Scripture – ESV
Proverbs 22:1 –
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 23:22-24 –
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
Genesis 22:1-14 –
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."
Bob’s thoughts:
When we last had the opportunity to worship with this church, they were meeting in a hotel. God has directed them to and blessed them with a great physical home. I wish there had been a sign as to where to turn in from 151, but we found a place to turn around; maybe just a sign on Sundays.
We were welcomed by a number of women and offered coffee, but I saw no decaf.
A young woman pointed out restrooms when we came in.
They have a massive rough wooden cross on the wall to the side of the platform. I think there were about 10 people in the worship team and they gathered in prayer before the service. The platform is in the corner and has an unusual angled ceiling accenting focus of the area. There were two screens, which made it easy to follow along.
I liked the solo voices and the harmony of the female vocalists. I really enjoyed when the horn could be heard over the rest, a fine addition.
The message was about change. A pastor we knew before Christ claimed me has used me in sermons for more than 20 years as an example of Christ changing someone. My transformation was so complete my wife started introducing me as her second husband (by God’s grace and to His glory).
Jan’s thoughts:
We visited this church about four years ago when they met at the DoubleTree in Moon Township. Since then this building became available and God was gracious to allow them to move here.
We could not tell where to turn off the main road and nearly turned into a neighboring driveway before turning around and into the church driveway. Visitor’s parking spots were easy to find and are always appreciated. Without them we end up driving around the parking lot and taking a guess at the location of the main entry.
Indoor, signs indicated meeting and classrooms were downstairs, and all we could see upstairs was a refreshment area so up the stairs we went. It turned out the worship area was off to the left, just out of sight. We were welcomed warmly by a number of people before and after worship.
The platform was backed with stone and to the left was a floor-to-ceiling wooden cross. Seating was plentiful and included small round tables and chairs behind the regular seating. The monitors were easy to see from where we sat in the back.
I was heartened to witness the praise team and others joining in prayer on the platform just before worship began. The praise team consisted of a drummer, keyboardist, three guitarists, a trumpeter, and three vocalists. They sounded impressive and the trumpet added greatly to the power of the music.
The first speaker was a young man we later learned was the pastor’s son. He spoke about changes in the world, in the Church, and in individual lives. He emphasized the need to take assurance in God’s unchanging nature and remember that He is our foundation in the midst of any change.
Then the pastor stepped to the lectern. His untitled message honored his son who had spoken and whose birthday it turned out to be, pointing out all God had done in himself, his son, and the rest of his family. He talked candidly of his family’s history, showing how God’s intervention can set a new course for an entire family. He used the example of Abraham and Sarah and the birth of Isaac to illustrate his testimony that “through obedience, even though you may think your time is past, God can still use you.”
I found encouragement in these words and I’m grateful we were here.
Our prayer for this church:
Lord, You have provided Your church a new home and we pray their hearts are constantly turning anew to You. Amen.
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