Category Archives: Community Impact

The Week at a Glance…

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This has been an unusual week. On Monday I prepared for the Genesis Bible Study in the morning. Then Esther and I cared for some matters concerning my mother. Mom’s doing well, but is impatient with her care, desiring to get back to her regular room. It was good for Esther to see her grandmother. They get along well since they are so similar. The Genesis Bible Study was like a breath of fresh air, lasting from 7 p.m. until after 9 p.m.

Tuesday morning, I left early to go to Greensburg where I spent two days serving the Churches by sitting on the LOCC. Since Dr. Dail had completed his term on the LOCC, there was no one to act as clerk. When asked, I accepted that position. We spent two days interviewing and testing those pursuing ministry in The Christian and Missionary Alliance. It’s exciting to meet men and women, young and older, willing to serve God here and abroad.

When I returned Wednesday evening I arrived just in time to get things ready for the Board of Ministries meeting at our church. We had a good meeting and, thankfully, Perry lead Prayer Meeting. It was nice to relax after two days of meetings — one lasting until 9:30 p.m.

Thursday I worked on some administrative tasks and research for my sermon. Esther and I hopped on the Honda and went to visit Glen. He and Myrtle were outside, enjoying the sunny day. In the evening, I visited Ted and Donna.

Friday morning, I had breakfast with an accountability partner. It was a good meeting. In the afternoon, while I was working on my sermon, Vern called and asked me to go for a boat ride with him. We had a fine time on Curwensville Lake, taking in the scenery.

Tonight, I am watching an video on Muslims with Esther. Tomorrow — Young Men’s Group and concluding my sermon. God is wonderful!

The Play of the Day…

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Last evening’s Baccalaureate Service was excellent. The students did a great job sharing in song and presenting prayers and readings. Rev. Dan Osterhout and I preached the message together, taking a line from The Princess Bride, and applying it biblically to the students’ future.

Some of my personal thoughts about speaking at Baccalaureate are…

  1. The only way to ensure good attendance at a Baccalaureate Service is to involve students. The more of them that participate, the better the turnout will be.
  2. You’re probably not going to change any lives in a Baccalaureate sermon. Can you remember what the speaker at your Baccalaureate sermon said? I can’t even remember who spoke at mine, let alone what they said. Use the service to whet their appetite for what you and other pastors have to say.
  3. Two words of advice: Short. Sweet. No one is coming to hear the preacher(s). Leave them wanting more.

I hope we were able to communicate well to the students and give them a sense that God’s interested in their lives.

One of the funniest things — the play of the day — happened at breakfast this morning.

Some of the guys were talking about times they’ve failed to behave in Christlike ways. One guy spoke about a driving incident where he reacted to another driver poorly. He said, “I am embarrassed to say that I….” When he’d finished his “confession” Bryan looked at him and said, “That was you!?!?!?” implying that it was Bryan he had reacted to. We couldn’t stop laughing! Pray for the guys — that we will all grow to be the men God has for us to be.

After breakfast, I enjoyed wrapping up the Marriage Prep for Jim and Nicole. They’ll be married in July. Please pray for them as they prepare for this important event in their lives.

The rest of the day will be wrapping up details for tomorrow’s service.

Thanks for praying!

~Pastor Steve

Bikers and Baccalaureate

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What do bikers and baccalaureate have in common? They are both part of this important week at Curwensville Alliance.

Wednesday evening we enjoyed a time around the fire at the Tkacik’s home hearing from Matt, Andy, and Morgan about their mission of Riding for Marale. They have already earned enough money to drill the well in Marale, and with the remaining money received will contribute toward a second community well in Uganda. Pray for them as they ride their bicycles — that they would be successful, growing in their faith, and kept safe. Thanks to Tkaciks for providing the location and to the Kims for providing the makings for smores!

Wednesday afternoon I met with Rev. Dan Osterhout and we worked on a Baccalaureate service for Curwensville. Pastor Dan and I will be team preaching. Pray that we are able to communicate the presence of Christ to the students, families, and friends who attend.

Thanks for reading and thanks for praying!

~Pastor Steve

Catching Up

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Because my son was graduating from Taylor University last week, Laurel and I took a couple of vacation days and went out for what was likely our final visit to Taylor University. We stayed in the Bed and Breakfast we’ve been staying in for the past few years and got to know some other Taylor parents and the new owners of the B&B.  While there, I received a call from the District Leadership requesting some paperwork I needed to complete for the LO&CC so, having my laptop in tow, I spent a great deal of time Thursday working on that and my sermons for Sunday. The time in the B&B was spiritually rewarding as Laurel and I were able to talk to the owner and pray with him. Please remember him and his wife in prayer as they transition into this new position in life.

Gloria Gaither was being awarded an honorary doctorate at the graduation ceremony at Taylor University and was the featured speaker, addressing the graduates and, in essence, telling them that There are certain things in this world God has for them to do — and they are just the right people to do them. I’ve attended numerous graduation events, several while serving in pastoral ministry at The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and something I always note about the Christian ones is the call to serve God by serving others. That is distinctly lacking in non-Christian environs.

Sunday services at Curwensville Alliance went very well. Attendance was good and the atmosphere was wonderful. We took a moment to honor Myrtle for her ministry as a greeter. The morning sermon was about The Cross of Christ and the evening service was about God’s providence.

I’ve received a number of emails from my sister regarding my mother’s condition. Mom’s struggling with how she is perceiving what’s happened to her since she’s broken her pelvis and her arm. Please pray for her during this difficult time.

One of the elders, John, suggested that when I am too busy to write something on this blog I simply create a one-word post reading SWAMPED! That’s not a bad idea! But instead, let’s make this a rule…. If you see a few days in a row when there is nothing posted, pray that I will either enjoy my time off  — ’cause I won’t post while on vacation 🙂 — or pray that I will be able to catch up on the ministry responsibilities I am engaging.

Thanks for continuing to remember the ministry of Curwensville Alliance in prayer.

~Pastor Steve

Tuesday’s Gone

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Today began with breakfast with Vern and Ed as we tested the waters for the Retired Guys Breakfast. The three of us had a nice visit and good breakfast food at Sapp Brothers, but since it was just we three, we decided to hold off on starting a regular meeting and retesting the waters in the fall.

I checked in on Mildred at the hospital. She was heading down to get some x-rays. Please pray for her as she has been in the hospital for over a week.

The rest of the morning was spent working on some sermons and editing this past Sunday’s audio file for the church web site. The file has been placed online.  Additionally, I put an announcement on the church web site concerning the Shoot for the Crown Skeet Shoot that our church is hosting as an outreach. I visited briefly with Judy and with Dan before heading home for lunch.

The afternoon was spend working in sermon preparation and visiting with some folks on the phone and in my home.

After supper, Brennan and some others from A Day Awaits came over to talk about their ministry. They are planning a Youth Event at our church on June 18 and 19. Please pray for them as they plan this event.

Thanks for your continued prayer for the ministry of Curwensville Alliance.

~Pastor Steve