Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church Blog

What is the hardest thing you are expected to do as a Christian? I’m sure many would speak about the challenge of keeping a consistent prayer or devotional life. Others might think of witnessing. In tough financial times some might struggle to give, let alone generously and cheerfully. OK, there are many answers but I think when we get right down to it the hardest thing is to forgive. If you don’t agree you are probably one of those very blessed few who have never had to or one of the too common many who have avoided it one way or another. We do that. We rarely admit that. We say there is really nothing to forgive, even when there is. We say we have forgotten all about it while bitterness festers in our soul. We say we have agreed to disagree when we have decided just to avoid them however possible. We can be very creative, it is easier than forgiving.

Jesus taught us to pray as people who forgive others. He commands us to forgive others. He told a powerful parable to inspire us to forgive others. He forgave us so that we would go and forgive others. But when? How? Why? Matthew 18 is a classic passage on forgiveness. We will begin to answer some of these questions Sunday morning just before we experience again the wonder of God’s forgiveness in the Lord’s Supper.

Sunday evening we are back to the regular evening service and back to 2 Corinthians. We will continue to see how the apostle Paul responds to a culture very much like ours where people think they are very deep when they are very shallow and they are very proud of all the wrong things.

Sunday school continues and while there has been a good response there is still room for more. Both Jr. and Sr. High youth goups will be meeting in the evening. Sometimes just getting out the door and off to church is one of the hard things. But doing the hard things is how we grow. More opportunities for growth this week. See you there.

Jack

Despite so very many things fighting to push it out of the news and out of the public consciousness, the Allegheny County Drink Tax remains controversial. What most strikes me about the whole mess is that it makes the county executive seem so much more like a run-of-the-mill politician than he did, at least to me, prior to this. Once the state allowed it, but prior to the county enacting it, he seemed to be on every radio show and was always quick to correct anyone who called it a 10% tax. “It is NOT 10%, it is UP TO 10%” he would say endlessly. But of course it was passed at the full possible 10% and even now that it is scooping up even more money than he expected, and far more than he said they needed, any mention of reducing it is called “irresponsible” or worse!

Many people just shrug and say or think, “Well, that’s just how it is. Death and taxes, ya know?” I have even heard some wax almost misty-eyed patriotic saying it is a small price to pay for continuing Port Authority service and keeping senior citizens in their homes. Taxes can be spun that way.

Many among the Jews did just that with a Temple tax. It was in God’s Law as what certainly looked like a one time tax but by Jesus’ time had become an annual tax on every Jewish man over 20 years old. Many regarded paying it as patriotic and righteous. Jesus told Peter they didn’t have to pay but were going to anyway. Then he sent him fishing. We’ll try to figure that all out Sunday morning.

Sunday evening we will be starting on the most combative section of 2 Corinthians. In the first section of chapter 10 Paul talks about spiritual warfare, spiritual weapons, and spiritual victories. We will try to figure out what such language means and why “taking every thought captive” is important.

Remember Sunday School and Jr. and Sr. Youth Groups are underway but it is not too late to start.

Worship is at 10:45 and 5:30. No doubt you have had a taxing week. Come aside and rest a while in the peace and joy of our Lord. Hope to see you Sunday.

Jack

Did you ever have what could only be called a “defining moment” with someone? That one thing they said or did that forever set or changed your opinion of them? When I was at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary I went over the the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary to meet the then President and ask about doing some research there. On my way into the building I passed a man picking up trash in the parking lot. Turned out that man was the President, Bruce Stewart. I instantly admired him for his humility and service and all the contact I have had with him since, as well as everything I have heard from others, has only raised my estimation of him. I have sorta, kinda followed the Democratic Convention this week. Some there seem to be saying, for them, a defining moment for Sen. Obama was the strong speeches in support of him from both Sen. and former President Clinton. People they much admired and respected pointing them to another.

Certainly a defining moment for Peter, James, and John came on the Mount of Transfiguration. There two of the greatest figures of redemptive history stood beside Jesus who himself was shining like the sun. Then to make the point even more clear the glory cloud appeared and God spoke. The three disciples were confused then frightened then curious. It is not clear that they really got the point then. Sunday we’ll find out if we do now.

Sunday evening we have the home group picnic at the Owen’s home in Murrysville.

Last Sunday we took another big step forward in the process of merging by ratifying the earlier vote to leave the OPC. There are many other steps to come and we are working on them. One in particular though we could use some help on. We (elders) have started to think about a name for the new merged congregation. If you have an idea we would be very happy to hear it and add it the list of possibilities. You can pass it along to me or any of the other elders.

Whatever we call the church the far more important call is our Father calling us to worship and fellowship. This week that’s at 10:45 at the church building and 5ish at the Owen’s. See you there.

Jack

You may have noticed the olympics. Hard not to, eh? (Yes we vacationed in Canada.)

Whether you are a bleary-eyed die-hard fan or someone with very little interest in them - like, say, me - you have seen some, been caught up in the drama, even been awed by the amazing abilities of the athletes. I have watched some of the events and thought to myself, far more often than when watching a magician, “How do they do that?” Of course I know a major part of the answer to that is years of disciplined training and practice. They have all made sacrifices for the sake of working toward a goal. I have been most impressed with those who speak of their goals not in purely personal ways but in terms of the team and even the country. Inspiring to hear that the sacrifice was about something bigger than personal satisfaction or a contract with Wheaties.

A few weeks ago we went from Peter’s great confession to Peter’s grievous objection. He was blessed by the knowledge that Jesus was the Messiah but not at all pleased to hear what that meant in terms of suffering and sacrifice toward a great goal. But Jesus not only spoke of his own path but also ours as he calls each one to take up his cross and follow him. What does that mean? I just read last night of a school in our area training people for ministry. The article mentioned that students were required to live a biblical lifestyle and the examples they gave were that men must have short hair and long pants and women can’t wear make-up and must wear skirts or dresses. Not sure what translation they’re working from but I am sure Jesus is calling us to something deeper than a fashion statement. But what? We will try to work that out Sunday morning.

Sunday evening missionary to India Phil Fiol and his family will be visiting and presenting an update on the work there.

I can not tell you how moved, pleased, and honored I am by the unanimous vote by the New Hope folks last week about moving ahead with the merger. A tremendous help and affirmation. This week COPC will meet after the morning worship for the purpose of taking a second vote on leaving the OP in order to affiliate with the PCA to facilitate the merger. There have been some questions about this meeting. The OPC Book of Order requires a second vote in order to leave. This meeting is not directly about the merger; that issue was discussed and voted on affirmatively in our last meeting. This meeting is only to ratify the vote to leave the denomination as the next step toward doing what we have already voted to do. The Presbytery will again be represented and will speak to us. Also OPC Regional Home Missionary Larry Oldaker will be there to begin discussions with any who want to remain in the OPC and are interested in beginning a new OPC mission work. We don’t know for certain that there are such people or how many there may be, but in any event an affirmative vote this week opens the way for all of us to move forward as we see our Lord’s leading.

Summer is winding down, schools have started or will soon, plans for Fall are well under way - Sunday school, youth groups, home groups, and more. Many opportunities for service and growth but it all begins with the Word and worship. Sunday at 10:45 and 5:30. See you there.

Jack

We probably all know some good news/bad news jokes. Lawyer to client, “I have some good news and some bad news.” “Please give me the bad news first.” “Well, DNA testing has proven beyond a doubt that it was your blood found at the crime scene.” Client asks, “Then what’s the good news?” Lawyer answers, “Your cholesterol is way down.”

The section of Matthew’s gospel we are looking at is, of course, far more serious but plays out almost like one of those jokes.  Peter had “gotten” the good news. He knew and confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Jesus had then declared him blessed and called him the rock. In the next paragraph, most likely a very short time later, Peter actually rebukes Jesus and in turn is referred to as “Satan”!  What changed things so dramatically and so quickly?  Peter understood that Jesus was the Messiah.  But he didn’t understand what that really meant for Jesus or for himself.  Many still don’t. Many see Jesus as the ticket to a stress-free, debt-free, conflict-free life.  But Jesus talked about taking up the cross.  We’ll think about that Sunday morning.

Last Sunday evening the elders gave me a night off. It was very helpful and much appreciated. So, Lord willing, this week we will get to Paul’s discussion of the offering for the poor in Jerusalem.

I will be taking a vacation week from as soon as I can get everything (or most) of what I need to get done this coming week, continuing over the weekend and it is looking like back for a meeting Tuesday night and back to “real life” Wednesday. So, no “Friday email” next week unless somebody else decides to send one.

At the congregational meeting last Sunday the congregation voted to move forward with the merger with New Hope and to leave the OPC to affiliate with the PCA to make that happen.  We must have a second vote to ratify the decision to leave the OPC.  The session is calling a meeting for Sunday, August 24 after morning worship at New Hope for the purpose of that second vote.  One of the things I want to do before vacation is to get a letter out to all COPC members with some explanation of the process from here as best we see it and also to explain  membership options for those who, to our deep regret, just cannot seem to see their way clear to stay with us in this.

Many of you have been praying for and asking about my mother.  She is home from the hospital and getting a bit better every day.  Yesterday she seemed a bit weaker than before, but otherwise pretty much like before her hospitalization.  My brother and sister in law are spending a good bit of time with her, I have been down more briefly but at least once each day, and she has a visiting nurse and therapist coming several times a week.  Thanks so much for your prayers and concern.

Let’s just fit everything in one email. Monday I had the honor of leading the funeral service for Carol Brickner. Please continue to pray for her family, especially her children and grandchildren and her mother.  Also, it looks like a beautiful day for Erin Bovard and Dan Faith who will be getting married just a few hours from now.  Please pray for them and the other newlyweds of our congregations. (So looking forward to leaving off that “s”).

I really enjoyed the last VBS evening.  What a joy seeing God’s people from the two congregations enjoying what our Lord has done and given and together welcoming visitors.  Other than maybe the ice cream and pie, we have the opportunity to do those things again as we worship Sunday at 10:45 and 5:30. Hope to see you there.

Jack

Though she is still around, the Irish singer Sinead O’Connor very nearly destroyed her career in 1992 when she tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live.  Two weeks later she was booed off the stage of Madison Square Garden where she was to perform in a tribute to Bob Dylan. You might expect that reaction at a Knights of Columbus meeting, but a rock concert?  It seems the regard for the pope ran much deeper than she had figured. Widely respected by non-Catholics, the pope is regarded by Roman Catholics as the Vicar (Representative) of Christ, the Pontiff (Bridge Builder between earth and heaven), and the direct successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Peter. Though Roman theology is not strictly dependent on the Scriptures, they believe they have a pretty good proof text for this in Matthew 16.

Of course Martin Luther didn’t think so. Neither did John Calvin.  Neither did most people in the early church or anyone later influenced by the Protestant Reformation.  But then, what did Jesus mean when he called Peter the Rock and said he would build his church on that rock and give him the keys of the Kingdom?  There are several ways of thinking about this that we will explore briefly Sunday morning. We will try to do that without losing sight of the important question Jesus asked that led to all this, “Who do you say that I am?”.  Who we believe he is determines who we are and the rest of the passage speaks of who we are together as the church.  Understanding that should lead us nicely to the Lord’s Table. 

After the service there will be, Lord willing, a COPC congregational meeting.  I trust we are all in prayer for our Lord’s grace, leading, and blessing for this very important meeting.

We will be gathering again for evening worship. We will again be thinking about the nature of the Church.  In 2 Cor. 8 and 9 Paul talks about an offering for the poor, but we will also see how, as usual, he talks about far more than that - matters of grace and unity and love.

This promises to be an unusually challenging and emotional Lord’s Day. How wonderful that we have a God who hears us as we pray and always welcomes us into his presence for worship. Whatever the challenges, as we meet in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ there will be blessings!

Jack

My father used to make his own beer. Went I went grocery shopping with my mother more often than not we went to an A&P because they were about the only store that carried the big cans of beer malt he used.  I was always fascinated by the process. As I remember it was little more than filling some large crockery barrels with water and dumping in the cans of malt.  Then the magic came by adding yeast and covering.  He threw in some sugar before bottling but I knew it was the yeast that really made it all happen. I know now that what happened is that the yeast went to work on eating up the sugar and producing alcohol and carbon dioxide.  No yeast and you had sweet smelling, nasty tasting water. With yeast you eventually had nasty tasting beer.

Jesus warned his disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  They really didn’t know what he was talking about.  He explained a bit and it became clear. Well, sort of.  I think they understood that there was something dangerous that you could pick up from people like the Pharisees that would grow and spread until you were changed from one thing into another.  They surely understood that what you were changed into was not good and that the change could start out very small.  As we read Matthew and Luke and Mark there seems to be some difference of opinion as to just what the yeast was.  Maybe there are several strains of dangerous yeast?  We’ll think about that some on Sunday morning.  You may not know any card carrying Pharisees or Saducees, but the yeast of these is still very much with us. And still dangerous.

Sunday evening the service is not at the church building but the church will be gathering at the Agate farm.  We’ll have food and fellowship (actually not the same thing), hear reports from some of our short term missionaries, sing praises to our God and Savior and hear his Word.  Last time in this location as the Agates are doing Green Acres in reverse and moving to Monroeville.

Etta James (and a lot of other people) sang “Something Got a Hold On Me”.  The something she sang about was love. If it is Jesus’ love it doesn’t let you go. More powerful and life changing than the yeast of the Pharisees. Worship helps us know it and grow in our response.  See you this week?

Jack