Zion's God Sightings
God is loose in the world doing His work. But how can we recognize God at work? We recognize God at work when we see acts of
Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness
Self control Love Peace
Patience Kindness Caring
This past week, where have you seen God at work in your life? Your family? Your community? Your workplace? The world?
Let other’s know what God is doing in your life. Drop a note in the ‘GOD SIGHTINGS’ box in the Gathering Room or use the Contact Us form on the website. Include your name if you wish.
God Sighting - 2-12-12 Recently, I saw a member of our congregation caring for a young sleeping child after church so that the child’s relative could practice with the choir. That same day, I heard a member of the Culinary Crew say that she was going to take some of the extra soup made that weekend to a shut-in member of our congregation. “I’m sure she could use it,” I heard the Culinary Crew member say. God is loose in our congregation.
GOD SIGHTING –1-29-12 -When one member of the congregation moved beside another member during a moving hymn. The member put her arm around the other member. It was moment of God’s love and caring shown through the action of one person to another.
GOD SIGHTING –1-22-12 - This week I saw God at work with the fellowship shared by all those who came to help put our Christmas decorations away. In addition to those working upstairs and outside, another group was working in the kitchen making sauerkraut. Christian Fellowship is a gift of God.
GOD SIGHTING -1-15-12 -At a Gift of Life event I witnessed God’s Blessings with the donor’s families, and the people who received the donation of life. God touched all of the people there in a special way. Tears of Joy were shared by all receiving God’s special Gift of Life. Thank you for the healing.
GOD SIGHTING – 1-8-12 -Awaiting a friend who was going to give me a private showing of his church’s putz, I was invited into a family putz party being held at the church. My friend eventually arrived but I was taken in as a “stranger” and treated like a member of the family.
God Sighting - 12-18-11- I saw a rainbow in the sky, when it had not rained. I helped a friend make a meal for someone I do not know. My baby grandson saw me in a crowded room, and crawled over to greet me. My God-sightings are often in simple, everyday things and they encourage me to remember that He is with me all the time.
God Sighting - 12-11-11- This week, God decided to come to a meeting with me, other parents, our Pastor and the District Youth Coordinator. As we lit the candle and opened our hearts, we listened to what Shawn had to say about a very small church in Altavista and their Jr./Sr Youth Program. While he spoke God whispered to me that we must do more to create a program here that will minister to our young people in the Forest community. I left the meeting inspired and resolved to do whatever I can to help create a Jr/Sr Youth program here at Mountain View. I don't think he's done whispering - can you hear him?
God Sighting - 12-4-11- God gave me many sightings at the Rainbow of Hope quilt auction Saturday, many glimpses of Him at work in our church, in our community, and in individual lives that day. I always look forward to attending and helping at the event, but I don't go into it thinking that I'll get to see Him there too. But I surely did see Him at this year's event, and He has called me to share one of His sightings with you
God Sighting - 11/27/11 - My youngest son was recently faced with the hardest decision of his 7-year life: go with his best friend to FunQuest or go to his school fair. After much deliberation, he chose the fair because "mom, it only comes once a year and I love it!" Well, wouldn't you know that the day before the fair he came home with a headache, stomachache, and sore throat - classic symptoms for strep. We prayed a prayer for healing before bed and the next morning, he said "Mom, I feel better! God heard our prayer!". Just to be sure, we kept the doctor's appointment we had made (he could have been feeling better because he wanted to go to the fair so badly!!). They took his temperature (no fever!) and did a rapid strep test (no strep!) and we got the go-ahead to go the fair. There were praises to God all the way home in our car!
God Sighting - 11/20/11- I have a friend I exercise with regularly. Sometimes I'm eager to work out, and sometimes I wish we'd get a pass. But I always look forward to checking in with her and just saying hi, and before I know it I'm doing my exercise routine. She keeps me accountable, and because of her help I'm getting more fit and feeling better. God blesses me through the power of encouragement that she shares.
God Sighting - - 11/13/11 -Driving out of my neighborhood, I saw a neighbor's old dog in the main highway. I stopped and tried to coax him out of the road, but he was confused and wouldn't cooperate with me. Cars continued to drive around him, some didn't even slow down. As I returned to my car I felt awful that I couldn't help him, and so I said a little prayer for God to keep him safe. The very next vehicle that drove by was a Bedford County Sheriff's cruiser. The deputy immediately stopped, rescued the dog, and returned him safely to his owner's house. Both the dog and I had a God-sighting that day!
God Sighting - 10-30-11 - As I was admiring our prayer wreath in the narthex on Sunday morning, I noticed an intense area of color at the bottom of the wreath. As soon as I silently questioned why so many ribbons were in that one section, the answer became perfectly clear. A little girl approached the wreath and placed two ribbons on the spot. This is the part of the wreath that is accessible to small children. Witnessing the faith of this child, and seeing our prayer wreath in action in this way was a God-sighting to me.
God Sighting - 10-16-11 - Last Saturday morning, my God-sighting occurred in Kroger’s parking lot. One of our church members was on my mind and I decided to phone her later that afternoon. As I was out running morning errands I found myself wondering how she was doing and deliberating when would be the best time to make the call when I got back home. I parked the car, and walking towards the store I realized I saw this person I’d been thinking about entering the store! I got her attention by calling out “Well, THIS is a God-sighting!” We caught up on her family’s situation and were able to encourage each other in person that morning. The word “coincidence” is no longer in my vocabulary. I know a God moment when I’m in one! So I thanked God for the sighting and for reminding me that He’s part of my life in all things – even grocery shopping
God Sighting - 10-9-11 - My God-sighting involves buying a stranger's lunch. The Pastor had asked us in worship one Sunday morning to do a random act of kindness for somebody and see what happened, so I did just that one day in McDonald's drive-up line. When I paid the young attendant at the window for my meal, I said that I also wanted to pay for the person behind me and asked what he owed. When the youthful employee told me it was $1.05, I expressed my disappointment - that I had hoped it would be more than that. Hearing my comment, the young man leaned out the drive-up window, looked me right in the eyes, and said "It doesn't matter how much it costs. It's the thought that counts!" By sharing a kindness with a person I didn't know, I received a blessing from someone else who didn't know me! And it was a lovely reminder that God honors any kindness extended to others, no matter how small it is.
God Sighting - 10-2-11 -We were driving home one night when a car ran a red light and hit us broadside. The impact blew a six inch hole in our tire and tossed us in the oncoming lane, but no one was hurt in either car. The car that struck us was totaled. The only damage we sustained was to a rear tire and its wheel. We weren't even shaken up. We welcomed God's presence with us while we were waiting there for help to arrive, and felt calm and protected through the whole thing. Our roadside assistance couldn't believe that all we'd need was a spare tire to get home, but it was that simple. The repair shop was amazed with our limited damage, and said that her hitting our axle (the strongest part of the car) straight on was a "miracle". I agreed, but added that it was a God-sighting too. Our church bulletin reminds us to look for God, because He's all around us. And it really is true. He surrounded us that evening, and kept us company through everything.
God Sighting - 9-25-11 - I love to go to the dump. I know that sounds strange, but I enjoy my weekly trips there. In fact, frequently when I drop off my trash, I pick something up there. On rare occasion I spot a treasure someone else is discarding that I can re-purpose. But on most of my dump trips, what I pick up is hope. I learned one day that a lady who works there is a multiple cancer survivor, and I’ve heard snippets of her struggles and successes. She asks about my family, and waits to hear the answer. She says good-bye with a reminder to pray because it’s worked for her. I may throw away my trash there, but I pick up a car load of hope on every trip. I love to go to the dump.
God Sighting - 9-18-11- On my way to have lunch with friends, I had taken the shortest route to 29 sought which is Lynbrook Rd. It is also mostly curves, hills and hillside embankments. Very shortly after getting on this road, I stopped to check out a weird noise which turned out to be a flat tire. After pulling over as far as I dared, I asked myself, “What do I do now?” (My cell phone was at home on charge.) Well, I prayed, “God, please send someone to help me.” The first to stop were two very “questionable” looking fellows. After telling them my problem they said we’ll go back and get Mr. B. They returned in about 10 minutes and said Mr. B would be right on just as soon as he could wash his hands. I gladly gave them one of my two bills, thanked them and they left. Mr. B never showed. After what seemed an eternity an elderly couple stopped and asked if they could help. The gentleman got out, checked the tire and said I had enough air to get to his house “up there on the left.” He pulled in behind me, got his air tank and about 10 minutes later said, "o.k., you’re ready to roll". He gave me directions to the nearest auto shop on 29. I graciously thanked them both. The little white haired lady looked at me, smiled and said, “This morning as I said my morning prayers, I asked God to show me somebody I could help today. And he did!” It was then my turn to smile and say, “Yes ma'am, He answered your prayer and mine.” A coincidence? Don’t think so!
God Sighting - 9-11-11 - This week I saw God at work through the thankfulness of a homeless man from Delaware for a blanket from our Outreach Blanket Ministry. Thank God for those ladies Amen!
God Sighting 9-4-11- One Sunday the pastor of my former church asked us to think about how we’d feel if he told us Jesus would be there for worship next week. I gave his question some thought and wondered what impact that knowledge would have on my behavior. Would I feel happy about His anticipated visit, and enthusiastically share the news with others? Would I want to bring people experiencing illness and hardship to church to meet Him and hear what He had to say? Would I even be able to sleep on Saturday night just knowing that Jesus would be in my church the next morning? I enjoyed the images that came to mind when I pondered this question, and would often use it before going to church as a mental exercise to get ready for worship. But lately while attending Mountain View, the idea that I’ll see Jesus and connect to Him when I come to church is becoming less of an exercise and more of a reality for me. When I come to worship, I know I’ll see Him at work in this church and in the lives of the people around me. I look forward to experiencing that each week, and although anticipation doesn’t keep me from sleeping Saturday night, it does make me feel secure to know I’ll be seeing Him at Mountain View in the morning.
Godsighting 8-28-11 - I wanted to share my view on Godsightings. To me, my whole life is a Godsighting, and the sight part is knowing that he is indeed watching me(at all times!). Remember what we do in secret is never hidden from Him, even our thoughts. In addition, I believe He shows us what He wants us to see. Yesterday I prayed that the Lord would guide me to a better employment position. The right situation, the right time. I bumped into a woman that my son knows from the YMCA. She gave me all of the info I needed to promote myself. I don't know what the future holds but I do know that I am being led by an unseen hand and its up to me to make the right moves. Coincidence? NO WAY!
God Sighting 8-21-11 - I had a friend come help me by purchasing some items I needed to finalize our house being ready for inspection. By getting the items, it caused him to be late in setting up his mobile car window chip repair tent. After he left to go set up, I prayed in a way I don’t usually pray. I specifically asked God that my friend would repair five cars during his time at work. This would be quite an accomplishment for the amount of time he had to work. I texted him that I prayed for him to repair a specific number of cars and that at the end of the work day he should let me know how many he did. He called after work and the number of cars he did was the exact number I had prayed for earlier in the day. We were both amazed at this small God Sighting. - John Gruber
God Sighting - 8-7-11
We have been trying to sell our house for two years. This past summer was especially discouraging as nobody came to even look at the house for about two months. Two weeks ago we had some close friends over and shared with them about our lives and frustration with the house situation. We prayed for each other and had a great time sharing our hearts. The next day we got an offer on our house. All four of us were struck with the timing of our meeting and the offer on the house. - John Gruber
GOD SIGHTING - 7-17-11
For years I've worked with the local telethon than benefits the American Cancer Society. Each year we present Courage Awards to local individuals who are fighting cancer or who are cancer survivors. Recently, 12-year-old Hunter Wofle, one of our most recent Courage Award honorees, passed away. Several members of the telethon committee and I went to the viewing. We witnessed a huge outpouring of love and caring from friends and family and experienced the return of that care and love in a most remarkable way. As we waited in line, a little boy came through the line from the front of the church and hugged everyone. The little boy was Hunter's younger brother.
God Sighting 6-12-11
Last Sunday the Gerace family attended worship at Bethany EC church because our kids were getting “commissioned” during the service to prepare for their missions trip to Kentucky. During the Pastor commentary portion of the service, Pastor Roberts mentioned that one of their new congregants with small children was suffering greatly from leukemia and anemia in a Philadelphia hospital. A bone marrow transplant had failed to succeed and they were in the process of preparing for another, but the chemo/radiation along with drugs was a very tough experience for the young woman. Her situation was bleak and worsening. He then announced that the Grief Share, Youth Group and other Bethany weekly activities to be held on Wednesday, June 8 were being “cancelled” and instead Bethany was holding an hour long prayer service for the sole purpose of praying for this woman and her family.
He also posted it on Facebook and here is the invitation:
Special Prayer Service for Corinne Pena - Wednesday, June 8th, at 6:30 PM. Please come out and pray for Corrine, who had a bone marrow transplant that was unsuccessful. Currently her bone marrow is empty. She is waiting on the doctors to decide what they will do next. We need to pray.
Lucy and I had the privilege of attending the service yesterday, but it really wasn’t a service. It was an hour of people silently praying fervently for this family. Pastor had a specific list of concerns about the husband, kids and of course the patient. I have to admit I prayed for all of those things, but I also prayed one more big prayer. The prayer was…
that this woman would not just begin to slowly recover, of course that would be wonderful, but instead that she would experience a huge recovery virtually overnight. That God would bring glory by not only healing her, but would also bring back Tamaqua’s faith in prayer with a miracle. I don’t know if anyone else prayed that, but they probably did.
Here is Pastor Robert’s Facebook post from this morning:
Praise God!
Latest update on Corinne
I had a call from Alex a few moments ago. The doctors came to see Corinne this morning. They were ecstatic. They run blood count numbers every day. 3 days ago, her counts improved very slightly. There have been only minor increases over the past few days. Today, they there is enough improvement in her counts, that the doctors have decided she does NOT NEED a 2nd transplant. The marrow she has is her own. There is no leukemia, and as of today, they feel she will recover from the plastic anemia as well. Now that she has neutrophils in her blood, they will be giving her medication to stimulate her marrow. Normally, in a successful transplant, there is evidence of neutrophils in 12-14 days. Today is day 41. The doctor said, “He has never seen anything like this before”. As a “back up plan”, they are going to harvest stem cells from her brother Andrew and freeze them, but there is no plan for a 2nd transplant. Corinne will remain in the hospital for a few more weeks as her counts continue to improve and for daily monitoring. Full recovery is expected. Please continue to pray her AND take a moment to give praise and thanks to our great God!
So over the last several weeks the Zion bulletin has stated that “God is loose in the world” and that you want to hear about our “God sightings”. Here’s my sighting and it’s a whopper. Feel free to share. I hope you do so that everyone in our town and beyond sees God’s amazing power and grace.
Thanks,
Phil Gerace
GOD SIGHTING 6-12-11
On April 30, I saw God at work when a group of our fellow church members moved me into my new apartment. At least half of them did this not once, but twice in a 6 month period.
Definitely above the call of duty by Isabel Houser
GOD SIGHTINGS 6-5-11
This week I saw God at work at the check out counter from a young girl who gave extra time to smile and go the extra mile.
This week I saw God at work on my way to work at 6:30 in the morning a cross guard was saying the Rosary, a beautiful sight from Judy Brennan
GOD SIGHTING 5-29-11
This week we saw God at work in the doctors, nurses, friends, family, neighbors and our church family from the Kleins.
GOD SIGHTING 5-22-11
Last Sunday at Boyers I was behind someone in line who obviously required heavy maintenance from the clerk. He seemed to be asking her lots of really unnecessary questions. Many people would call this type of person a pest, but the clerk treated him with respect in a caring manner. When he asked her which of the frozen hamburger packs were the best, I thought he might have reached her limit, but she merely waited on me and started off to show him which one she would buy. “He’s like this every day,” she said as she left the counter. “God bless you,” I said to her. “Thank you,” she said as she followed him out of sight.
Last week as I pulled into the Turnpike toll plaza in the Lehigh Valley, I spotted a beautiful large dog wandering around the plaza avoiding the rushing cars. If it had wandered into the Turnpike, it would have been killed. Two cars stopped and their drivers worked together to get the dog loaded into one of their cars and then took it to the toll booth were it would be safe and perhaps returned to its owner. (The dog was wearing a collar maybe with a license or ID tag.)