Today we worshiped
at Burry’s Church / St. John’s United Evangelical Protestant Church, 1835 Route
68, Rochester, PA 15074, 724.452.6941, www.burryschurch.org,
Win Groseclose, Senior Pastor.
Scripture
– Luke 12:22-34
"And he said to his disciples,
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat,
nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the
body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they
have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more
value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a
single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a
thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how
they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which
is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much
more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to
eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world
seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead,
seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your
Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give
to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a
treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no
moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Bob’s
thoughts:
I
was glad to get back here for a visit…we were moving some things for our
daughter, and this church was on en route.
I like the feel of this church, especially the
lighted cross and stained glass.
The
exceptional response to the first praise song fell off for the rest of the
music.
The
sermon was a reminder for us about getting out from under our stuff. God has
never failed to provide but the excess stuff is a burden, not a blessing.
Jan’s
thoughts:
Circumstances
placed us in this neighborhood this morning, so we returned to this church
after only one year. Unfortunately we arrived just as the service was starting
so had no time to chat beforehand.
The
¾-full sanctuary was lovely with intricate, colorful stained glass.
Those
seated nearby welcomed us at the appointed greeting time.
The
first song was contemporary, and I was amazed at the enthusiasm from the song
leaders and the congregation: there was clapping and even foot stomping!
We
were privileged to witness the Installation of the Vacation Bible School
Servants, a large group committed to teaching the youth about Christ…an awesome
responsibility and privilege.
The
sermon was “The Raven and the Lily” and spoke to the topic of worry. He
explained that when Jesus referred to the ravens and the lilies, His audience
would have recognized that He was referring to all that was unclean (as were
the ravens) as well as clean (the lilies).
He
continued to say the pagans have reason to worry, but when a believer gives in
to worldly anxiety and fear and lets worry get the better of them, it betrays
their lack of faith. Faith is impoverished by worry.
This
message was a strong reminder of the uselessness and sinfulness of worry. In
our culture we always say we know we should not worry, but we often forget to
remind ourselves that God knows our needs and will be faithful to provide. Of
course there are times when He provides in unexpected ways, or He uses trials
to teach us. But the bottom line is that He will always give us what we need,
whether or not it is what we want.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray the church will feel liberated and their souls refreshed by getting
their excess stuff gone. Amen.