Four Mile Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Four Mile Presbyterian Church, 6078 Tuscarawas Road, Beaver, PA 15009, 724.495.6520, www.fourmile.org, Rev. R. Martin Williams.


Bob’s thoughts:

We decided to go back to Four Mile to experience the second service. It surprises me sometimes what you notice on a second visit. I remember the impressive cross over the drapery, and how the back-lighting made it stand out. Today it seemed that the cross was on fire…maybe that was just for me. The congregation was more animated than our last visit, and there were a lot of children present. I was pleased that the offering was taken in response to the Word.

I had the opportunity to look at the July and August newsletters and noted more references to outward mission.

The church seems education-oriented, and of note to me was a grief-sharing class lasting 13 weeks. Much better effort than most churches offer.

The sermon started out as a good Bible-based message. Unfortunately, pain forced me to stand and I missed a good bit of the sermon. While I was standing in the narthex, I found what was for me the highlight of our visit: on the information table was a Sunday worship feedback form with questions and room for comments. I was very impressed.

Jan’s thoughts:

Today was our second visit to this church. When we attended the 9:30 service we were told the 11:00 service was livelier and well-attended, so today we were able to see that they were absolutely right about that.

It’s a nicely laid out facility with mostly good signage, except for the restrooms right off the narthex. The signs are placed on the front of the doors, which is fine when the door is closed, but I nearly walked through the open men's room door because I didn’t see the sign until I was a step through the door. (I’ve just GOT to quit walking through the first restroom door I see…) My suggestion is to place the sign so that it protrudes into the open space so that someone can tell (from across the room, if necessary) which door they are headed for.

A few of the adults greeted us by nodding to us on our way in, but as is so often the case when a church has two services, no one really knows if you attend the other service or if you’re really a visitor. For most, their comfort level decides for them that you’re probably not a visitor and therefore don’t need to be greeted.

The music at this church is really superb. The musicians are all male (why, I don’t know…) and are quite talented. I was very glad we sat in the last row because the volume must have been cranked all the way up – I could literally FEEL the bass. But their sound is excellent, the screen graphics are attention-grabbers, and one of the songs they performed today was an original composition. Obviously a very gifted group.

The message was from the current sermon series entitled “Winning the Battles for Life” and was based on I John 4:1-21. The part I heard most loudly was that our lives matter to God and that our battles matter to God also. I appreciated the note at the bottom of the sermon notes: “Whatever it takes, wherever it leads, Jesus – let You be seen in me.” Amen to that.

Four Mile Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Four Mile Presbyterian Church, 6078 Tuscarawas Road, Beaver, PA 15009, 724.495.6520, Rev. R. Martin Williams.


Bob’s thoughts:

We were early and had some time to tour around the church. Outside there is a sign on the doors to the worship center which is the only apparent one. There was a fair amount of interior signage but nothing directing from the Sanctuary to restrooms or child care. The large backlit cross in front of dark drapes was very effective. We also saw some great banners and a most unusual plaque. People we met on our tour were friendly and introduced themselves.

After seeing the ancient hymnal in the pew, we felt fortunate that this was a contemporary service. There seemed to be a good comfort system that brought in cool outdoor air. I noticed a child care paging system, and in addition to the dual projector screens there were two monitors on the first pew for the worship team. The worship atmosphere was quite pleasant.

The sermon was part of a series titled “Home Security Systems,” identifying threats to our family and marriage and recommending safeguards. Being Mother’s Day I thought it would have been an easy segue to mothers, but there were some very good points made and the pastor knew when to end his message. An instructor once told me it takes two people to paint a great watercolor – one painting and one to tell you when to stop. For maximum effect, that lesson is important in sermons also.

I was disappointed that the offering was not taken in response to the Word, but was completely overwhelmed by the song sung during Communion, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” The words were perfect and the harmony of the three men who sang was a delight.

There seemed to be a lot of confusion over partaking of the elements of Communion. With no instruction given, we watched the congregation, and some took as they were served while others waited. Most took the juice at the pastor’s lead. The Communion elements were offered in silence, and it did not seem like Communion without a benediction.

We did get to speak to the music director after the service and relay our appreciation of the Communion song.

The welcome packet was well put together, although no one offered one, I happened to see them and took one. I also was able to look at April and May newsletters. There seems to be some good internal mission, but not so much outward.

Jan’s thoughts:

The building is newer, with a paved parking lot and excellent signage in the parking lot. We arrived early, providing an opportunity to tour the facilities prior to the service. Nearly everyone we encountered on our tour greeted us, which is remarkable in itself. Both floors and the balcony were well maintained and clean. We saw a large kitchen, well arranged and appointed. The facilities also house a day care center and a food pantry.

The indoor signage was plentiful, though they did not protrude so as to be seen from down the hall.

At the back of the Sanctuary is a prayer room that’s utilized as a cry room during worship.

We knew there were two services, and when we entered and heard three men rehearsing a contemporary song we figured we’d lucked out and happened to be attending the contemporary service. To our surprise we were told both services are the same, i.e., both are contemporary, the only difference being that the 11:00 service is attended by a somewhat younger crowd and tends to be more vocal and animated. (We plan to attend an 11:00 service sometime just for the experience.)

The Sanctuary is impressive: clean, nicely painted and decorated, with an airy, open feel and plenty of seating on the main level and additional room in the balcony. The Chancel per se was replaced by a stage due to the format of both services. A large backlit cross hangs on the rear wall of the stage, lovely and striking in its simplicity. Projection screens hang on each side and large monitors are placed in view of the worship leaders.

Judging from a metal sculpture in the hallway and the banners in the Sanctuary as well as additional banners saw hanging in a storage area we stumbled upon, some members are quite gifted and use their gifts to glorify God in the physical building.

We were warmly greeted by many people before and during the service.

The bulletin is one 8 ½” x 14” sheet folded so as to create a flap on the right side of the page so the final size of the bulletin is 8 ½” x 5 ½”. It’s clearly arranged and contains lots of information – except for the pastor’s name, surprisingly enough. The half-sheet insert contained a brief Order of Worship on one side and space for note-taking on the other. Since I rarely take notes during a sermon, my initial thought was there was no way I’d need that much space, but by the time the sermon was over I had used the entire page – including the margins – to note all the sermon points I wanted to remember.

There were two things I didn’t find in the bulletin: as I already mentioned, one is the pastor’s name, and the second is the Scripture upon which the message was based.

The congregation remained seated while Communion was served, but with no written or verbal instruction, we were unsure when to partake of the elements.

The sermon series was titled “Home Security Systems” and today’s was called “Intruder Alerts.” The pastor pinpointed specific, concrete considerations about the strength of our marriage and family relationships. Some of the points I found particularly interesting included: family relationships matter to God; our marriage is not our own – we are stewards, not owners; relationships and worship are related; our marriage and relationships are targeted by Satan and can have consequences to many future generations. We need to stay on the alert so as to honor God with how we treat those we love and live with. We will have to give an account for what He’s entrusted to us, and we need to live with the end in mind. Amen.