Christ Church at Grove Farm

Today we worshiped at Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley, PA 15143, 412.741.4900, www.ccgf.org, Rev. Dr. Jared Ott, Rector/Senior Pastor.

Scripture –

1 Corinthians 12:12-20 –

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Ephesians 4:3-6 –

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Hebrews 12:1-2 –

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Matthew 25:14-30 –

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “ 

‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

1 Peter 4:10 –

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Bob’s thoughts:

What a joy to come to worship and see a large wooden cross suspended over the platform.

We were welcomed by the greeters at the door and again when I went out for my earplugs although it seemed like I only needed them for the first song. I appreciated that the music didn’t drown out the prayer and prayers for the storm victims and military.

The church has good signage, making it easy to find my way.

I felt the church missed a great opportunity: with the carpets removed they should have given the children large quantities of sidewalk chalk and see what God would lead them to.

I enjoyed the story of a youth group whose members were given a penny and instructed to bring back what they could trade it for. I can only wonder what mine would have brought back.

A great thought: the church is a living organism. He talked about the Scripture and if we were just a body part, and I thought if we were all just a big ear, we still wouldn’t hear the Word.

Much of the message was about how we can serve God’s Church. I have filled many roles over the years and one of my favorites was helping babies become comfortable going to the nursery during church. Some were happy the first day whereas others took weeks. Once they were part of the nursery, I wasn’t needed any more, but it was a rewarding little ministry.

I learned today that a friend volunteered at this church as a greeter. He knows that members are always happy to be greeted; the real value is in greeting those you don’t know.

Early in my walk with Christ, I became a greeter. I always had trouble remembering names, but I carried a small notebook and would mark down things I learned about our visitors so even when I couldn’t remember their name, I could comment on something I had a note about. If you ask about their parents who were married in the church 50 years ago, there is no doubt in their minds that you remember them well. Our small church had 40 people join the year I did that. They commented that no one spoke to them at the other churches they visited.

Don’t waste the gifts God gave you…there is a place where your talents are needed.

I appreciated the harmony of the praise team and enjoyed the female solo.

A highlight was watching a toddler dancing in his mom’s arms and then hug her neck.

We appreciated the chance to speak with two of the pastors.

Jan’s thoughts:

It has only been just over a year since our last visit here, but we felt led, so we went.

There is some major remodeling going on in the reception area and it looked bare, including concrete floors, so we’ll have to visit again to see it finished.

We were welcomed by a few people, but at a church this size with three services per week, I don’t know how they could possibly keep track of visitors.

The music was excellent; it started out loud but did become softer. The excellent voices blended well. I appreciated the solo during the offering: a female vocalist accompanied only by a piano, and it was exceptional.

The message was part four of a five-part series called “Are You Connected?” Entitled “Connected in the Core,” it emphasized God’s call to use our individual gifts and talents for the good of others and of Christ’s Church. He reminded the congregation that God knew what He was doing when He created each person with a different set of talents, and that each person’s call is as individual as they are.

He told a personal story from when he first began in ministry and his journey of discernment to find his own preaching style. I have listened to sermons by Rev. Ott, but this was the first time I’ve heard him preach during worship, and I would say his style is relaxed, genuine, and knowledgeable.

He ended the message with a touching poem called “Searching For a Vessel”, which I will reprint since the author is unknown.

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many—which one would He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright,
I’m of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,

My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I’m sure I’ll be happy Your house to abide.

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,

Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
But I’d rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.

Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,

I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of itself;

Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.

Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. “There’s work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.”—Author Unknown

Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray You will open the eyes of Your Church to the opportunities to serve and glorify You. Amen.