Hanover Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Hanover Presbyterian Church, 2462 State Route 18, Clinton, PA 15026, 724.899.2911, www.hanoverchurch.net, Rev. Jefferson Ellis, Pastor.

Bob’s thoughts:

We entered today through a rather elongated “L” to the Sanctuary. I wondered if it was a series of additions but found no one to ask. Didn’t notice signage but did find restrooms.

I found the Sanctuary interesting: white walls, ceiling, and beams with the natural wood of the pews and chancel wall.

We chose a rather Presbyterian pew toward the back near an oscillating fan. Unfortunately the fan was repositioned and I had trouble breathing through the service.

The sermon, “A Soldier’s Pack,” was about enthusiasm for the grace God gives to us, and something at the end about putting it in a pack.

I thought the person presenting the sermon did a good job of incorporating the prayer requests.

We were welcomed by a few people.

I noticed nothing about mission and felt this was an internal church. Maybe God will lead us back and we can meet the pastor.

Jan’s thoughts:

We had a nice summer’s morning drive in this rural area, although we only saw one horse.

The gentleman operating the audio/visual system greeted us, and a few others gave brief hellos. I noticed a sign listing points of interest with directional arrows.

There appears to be some mission involvement as I caught a letter from Kenya posted on a bulletin board.

The pastor was on vacation so a woman preached; I would guess she was a member of the church but there was nothing in the bulletin about her except her name.

The Sanctuary was attractive: white walls, ceiling, and pews with dark wood accents on the pews and the Chancel area. There were white beams across the ceiling with decorative white trim across the top of each…it was surprisingly striking.

The prelude music was especially uplifting, but I appreciated all the music.

I didn’t understand why they chose to forego the Children’s Sermon. There were a handful of children near us, and I think the mom in front of us was waiting for it because when it was announced that they would skip it she immediately took her children to another room.

The Sermon, “A Soldier’s Pack,” was centered on Matthew 14:22-33, II Thessalonians 3:6-13, and Galatians 6:1-10. There were many points, but some included: during our lifetime each of us has things we must do for ourselves that no one else can do for us; don’t compare ourselves with others, only with ourselves; once you become a Christian, everything else is on the other side; and take hold of what God has given.

She likened our walk through this world with a battle (hence the sermon title) which I found ironic because I referred to it in similar terms in my devotions this morning, so I couldn’t agree more.

Clinton United Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Clinton United Presbyterian Church, 25 Wilson Road, P.O. Box 175, Clinton, PA 15026, 724.695.7993, www.clintonupchurch.org, Rev. Laura E. Strauss, Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

A pretty country church with soft stained glass, tastefully decorated for Christmas. In addition to the cross on the Communion table, there was a large one on the wall and one above with a window effect.

They have good signage, and we were welcomed well. We sat towards the front to be with friends and had good seats for the Children’s Sermon, which was well done, a good length, and the children responded well.

There was no evidence of joy from the choir, but the pastor’s genuine smile made up for it.

The sermon wove around adoption: Joseph’s adoption of Christ, our adopting of Christ, to our adoption by Christ. We are welcomed to “Christ’s Home” with all ties to our former sinful lives severed.

I appreciated a time for silent prayer – very powerful in a corporate setting. I enjoyed seeing how Christ led the Elder in the mission moment; when He ignites the passion, it’s great to be used. I wondered what other missions may be supported.

I felt called to pray for the pastor and the church and felt/saw an aura that I interpreted as Christ’s blessing. I recall talking with young children in church who always saw the angels there that we adults are too old/staid to see.


Jan’s thoughts:

We had wanted to visit this church to catch up with an old friend, and we finally made it. We had a happy reunion with our friend and her daughters, both of whom were very young when we saw them last. We were glad for an opportunity to chat and catch up as well as get to know the girls some.

The building is well kept and beautifully decorated for Christmas. The facility was a bit confusing downstairs, but the signage helped greatly. The people were friendly: even before we caught up with our friend, folks were recognizing us as visitors and greeting us with introductions and questions.

There was color everywhere: the red carpet, the Chancel covered in red poinsettias, the choir in their red robes, beautifully crafted Christmas banners hanging on the walls, lighter but no less beautiful shades in the stained glass. I think the color added to the excitement in the air – it was awesome!

The bulletin was well done and user friendly.

The children participated enthusiastically in the Children’s Sermon, which centered on where there was room for the Baby Jesus in the nativity scene. This tied in perfectly with the sermon.

The sermon, entitled “He Has Come,” was based on Romans 1:1-7 and Matthew 1:18-25. The pastor explained that Jesus’ birth was all about adoption: literal, metaphorical, and divine. Jesus was literally adopted by Joseph once He entered this world; He is metaphorically adopted by us as “our Lord,” and we are divinely adopted by God.

The pastor told the story of her parents’ adoption of her younger brother and her vivid memories of his arrival at their home. She pointed out that when a child (or anyone) is adopted as part of a family, the family must physically make room for its new member, and asked “Have we made room in our hearts for the adopted Christ?” A good question, I think…any time of year.

Hebron Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Hebron Presbyterian Church, 1767 Route 30, Clinton, PA 15026, 724.899.2276, www.hebronatclinton.org, Rev. George L. Leitze, Interim Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

We were led again today, this time to Hebron Presbyterian Church. The church has the look of a modern building with muted blue classical stained glass in the Sanctuary. We found good but somewhat misleading signage: the restrooms are identified and signage indicating additional restrooms upstairs or down, but are single capacity.

There was a screen with announcements before the service, but it was not used at all during the service. The Prelude and music throughout was exceptional, and the anthem was very impressive. Also a good age mix to the choir, and some smiled – they loved worshiping in song.

Though the bulletin had a lot of inserts, I still thought it was easy to use. There is an atrium-type feel to the entrance, welcoming even with stairs. Some of the little things that make me smile were there – the large cross, and the Offering taken in response to the Word, and one of the warmest welcomes we have received. There was intentionality to the greetings before and after the service, even to the woman who inquired as to our lunch plans after.

They refer to themselves in the bulletin as “a lively country church.” There were a number of children in worship and I understand this was less than usual.

The sermon, “Defying Reason” was Christ in a nutshell. To come and sacrifice His life for a bunch of worthless sinners, the love story of Christ. A love that transcends reason, thanks be to God.

There are some good things at Hebron that could be great. We had the opportunity to donate to a mission to provide Pack & Play units for an East Liberty Health Care Center, and there is a good involvement with Angel Tree and a food pantry. There is also an impressive prayer ministry going on.

From what I could discern, they are missing the amazing blessing of tithing. The opportunity is there to worship God with His tithe and your offering, and you will be overwhelmed by the blessings. You can not out-give God, but please try.

Jan’s thoughts:

Again today we ended up at a church we did not set out to attend, but I must believe we were where God wanted us nonetheless.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Interim Pastor at this church was a gentleman with whom I had served on Pittsburgh Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry some years ago.

This is a small-ish country church, very well maintained inside and out. Well-coordinated woodwork, delightful stained glass windows, with a different, offset Chancel, and great signage. We had no trouble finding anything here, as many of the signs stuck out from the walls. Downstairs there were signs specifically stating that the restrooms were upstairs, so someone was thinking like a visitor.

The bulletin was well laid-out and easy to read. The people were extremely friendly: easily half the congregation greeted us before and after worship, and it felt unforced and genuine. One woman noticed Bob’s Marine Corps shirt and thanked him for his service. Many people who extend gratitude to a veteran have no idea how much that means, especially to someone who served in Vietnam.

The Children’s Time brought to the front probably 15 young ones (which we were told was down from the usual 20 or more!). In talking about lighting the Advent Candle of Love this morning, this time seemed at first to morph into a Minute for Mission, but further explanation made me realize it was more of a “hands-on” lesson in the meaning of love: the congregation is collecting funds to purchase 50 Pack & Plays for children in need. I was very touched, both for the mission itself and for the lessons taught to the children in giving and loving.

The music was very well done, and it was a joy to both watch and listen to the choir’s untitled anthem. It was upbeat, and the joy was apparent.

The sermon was titled “Defying Reason” and was based on Isaiah 63:7-9 and I John 3:11-18. The moment I read the title I felt God speaking to me with the resolution to an issue with which I was dealing. And when I heard the pastor say that “love transcends reason and sense,” the resolution to my issue was clear. By the end of the service my heart echoed the pastor’s words when he prayed that God would “help us to be unreasonable.”

I’ve been struggling to decide whether or not to take certain steps that would enhance the view some others have of me or to forego those steps and depend instead on God’s provision. This sermon forced me to remember that depending on God is the better choice.

I doubt anyone else heard this sermon the way I did, but that’s often the beauty of God’s Word in worship – the Holy Spirit helps us hear what our Heavenly Father knows we need to hear, which is usually different from what everyone else present needs to hear. And it’s reassuring to be shown once again that He knows me – and each of us – individually and perfectly. What a magnificent God we serve!