Waiting…

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Let me begin with some math.  The length of time between 5:20 a.m. and 11:20 p.m. is how many hours? Just enough, I think.

Yesterday Marilyn and Annie and I went down to Pittsburgh for Jack’s surgery. We left here at 5:20 and arrived in time to visit with Jack at the health center before they took him to the hospital in Oakland. The ambulance personnel were excellent — almost insisting that I follow them down, which I did. And while I know Pittsburgh well, for someone who hasn’t lived there for almost 30 years, I was glad I followed them. They knew some shortcuts.

We spent most of the day waiting. Waiting for them to do the prep work. Waiting for the surgery. Waiting for the surgery to be completed. Waiting to go in and see Jack. I took a brief walk down to Forbes Avenue to buy Tim lunch. It was great to see him. I offered to take Marilyn and Annie with me, but as I was walking back up Cardiac Hill to the hospital carrying my backpack, I realized they were the wiser — staying at the hospital. When I returned to the hospital, we waited some more — all afternoon. Finally, around supper time, we were able to speak to a doctor. While the surgery went well and the doctors were pleased with what they did, it was difficult to realize the challenges that are still ahead. After waiting more so that we could see Jack, we finally were able to do so. He looked good and seemed relatively comfortable.

Eighteen hours after we left Curwensville, we rounded the circle in front of the parsonage. Annie and Marilyn finished their journey to their homes.

Along with the many others connected with Curwensville Alliance, please pray for Jack and Marilyn — that the follow-up treatment will be effective and without significant discomfort.

~Pastor Steve

Experiencing Church…

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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

100 Years…

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That’s how long it seems it’s been since I updated this blog. 100 years. Or more.  Lots has been happening, so proper prioritization places these updates at the end of the job queue.

Monday I went in to see Rick. He’s in good spirits and is looking better than he did last week. It’s great to see how well he communicates even though he’s not able to use speech. Don’t let the good report of his attitude and ability to communicate make you feel he’s without need for prayer. He’s still on a respirator and still in intensive care. Rick is very appreciative of the prayer support he receives from the church family. Thank you!

Tuesday, after meeting with the pastors in our community who cooperate together in the Ministerial Association, I took some time to deliver some BBQ CookOff tickets to some people in the area. They were received with gladness and it looks like they will be joining us for the CookOff. Pray that we will see a good turnout for this event. Later in the day I made a couple of visits.

There’s no cell phone service in our area today for Verizon customers. Believe it or not, that’s actually been a blessing for me. On my trip to see Gilda today, I was able to spend time alone with God, listening to great sermons on my iPod and speaking to him in prayer. Gilda is getting therapy in the State College area and is progressing quite nicely. She expects to be home in a couple of days. Praise God for the way she’s recovering.

In between times, I have been working on some small group discipleship, sermons, and some one-on-one discipleship. Each of these holds challenges and rewards. My one-on-one discipleship is pretty intense, so pray that I can dialogue well with those involved.

~Pastor Steve

Preparing for Sunday and for Next Saturday

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Every now and then I need to reboot my computer. It gets stuck or something and I just need to restart it.

That’s what happened this morning. I had been researching and writing my sermon and it was just stuck. Until I rebooted and started over. Now it’s working. I am very anxious to finish it and present it.

In the middle of sermon writing, I made some homemade rootbeer for the church picnic. Here’s hopin’ it is ready in time for the picnic next week. 86 bottles. Not bad!

Curwensville Day at Mahaffey Camp

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While I didn’t see them all personally, I did some math and learned there were about 20 people from Curwensville Alliance on the grounds here at Mahaffey Camp. Some went to the Mahaffey Feed Store for supper, others ate on the grounds. Most went to the adult tabernacle for the evening service, but Nathan and his dad were in the Youth Tabernacle. Brian said that he could tell lots of the teens were moved by the message.

The Penny Parade was a treat for the campers who participated. A truck loaded with pennies just left for the bank this morning.

Ladies’ Day is upon us and the weather is excellent. Missionaries are walking through the grove loading up on things that the Alliance Women groups have collected for them. It’s a real blessing to the missionaries to gather what they need before they head back overseas.

If you haven’t been to Mahaffey Camp this year, give it a try. Stop by the Welcome Center to say hello to me and stop in Country Crafts to say hello to Laurel.

~Pastor Steve