Yesterday we worshiped
at Oak Hill Alliance Church, 2782 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066,
724.776.4350, www.oakhillcma.org, Pastor Dan Aluise.
Scripture
– Isaiah 40 RSV
Comfort,
comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received
from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
A
voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in
the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every
mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the
rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all
flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
A
voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all
its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower
fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people is grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for
ever.
Get
you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice
with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say
to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with
might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his
recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather
the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those
that are with young.
Who
has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens
with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the
mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of
the Lord, or as his counselor has instructed him? Whom did he consult for his
enlightenment, and who taught him the path of justice, and taught him
knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like
a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he
takes up the isles like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are
its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before
him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.
To
whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? The idol! a
workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it
silver chains. He who is impoverished chooses for an offering wood that will
not rot; he seeks out a skilful craftsman to set up an image that will not
move.
Have
you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits
above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who
stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell
in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.
Scarcely
are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the
earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them
off like stubble.
To
whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift
up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host
by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because
he is strong in power not one is missing.
Why
do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hid from the Lord, and my
right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The
Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not
faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the
faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall
faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for
the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like
eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Bob’s
thoughts:
It is
always a disappointing start to Sunday worship when you plan to visit a
particular church and show up at the time posted on their website only to find
nobody there or a potential later start time on the door. Yesterday there were
multiple signs indicating different start times. When you confirm via the church’s
website first, it makes it more frustrating.
After
driving around, we ended up at Oak Hill Alliance in Cranberry. I noticed a box
of tomatoes in a box by the door, something I loved to do when I gardened. But
what caught my eye as we drove by was bright blue, so I was relieved to see
they were just bags provided to take vegetables home. I couldn’t think what
fruit or vegetable could be that bright of a blue.
I was
pleased to find a cross both outside and inside and to see the praise team pray
before the service. I appreciated the gentleman who not only greeted (as many
did) but told us where to find the restroom and coffee.
The message,
Strength for Today, centered on power is not in your own strength. I had
a lot of trouble with some of the explanations, that a lot of super human acts
were not of God, not “enduement.” It seemed that credit was given to adrenaline
to lift a car off a trapped person or carry an injured person a mile out of the
forest.
I
have done things beyond my capabilities, it is a basic Marine nature, and never
thought of it as Christ’s assistance. Our firstborn son fell down our front
steps at a year or two old. I was sitting more than 20 feet away in our living
room when he fell, and I came across the room and down the stairs and caught my
son on the way down. Some years later, one of our twins fell down the attic
steps, and from the same area of the living room and across a bedroom, I caught
her before the cast iron radiator at the bottom of the steps did. Sounds
impressive, but I couldn’t move that fast. Nobody could have. No one can ever
convince me that this was not God’s intervention in my life, even before He
claimed me. There have been numerous times since where I got through on God’s
strength.
The
message was hard to follow and the sermon note sheet was little help; it may
have been easier with a printed copy.
I
have a file where I keep prayer requests from churches we visit and when adding
this week’s, I found the prayer page from our last visit in October 2016.
I
pray for many people, and after a fall in the recovery room, I have suffered
severe pain for five months. Last week my wife asked if I had prayed for myself
(I didn’t think of it), and the next day I was mostly pain free, walking
without my cane, climbing stairs almost like a normal person. Thanks be to God.
Jan’s
thoughts:
We
first aimed to attend another church, but when we arrived for worship at the
time specified on the website, we found signs in the yard indicating worship
would be an hour later. Since we were more than half an hour early for the
incorrect (early) time, we interpreted this as God’s redirection. Long story
short, we drove quite a while and landed at this church which we knew we had
not visited for a while.
The
people were as friendly as I remembered, and we appreciated the many introductions
and conversations before, during, and after worship.
I
always smile when I spot the worship leaders praying together before the
service.
The
pulpit was filled by Rev. Jim Ailes, a hospice chaplain and member of the board
of this church, and the message was called Strength for Today. He began
by comparing fact and promise, stating a fact is a truth that is true, accepted,
and believed, whereas a promise is a truth to be claimed and received.
I
disagreed with his assertion that unnatural strength was different than supernatural
strength, since where would unnatural strength come from if not from God? But
his statement that our human strength and stamina will fail us sooner or later cannot
be disputed.
The
principle that God knows where we need to be and is able to place us there at
exactly the right time is something He has proven to us week after week, with
yesterday being the most recent example.
Our
prayer for this church:
Father,
may Christ’s church be a beacon on the hill and a rock for their community.
Amen.
Yesterday we worshiped
at Hampton Presbyterian Church, 942 East Hardies Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044,
724.443.3201, www.hamptonpresbyterian.net, Rev. Dr. Ted Martin, Senior Pastor.
Scripture
– NIV
Isaiah
42:1-9 –
“Here
is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my
Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or
cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In
faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put
their hope.”
This
is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to
its people, and life to those who walk on it:
“I,
the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I
will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for
the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to
release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
“I
am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise
to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare;
before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
Ephesians
2:11-22 –
Therefore,
remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised”
by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by
human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ,
excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the
promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you
who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For
he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the
barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law
with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new
humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both
of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He
came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were
near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s
people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In
him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in
the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in
which God lives by his Spirit.
Bob’s
thoughts:
I
recently ran into a friend who sang with the praise team here at one time, and
it reminded me that we haven’t visited for quite a while.
The
first smile came from seeing a large wooden cross right inside the door. We were
greeted and engaged in conversation and someone offered to bring us a cup of
coffee. I was delighted to see the praise team gathered for prayer before the
service.
Projected
signage for restrooms would be helpful.
I didn’t
realize the first song wasn’t one to sing along and didn’t recognize the lyrics;
the rest were on the screen but we sat off to one side and it was hard to read
at times. The pastor spoke with a mic but was easier to understand when he
turned toward us.
For
the children’s message, the pastor read to them “The Little Blue Truck” which even
now I could probably still recite. It was a great message that the children
grasped and finished well in good time.
There
was a prayer of illumination before the Scripture, as it should be. The message
dealt with social justice with compassion and care. We have somehow gotten to
the point where everyone who doesn’t agree with us is a (fill in the blank). There
seems to be no room for understanding.
I remember
this service to be a lot darker and the music somewhat harsh so I was surprised
to hear older praise music in a much brighter area.
Jan’s
thoughts:
As
we entered the building, the music floating down the hallway led us to the
worship area.
It
has been eight years since we visited this church and the Turning Point (contemporary)
service has changed dramatically from what I recall the first time we were
here. The room is filled with light and plenty of seating, including several
large round tables, at which we chose to sit.
We
were welcomed warmly by several folks who had also arrived early. They took the
time to introduce themselves, told us about the church, and made sure we got a
cup of coffee. Several people greeted us after worship as well. This degree of
visitor hospitality is remarkable for a church with three services.
The
praise team had a harmonious sound but I had trouble understanding the words
both sung and spoken. We sat on the outskirts of the seating area because the
speakers were not aimed in that direction, so perhaps that had something to do
with it. Or maybe the very high ceiling, I don’t know.
This
service was blessed to have the Children’s Message, and this day it was a
reading of the children’s book The Little Blue Truck and a corresponding lesson
about cooperation and being helpful.
The
new Music Director was introduced to the congregation and she was welcomed with
enthusiasm.
I
was pleased the Prayer For Illumination was given before the reading of
Scripture.
The
message, entitled Belhar: Ministry of Reconciliation, was presented and
explained in detail by the Associate Pastor, Rev. Ryan Pixton. He taught that the
Belhar Confession was written in 1986 and added to the Book of Confessions in
2016. Crafted by the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in response to the ugliness
of apartheid, it focused on unity, reconciliation, and justice. Their stated
intent was that it not be heard as a theological debate, but as a cry from the
heart; that there was no hidden agenda, just a recognized need for confession
and redemption through Christ and a prayer for God to bring good from the
situation.
It
was enlightening and educational and I was glad we were led here.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray for Your constant enlightenment upon Your church May they continue to follow
Your plans and direction. Amen.
Today we worshiped
at Elfinwild Presbyterian Church, 3200 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw, PA 15116,
412.486.5400, www.elfinwildchurch.org,
Rev. Dr. Dirk Lesnett, Pastor.
Scripture
– Ephesians 6:10-20 NIV
Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so
that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is
not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when
the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have
done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled
around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with
your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In
addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And
pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will
fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador
in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Bob’s
thoughts:
We
were blessed being led here for worship today to witness two baptisms…always a
joy. We got to greet a former coworker of Jan’s before the service and another
good friend after worship.
I
think we arrived too close to start time for anyone but the usher to greet us.
I had
forgotten how much I liked the cross high on the chancel wall.
In
the sermon, he mentioned that in difficult or troubled times, put your trust in
God. I would offer, when you are there, nothing else will get you through but trust
in God. When you have been knocked down so unbelievably and then manage somehow
to stand, that’s God. No matter what, Christ will see you through.
We
were thankful to have a few minutes of the pastor’s time after the service and
I was glad to get a copy of the prayer list.
Jan’s
thoughts:
Only
after God called us to visit Elfinwild today did we realize it has been a
little more than seven years since were here last.
There
seemed to be a great deal of excitement in the air, and after looking at the
bulletin, we realized it was because this was a special day: two little ones
were being baptized!
Several
people greeted us before and during the service, and I had the joy of seeing several
friends from the past including a former coworker and his wife.
The
contemporary music was a surprise, along with the praise team. They were delightful
though, the volume was perfect, and I enjoyed it very much.
As
it is now back-to-school season for college students, the pastor asked those
who will leave for college to come forward for prayer. It was a warm send-off during
which he reminded parents that their “children” were actually leaving home, and
when they returned, it would be for the purpose of a visit. In my experience, that’s
absolutely true and almost impossible to comprehend until it happens. It’s also
very hard.
The
pastor explained the basis of this summer’s message series is the meaning and
interpretation of the supporting Scripture of the intricate stained-glass
designs adorning the windows in the sanctuary. Today the design was the Shield
of Faith based on the Scripture above.
He
reminded everyone that we are involved in a spiritual battle, whether or not we
like it, and the Shield of Faith is given by God as a guard for our lives and
hearts against the fiery arrows Satan means to destroy God’s people. Arrows such
as the death of a loved one are large fiery arrows, but there are other arrows
too, such as the loss of a friendship, a job, or a dream.
He
made the point that it matters greatly in what we put our faith…better yet, in
Whom: our faith must be in Jesus Christ and not in our own strength. Jesus
preserves our spiritual life with God and His strength is a sure thing.
We
appreciated our conversations with the pastor and with our other friends
following worship.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we thank You for breathing life into Your church and ask that You guide and use
them as You will. Amen.
Today we worshiped
at One Church, 2030 Swallow Hill Road, (Chartiers Valley Intermediate School), Pittsburgh,
PA 15220, 412.552.3140, www.onechurchpgh.com,
Brandon Stephenson, Lead Pastor.
Scripture
– James 5 NIV
Now
listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on
you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and
silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your
flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you
failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The
cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have
lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in
the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was
not opposing you.
Be
patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the
farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the
autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s
coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you
will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Brothers
and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the
prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed
those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen
what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Above
all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by
anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you
will be condemned.
Is
anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing
songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the
church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And
the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise
them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your
sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The
prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah
was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,
and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed,
and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My
brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone
should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the
error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of
sins.
Bob’s
thoughts:
This church
was recommended by one of the worship leaders and we were looking forward to
visiting; unfortunately, he was out of town today.
The
church meets in the auditorium of a school, which required a drive around the
building to locate the entrance. We wished for some additional signs to let us
know to keep driving.
We
were warmly greeted in the lobby, including by a young woman who had gone to
school with some of our daughters.
The
praise team sounded pleasant and the volume was just right. My only
disappointment was in not finding a cross.
The
sermon seemed to be titled Final Advice based on Scripture from James 5.
The first point I could easily relate to: not focusing on stuff. When one of my
brothers and my father-in-law died, both collectors of tools and stuff, a lot
of what they had came to me. Many would consider this a blessing but it was
soon revealed to me as a burden. It was quite a job to release it all but a
blessing to send to organizations who could use it.
We
have proven that you can’t out-give God; we have been overwhelmingly blessed.
We
were grateful for the talk with the pastor and members. This is one of the few
churches to recognize that having a building of your own does not a church
make, as soon the building consumes your faith. I think this would be a good
church to grow with.
Jan’s
thoughts:
A
former neighbor who is on staff here invited us to worship, but since he was
away this weekend, we’ll have to come back to worship with him.
This
church is only about 1½ years old, and they have been working with focus and intention
to reach the surrounding community.
We
walked in the door and were immediately greeted by a friendly woman with whom
we struck up a conversation. She pointed out the restrooms, worship area, and
coffee and refreshments, and the pleasant conversation just continued. We were
joined by one of the teachers and then by an eagle-eyed woman who went to high
school with two of our daughters. I was floored when she stopped to talk after recognizing
us!
The
contemporary music was led by two guitarists and a drummer. It was well presented
and the volume was perfect.
The
message series was called Dear Church – James, and today was the final
installment. The pastor pointed out that James, in his blunt wisdom, instructed
his readers in how to live their lives by telling them to love God and love
people.
James
told the wealthy they were missing their calling from Christ by focusing too
much on their wealth, that they should use their wealth to bless others. The
pastor stated wealth is not a blessing when it distracts us from our
relationship with God and how we use our wealth can give evidence against our
hearts.
James
advised the oppressed and poor to be patient together and stay faithful to God.
He assured them they would be blessed because of their perseverance.
The
bottom line is: love God and love people. That’s all that matters.
This
is one of very few churches we have visited that celebrate Communion weekly and
I’m certain God will bless them for it. I was glad Bob had a sharp object to open
the bread portion of the prepackaged elements.
We
appreciated the time the pastor took to speak with us after worship and the
warm welcome when we arrived.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
thank You for leading us to Your church. We pray for Your continued guidance as
they grow in Your love and grace. Amen.
We spent last
weekend helping our daughter in North Carolina move to a new apartment.
Monday morning,
we packed up and headed north. That afternoon, a tractor trailer crashed into
the median on northbound I-79 and we were stopped in our tracks near the
Fairmont exit. After sitting for what seemed like hours, we found ourselves in
a position to turn onto 79 southbound and trekked through some winding back
roads thanks to GPS. We got back on 79 just north of the accident site where emergency
vehicle lights were still visible.
Jan suggested to
our 8-year-old grandtwins traveling with us that we should pray for the
wellbeing of those involved in the accident. Parker said he already was. Later
when we learned that the only person involved (the driver) was okay, Kenzie
replied, “Of course, we prayed for him.”
May we all be
blessed with the faith of a child.
