North Hills Christian Church

Today we worshiped at North Hills Christian Church, 778 Thompson Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412.487.4142, northhillschristian.church, Ethan Harrington, Lead Pastor.


Scripture – NLT

Psalm 136 –

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights— His faithful love endures forever.

the sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever.

and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.

He brought Israel out of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.

He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.

He led Israel safely through, His faithful love endures forever.

but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings. His faithful love endures forever.

He killed powerful kings— His faithful love endures forever.

Sihon king of the Amorites, His faithful love endures forever.

and Og king of Bashan. His faithful love endures forever.

God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance— His faithful love endures forever.

a special possession to his servant Israel. His faithful love endures forever.

He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.

He saved us from our enemies. His faithful love endures forever.

He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.

Acts 2:46 –

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity…

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 –

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.


Bob’s thoughts:

I passed this church one day looking for a feed store and it has been on our list since. In retrospect it seems odd that God led us here today, on a Sunday when most churches experience poor attendance. This one had a potluck brunch.

We were greeted when we came in, the change in service was explained, and we were offered the chance to stay or come back another time.

After a little Scripture and a few words of enlightenment, we shared Communion at each table. I was sorry when I realized I missed the opportunity to serve the pastor.

After a prayer, the congregation passed through an adjoining room to fill their plates from a scrumptious assortment of food.

We were able to talk to a few people and share a witness back and forth. The coffee was great and we had a little food.

We enjoyed the time we had to socialize and look forward to returning for a worship service in the future.


Jan’s thoughts:

This was such a different morning, but quite enjoyable.

This church clearly values hospitality: we parked in a First-Time Visitor parking space, the signage was exceptional, the elevator was greatly appreciated, and many people warmly welcomed us.

Today’s service was different – and appropriate for this particular Sunday, consisting of a devotional time, Communion, and a brunch all in the fellowship area. As it turned out, this was a relaxed opportunity to get to know some new friends.

During the devotional time the pastor referred to Communion as Christ’s “scandalous message of reconciliation.” What a great way to put it!

This visit was unique, and I’m overjoyed that we stayed. We definitely plan to return for a typical service.


Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray You will lead us back here soon to worship with our new friends. Amen.

Chapel Presbyterian Church

Yesterday we worshiped at Chapel Presbyterian Church, 625 Barclay Hill Road, Beaver, PA 15009, 724.495.0297, www.chapelpca.com, Steve Maker, Senior Pastor.


Scripture – ESV

Micah 5:1-5a –

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

And he shall be their peace.

John 1:1 –

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 –

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and was have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.


Bob’s thoughts:

It was good to be at a church where we could witness Advent Candles being lit. I also found a cross on the front of the pulpit.

We were welcomed by a few people coming in and I was thanked for my service. During the passing of Christ’s peace I met one of the singers and a Marine.

I wish there was a better way to say that visitors should not feel obligated to offer their tithe as I always feel like I’m being denied the blessing of giving.

The strongest point of the message was that Christ’s coming was fulfilling the expectations and predictions in the scrolls of the Jewish people, and more so that this was known by Herod and the Wise Men, wherever they came from. It has always seemed so odd that many in that time taught from those sacred scrolls but did not accept their fulfillment in Christ.

I was pleased to be sent to pray over the pastor, and thankful for Christ’s blessing him and for taking me from nothing to such an honored use.


Jan’s thoughts:

The entryway was filled with excitement as we arrived. The Associate Pastor welcomed us and handed us bulletins, and after hanging up our coats, we found seats in the worship area.

The building is fairly new but looks untraditional from both outside and inside. The platform included both drums and a grand or baby grand piano (I was too far back to tell).

Several folks stopped to welcome us and introduce themselves prior to worship but mostly it was an opportunity to sit and watch the members interact. There were few empty seats by the time worship began, and many children.

Music was led by four vocalists and the piano. The voices blended well and the volume was perfect. A quartet presented a selection during the offertory and a trio sang following the sermon, and all were strong and enjoyable.

The narration during the lighting of the Advent Candle focused on the Church as the Body of Christ, which was unusual, I thought.

The sermon, Small Town, Great Rule, centered on the insignificance of the Town of Bethlehem versus the magnificence of Jesus Christ Who was born there. The pastor pointed out that unlike everyone else, whose life began in their mother’s womb, the earthly life of the Son of God began at His incarnation but that He existed forever before and will exist forever after that.

We appreciated our conversations with those who took time to speak with us, including the pastor.


Our prayer for this church:
His grace we give to you as it was freely given to us. May you be blessed now and throughout the New Year.

Crossroads Church

Today we worshiped at Crossroads Church, 8533 Peters Road, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066, 412.494.9999, www.xr.church, Mike Arnold, Campus Pastor.


Scripture – John 11:1-44 NIV –

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”


Bob’s thoughts:

We were able to come back and hear the third message from the Wait For It series.

The encouragement to wait on God’s timing gave me cause to smile. Many years ago, one of my daughters was lamenting to Jan over my lifestyle and lack of God in my life. They sat together and prayed for me. I wish I could guess how many years it was before God claimed me, but when He did, it was overwhelming. Keep praying!

Not long after I was saved, the house we were living in was being sold, we had nowhere to go nor the money to get there. Shortly before the closing a cousin offered to give us his late father’s house at South Hills Country Club. I had given my concerns to God and His timing was perfect, His timing. Any worrying would have accomplished nothing.

More recently when we place our order in a restaurant, our grandson will frequently ask “Where is our food?” sometimes before we order. God’s timing hasn’t failed, we still eat.

A lot of the younger children smile and wave; they make a great welcoming committee and it warms my heart.

I was happy to get a few more Just Because cards. I’ve found it’s an easy way to not take credit for whatever help we might be and it’s a good way to challenge ourselves to do more “Just Because.”


Jan’s thoughts:

Unusual as it is, our grandtwins were with us again this weekend so we visited here for the second straight week. However, our other family members were not here this week and I missed worshiping with them.

Five people took vows of membership this morning.

Pastor Mike updated everyone on the Just Because initiative, reading some comments posted to the website (justbecausepgh.com). Two were from recipients of kindnesses and one from someone testifying to the good feelings he and the recipient experienced. I’m looking forward to reading more about this, as the good feelings extend beyond the giver and recipient.

Today’s installment in the Wait For It series was called If Only…, something I and everyone I know has said or thought at some point. He began by relating the story of a man who had to choose between making a business trip and taking his sick daughter to the doctor. He chose to tend to his child and learned the flight he would have taken crashed and all onboard were lost.

Pastor Mike pointed out that we can trust God’s timing because He always has a purpose and only He knows the future. He said when we trust God’s timing we realize:
1 – God is bigger than we thought,
2 – our faith grows deeper, and
3 – God accomplishes His purposes.

He closed with the statement, “God is not in a hurry.” This reminded me that everything for which I am waiting, I can entrust to God’s purposes because His purposes will certainly be fulfilled. I’m still/again learning to surrender my hopes to Him, and I’m grateful for His faithfulness in the midst of my struggle.


Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray Your continued Presence with Your church. We ask that Your blessings rain down upon all involved in the “Just Because” encounters. Amen.

Crossroads Church

Today we worshiped at Crossroads Church, 8533 Peters Road, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066, 412.494.9999, www.xr.church, Mike Arnold, Campus Pastor.


Scripture – NLT

Ephesians 6:10-20 –

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Daniel 9:21 –

As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice.

Daniel 10:1-14 –

In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.

When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”


Bob’s thoughts:

We like coming here where our grandchildren are comfortable and we get to visit with more of our family. That today was a cookie bake-off competition was an added bonus.

The congregation is being encouraged to go and do simple things for strangers and give them a “Just Because” card. I’m excited to see the feedback.

The question was posed, how do you interact, or maybe more direct, how do you pray? I can’t think of anything I would be happier to see any church being comfortable doing.

If we are honest in appraising our life, Jesus Christ is the greatest thing ever about us, why wouldn’t we want to share? Never miss the opportunity to pray with or over someone. Don’t wait till you know a bunch of big words that God doesn’t want to hear, pray from your heart. No one has ever turned down my offer to pray, including an atheist I knew.

On a recent trip to Walmart, one of my granddaughters joined me when I prayed over an employee fighting cancer. There wasn’t a dry eye anywhere near us. God honored my simple prayer and my friend’s pain was reduced. Look for the people who need you; they are everywhere. God will guide you with what to say and each time it gets easier. My wife and children prayed for me for years before Christ claimed me.

I can’t remember if it was suggested, but pray for those who do you harm. Before Christ claimed me I learned to leave retribution to God, and He has been way more severe than I would have been. Now when I am wronged, I start to pray for them, and they need it.

Whenever we leave, our 14-year-old grandson never fails to give me a kiss and thank me for coming to his church. If you have thanked visitors to your church, you know how easy it is!


Jan’s thoughts:

With the joy of having our grandtwins with us, we took them to their church and enjoyed worshiping with the rest of our family also.

As it turned out, today was Crossroads’ Grand Re-Opening and Cookie Bake-Off, so the excitement level was high. The new parking lot was completed, allowing for more guests and a smoother parking experience.

Inside there was a t-shirt on each chair along with five cards which were explained during the service. And the piece de resistance was the tables lining the walls bearing trays and trays of imaginative varieties of cookies. A delicious time was had by all!

We were pleased to be present for the vows of two new members.

Pastor Mike reviewed the last couple of years, recalling when he challenged the members to engage in community with each other by joining small groups. He said more than 65% of the congregation became part of such a group and the members have grown because of it.

The next challenge was to work toward buying the building they currently occupy, which they are now making their own. This was obviously a significant commitment.

This morning he outlined a new challenge: to look at the needs of those outside their walls. He invited each person to perform one random act of kindness each day in the upcoming week. They were to give the recipients a Just Because card which explained the reason for the kindness was “just because you were created with incredible value and worth.” The card invites recipients to share their story about receiving this kindness at justbecausepgh.com. I’m eagerly waiting to read the heartwarming and inspiring stories I’m sure will be posted there.

The message today was The Weapon of Prayer, part of the series Wait For It about the difficulty of waiting for God to answer our prayers. Pastor Mike acknowledged that “prayer is a weapon in a very real spiritual struggle.” He stated three reasons why God may answer our prayer “no”: 1 – it’s the wrong prayer, i.e., our motives may be selfish or otherwise misguided; 2 – unintended consequences, such as (his example) if a prayer for sunshine every day all summer was granted, we’d have no rain, resulting in a lack of crops, grass, and water, to name a few things; and 3 – Free will is a gift to each person and God honors our choices.

After reading Daniel 10:1-14, the pastor made it clear that some answers can be delayed by spiritual opposition. This is one of those fascinating passages where God pulls back the curtain and allows insight into otherwise unknowable truths.

His advice when waiting in prayer included:

1 – Be persistent as God may be using that time to prepare us and/or our circumstances;

2 – Go on offense, meaning pray for God’s power to do something, not just to prevent something;

3 – Take authority, and pray knowing that, as believers, we have the power of Christ inside us and our prayers matter to the God of the Universe.

I was glad we were there today. In addition to seeing family, I learned to see God more clearly.


Our prayer for this church:
Heavenly Father, we pray You will bless this endeavor by Your church. Guide them in their prayers and bless those who pray and those who are prayed for. Amen.

Orchard Hill Church

Today we worshiped at Orchard Hill Church, 107 Staley Avenue, Butler, PA 16001, 724.935.5555, www.orchardhillchurch.com, Brady Randall, Campus Pastor.


Scripture – NIV

John 17:20-26 –
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

1 Corinthians 12:13 –
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.

Acts 2:44-47 –
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.


Bob’s thoughts:

After some confusion over a change in start time, we were led to a service in the same building. Later God’s orchestration of our worship at an Orchard Hill campus was clear.

We were greeted, offered coffee, and escorted to the sanctuary. I was given a card with pictures of 38 beautiful babies who were being baptized or dedicated today amongst the Orchard Hill campuses; we were blessed to be there for one today.

There was a sign language interpreter who did not only the songs but the whole service. A special blessing memory for me, as I was never able to sit through when our daughter signed the Lord’s Prayer.

I wondered if there was a cross behind the full projection screen but didn’t get to check.

The pastor talked of how we have become a divided nation and at a recent community meeting they couldn’t agree on unity.

We were long-time members of a church that had adult coffee hour after the service. Some hot discussions happened around those tables, but everyone went out together in unity as friends. When the church fell apart, they left as enemies, not talking at all.

The pastor told a personal story of trying to rake leaves to burn with the help of his wife and a toddler son with a penchant for jumping in the piles. This reminded me of when our children were young and I went down the street with my truck collecting all the neighbors’ leaves. I placed them in our yard and our children and neighbor kids had a grand time.

The message developed smoothly with supporting Scripture. The highlights were not on screen long enough for me. He mentioned a trip to the Holy Land and after some discussion, being allowed to partake of Communion even though they only served members. I remember an in-depth discussion with a pastor who denied us Communion for not being members. I thought what a welcome for new Christians looking for a church. I always wondered if I changed his mind.

I found the message most appropriate as I watched the pastor’s dual shadows cast by the spotlights come together in unity while he spoke.

I enjoyed the sound of the praise team and the delightful female voice. However, my body parts gave out and I had to sit.

We were blessed to talk to a number of people after the service, including the pastor. I understood God had orchestrated our visit there when we had the privilege to pray over the pastor after worship. I can’t think of a greater joy than to be sent to pray over someone.


Jan’s thoughts:

Our route surprised us, but eventually we arrived where God wanted us. We were headed to another church, but when we got there we learned they share a building with Orchard Hill’s Butler County campus. Not only that, but we were late for the other service and just in time for Orchard Hill, so we went there.

We entered the church as the music began, and after getting a quick cup of coffee, a gentleman escorted us upstairs to the worship area where we found seats in the back.

The praise band leading the music sounded wonderful and the songs were new to me.

We were pleased to be present for a baptism. It’s a joy to witness a family making that commitment and to be reminded of the promises.

I was touched to see a woman standing in the outer aisle translating in American Sign Language.

The pastor’s message was called In the Way of Unity. He began by acknowledging the current divisions within our culture and country, then focused on Christ’s prayer for unity. He stated that “The unity that Jesus is praying for is based on shared life in Christ and common glory in Jesus.”

He said this unity matters to Jesus because He wants the church to be a witness to the watching world and that this unity serves a common purpose to glorify God. The result of this unity is that we experience the indwelling love and presence of Jesus.

I appreciated the Message Notes, as most everything else was not on the screen nearly long enough to copy.

Following worship, we enjoyed our conversations with the pastor and several members and appreciated the gift of John Piper’s Advent Devotional.


Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray Your continued blessings on Your church. May they work together in the true unity of Christ and shine Your light to all who walk through the doors. Amen.