Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Today we worshiped at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 557 Perry Highway, Harmony, PA 16037, 724.452.8886, www.zioninharmony.com.

Scripture – NASB

Isaiah 25:1-9 –

O LORD, You are my God;

I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name;
For You have worked wonders,
Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
For You have made a city into a heap,
A fortified city into a ruin;
A palace of strangers is a city no more,
It will never be rebuilt.
Therefore a strong people will glorify You;
Cities of ruthless nations will revere You.
For You have been a defense for the helpless,
A defense for the needy in his distress,
A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat;
For the breath of the ruthless
Is like a rain storm against a wall.
Like heat in drought, You subdue the uproar of aliens;
Like heat by the shadow of a cloud, the song of the ruthless is silenced.
The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;
A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,
And refined, aged wine.
And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples,
Even the veil which is stretched over all nations.
He will swallow up death for all time,
And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces,
And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;
For the LORD has spoken.
And it will be said in that day,
"Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.
This is the LORD for whom we have waited;
Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."

Psalm 23 –

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Philippians 4:1-9 –

Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Matthew 22:1-14 –

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast."' But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.

"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

Bob’s thoughts:

We were welcomed by a number of people and it made me wonder what prompts folks to say hello. In a church of 50 or so worshipers, visitors often stand out. I frequently seek someone who looks busy to ask how to get my shut-in prayer information letter to the right person. Today a woman took the time to engage us in conversation, and in the course of it I learned she has a ministry to their shut-in members. If God orchestrates something as simple as that for us, I wonder what else He is doing in our lives every day.

She also stopped by during the Passing of Christ’s Peace to let us know we would be welcome to partake of Communion.

I noted a cross on the chancel and an interesting pattern of the painted wood paneled ceiling.

There was a prayer of dedication for the new cross on the steeple.

The congregation is searching for a new pastor and Pastor Susie was filling in. Her message today was from the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22. The sermon developed easily and included application. To God’s glory, believers’ names are now on the guest list.

She interjected a story of a woman’s troubles with her VW Beetle and I was reminded of a prank when I was young. VWs were still new to Pittsburgh when two women in my church both bought one. There were few options then so they were the same color but parked on opposite sides of the street. The challenge was too much for some teenaged boys: we switched them and waited for the service to end. The concept that a couple of teens could move their car was beyond comprehension. Wish I could remember how it ended.

The pastor told the congregation how she prays her way through the church directory. What a powerful thing, to have the pastor praying for the individuals of the church.

We were addressed by name when we went up for Communion, a most friendly gesture.

We had a great few minutes with the pastor and others after the service. I wish we could have stayed for the social time after.

Jan’s thoughts:

This is one of the Lutheran churches that has been on our list for some time. It’s a lovely building, but the treasure is its people.

We were warmly greeted from the moment we entered the building, and a couple of gentlemen struck up a conversation with Bob about military service. By the time we entered the sanctuary, eight or 10 people had introduced themselves and welcomed us. During the Passing of the Peace more folks greeted us, and this continued even after worship ended.

Occasionally when we visit a church we encounter someone who is especially welcoming, someone with whom we just seem to click. Today we met a friend we had not met before who was warm and gracious. She stopped prior to worship to introduce herself and chat, and then again before Communion to let us know that theirs is an open table and we were welcome to partake. This sort of hospitality can make all the difference for first-time visitors, and we deeply appreciated her kindness.

The church is between pastors at the moment, but as this is a Communion Sunday here, Pastor Susie, who lives nearby and serves part-time, preached and administered Communion. Physically Pastor Susie has several challenges, but her voice and faith are strong, along with her sense of gratitude.

Pastor Susie’s untitled message was a strong warning not to make excuses or put off accepting the invitation of the King of Kings. I appreciated her reminder that “because Jesus was snubbed, our names are on the guest list.”

We were delighted to take part in Communion and I was touched when Pastor Susie handed me the Bread, spoke to me and called me by name.

We appreciated the time taken by these new friends to chat after worship and we were overjoyed for the opportunity to lay hands on and pray for Pastor Susie.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray for this church as well as the spiritual leader You are preparing for them. We trust Your care in this time of preparation and Your timing in bringing them together. Amen.

Zelienople Church of Christ

Today we worshiped at Zelienople Church of Christ, 112 Mennonite Lane, Harmony, PA 16066, 724.816.2035, www.zeliechurch.com, Pastor Reid Moon.

Scripture – NIV

Hebrews 12:18-24

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Exodus 19:9-13

The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

Exodus 19:16-19

On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

Bob’s thoughts:

This has been an interesting Sunday. We chose (or were led to) a church in Harmony. We had wanted to worship here to facilitate meeting up with one of our daughters and grandchildren in Zelienople to share lunch.

The church building is small but the church has a large heart. Signage was virtually non-existent but we entered directly into the sanctuary, which has a low enough ceiling that the ceiling fans would be effective.

I did find a cross on a wall banner and the Communion serving trays. The service has a lot of music and no instruments are used, though I’m not sure why.

It was a joy to hear a baby somewhere in the sanctuary that tried to sing along with each selection.

My uncontrollable cough came back and someone slipped out to get me a bottle of water…a sign of a healthy church.

The sermon was about the difference between God’s inaccessibility during Moses’ time when sinful people could not be near to God and now, following Christ’s death for our sins, God does not see our sinful selves, but our Savior. There was some insight into Christ’s Crucifixion: we get caught up in believing there is something more we need to do to earn our salvation. It brought to mind something I read from Max Lucado in this morning’s devotions: Christ’s payment was so complete that He used a banking term when He said “It is finished” (John 19:30)…“tetelestai” (the final payment, the ultimate payment). We don’t earn grace and we can add nothing.

We were warmly greeted and got to talk to some members after the service. A highlight was a boy who asked if he could pass out the bulletins and then went and welcomed everyone as he gave them.

After a pleasant lunch with family where I was blessed with a gracious server, we stopped for a few things at Shop & Save. When the woman at the checkout asked how I was, I told her honestly that I was overwhelmingly blessed. I was telling her how I felt I missed an opportunity earlier in the week to pay for the groceries of the woman ahead of me when a clerk ran up with $20 from the woman who had been ahead of me checking out. The woman asked to put that toward my bill and abruptly left the store. As much as I appreciated it, the clerk’s reaction was priceless. “You just told me you were overwhelmingly blessed and this woman pays for your order.”

What an awesome God we serve.

Jan’s thoughts:

Within moments after we entered we were greeted and engaged in friendly conversation with the pastor and several others. This was followed by greetings from still other members and an invitation to join the chili cook-off following worship.

A friendly youth gave us each a bulletin and verbally welcomed us to the church.

As the pastor had mentioned, there was plenty of singing but no instruments of any kind. However there surely was beautiful music praising God.

Celebration of Communion every week is unusual in my experience, but this church does so. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to partake.

Early in the service one of the members who had greeted us handed me a notebook. He referred to it as a Prayer Journal and invited us to write any prayer requests we might have. The journal was then passed around the rest of the congregation and used by the pastor as the basis for the morning Praise and Prayer time. Since we are perpetual visitors, we seldom participate in this part of the service and I felt blessed to be included.

The sermon was titled “Angels in Joyful Assembly” and was a study of the contrast between the unapproachability of God at Mt. Sinai and His mercy at Mt. Zion.

I found the subject fascinating and plan to read more of the Scripture; I also enjoyed his fervent, authentic style of preaching.

Partway into the sermon Bob had a coughing spell and one of the gentlemen left for a moment and brought him a bottle of water. This is the kind of thoughtful hospitality that makes an impact.

Our prayer for this church:

Father, we pray You continue to bless this congregation and let them share their joy in serving You. Amen.

Grace Church of Harmony

Today we worshiped at Grace Church of Harmony, 538 Main Street, Harmony, PA 16037, 724.452.7270, www.gcoh.org, Peter Everett, Senior Pastor.

Scripture – NIV

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!

“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.

“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Romans 11:25-32

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all."

Bob’s thoughts:

We were turned around in our efforts to get to where we thought God was directing us to worship, and when we gave in to God’s leading we ended up at Grace.

An usher asked if we were there for a family’s child dedication and we responded that we were just visiting; our only other conversation was with a woman who introduced herself after the service although I couldn’t help but smile at the friendly gestures from some babies I interacted with. My memory from our last visit was of a much friendlier, albeit early, service.

The youth pastor gave the announcements and asked visitors to fill in the pew card so they could pray for them during the week.

The music today was great, especially the violin.

The sermon started with a story of missionary efforts being redirected by God, which made me think of how many times – like today – when we have been redirected. We need to follow GPS: God’s Promises in Scripture.

Jan’s thoughts:

We visited the early service at this church just over a year ago and today we participated in the later service. Apparently today we were far from the only visitors due to a child dedication during the service. Once inside we were looking around and one gentleman paused on his way through the lobby area to offer directions to the facilities.

As we found seats I wondered how long it had been since I sat in a regular pew. Somehow it felt right to be in such traditional surroundings on this First Sunday of Advent.

The uplifting music was superb, helped along by the violin, two guitars, and another instrument just out of my line of sight. The special music for the offering was one that was new to me called “How Many Kings,” a moving song that I highly recommend.

I appreciated the sermon outline provided in the Order of Worship since this message, “Future Restoration,” was part of a series based on the deeply theological book of Romans. The future restoration referred to is of Israel, as he reminded that “God has everything in human history and in your life planned out to the last detail,” that “His promise to Abraham is irrevocable…when God says He will do something, it will happen for certain.” Final points included the strong reminder that “No unbeliever is beyond the reach of God’s mercy.”

At times we wonder what is taking God so long, what is the purpose behind the “delay” in whatever it is we anticipate, be it the resolution of some issue in our life or the return of Jesus Christ. If we keep in mind that, as the pastor pointed out, our salvation is by God’s mercy alone, perhaps we can learn to wait patiently in faith and gratitude, knowing that He is allowing what is best for us as well as for the rest of the world. Although we do not understand it, happily, this is easy for the God Who created the universe. “You will never regret living like you believed God.”

Our prayer for this church:

Father, we pray Your church recognizes Your redirection and that they continue to follow You. Amen.

Grace Church of Harmony

Today we worshiped at Grace Church of Harmony, 538 Main Street, Harmony, PA 16037, 724.452.7270, www.gcoh.org, Peter Everett, Senior Pastor.

Scripture

Philippians 2:12-18 –

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Luke 12:22-34

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith!  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Bob’s thoughts:

We were early and the only person we saw upstairs said good morning in passing. When we were downstairs another woman said a cheery hello and, noticing my interest in the kitchen, stepped out to ask if we were visitors. She was quick to apologize for not having a greeter in the narthex and quite surprised when I said I might do the job. She made me feel like family.

We joined about 70-80 people for an 8 a.m. service. The sanctuary is pleasant, and while reading the announcements on the screen I wondered if the screen might be hiding a cross. When the service began I was pleased to see displayed on the screen a photo of the cross and the organ pipes it obscured.

The signage I saw was small and simple but effective.

Many songs were accompanied by a French horn, which was a real asset. The male soloist who played guitar during the offering sounded professional. I believe there were also two men playing guitars and two men and a woman singing vocals. I wish we could have heard the woman’s voice. The songs were good and sung with passion usually reserved for “Here I Am, Lord.”

The Youth Pastor read some of the Scripture and I liked the inflection in his voice.

It sounded like an instrument amplifier was left on during the message, which could detract. But I realized that the sermon seemed long to me because he was preaching to the choir: it was a message I completely agree with. I don’t remember to whom the line was credited, but it reminded me of relatives and friends I have known: “I have had a lot of trouble, most of which never happens.”

The pastor acknowledged he was preaching to himself, and me likewise. We know it to be true and can extoll it to others, but we fail miserably at living it. We are blessed that our Lord understands and forgives us.

Sometimes there is a word or two that really speaks to me and today it was “our stuff owns us.” Guilty and determined to do something about it. I will trust my personal security to GPS: God Personified in the Son.

Jan’s thoughts:

We arrived with plenty of time to look around this well laid out and cared for facility. As we toured we encountered several people who greeted us warmly. This is another church that, even with two services, recognized visitors.

From all indications, the signage is a work in progress, but there was enough to point us in the right direction.

Mission seems to be very high on the list for this church. Bulletin boards and other displays indicate support for numerous missionaries who looked to be international but I could find no indication of what location they were serving.

Ministry to the youth is another area of importance, proven by the presence of a friendly and well-spoken Youth Pastor.

The sanctuary is lovely, with white and off-white walls accentuated with varying shades of purple which brought out the colors of the stained glass and allowed the bit of bright red in the windows to really stand out.

The music was led by a director with a strong voice and provided by several talented people who, if they are not professional certainly could have been. Their sound was unique, and with a keyboard and two guitars, I think the unique sound I was hearing was the French horn, which added a lot. I appreciated the special music during the offering also…the soloist accompanied himself on the guitar and sounded a lot like a country singer whose name escapes me.

The message, “Fear Not, the Kingdom Is Yours,” was presented by Associate Pastor Eric Rodes and centered on the uselessness and, indeed, sinfulness of worry. He pointed out that worry drains our ability to get something done and it is Satan’s lie that it gets us somewhere.

He declared that what worry does do is cast doubt on God’s care; the world says you are poor if you lack certain things, but it is the one who has a lot and wants more who is poor, while the one who is content with less is rich. “Having” is not the problem; the issue is how you view what you have. The biblical perspective means you (1) hold it loosely, (2) use it for the Kingdom, and (3) be prepared to let go of it if/when God asks you to. Otherwise it owns us and prevents us from ministering freely to others because we see them as enemies.

God has recently been guiding me into considering the negative effects of worry and today’s message has given me further food for thought. It is so easy to buy into the world’s messages, but God’s messages are countercultural. The world says I should be thinner, richer, have a bigger house, a more expensive vehicle, take luxurious vacations; God reminds me He has already blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined and if I will simply be the person He made me to be and do what He placed me here to do, I will be happy because I am fulfilling His plan for me.

The idea of choosing to be happy with what God has provided is, I think, what Paul meant in Philippians 3:7 when he wrote, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” To choose not to worry about what we feel we’ve lost in this life and instead decide to be happy with what God has given us if for no other reason than because it comes from the hand of Christ, trusting His love and provision. I think I have come to believe that is the key to happiness and contentment.

Our prayer for this church:
Lord, help us all to rid our lives of the things that separate us from You. We pray for the grace to trust and obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.