New Brighton Free Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at New Brighton Free Methodist Church, 925 11^th Street, New Brighton, PA 15066, 724.843.2777, www.newbrightonfmc.org, Pastor Steve Forsythe.


Scripture –

Psalm 62:5-8 NLT –
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude

1 Samuel 13:16-23 NIV –
Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash. Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah in the vicinity of Shual, another toward Beth Horon, and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim facing the wilderness.

Not a blacksmith could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!” So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened. The price was two-thirds of a shekel for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass at Mikmash.


Bob’s thoughts:

We were warmly welcomed and offered coffee and cake.

There was a boy in a wheelchair suffering from a broken leg. We found out after the service that he was the son of the man who invited us back to hear the new pastor. God is amazing.

I welcomed the sight of the great wooden cross on the chancel and appreciated the uplifting praise songs, Redemption Song, a favorite, was especially well done.

The sermon was part of a series called Breakthrough. Although the first part was called Action, the second was titled Prepare. Today’s preparations affect tomorrow’s breakthrough. The message dealt with the limitations the devil tries to put on us and how easily we fall for his schemes.

I notice more and more churches have replaced the pulpit and lectern with an iPad stand. Churches that are alive keep changing. It was nice to hear occasional amens to the message.


Jan’s thoughts:

We ran into a friend from this church soon after our last visit and he invited us back to hear their new pastor, so this church has been on our list since even though it’s only been a year.

Many people welcomed us warmly, offered coffee and snacks, and took the time for introductions and conversations.

The sanctuary windows are large blocks of frosted pink and white and cast a cheerful glow inside.

I was unfamiliar with all but one of the songs, but the musical leadership had strong voices and beautiful harmony, so I just let the words sink in.

The message was part two of a series called Breakthrough, and I really wish I could hear parts one and three. Today’s focus began with preparation and a Key Thought: Today’s preparation will determine tomorrow’s breakthrough. After that, he transitioned to an amazing teaching on spiritual warfare in which he outlined three of Satan’s strategies to discourage God’s people. They are:

1 – The Battle of Limitation. He stated that if you live with this lie that there is not enough, it will not be long before you start to believe an even bigger lie – I am not enough.

2 – The Battle of Intimidation. He said intimidation compromises determination and occurs when things are dark and we are scared.

3 – The Battle of Exaggeration. Often the Enemy tries to convince us “You are the only one” which leaves us feeling alone and without support.

He was vulnerable and open about his own battles with these lies and advised the best way to overcome them was to Climb Over The Lie (1 Samuel 14:13).

A superb reminder: The same God who did not fail us in the past will not fail us in the future. I needed to hear that.

He closed with two questions: To whose voice will you listen? and Who will you believe?

The pastor offered this powerful message with an intensity that made it clear he has fought these battles, the same ones most of us fight. I am deeply grateful to have heard this message, as it clarified and validated some personal recent experiences. Praise God, He always sends us to hear what we most need.


Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray You will encourage Your church to invite others to worship. Lead them and show them what a simple thing it is to do. Amen.

New Brighton Free Methodist Church

Today we worshiped at New Brighton Free Methodist Church, 925 11^th Street, New Brighton, PA 15066, 724.843.2777, www.nbfm.org, Rev. Joshua A. Mackenstein, Pastor.

Scripture –

Romans 12:11 ESV –

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Bob’s thoughts:

We were warmly welcomed, it was about Sunday School time and we were invited to join one of the adult classes. We were not told what they were studying, only who was leading the class so we thought it best to wait in the air-conditioned sanctuary for the service to start.

We were greeted by the substitute pastor who shared a little about the Free Methodists.

There is an exquisite relief carving and picturesque banner on the front wall along with a wooden cross hung so it is angled out from the wall.

A number of members offered friendly, welcoming gestures such as which areas might be cooler and making sure we had bulletins. I was glad to get a prayer list.

I appreciated seeing the worship team meet for prayer before the service started. As always, I enjoyed watching the children, especially the two (obviously) sisters a few rows in front of us.

The trombone was a nice addition to the praise music.

The message dealt with our slothful approach compared to the zeal we should have for God. It made me remember when Christ claimed me. I was probably obnoxiously on fire for Christ. (This is true. ~Jan)

But longer-term Christians waited for that zeal to taper off. I still have trouble with that thinking. I found ways to be zealous without being so obnoxious and most importantly, to be all about Him, not me. I guess a goal would help new Christians not to settle to the level of the church.

I may be the only one who heard this part, but I heard a reference to getting back in sync with Christ as like a refreshing drink. It reminded me of something I read this morning about Marines just off the lines at Belleau Wood being called to fight at Soissons. They were marching to get to this new fight with little rest, no food or water, when they came to a muddy pool on the side of the road. They pulled out the sticks and leaves and had that refreshing drink that they still remembered long after the war as their best drink. Christ is like that. When we obey, He washes over us.

Jan’s thoughts:

We arrived especially early and several members greeted us cordially. We opted to look around a bit then wait in the air-conditioned sanctuary.

The pastor we met was filling the pulpit this morning and kindly took time for welcoming conversation along with some education about the denomination. The Free Methodists are much older than I realized, dating back to the Civil War era. A number of other folks also stopped on their way into the sanctuary to greet us.

After we found seats, someone thoughtfully stopped to let us know that coffee and pastries had been set out in the outer area.

The music was led by a trio including a trombone. When I saw it, I thought it might drown out the two leaders’ voices and the acoustic guitar, but he played softly and it was a delightful touch that blended perfectly.

In the message, called Awaken Your Spirit Within to Conquer Evil, Pastor Jim Miller spoke to anyone who has felt lethargic and in a slump: he asked “What will you do about it?” He reminded the congregation that we are not helpless and must take responsibility for our spiritual condition.

He pointed out that self-pity “is a dragon we need to slay NOW” and if we find ourselves in a slump and lacking fire in our spirit, we should call on God to restore our spirit instead of trumpeting the call that “I got this!” We don’t have the answers, but they can be found if we will open God’s Word because the answer IS in there. He said we have no business living like life is a duty and choosing to live hopelessly…that attitude is the equivalent of spitting on Jesus. We must come to the Cross as we are and ask God to restore our soul because we cannot restore our own souls any more than we can save ourselves.

I was pleased to partake in Communion and, following worship, to visit with some friends we did not know attended here.

Our prayer for this church:

Father, we pray You are with Your church as they struggle to carry on during their pastor’s illness. We ask that You touch the pastor and restore his health completely. Amen.