Faith Fellowship Alliance Church

Today we worshiped at Faith Fellowship Alliance Church, 200 Faith Way, Fared Drive, Butler, PA 16001, 724.287.2700, www.faithfellowshipalliance.com, Senior Pastor Richard Jenks.

Scripture – Matthew 21:1-11 NKJV

Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Bob’s thoughts:

When God directs us to a church, we always hope to find out why. Today we knew.

We were welcomed by a number of people and I got a great smile from a beautiful little girl. I felt pretty special that she stopped to show me her toy till I saw she did the same with everyone who entered.

I found a number of crosses to focus on before the projection screen was raised to reveal a beautiful white back-lit cross. I didn’t get to go forward after the service but the baptismal looked impressive. The ceiling lights were conventional square fixtures but with colored blocks down the side like stained glass.

We were told how the new assistant pastor/youth pastor had been injured on his motorcycle and found out later that he is the pastors’ son.

The music was good, but at times loud enough to drown out the singing, making it hard to find where we were with the words. I’m sure the textured ceiling helped with the acoustics.

During the greeting time we met a woman who had also lost a son as a Marine. I also met a Marine there.

The Palm Sunday message mentioned how God could use a donkey, I immediately thought of Balaam. He posed the question where are you in your Christian walk, a believer, along for the ride, or crucifier? I liked the Scripture reading, with emotion and emphasis.

I was pleased we could talk to the mother who lost her Marine son and blessed to pray over her.

Jan’s thoughts:

From the parking lot to the main entrance is a slight uphill grade, and instead of walking up the driveway hill, we opted for the steps. We were immediately impressed that the steps were wide with a small riser, easily navigable by children and older folks, and with bright yellow paint across the front and top corner of each step, including one with little more than a crack to it but still enough to trip over. It seems like a small thing, but it’s really not small. They were excellently done.

When we reached the door, a gentleman opened it from inside and shook our hands in welcome. The restroom signs could not be overlooked, which was helpful, and I had to take a photo of the wooden cross in the entryway.

I enjoyed the color coordination of the spacious sanctuary, with the matching carpet and pew padding and charming decoration of the worship space.

Several people stopped to welcome us before and after the service. And the bulletin was colorful and easy to read.

The music was contemporary, which surprised me for some reason, and quite well done. I thought the violin contributed greatly.

As usual, Bob wore a Marine t-shirt, and during the greeting opportunity a woman sitting behind us introduced herself. It turns out she lost a Marine son also, so we spoke for a while and then caught up again after worship to talk some more and pray.

The sermon was untitled from what I could tell. The pastor stated there were three categories of people present on that first Palm Sunday: the true believers, the hangers-on, and the religious who knew who Jesus was and hated Him. He said of course everyone would put themselves in the first group, that of the true believers, but he asked what if believing in Jesus meant you were never healed? Or never happy? Or it meant you had to suffer? What about the hard things Jesus said? And what if Jesus did not condemn what you condemned? He reminded us that Jesus does not fit in a box.

Then he asked a most intriguing question: Would Jesus look at you as a friend?

We believe Jesus is our Friend, but would He see us as His friend? That is a question worth pondering.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray Your church is encouraged to pray for and with those You bring to their door. Amen.

Wurtemburg United Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at Wurtemburg United Methodist Church, 1244 Portersville Road, Ellwood City, PA 16117, 724.758.9685, Chad J. Bogdewic, Pastor.

Scripture – Jeremiah 31:31-34

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.

“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Bob’s thoughts:

We were warmly welcomed when we came in and after. There was an interesting cross made from a small tree, which we learned later is a wandering cross transferred weekly to other churches in the area.

We sat in the side alcove, which brought to mind that most Methodist churches have this architecture and the few places I’ve seen in other denominations were former Methodist buildings. Unfortunately, all the cute babies were in the main part of the sanctuary.

I enjoyed the sound from the dozen or so choir members and the lovely children’s choir. The solo and as a group were understandable, pleasant, and cute.

Sometimes I am surprised how a sermon relates to Scripture I have read recently, and today’s was on “cutting” a new/additional covenant: passing between the sacrificed animal split in two with the unspoken consequence of “if you don’t uphold your part of the covenant, may you be split like this animal.”

I was thankful we could talk with some members after the service and blessed to have the opportunity to pray for a woman who had also lost a son. I wish we could have spent some time with the pastor.

Jan’s thoughts:

We opted for a pew in the wing area off the sanctuary even while I wondered how well we’d be able to see. As it turned out, we could see just fine.

We were greeted often, beginning when we exited the truck, again when we entered the building, by the folks we sat near, and others before, during, and after the service.

I noticed the very large cross crafted from rough branches and thought it was appropriate that the prelude was “The Old Rugged Cross.” It was only after the service that we learned this cross is in a different church in the area each week during Lent, and there is actually a second one just like it because so many churches wanted to participate. What a magnificent display of unity among denominations.

The choir sounded terrific together, and the children’s choir was enthusiastic with their singing and hand motions.

The sermon, “A New Covenant,” spoke of eschatology – the end times – and supersessionism – a theological view that holds that the New Covenant has replaced or superseded the Mosaic covenant. I was unsure where the pastor stood on the issue, but his final statement was one with which I do agree: The End Times began with the Resurrection of Christ.

We enjoyed our conversation with several members after worship.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray Your church is listening for Your call and ready to step out in faith. Amen.

Harmony Baptist Church

Today we worshiped at Harmony Baptist Church, 4103 Ellwood Road, New Castle, PA 16101, 724.924.9300, www.myharmonybaptistchurch.org, Pastor Jeff MacKay.

Scripture – NKJV

Romans 8:28-29 –

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Mark 6:7-13 –

Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Bob’s thoughts:

We were warmly welcomed by the usher at the door, the pastor, and many others. The pastor pointed out the sanctuary and rest room locations, though I didn’t see signage for either. Many people stopped by our pew to welcome us while I got to admire the great wooden cross with a wide drape. The ceiling is a moderate arch with engineered beams over knotty pine; the acoustics were good.

The pastor had just returned from a family trip south and spoke about the churches where they worshiped while there; somewhat of a taste of what we do. He referred to a question raised there, “Do you know more about Christ than you did last year?” A good question about our growth.

I realized today that the paper outline of the message probably helps with the congregation’s retention of the sermon.

The highlight of the message for me was the pastor relating his encounter and witness to their gas repair man. We often get that whisper from God to witness, to tell our story. You are never wrong to speak up.

A major change came for me when one of our sons was killed. My therapy was to talk about it and tell people about him. My ministry improved so much because of my passion. My healing came from this witness. I joke that at times it was by force and there may be some truth to that, but I talked to Christians and those of other faiths, and some who held no beliefs.

Years ago, I was lamenting how little reaction I noticed when I would wear one of my Christian T-shirts into a secular setting like Kennywood Park. Then I realized I may never know how God used that witness; it may not have been the person who saw my Christian message but one they told or who they asked about it. Never hesitate to tell your story…Christ may have you there for just that opportunity.

The gas repair man may not have gotten the message, maybe he didn’t need it, and maybe somebody will be saved when the story is relayed down the road. Let Christ use you, it feels great.

I missed a time of confession before Communion and the elements were shared silently; from where we sat it didn’t look like the pastor was served.

Jan’s thoughts:

We visit many rural churches and each is as individual as the people who comprise it. This one was lovely with obvious attention paid to details. One such detail was the cross in the front draped in purple and featuring a crown of thorns. As if that were not enough, a small matching cross, including drape and crown, sat on each small window sill.

At first, I thought the Scripture verses on the walls were done with paint, but up close I could see they were cut out of black paper, obviously a labor of love.

When we arrived, as we stood inside I noticed the signage and the people not just milling about, but talking excitedly, greeting each other, and hugging. More of the same went on inside the sanctuary before worship, during the greeting time, and afterward. Many people stopped to introduce themselves and welcome us, and the pastor took time to greet and talk with us and provide directions on his way into the sanctuary.

The fair-sized sanctuary was nearly full, including the overflow space in a sort of balcony with its own entrance.

The bulletin included a flyer for a movie slated to open this coming Friday, March 16, called I Can Only Imagine…it is the story behind the MercyMe song of that title. I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch it, as this is one of the songs sung at our son’s memorial service. I’m sure it will be excellent and well worth watching.

The message was entitled Ministry Principles for “Sent Ones” and focused on “The Teaching Model of Jesus/The Pattern for Jesus’ Followers” – Follow Me, Be with Me, and Go as Me.” As the pastor put it: the call from Christ is a call to conversion (seeing Him for who He is), intimacy (spending time with Him), and mission (going out with Him).

He closed with the reminder that there is a reason we are where we are. I have been reminded of this regularly of late, so I felt like he was speaking to me. I guess I needed yet one more reminder, so I am passing it along.

I greatly appreciated that the service concluded with the Sacrament of Communion.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray You will encourage Your church to tell their story. May they boldly witness for You. Amen.

Southminster Presbyterian Church

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

Scripture – NIV

Psalm 19:7-14 –

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

1 Corinthians 1:22-25 –

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Bob’s thoughts:

We were happy to be here for worship, to wish the pastor happy birthday, and to see the newly installed tile floor. I thought the acoustics would be harmed but the sound was pleasing.

A draped cross is displayed on the rear wall of the stage and on the Communion table.

I was pleasantly surprised with how many greeted us and one nearby who thanked me for my service. She told us her father is a Marine veteran of Iwo Jima.

In his message, Pastor Dan told about going to minister at a prison and being harassed by the guards until he heard the laughter from the guards who worshiped at his church who had set him up.

We had worshiped at a church where they spoke of prison ministry, and I shared how I didn’t think I could do that. That Monday morning, I got a call from a waitress to whom I had been ministering that she was in jail. That was when I heard God laugh.

I was interviewing for a job as the head of maintenance at a penitentiary. The warden wanted to know if I could interact with inmates without trying to witness to them. I guess the cross and other items on my lapel made him wary. I was a new believer and on fire for Christ. I didn’t get the job, but I did witness to the warden. I was so sure when I prayed that this was the job God had for me, so I was disappointed. Not long afterwards, the head of maintenance was blamed for inmates having power tools they used to break out.

Today’s message for me, “You are not called to be successful, just faithful.” I have been well paid and I have been without work…I don’t know which is better, but I can testify that we were always taken care of.

I enjoyed the praise band, especially the female lead with her solo.

I was glad the elements were offered verbally and juice was used. Many recent suppers used wine and I abstain. I didn’t realize how much I missed being able to partake of both elements.

Jan’s thoughts:

It is always a joy to visit this church, to see old friends and make new ones. Today we got to do both, in addition to seeing the new floor in fellowship hall and wishing the pastor happy birthday.

The music was excellent, as always, and we were greeted warmly. We felt blessed to partake in Communion.

The message, entitled Divine Tension, was, for me, a timely reminder that we all have strain in our lives, and that what God wants from me is not so much of a mystery as it sometimes seems.

After mentioning a couple of anxiety-inducing real-life situations, Dan referred to the Jews and Greeks and what each required in order to believe in God. And God’s response to both was Christ crucified. Dan stated that worldly eyes saw only failure and humiliation, but Christ was the power and wisdom of God.

He stated that we are not called to be successful, only faithful. And that is the tension: to be faithful in God’s eyes or successful in the eyes of the world.

I believe it’s a choice we are all called to make daily.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray for Your Presence with this congregation as they begin the search for a new pastor next year. Guide them to the person whom You have chosen. Amen.