Spotlight

Christmas Concert and Carol Sing, December 19, 4pm
The musicians of ELPC and talented friends from the community will come together to present a special Christmas Concert and Carol Sing. This program will blend words, special music, and familiar carols into a holiday concert to be enjoyed by people of all ages. The handbell choir, adult choir, soloists, organ and piano music will be featured, along with readings that tell the inspirational “good news” of this time of year. Bring friends to this festive, holiday concert!.

December 13 Worship Services

• 8:00 am: Good Samaritan Worship; Michael Glass delivering the message, Executive Director, Northside Common Ministries.
• 8:45 am: Journey Worship; the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy preaching.
• 11:00 am: Sanctuary Worship; the Rev. Bush preaching the third in his four-part Advent sermon series, “The Advent Quartet.” The sermon for December 9 is “Matthew's Passion,” Matthew 3:1-12.
• 7:00 pm: Koinonia service of praise, Elder Kathleen Kyle delivering the message. A potluck supper precedes the service at 6 pm. Please RSVP to Rev. Schoenewolf for the potluck, (412) 441-3800 x21.

December 13 Christian Education

• All adult Christian Education classes (Contemporaries, Journey with Scripture, Parenting Circle and Seekers) are cancelled so that everyone may attend the Christmas pageant, “The Very Important Christmas Pageant,” read more information below.

Additional worship, classes, and prayer opportunities during the week

• Taizé prayer service: Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm in the Chapel. Childcare available from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm. December 9 Taizé service will be followed at 8:15 with a class on Sacred Harp/Shape Note Singing, led by Charles Anderson. Beginners welcome!.
• Labyrinth Prayer Walk: Mondays, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, and Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm.
• Centering Prayer: Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, room 250.
• Wednesday Connections for Adults: Join us Wednesday December 9 from 5:00 - 5:45 for Bible study with the Revs. Bush and Schoenewolf; stay for a simple supper at 6:00 in the McKelvey Room. (Last Wednesday Connections until January.)

Youth and Young Adults

• Junior High service project: Youth in grades 6–8 are invited to participate in our annual Christmas service project, where we’ll purchase gifts for children who will be spending the holidays in foster care. After the Pageant rehearsal on Saturday, Dec 12, we’ll share a light lunch at 11:30 am then go shopping. We’ll wrap up our day at 3 pm. Please RSVP to Rev. Heather Schoenewolf by Wednesday, Dec 9. (Permission slip required.)
• Club One Sixteen: Club One Sixteen meets on December 9 at its usual time; 3:30 - 8:00 pm. (Last Club One Sixteen until January.)
• Youth Basketball: Open to young men in grades 9-12; Saturday nights from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

ELPC weekly news highlights

Special seasonal services during the month of December
In addition to its regular Sunday services, ELPC will offer several additional services this month around the Christmas season:

• Blue Christmas, December 20, 4 pm: If the holiday season is a time where losses and grief dominate over joys and laughter, find solace in in a loving God at this special service. This service is a time of prayer and remembrance—lifting our sense of loss and sadness to the God who came near to us at Christmas in the Christ Child of Bethlehem. It’s also a time to remember God’s promise to be with us always, beyond the horizon of this life with its seasons of happiness and sadness.
• Family Christmas Eve, December 24, 5 pm: Join us for a time of Christmas carols and a re-telling of the Nativity story, so that it can enliven the hearts of the youngest and oldest listeners.
• Candlelight Communion Service, December 24, 11 pm: Join us for a service filled with beauty, grace, and celebration as we remember the birth of Christ and welcome the dawn of Christmas morning through carols, readings, and the shared sacrament of communion. Special music begins at 10:45 pm.
• New Year’s Eve Worship, December 31, 7 pm: Welcome in the New Year with songs, meditations, prayer, and faithful hope! Worshipers are invited to gather in the Sanctuary Chancel for a special service to give thanks for the benefits of the year past and seek grace for the year to come. Communion will be shared, as will thoughts and reflections on this annual time of transition. Join us as we recall the faithfulness of God who is with us all the seasons of our life.

Christmas Pageant, December 13, 10 am
Join us in the Social Hall for this year’s Christmas Pageant, “The Very
Important Christmas Pageant.” The children of our church will tell the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The children will enact
the roles of sheep and shepherds; wise people and King Herod; donkeys and camels; Mary and Joseph; and of course, baby Jesus, to remind us of the important message of the holiday season: “That unto us a baby has been born—a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” All Church School classes will be canceled on December 13, so that everyone can attend. Children who will be performing in the pageant should arrive at ELPC by 9:30 am. There’ll be a rehearsal on Sat., Dec. 12, from 9:30–11 am. Light refreshments will be served in Rooms 224 and 227, after rehearsal.

Exercise classes—new and updated
A healthy body can help support a healthy spiritual life. Give yourself a gift that keeps on giving! Come to our low-cost / no-cost exercise classes:

• JourneyDace (new), December 11 (and ongoing): A playful and intuitive method of using movement to discover and celebrate inner strengths—guiding you to become fully present in your body, release trapped emotions and self-judgment, access inner power, celebrate your spirit, and manifest your dreams. Offered second Fridays through May 2010, from 7-8 pm in the McKelvy Room. A donation from the heart is requested. Wear comfortable clothing that allows for a full range of movement. Bring a water bottle if you have one. All ages and bodies welcome.
• Tai Chi, December 8 (and ongoing): Tuesdays in the Sewing Room, time to be determined. Led by Judy Crow. Pre-registration is required. Call Amanda Nolan for more info, (412) 441-3800 x34.
• Yoga, December 10 (and ongoing): Thursdays from 7:15-8:30 pm, in the Sewing Room Led by Yamuna. Donations are appreciated.
• Zumba, December 10 (and ongoing): Thursdays from 6–7 pm, in the Sewing Room. Led by LuAnn Ross. Bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the food pantry.

 

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ELPC in the Community

Children’s Festival Chorus Winter Concert, December 13, 4pm
The Children’s Festival Chorus presents its annual winter concert, A Children’s Festival of Carols. The CFC’s three choirs will perform a variety of traditional songs including “Wassail Song,” “Sing We Noel,” and “O Let the Merry Bells Ring.” The chorus also will lead audience members in a sing-a-long of seasonal favorites. Tickets are $18 for adults; $16 for seniors, students, children and teachers. For tickets visit the Pro Arts website, or call (412) 394-3353.

East End Cooperative Ministries Men’s Shelter
The Deacons are collecting socks, gloves, and hats for EECM’s Men's Shelter. Donations may be left in the hallway baskets. Thank you for your support!

East End Cooperative Ministries Food Pantry
December’s “Food of the Month” is Macaroni and Cheese.