North Hills Church of Christ

Today we worshiped at North Hills Church of Christ, 797 Thompson Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412.487.5969, www.nhillscoc.org, Pastor Terry Lafferty.

Scripture – ESV

Hebrews 5:11-6:3 –

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

2 Peter 1:5-11 –

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Bob’s thoughts:

I love the back-lit cross above the baptistry: it looks like window mullions but becomes a cross. The sanctuary is square but set up L-shaped, directed to one corner. The knotty pine ceiling is set off by large dark wood beams, which tie the sanctuary together well.

The signage was ample.

I appreciated the worship team’s prayer before the start of the service, hands on each other’s backs, huddle style.

No instruments are used but the congregation has a choir-like sound. I thought of how often an organ drowns out the voices and I have no idea where we are in the hymns.

The sermon was part of a series called Better from Hebrews. Today’s was on Christian growth, From Bottle Fed to Spirit Led: our need to be nurtured from mother’s milk messages to more mature, meatier sermons.

Something I’m being led through to break the dullness of hearing is to shed a lot of my stuff in order to heighten my focus on God. I once had a large mechanic’s box filled with tools and came to realize that was my god. When Christ claimed me, I got my soul back and my family back as well. Now, with each thing I get rid of, I find my focus on God grows.

We were pleased to spend some time with the pastor after the service and impressed that he remembered us. I was also impressed with the prayer ministry there.

Jan’s thoughts:

Since it has been five years since we visited this church, it seemed like a good time to return. As usual, Bob recognized the parking lot. 

We entered during the Sunday school hour and were greeted and invited to find a seat in the sanctuary. First we took a brief, self-guided tour of the building, during which we encountered some friendly volunteers, and after a little wandering we returned to the sanctuary and found seats for the last 15-20 minutes of adult Sunday school.

Several other folks welcomed us warmly after the service ended.

The sanctuary is quite lovely, decorated mostly by the architecture of the room. When I noted there were no musical instruments or microphones, I realized this must be the church where the congregation sings a cappella, and I was correct. I knew about half of the songs, but the ones I didn’t know, I enjoyed just listening to the congregation and reading the words on the screen. The congregation’s singing was impressive: it included harmony and a terrific mix of voices.

Immediately before the service started, the men who were participating in the worship leadership circled together for prayer.

This congregation celebrates Communion weekly and I was glad we could be present to participate. Everyone served themselves silently except us, though we did whisper.

The message was entitled From Bottle Fed to Spirit Led and was part of a series called Better. The pastor pointed out that as much as we all love babies, we want them to grow just as God wants us to grow. There are many reasons some stay stagnant in their faith life, but the blessings of a deeper relationship with God far outweigh the challenges (which, I think, are among the blessings).

He said we should all be asking ourselves if we have grown spiritually, keeping in mind that each person grows at their own rate so we are not in a position to judge the spiritual growth of others. Also, we should keep in mind that our spiritual growth does not happen by accident, but requires constant practice and self-discipline.

He ended by asking, “Are you drinking from a bottle or are you ready for some meat?”

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray You will continue to grow Your church beyond milk to a meat-filled meal. Help them to be a beacon for You. Amen.

North Hills Church of Christ

Today we worshiped at North Hills Church of Christ, 797 Thompson Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412.487.5969, www.nhillscoc.org, Terry Lafferty, Minister.

Scripture –

2 Corinthians 3:18:

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Revelation 21:4:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Bob’s thoughts:

We were greeted as we entered, given a bulletin, and directed to the restrooms. A few people asked if we were visiting and where we were from. On a quick look downstairs signage was evident. My guess was there was nothing but the Sanctuary on the main floor.

The pews are arranged in an angular arc and the wooden cross is centered in a window. The service started with one of the music leaders singing what at first sounded like Jewish music, and the congregation joined in. It was a prelude to one of the best music programs I have heard. The congregation sang with the harmony of a well-trained choir and all were done without instruments. One of my favorites, “You Are My All in All,” was sung with the female echo and then reversed on the next verse. I can’t remember a congregation being so seamless in song.

The offer was made for prayer card for private or corporate prayer. A number of different people offered prayers comfortably.

The sermon, “From One Degree to Another,” focused on our steps to a new commencement. It was great direction to me to never stop graduating, from one degree of glory to the next.

I wondered if others are like me in maintaining where I am in Christ without thinking of pursuing the next degree. I am grateful for the message and grateful that the pastor would let Christ use him to deliver direction for me. I really enjoyed hearing so much Scripture quoted throughout the sermon, the Word of God for all to hear. The last point of striving for a degree in cardiology struck me personally.

We stayed for a few minutes after the service for a tribute to two graduates with a video montage that was well done.

Jan’s thoughts:

We attempted to worship here several weeks ago, but God wanted us to hear another sermon that day. Today I learned He was saving this one especially for me.

I appreciated being greeted immediately upon entering, and there was signage but none for restrooms because they were immediately inside the building.

We briefly toured downstairs but all we saw were classrooms and it was too close to start time to look around any further.

The Sanctuary was striking even without stained glass. Lots of matching wood, an intriguing ceiling, and comfortable pews arranged in a zigzag layout unlike anything I’ve seen before.

The pews were nearly filled and the members were animated in their conversations, so when the hour arrived, the lights were briefly turned way down to let everyone know it was time to find their seats. I found this merely interesting until a gentleman began leading the congregation in song, and when I looked around I realized there were no musical instruments in the Sanctuary. The amazing thing, though, is that instruments were unnecessary. In the course of the service at least seven songs were sung (I may have miscounted), with three different male leaders at various times. Obviously the leaders all had superb voices, but the congregation maintained incredible volume and harmony. What an absolute joy to participate in that musical praise.

I was blessed to partake of Communion and to read the Scripture on the projection screen during the sacrament.

The sermon series is entitled “God’s Great Adventure” and this installment is “From One Degree to Another.” Since the high school graduation of two members was recognized later in the service, the title was a creative connection.

The pastor pointed out that life’s new beginnings and fresh starts provide a series of graduations and commencements to new steps in life. For instance, “the Israelites graduated from slaves to wilderness wanderers to inhabitants of the Promised Land. The woman caught in adultery was given a new beginning, and it took Jonah only three days to receive his degree.” He used other Bible characters as illustrations, including Peter, who was “faithless at the trial and faithful at the tomb,” to illustrate his point that we “should never stop graduating and should be transformed on a regular basis.”

He suggested the following three degrees that everyone needs to seek:

1. A degree in Bibliology – it should be our lifelong pursuit, along with a minor in prayerology.
2. A degree in Pneumatology (i.e., the Holy Spirit) – He is the key to defeating sin, He is the giver of gifts, and the fruit-producer. We are warned against grieving or quenching Him.
3. A degree in Cardiology – the heart is central, it should be guarded and examined.

The pastor issued the reminder that Revelation 21:4 guarantees one final graduation and commencement for us all.

This message spoke to me loud and clear. I so often feel like I should be moving forward somehow but I’m never sure in what direction. This message reminded me that each day God graciously allows me to again learn and grow and graduate and to become a new person. So, I’m not stymied after all. What freedom there is in finding that I’m already doing part of what I have so wanted to! And, I get to do it again tomorrow!

Our prayer for this church:

Father, It is a joy to lift this church to You, Lord, as it was a joy to meet with You in worship here. We pray that You continue to bless and lead these people to their next commencement. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.