Middle Ridge Church of PA

04/23/2023

April 23, 2023
Ecclesiastes 11:6
Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well.
Life can be challenging, yet we know that God is with us. Today we focused on Luke 24, the walk to Emmaus with Jesus walking along the road, meeting up with 2 people. They talked about the crucified Savior, the resurrection and then when Jesus broke the bread, the 2 people finally realized they had been walking with Jesus. Ecclesiastes reminds us to sow seeds no matter what, you never know the time or place when opportunity will be there to help others. Enjoy the rest of this rainy Sunday, knowing the rains will help Gods kingdom continue to come to life. Amen

02/23/2023

February 23, 2023
I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. Leviticus 26:6
As we journey this week from Transfiguration Sunday, Ash Wednesday, then through the Lenten season, our trust is in the scripture that we are not alone, we do not have to be afraid.
The wilderness may seem lonely, the journey may seem long, yet peace in our hearts is knowing God is with us along the path. God Bless, stay safe and trust in the scripture each and every day.
Enjoy this beautiful day God has given us, even if the storm changed schedules yesterday for Ash Wednesday. God Bless. Amen

02/22/2023

February 22, 2023
On this Ash Wednesday, we hear these words from Psalm 51.
Psalm 51[a]
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
Our journey through Lent does not have to be grueling, let us ponder, reflect on life and truly know God is with us on this 40 day journey to the Easter Promise. God Bless, Stay safe as we see how this weather will come to our area. Amen

01/20/2023

January 20, 2023
“Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9).
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
Today, we ponder on both these scriptures. We are in the midst of winter, the rain, ice and possible snow we have gotten over the last few days. The temperatures turning towards what would be normal for this time of year. With these changes, our patience is tested. We sometimes do not know what to do or say.
Years ago, when I wanted to learn to ride the big kids bike, I took the training wheels off. I can do this, was my attitude. What I learned was starting out turned to be the easy part. Keeping the balance, the steady straight path was the hardest lesson to learn. Each time I looked around, each time I felt “too” comfortable, that is when I lost the focus.
We find ourselves this way, when we lose focus of what the real prize is. We want this or that to happen now, yet we need to remind ourselves what these scriptures tell us. Know that God is in control. God is the one that will let us know in due time, what He wants us to do.
God Bless, stay warm and know God is an awesome God. Amen.

01/08/2023

January 8, 2023
As we start the second Sunday of the New Year, I continue to think about Isaiah 55. Seeking the Lord. Call upon Him. This is what scripture kept reminding me as we trust each other, getting through anything that comes our way.
Working together, when any of us cannot see clearly what the other is doing, we trust, we know that things will work smoothly…
This is how scripture reminds us to call upon the Lord, He is there for us. We do not have to look very far, The Love of the Lord is in our hearts, keeping us near, guiding us in the journey through life. We are thankful for the endless Love, no matter how many times we call upon Him. He is our Savior. God knows what we need, and we know, we can ask for our needs and others needs as well. We thank you very much for all the prayers given. Continue to pray for everyone on this journey. We are thankful for everyone and the Awesome God that guides us. Enjoy this wonderful Sunday. Amen

12/29/2022

December 29, 2022
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
We are one day closer to New Years, we know in our hearts, God is with us, guiding us daily.
Years ago, as we felt the anticipation of the turning of the century to the year 2000, the knowledge that our computers would not work, frightened us. Our barn milking systems is controlled by a computer. Would it work or not? The small jumper wire that I installed on the computer board, took away fears, I bypassed the computer just in case all systems failed.
Anticipation of the arrival of a new dawning gives us mixed messages. Joys and concerns. We seek guidance from many. Plan for the unknown. Trust and believe.
Jeremiah resonates the words to us to seek God with all our heart and we will be blessed with His Love and Mercy. God is in our hearts. God is the light of our Salvation.
The computer worked fine that year. I did not put my whole trust in God. Jeremiah reminds us to follow soothing words to help us. Trust in Him Always. Truly have the faith that is instilled in each of us. God Bless. Enjoy this beautiful warmer day we have been blessed with. Amen

12/25/2022

Christmas service

12/05/2022

Today's cantata "In the Name of Love" at Whitneyville UMC

11/21/2022

November 21, 2022
“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” 1 Corinthians 2:12
On the weekend we feel the need to relax, unwind from the week. Just because it is Saturday or Sunday, does not mean to let your guard down. Things happen, prayers are needed and given. God gives freely. We need to remember He gives freely, unconditionally. We can enjoy the weekend, just continue to follow the righteous path laid out for each of us given freely by God. Have a Blessed week, knowing we can Rejoice every day of the week with God as our guide as we learned from Philippians 4 message yesterday. Enjoy. Stay safe and warm. Amen

11/16/2022

November 16, 2022
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
Faith, is the trust that we put in our decisions we make, each day as we navigate through life.
This Faith, this trust, this Gift from God, has been instilled in us as we grow into a deeper relationship with God. These words have been the foundation of a righteous life.
Philippians 4:4-9 reminds us to have the faith, along with rejoicing with the Lord.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.
Use these words as you journey through life safety and as a guidance daily. Praise be to God, Amen.

11/14/2022

November 14, 2022
Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepard.
In times of uncertainty, unknown, each of us can turn to this familiar Psalm, recite each line knowing we can relate to what life is throwing at us. We can use these words to guide us, give us the calm we need.
The Lord gives us the words to fill our hearts with Love and Faith. Stay warm and safe on this chilly day, knowing snow is on the way. God Bless to each of you. Amen

11/14/2022