Yesterday was an unusual Sunday, to say the least. Throughout the week, I had been working on a sermon on the return of Christ. One of the things that bugs me most about many sermons on that subject is that they are generally — ugh, how do I say this? — trivial. That is not to say anything about eschatology is trivial, but there is something about the return of Christ that makes people want to build charts, create glossaries, and connect dots that often turn out to be unconnectable (My spell-check says that’s not a word. It should be).  In the end, the recipient of the sermon is left feeling like they have learned a lot, but have nothing practical to do with what they have learned. However, I felt the sermon I had written was one that avoided these pitfalls and offered genuinely applicable information concerning Christ’s return, so I was excited to preach it.

Then, Sunday morning, everything seemed to fall apart. It began when gravity had its way with the expansion tank in the boiler room of the church. The weight of the water and sludge that had built up in the tank overwhelmed the plumber strapping that held it aloft and when it fell, it broke pipes and sent water cascading throughout the furnace room. Thankfully, Perry was there with Sue and they called me at the house. Vern and some other men took care of getting things under control, but the sanctuary remained at a cool temperature all morning.

As if a cold sanctuary wasn’t enough to distract us, about 10 minutes after I arrived at church, Tim called. He and Laurel had been getting into the car to head to church when Laurel’s shoulder spontaneously dislocated itself. Tim was on the way to the hospital with his mom. OK — Looks like I won’t be preaching that sermon this morning, huh?

Well, after setting up the PowerPoint and realizing there were good people ready to care for the service if I was absent, I headed to the hospital. The ER doc was excellent. He listened to Laurel and me and then relocated (is that the right word?) her shoulder. Seeing she was doing well, I headed to church and preached the sermon. As I preached, and afterward, it was very apparent that this is what I was supposed to do.

The Apostle Paul says our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against, among other things, “spiritual forces of evil.” (Ephesians 6:12) I am not saying that “spiritual forces of evil” caused that strapping to break in the furnace room. Nor am I suggesting that an evil spirit caused Laurel’s upper arm to dislodge from its socket in her shoulder. But I do believe, at least, that the enemy would have used those very things to prevent that sermon from being presented, had he been able to.

Laurel is on the mend. Tim is back at school. The sermon has been preached and placed on the church website. And I am ready to begin this new week.

Thanks for the many offers to help out as Laurel heals. Thanks for remembering her in prayer. And thanks for your consistent prayers throughout the week as we work together To Know God and Make Him Known.

Laurel was listening to The Family Life Network and they were talking about a rise in “Casual Spiritism” (my term, not theirs). I guess the speakers were saying that among teens, involvement in the spirit world is not seen as a problem or a “dark art” to be avoided.

I did some research and realized that I hadn’t addressed this issue from the pulpit in several years, so this Sunday I will be doing so. As such, I ask that you would do three things.

1. Pray that I would be able to address the subject with biblical clarity.
2. Pray that people who may be dabbling in such things would take note and separate themselves from that which God dislikes.
3. Consider who you might invite to hear this message.

As always, thanks for your prayers.

~Pastor Steve

What does it mean to “experience church”? For some it means attending services. It can mean hearing a sermon and singing some songs. It can include visiting with friends and enjoying a meal in the Activities Center.

Monday night it meant more than that.

During our Genesis Bible Study we talked about Abraham and Isaac. If you know the story, you know that Abraham’s faith was tested. He was called upon by God to sacrifice something very near to him. As the story unfolded before us, the dozen or so present began to talk about ways in which God tests our faith. It’s tough to imagine God putting us through such things — or allowing us to be put through them — but either way, the Bible is clear that this is what happened to Abraham. He was asked to prove his love for God. And he did.

Such tests are not without pain. As different members of that small group shared their own trials and testings, one could see the Body of Christ caring for Herself. And one could sense God’ Spirit delivering healing and encouragement in the group. Afterward, no one wanted to leave, but chatted in Room 103 for several minutes. Then visited together more in the hallway. Then talked together in the brightly-lit parking lot. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain. But we shall still be joined in heart and hope to meet again (John Fawcett).

There are lots of ways to “experience church.” One of my favorite ways is by participating in a healthy small group like the ones we have at Curwensville Alliance.

To God be the glory.

~Pastor Steve