Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Butler, PA 16001, 724.287.4777, www.standrewsupc.org, Rev. Merry Meloy, Pastor.

Scripture – Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Bob’s thoughts:

The first Sunday of each month part of the offering at this church is designated for Malawi mission, so, thinking they might have some music from Malawi, we were looking forward to an uplifting worship.

Even singing the American words, I didn’t think anyone could get through “Siyahamba” without passion. I have memory of this church being more upbeat.

We were greeted by a few people. I wish the personal confession time was longer.

I found it impressive that Malawi is about the size of Pennsylvania but has more Presbyterians than the whole USA and one pastor per 5,000 worshipers.

The sermon, “Like a Mustard Seed,” dealt with how God can use ordinary people for extraordinary things.

Jan’s thoughts:

We previously visited here almost exactly two years ago, and since this church supports missions in Malawi, World Communion Sunday seemed a good time for a return visit.

We arrived very early with plenty of time to look around, but there was little to look at so we ended up sitting in the sanctuary for about ½ hour. At least we had time to peruse the bulletin.

Using international songs for each musical portion in the service was imaginative. I was a bit disappointed that only the English words were used for “Siyahamba” (“We Are Marching”), as I was looking forward to singing the African words. Still, that song always brings back wonderful memories for me.

The point of the sermon, “Like a Mustard Seed,” was that “God uses the ordinary people of the world to do extraordinary things; our job is to keep sowing the seeds and trust God to give the growth.”

Our prayer for this church:
Dear Lord, we pray You call this congregation to sow the seeds of faith that You might cause great growth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

St. Andrew's United Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at St. Andrew’s United Presbyterian Church, 801 Beaver Street, Sewickley, PA 15143.


Bob’s thoughts:

We were back to St. Andrews for Jan’s sister Wendy’s ordination as a Deacon and were blessed to be there for the laying on of hands. This time it was easier to tell which of the front doors was the entrance as the other stairs were snow-covered.

Attendance seemed not to have suffered, perhaps due to Communion and ordination/installation, but it may also be today’s spring-like weather.

We were warmly greeted as if we’d been there last week.

At first I thought there was an improvement in the acoustics, but it was the speaking of the Liturgist.

Although the organ didn’t change, there was an enjoyable interpretation of “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty” on the keyboard.

I was pleased to find Carol Roth as the pastor as I had served with Carol on the Presbytery Stewardship Committee. Unfortunately I had some trouble hearing all the sermon. A highlight from it though was a story about a mother’s efforts to see her special needs child mainstreamed successfully. I believe that often those with special challenges are more in tune with God than others. I believe we are just as indwelt with demons as in Christ’s time on Earth – maybe more so. I’ve been called on to pray to oust demons and errant cells, and I have also wondered about the words Christ used. But I’ve found what we command in Christ’s Name still works. It’s His power, not our words.

I’d love to see the elements of Communion identified when offered by the servers. When they’re offered silently it seems to be more of a chore than a celebration. It also seems like a broken chain when the servers pick up the plates rather than the pastor handing them to the servers. I also appreciated the reference to Christ breaking bread after the resurrection and the eyes of the disciples being opened.

There was a request in the bulletin for flower donations for the Sanctuary for February but there was nothing in the bulletin identifying the donor of the flowers today.

Jan’s thoughts:

Today’s visit to St. Andrew’s was prompted by our learning that my sister Wendy would be ordained and installed as a Deacon today. What a privilege it was to witness her ordination and lay hands and pray for her and for Bob, the Elder who was installed today.

Several folks greeted us immediately upon our arrival, and some even remembered us from our two previous visits. We’re seldom repeat visitors, but that warm greeting of recognition and remembering our names made a significant impression.

It felt a little like “old home week” when I learned that Rev. Carol Divens Roth is now serving as the interim at St. Andrew’s. Carol and I served together on the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, and I hold her in high regard despite differences in our theology. I had the opportunity to meet Carol’s husband Mark, and very much enjoyed our conversation.

Most of the same issues we noted in our December 7 blog still exist, and some things may not change in the near future, i.e., the few locations that could use some additional signage, the acoustics, the difficulty understanding everyone except the pastor, the silent service of Communion. But the church is warm, friendly, and caring, and that counts for a lot.

Stephen Wutz, the Student Assistant, led the prayer time after informing the congregation that he would again be available for individual prayer following the service. Not surprisingly, soon after the service ended I noticed a circle of people in prayer at the front of the Sanctuary. This is very encouraging although, as I said, not unexpected. There’s a definite sense of unity among this close-knit congregation.

I enjoyed Carol’s message very much. It was mostly based on Mark 1:21-28 about Jesus’ exorcism of the demons possessing a man. In my experience, pastors seldom preach about such topics, but I think congregations should be educated about spiritual warfare since they face it regularly whether they’re aware of it or not.

Carol pointed out that the Bible doesn’t quote Jesus’ words in His conversation with the demons, and I think the reason for that lies in human nature. After all, look what we did with the Lord’s Prayer. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, Jesus said, “Pray like this,” not “Say this prayer.” I’m convinced that if we knew the words He used with the demons, human nature being what it is, we’d likely be saying the same words to people we believe to be possessed by demons. And being human, we have neither the insight nor the authority to make that call.

This is a warm little church that felt like it enveloped me with its gentle compassion, and today that was a moving experience for which I thanked God.

St. Andrew's United Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at St. Andrew's United Presbyterian Church, 801 Beaver Street, Sewickley, PA 15143.


Jan’s thoughts:

St. Andrew’s is a small church, but only if you use numbers as your criteria. We visited back in September, surprising my sister and her family who belong there, but today’s visit coincided with Rev. Lynn Portz’s announcement that she’s leaving St. Andrew’s at the end of this month. The members of St. Andrew’s received this bit of news this past week, but unlike many other congregations upon hearing of the pastor’s departure, they didn’t stay away. According to Lynn, “Everyone still came, which is a clear indication of their commitment to each other and, more importantly, to God.” Still it was a difficult service for Lynn and for the congregation, not to mention for Stephen Wutz, the Student Assistant who’s been there since September and who will stay after Lynn leaves, and who preached today.

I enjoyed Stephen’s sermon very much. He read Luke 1:15-20 and 26-38, the readings detailing two very different responses to personal appearances by the angel Gabriel announcing impending parenthood to Zechariah and Mary, Jesus’ mother, respectively. I appreciated the thought-provoking contrast and his challenge to the congregation to respond to the impending changes in their church with the same sort of faith Mary exhibited.

The Sanctuary features a beautiful dark wood ceiling and intricate, mostly rose-colored stained glass. The pews are curved all around, which is aesthetically pleasing. Although I was able to hear and understand Lynn perfectly, it was more difficult (though certainly not impossible) to understand Stephen. Perhaps the difference is between a wireless mike and one mounted on the pulpit? I freely admit that I don’t know enough about the whys and wherefores of those sorts of things, I can only speak of what I heard.

The people were very friendly, some even recalling my name from our September visit. They put my memory to shame, I’m afraid!

The time of greeting during the service is sometimes a tricky thing for visitors. People tend to greet those they know, but a strange face usually requires eye-to-eye contact or that I initiate the greeting. Consequently I was pleasantly surprised when a couple of people at St. Andrew’s tapped my shoulder and made it a point to speak to me.

The bulletin is only one folded page and a single half-page, so aside from the Order of Worship there are general housekeeping items such as a thank you to the Deacons for weekly refreshments, due date for poinsettia orders, and the like. The Order of Worship is easy to follow, though, and the type is larger than usual, which is something I appreciate the older I get.

Some signs would be helpful, especially a large one on the outside door that leads to the church office and is therefore locked Sunday morning. That’s hardly a big deal on a nice spring day, but on a blustery day like this I was anxious to get inside and had to go back down the stairs before I could enter through the other door.

I’ve found St. Andrew’s to be a friendly place to worship. I’ll be interested to see what happens following Lynn’s departure.

Bob’s thoughts:

St. Andrew’s could benefit from some signage (which one is the front door?); rest rooms themselves were marked but visitors could use directional signs to the area.

I appreciated the old Presbyterian architecture with great stained glass and wood ceiling.

For an older building and mostly older congregation I found it interesting that the last pew had been moved to make more room for baby carriers. Not realizing this, we sat in this pew first. By the time we figured out the reason for so much extra leg room, Jan’s sister & family had arrived so we moved to sit with them. Perhaps this is another spot where a sign would be helpful.

The acoustics were so poor at our last visit that I wasn’t optimistic in going back, but the minister was clear and understandable. Perhaps they just need mikes for others who speak.

The wood pews are dried out and noisy, and the organ drowned out the singing, but with about 40 worshipers, that’s easy to do.

With those few people Communion could have been very personal, but the elements were passed silently. Does anyone in the Presbyterian Church speak while passing the elements of Communion?

Parking is limited, but plenty of on-street spots are available nearby.

Everything I experienced seemed to indicate otherwise, but I felt that God would like to lead this church to a young adult ministry.

Stephen, the seminary student, delivered a good message under tough circumstances (the Pastor taking another call).

A request was printed in the bulletin that everyone stay after worship to help decorate the Sanctuary and Fellowship room, and it looked like almost everyone did stay. There’s a strong sense of unity in this church, so it didn’t surprise me.

I thought this visit was a marked improvement from our visit September 7.