Church
this morning started early. Three girls
sacked out! And in bed together! My 21 year old Cate was back from D.C. for the weekend, and there they were, crashed in that large bed. I thought, "get the camera! Won't see that too many more times." When I took a picture, the middle head started to say, "I'll just pretend to be Hannah (my 5th child)." I said, "Who are you?" It was Kayla, one of my Susannah's friends! Hannah was in the other room. Well, never can tell who is spending the night!
It took me about a half hour
to get them moving. "It's WHAT time?" “We’re going where,
Dad?” “It’s how far away?”
Finally
we were on the move to Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, one of the
great congregations of our city, and one of the too few that is fully integrated. I want
to spend some serious time worshipping around the city during these
months. Covenant’s pastor, Bishop Joseph
Garlington, has led this church for decades, and is a senior “pastor to the
pastors” in our region. His worship
leader, Denise Graves, is a new friend and a great worship leader.
At Covenant, the welcomes were frequent and
the worship was energizing. Our girls
fell right into it, and we weren’t far behind. Everyone was singing God’s praises loudly, hands clapping, keeping time with our feet, lifting hearts to the Lord.
He welcomed and prayed for no less than 5 or 6 ministry teams and individuals, honoring each and praying for each. Mike and Tina Wurschmidt, of our Diocese from Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship were welcomed, asked to share, and prayed for. He talked from Nehemiah about how they rebuilt the wall – each family or ministry (or church) repairing a section and then helping others where they could. And soon the wall is up!
We were asked to come up on stage – to our surprise - to a warm welcome. We were glad to thank people and extend the love of St Stephens. The welcomes and prayers for various folks went on for so long, that he cancelled a music number and left out most of the sermon! But the part of the sermon that came through was from Isaiah 58, where God is calling people to repair the damage of the years without God and make sure that their compassion for the poor led everything they did.
It seems to me that I hear the same word from the Lord wherever I turn. Rick Warren’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan, Bp Joseph Garlington’s Ministry, Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship…
Here it is from Isaiah 58...
“No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.
We spent a few minutes with Bp Garlington after the service, making quick plans for more
conversation.
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