Zelienople Church of Christ

Today we worshiped at Zelienople Church of Christ, 112 Mennonite Lane, Harmony, PA 16066, 724.816.2035, www.zeliechurch.com, Pastor Reid Moon.

Scripture – Ephesians 3:16-21 ESV

…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Bob’s thoughts:

I have felt called to revisit this church for a while. Today, after an hour and a half of aimless driving, we ended up right where God was sending us just before the service started. I hope to look where He would like us to go a little sooner and save gas, but no matter what the plans, I am in awe of His orchestration to get us where we need to be.

We were welcomed by a number of people who remembered us. I admit some faces were familiar to me but for the most part I remembered the external setting.

The only cross I noticed was on a banner.

The pastor thanked the congregation for their support after a memorial service for his mother, a tough time to preach a sermon or anything else.

His message, “True to These Feelings…True to God” was a most interesting reflection. We readily claim our blessings from God and attribute many things to God. I don’t think we ever get to realizing our feelings were also created by God and part of Christ’s experience here on earth.

When we are abused, are we called to forgive the abuser? He talked about the long abuse of Joseph and his forgiving his brothers when he realized they were finally getting it. Maybe this was a wake-up call to the congregation that the abused, lonely, and shunned are not alone.

Communion was served without a corporate call for confession, but there was enough time for personal confession while the elements were silently served.

We enjoyed conversation with some members and with the pastor after the service.

I was glad for a chance to share something God had put on my heart. I try to always pray for the people on the prayer lists from the bulletins we are given when visiting. Recently I was talking with an elderly neighbor who lamented that she didn’t know why God was letting her live. During my prayer time the idea came to ask her to pray for those on the list, and over the following weeks more clarity was provided. I want to encourage churches to ask their shut in members to pray for those on their prayer list. It helps them focus on others, helps them feel connected, and blesses them with a sense of purpose. The phenomenal benefits cannot be denied. I think it is important that the shut in member’s name is also on the list for prayer, and it is good to let the congregation know that there are people unable to be present who are praying for those on the list.

Jan’s thoughts:

Just the opposite of a week ago, today we had no idea where we should worship. But it was a gorgeous fall day, so we drove…and drove…and drove…and ended up here. We’ve decided we need to plan better, but for this day I’m convinced this was where we were to be.

This is a small, friendly, out-of-the-way church that I did not recognize until I walked in and saw a couple of people who had popped into my mind recently. We chatted and caught up on recent developments at the church, then sat down to worship.

The sanctuary was nearly full with people of all ages, including many children for whom children’s church is provided. There are no instruments of any kind, so the singing is led by the pastor with his clear, strong voice. Of the seven musical selections, I was familiar with only one but everyone else seemed familiar with them.

I appreciated being able to participate in Communion. I must have missed the time of confession of sins, so I did so silently.

The sermon, “True to These Feelings…True to God,” was hard-hitting and not for children. The pastor outlines last week’s message as having dealt with forgiveness and wisdom and whether God wants someone to stay in an abusive relationship (He does not). The feelings referred to in this week’s sermon title are the feelings accompanying abuse.

After defining abuse as the intentional harming of another person over a period of time, he outlined the Biblical story of Joseph. Although Joseph started out as his father’s favorite, he was sold into slavery by his brothers then unjustly accused by his master’s wife and thrown into jail.

After confirming that feelings are from God and are not necessarily good or bad but just are, he listed the feelings commonly resulting from abuse: guilt, worthlessness, self-blame, frustration, confusion, anger leading to bitterness, a desire for revenge, loneliness, fear of being shunned or having one’s feelings minimized. He said that many people “close the door” on their feelings in an effort to make them go away. The thing is, the feelings aren’t behind the door, they’re in the heart, and there they will stay until they are dealt with.

Joseph had a great deal of time to consider what he might say to his brothers and to get past his feelings. The pastor pointed out that our feelings can short-circuit God’s work and Joseph waited until he was certain his brothers had changed before he forgave. He advised not to close off feelings of abuse but be honest with God. There also can be great benefit in professional counseling, and we have true hope in God’s promises.

Several members and the pastor were kind enough to take considerable time for conversation following worship.

Our prayer for this chu

Lord, we pray for Your continued Presence with this congregation. Help them extend forgiveness to those who have wronged them and free their hearts from the pain. Amen.