Baden United Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at Baden United Methodist Church, 420 Dippold Avenue, Baden, PA 15005, 724.869.2720, www.badenumc.org, Rev. James Young, Pastor.

Scripture – NIV

Psalm 19:7-10 –

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.

James 1:22-25 –

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Matthew 7:24-27 –

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Bob’s thoughts:

We were looking to worship today where we could participate in World Communion Sunday. To me, it was special to partake of the elements in front of an impressive cross. The large wooden beams of the arched ceiling gave a dome-like effect. There are lovely fall banners and striking, brightly colored glass windows. There is a wholesome age mix, a good sign of a healthy church.

We were greeted by a few people nearby in the pews and by one woman before the service who intentionally stopped to welcome us.

The praise team sounded wonderful; I especially appreciated the lead female voice. There must have been a mic problem with the Scripture reading, but the best font size on the screens I’ve ever seen, and from the very back pew. I think the facility would benefit from a new look at signage. I was happy with the time allotted for personal prayer and confession.

Everyone had to have loved the children’s choir presentation, it was a joy.

The message started with photos depicting a perspective of the earth to the sun and then outward into the universe with each entity spinning in their own right. When the pastor asked what the one constant was, I’m sure he didn’t hear the child near us answer “God,” but there is someone teaching their children well.

A line I liked had to do with our lives being built on top of the Rock, the Word of God. The sermon ended with two points: God is holy and God is love.

The congregation seemed attentive to the pastor’s message.

We were grateful to have had a few minutes to talk to the pastor after the service and the privilege to lay hands and pray for him. I wish we could have served him Communion.

Jan’s thoughts:

Because today is World Communion Sunday, we decided to attend a more traditional church where we knew the occasion would be celebrated. It has been almost 8 years since our last visit here.

The sanctuary is lovely, with intensely colorful and unique stained glass-effect windows and banners down both side walls. The sun shone through the windows and all I could see were colors. The front wall had a gold-colored, filigree-type ironwork backlit in green with a gold-colored cross hung in front of it and the traditional wooden pews were set at a bit of an angle.

The only person I had trouble hearing for some reason was the liturgist. And hearing the children sing is always a joy.

The two screens used to display the song lyrics were mounted high and the font was the largest I’ve ever seen, so even from the very back pew, it was easy to see and follow.

The untitled sermon focused on God’s unchanging nature. The pastor emphasized two major points: God is holy, He has the right to be Master and Judge; and God is love and condescends to be our Friend and Companion. When God sent Jesus, it served to both satisfy His holiness and show His infinite love. This is the centerpiece of our faith.

Communion was celebrated as several rows at a time went forward and kneeled at the rail where a small bowl contained the bread and the juice was in individual cups sitting in cutouts on top of the rail.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray for Your continued guidance for this church, thanking You for the blessings You have poured out. Please encourage them and grow their faith, let the joy of serving You increase. Amen.

Baden United Methodist Church

Today we attended worship at Baden United Methodist Church, 420 Dippold Avenue, Baden, PA 15005, 724.869.2720, www.badenumc.org, Rev. D. Edward Bailey, Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

We needed a church that was close by that our daughter and family could attend that would allow them to meet up with friends. Shortly after arriving, two of my grandchildren got a little loud and Jan and my daughter took them to a nursery area.

At most churches we have felt very welcomed with children. Even though we sat toward the back I noticed a number of frowns around us. The front of the Sanctuary had more children being children, so I guess we sat in the wrong section. Oddly, when I reunited with my family I noticed that the nursery wasn’t staffed.

My youngest granddaughter fell asleep in my arms (while teething) and I honestly was so enraptured that the service faded as I thanked God for this little blessing.

God used the time to renew us all. Jan and our daughter needed time together and I needed to look at a sleeping baby to see God. I pray He guides this church to be a welcoming presence and blesses them as He blessed us.


Jan’s thoughts:

With children aged 4, 2, and almost 5 months, it’s a struggle for our daughter and son-in-law to attend church, although at home they manage to do so regularly. We attended this church because it was nearby and we recalled their friendliness from our prior visit. Shortly after we sat down the pastor invited the children to come forward, so I took the 4- and 2-year-olds up and sat with them on the Chancel. Of the three of us, I was the only one who noticed that the pastor never looked at them, which made me feel sad at their seeming to be excluded.

Soon afterward we felt they were too loud, so we left the Sanctuary. An usher escorted us to the nursery and showed us where the toys were kept, and my daughter and I were able to sit and talk without worrying about the kids’ volume while they played.

I was grateful for the opportunity to spend some quality mother/daughter time with our daughter, and through His presence I believe it was another of God’s gifts to us. He is such a generous God!

Baden United Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at Baden United Methodist Church, 420 Dippold Avenue, Baden, PA 15005, 724.869.2720, www.badenumc.org, Rev. D. Edward Bailey.

Bob’s thoughts:

This is a church that would be worth a visit even if you were not there for worship. The Sanctuary is A-frame style with very unusual stained glass. It seems less like stained glass than a section of wall built of chunks of colored glass, and the sun created beautiful patterns on the walls near the windows. There is a great metallic cross, centered, and the lighting is such that it creates a shadow of the cross on either side. The cross is hung in front of a back-lit metal screening which has large butterflies attached. The side walls have lovely banners; I particularly enjoyed the one with music symbols in the choir loft.

This great atmosphere to worship was enhanced by the welcome, as we were introduced to many and some sought us out afterwards.

I don’t think the mike was on for the Scripture readings, but we were near the back. I was pleased that the offering was taken in response to the Word.

There is almost no signage and it would take a bit to find your way around. We got to tour a little but a lot of the lower level resembled a school. And there was a large covered porch outside that I was curious about.

The minister was leaving on a camping trip right after the service, and I think he was already there. It was a good message, to kick back and relax and recharge, supplemented with some internet stories. Again we were in the back, but the minister was hard to understand.

Overall I sense this church to be in transition from inward to outward mission. I think they are answering God’s call and I would encourage them to go forward with what they have started.

I also appreciated the bulletin board dedicated to the military.

Jan’s thoughts:

I drive past this church twice each day, and since God didn’t seem to be leading us elsewhere, today seemed like a good day to check it out.

There was no parking lot but plenty of street parking and a perfect weather day to walk the short distance. We followed the lead of all the folks who seemed to be using the side entrance, and as we walked up the outside stairs we saw a porch – rather an unusual site at a church, but quite attractive.

We walked around downstairs some, but it was dark and very little was going on except for an adult Bible study, and then we encountered a gentleman who wanted to know if he could help us. He seemed to want to lead us back upstairs, so we headed that direction.

We decided to head toward the Sanctuary and find a seat. As we briefly spoke with the woman who handed us bulletins, we mentioned we were visitors and she quickly took my hand and led us toward the pastor’s study. She found him with some other folks, and excitedly introduced us to them all. She was an excellent person to have greeting visitors, as she was excited, animated, demonstrative, and more than willing to introduce us around. Someone else took over once we were seated, and he chatted with us and introduced us to more people.

The building was well kept, but we had to ask directions to the restrooms as there was almost no signage of any sort. The Sanctuary was quite beautiful. The pews were comfortably padded and set at a slight angle. There was lots of contemporary stained glass – abstract and very colorful. The rear wall of the Chancel was truly unique: it had white decorative wrought iron from floor to ceiling with a light green wall behind it and attractive back-lighting. Decorative butterflies of various sizes were attached to the wrought iron. Hanging from the ceiling in front of all this was a cross that was lit so as to cast a shadow on the walls on each side of the wrought iron. All this plus some gorgeous banners all the way down each side made for a striking view from where I sat.

The piano and choir were in the balcony to the rear of the Sanctuary, but easily heard.

The bulletin was two 8 ½ x 14” sheets folded in half and included the Order of Worship, attendance and giving figures, events for the week, a prayer list, and all sorts of announcements.

In his sermon, entitled “How to Kick Back, Relax, and Recharge!” the pastor spoke of the very common affliction these days in which we feel we must hurry, hurry, and hurry some more in order to simply keep our heads above water, never mind making any progress. There was plenty of Scripture read, but the one that was not read that kept running through my head was “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I’m sure I’m not alone in the occasional realization that I strive too much, worry too much, too often believe that my efforts are what make the difference in any given situation. Then once in a while I am reminded, as I was this morning, that God has my back and is handling things way better than I ever could if I just let Him and “be still and know that HE IS God.”