News from East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders.

Spotlight

Race: The Power of An Illusion: January 16
As part of our ongoing commitment to bridge the racial divide and build community, ELPC is collaborating with Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church to offer the series Race: The Power of an Illusion. This PBS documentary, originally shown in 2003, has been developed into a series for use in community groups, schools and faith communities. A potluck supper at 5:30 pm will precede each video segment and small group discussion. First session (January 16) at ELPC. View the discussion guide on PBS’ site.

January 17 Worship Services

• 8:00 am: Good Samaritan Worship; Michael Stanton, director of Open Hand Ministries, delivering the message.
• 8:45 am: Journey Worship; the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf preaching.
• 11:00 am: Sanctuary Worship; the Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush preaching: “Back Room Justice,” John 2:1-11.

January 17 Christian Education, 9:45 - 10:45

• Contemporaries, jointly with Journey with Scripture (second floor parlor): To live in the spirit is to read scripture with others for the sake of God and the Kingdom of God, as well as to let oneself be addressed, schooled, and transformed. January 17: Isa. 62:1-5; Ps. 36:5-10; 1 Cor. 12: 1-11; John 2: 1-11.
• Parenting Circle (first floor, Harambe Room): We begin reading Jan Johnson’s Growing Compassionate Kids: Helping Kids See Beyond Their Backyard. Books available in class. Anyone interested in parenting is welcome to join us.
• Seekers: (room 234): “How Do We Treat and Feed Our Soul,” led by the Rev. Miriam Chamberlain. Are we aware of what part our soul plays in our daily lives? Inspired by the movie Cold Souls (to be released soon), we’ll explore this important part of ourselves and our faith journey. Room 234.

Additional worship, classes, and prayer opportunities during the week

• Wednesday Connections: Join the Revs. Bush and Schoenewolf in the second floor parlor for an adult bible study, discussing this week’s bible scripture: John 2:1-11.
• Taizé prayer service: Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm in the Chapel. Childcare available from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm. January 13 Taizé service will be followed at 8:15 with a class: Sacred Harp/Shape Note Singing. Enjoy singing tunes in three- and four-part harmony from the oldest American song book in print; led by Charles Anderson.
• Labyrinth Prayer Walk (Social Hall): Wednesday January 13, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm. No labyrinth on Monday January 18; church is closed during the day in observance of Martin Luther King day.
• Centering Prayer: Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, room 250.

Youth and Young Adults

• Club One Sixteen, January 13: “Faith and Hope”
• 3:30 - 4:00: Snacks and homework help
• 4:30 - 6:00: Voices of Hope I, grades 4 - 6
• 4:45 - 5:45: Voices of Hope II, grades 7-12
• 6:00 - 6:30: Dinner; junior and senior high groups in ground floor suites; families in the first floor McKelvey Room.
• 6:30 - 8:00: Bible study for junior and senior high groups, ground floor suites.
• Youth Basketball: Open to young men in grades 9-12; Saturday night January 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. ELPG gym.
• Young adults January coffee house: Sunday, Jan. 17, at 7 pm: Come by to chat or to say hello and enjoy some coffee, ice cream, and waffles at Oh Yeahs (232 S. Highland Ave.).

ELPC weekly news highlights

Spirit Catchers, a watermedia art exhibit to lift our spirits in the new year: January 17-24
View over 20 spiritual paintings as Dan Siemasko exhibits “Spirit Catchers” at ELPC. Have yourself a mini-retreat! Each work has an accompanying “prompt” to inspire your reflections. Dan is a member of ELPC and the Pittsburgh Watercolors Society. Displays in the second floor parlor and room 234. Sponsored by the arts subcommittee of Worship, Music and the Arts. for more information or to inquire about future art exhibits at the church.

Infinite Family informational meeting, January 17, 12:30, room 244
Infinite Family links online mentors in the U.S. with children in South Africa through voice chat and email. Several ELPC families/individuals are already mentors. Join us for an information session with Dana Gold, program director for Infinite Family. Snacks will be served. Sponsored by ELPC’s Peace Committee.

Free blood pressure screenings, January 17, 12:15
Free blood pressure screenings will be available after the January 17th Sanctuary worship service. First floor library.

Inquirers’ Class, January 24, 12:30 - 3:00
Join us for an opportunity to learn more about ELPC and Presbyterian theology. Please call Gloria Knopp to register, (412) 441-3800 x22. Lunch will be provided. Click the image at right to view the poster (PDF).

ELPC in the Community

Join us for a celebration of the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., January 17, 3:30 pm
The congregations of East End Cooperative Ministry invite you to the 26th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, to be held on Sun., Jan. 17, at Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church located at Collins Ave. at Rodman St., in East Liberty. Musical performances begin at 3:30 pm, and the formal service commences at 4 pm. The Rev. DeNeice Welch, pastor of Bidwell United Presbyterian Church , is our featured speaker. The celebration is the only annual gathering for all the congregations’ members. All are encouraged to attend! Hear the Rev. Welch’s sermon delivered at ELPC, “The Stubborn God,” February 10, 2008.

East End Cooperative Ministries Men’s Shelter
The Deacons are collecting bar soap and razors 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
January’s “Food of the Month” is peanut butter.