guide them as they follow You and that Your Spirit encourage all those in service to You. Amen.