Today we worshiped at Park United Presbyterian Church, 109 West Grandview Avenue, Zelienople, PA 16063, 724.452.9570, www.parkup.org, Rev. Jon Nelson, Pastor.
Scripture – Luke 15:11-32 NIV
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
Bob’s thoughts:
We arrived close to start time, but even if we had been, early the current restrictions don’t allow much for socializing. We were greeted by the ushers, a woman in the pew behind us, and another woman and a gentleman after worship.
The church will be going back to two services in separate spaces to allow for cleaning and preparation.
I don’t know when we last visited here, but we were looking forward to hearing the new minister.
I’m sure the service was available online, but it was a first for me that the children’s message was delivered and posted online before the worship service. The pastor sang and played guitar for a song from their message, a parody of Puff, the Magic Dragon.
I loved the duet from two women of the church; their voices blended perfectly.
I think this is the first time I’ve heard a pastor correctly refer to Christ’s parable as the Two Lost Sons. Another thought-provoking concept was how this would be received by different cultures, and maybe a step more, how it is received now. The sons’ actions, the father’s response, and maybe complicate it just a little more by our judgmental attitudes. This is how we come to Christ, deserving nothing, yet we are welcomed with open arms.
It gave me pause to think about growing up with three brothers, and then our five children, I wonder how much any of us ever understood about each other.
A reference from the message that appealed to me was a book: What Do They Hear? Bridging the Gap Between Pulpit and Pew.
We appreciate the time the pastor spent with us after the service.
Since it was on the cool side this morning, we located a church with an indoor service. Even with parishioners sitting at least 6 feet apart, masks were required throughout the service. Like most others, this church has an online viewing option and sermons are posted on the website.
A few people welcomed us from a distance and there was no handshaking.
The pastor announced that on October 4 they will return to two services, albeit in separate portions of the building. It has not been decided when Sunday School will resume.
The pastor presented the children’s sermon in which he played guitar and sang an imaginative parody called Muff, the Tragic Wagon.
I enjoyed the voices of the two women who sang the anthem.
The current sermon series focuses on Jesus’ parables, and today’s was about the Prodigal Son. The pastor acknowledged this parable actually told of two prodigal sons, as both sons were lost and in need of forgiveness.
He spoke of an interesting book, What Do They Hear? Bridging the Gap Between Pulpit and Pew by Mark Allan Powell. It examines the cultural filters through which people understand Scripture. When Americans were asked the meaning of this parable, they said it was a story about right versus wrong. Because of their familiarity with famines, Russians pointed to that aspect of the story. Africans viewed it through the lens of community and social obligation. I find it fascinating that there are so many potential interpretations of this parable.
The pastor stated that, within families, some kids need more attention, care, and direction than others, but God loves us all, not just the prodigal. God’s love can seem unfair, but it can transform us when we understand.
He closed by asking where we might be lost within our lives and faith and admonished people not to stay outside and miss the party.
We appreciated the time the pastor took for (masked) conversation following the service.
Our prayer for this church:
Lord,
may the brotherhood and sisterhood of Your church uphold and lift each other up
to You. Amen.
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