107 Coldren Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904, United States

814-266-3964

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    • Events
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    • Sermons & Devotional
    • Operation Christmas Child
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  • Pastor's Corner
  • Steeple
  • Sermons & Devotional
  • Operation Christmas Child
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  • Contact

Belmont Community
Church of Johnstown

Belmont Community Church of Johnstown Belmont Community Church of Johnstown Belmont Community Church of Johnstown

A Global Methodist Congregation

A Global Methodist CongregationA Global Methodist Congregation

Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message

December Sermons 2025


12-7- Man of God

        Matthew 1:18-21  Matthew 1:22-25


12-14- The Magnificat

           Luke 1:39-45  Luke 1:46-56


12- 21- Prepare The Way of The Lord

            Luke 1:57-66  Luke 1:67-80


12- 24- Good News

            Luke 2: 1-7  Luke 2:8-20


12-28- We Have Seen His Star

          Matthew 2:1-6  Matthew 2:7-12

Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.

 

Some Thoughts on Mary (Part Two)


The Angel Gabriel greeted Mary with these words:

“You are highly favored! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28)

What followed radically altered the course of Mary’s life and shoved aside any girlhood hopes and dreams she had of a normal life with her husband, Joseph. 

The dream Mary had for her future was nothing like the real story. The cost and risks of her obedience were high. Her path was all uphill and marked with hidden potholes. She would never enjoy the pleasured life of being "King Mother." Her pregnancy before marriage wounded the people she loved most and jeopardized her reputation and safety. The people could have stoned her to death. Mary’s life was over—except for a gracious and faithful husband who believed the angel—and Mary—and saved her life and honor.

Nine months later, Mary delivered her royal baby in a smelly stable without the basic amenities or customary female attendants to soothe her brow, dry her tears, grasp her hand through the worst contractions, bathe and swaddle her baby. After visitations by shepherds and wise men, her little family lived life on the run in a desperate effort to save Jesus from jealous King Herod.

It’s all well and good to be named the star of the annual Christmas pageant and appear throughout history in stained glass windows in cathedrals all over the world. But that hardly compensates for the high price Mary paid when she answered God’s call at a tender age and how being the mother of Jesus would pierce her soul for the rest of her life—until her son would be stretched out on a Roman cross to die for the sins of the world.

God favored and exalted Mary—but in the end, Mary also trusted and exalted God. What made Mary so special? It wasn’t wealth—she was from a poor family. It wasn’t her life experience—she was a teenager. It certainly wasn’t social influence—she came from an insignificant family in an insignificant village of an insignificant tribe. 

So what was it about Mary that caught God’s attention? Why did God focus the spotlight of redemptive history on her? She had unshakable faith in the goodness of God.

As we journey through this Advent season, may we be inspired by Mary and have unshakeable trust in the goodness of God.


Bishop Jeff Greenway 







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