News from East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Third week of Easter, April 21, 2010
Spotlight
Penn State’s Essence of Joy choir joins ELPC this Sunday!
ELPC is pleased to welcome the “Essence of Joy” gospel choir from Penn State on April 25, during the 11:00 service. The choir performs sacred and secular music from the African and African American traditions. Under the direction of Dr. Anthony Leach, the choir draws undergraduate and graduate students from across Penn State’s academic disciplines.
Please note: This will the last Christian Education session before the Pittsburgh Marathon (May 2). The next Christian Education classes after April 25 will be on May 9.
- Contemporaries:
 “Applications of the Belhar Confession,” part 2 of 2, led by Rev. Bush. The struggle against apartheid in South Africa produced many documents of faith, including the Belhar Confession (September 1986). A product of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church, it’s something that churches in our Reformed Church are considering for inclusion in the Book of Confessions. We’ll discuss the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa and issues related to American social policies of injustice. Second floor parlor.
- Journey with Scripture: Acts 9:36–43; Ps. 23; Rev. 7:9–17; John 10:22–30. Led by Jan Irvin. Second floor library.
- Parenting Circle: We continue reading 365 Meditations for Families. First floor, Harambe room.
- Seekers: “The Dangers of Christian Zionism for Israel, Jews, and Christianity,” part 2 of 2, led by Rachel Tabachnick. Raised a Southern Baptist who converted to Judaism, Tabachnick has a unique understanding of Christian and Jewish perspectives. Second floor, room 234.
- Soul Food, a new adult class offering, led by the Rev. Cynthia Jackson. April’s theme is “the little Easters” ... those moments when something that has died in me is raised to life again. We will continue our study Joyce Rupp’s book Fresh Bread. (Please bring a journal.) Copies of Fresh Bread are available to purchase in class. Second floor, pastor’s conference room.
Additional worship and prayer opportunities during the week
 Taizé prayer service: Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm in the Chapel. Join us for a simple supper at 6:00 pm. Childcare available from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm. April 21 Taizé service will be followed at 8:15 with Sacred Harp/Shape Note Singing, led by Charles Anderson. Beginners welcome!- Labyrinth Prayer Walk: Wednesday April 21, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm; Monday, April 26, 10 am - 3pm. In the Social Hall.
- Centering Prayer: Tuesday, April 27, 7:00 pm. Room 250.
Youth and Young Adults
- Club One Sixteen, April 21: Join us from 3:30 to 5:00 for homework and open gym, 5:00 - 5:30 for a simple supper, and 5:30 - 7:00 for bible study.
- Youth basketball: For young men, grades 9–12; Saturday evening April 24, from 6 - 8 pm. In the gym.
 Spring Young Adult Series, “The Easter Experience,” continues (session 2 out of 5): When the Easter celebrations have come and gone, we are left with the question: So what now? This week’s topic: My Life Can Change. Join us tonight at 8 pm in Room 234. - Young adults in their 20’s and 30’s (married, single, partnered, with or without children) are invited to Oh Yeah! (232 S Highland Ave) on Sunday, April 25 for fellowship and ice cream.
ELPC weekly news highlights
Inquirers’ class, April 25, 12:30 - 3:00
 Are you or someone you know thinking about joining ELPC as a member or as a friend? This is a great opportunity to find out more about our church community, who we are, what we do, what we believe, and more. Please call Gloria Knopp to register, (412) 441-3800 x22. Lunch is included; let Gloria know if you need childcare. Click the image at right to view the poster (PDF). Women of Egypt Speak, April 27, 9:30 am
Join us for a potluck brunch  and learn about the state of women’s rights and traditions in Egyptian society from a Christian woman and a Muslim woman. (No pork or gelatin, please.) Our hosts are Presbyterian Women and the Peace Committee. For questions or to RSVP, contact Kate in the church office at (412) 441-3800 x17. For more information about the dialogue project, click to the “Hands along the Nile” website.
Offering of Letters, April 25
We invite everyone to write letters to our Congressional Representatives as part of our larger efforts to fight poverty at its roots. Materials and information will be provided. Experience has proven that the most powerful thing we can do to influence political leaders is to send them hand-written letters. See Sunday’s announcement for time and location details.
Medicines for Haiti
The Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti is collecting infant pain reliever drops, infant vitamin drops, and adult pain relievers. Thank you very much for your support! Please leave donations in the Haiti box in the church office.
Special Mother’s Day Cards on sale!
Honor your mother this year with a specially designed Mother’s Day  card to support Healthy Women Healthy Families. Your donations for Mother’s Day cards will help safeguard and improve the lives of women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi and southern Sudan. This project supports malaria prevention, family health education, primary care, health screenings and immunizations for children, and obstetrical care, fistula surgery and cervical cancer screening for women. A donation of $10 is suggested but donations of any amount will be cheerfully received. Cards are available following the 11 am worship service and from Kate Carlson in the church office during the week.
ELPC in the Community
Thomas Merton Center, Community Dialogue Meeting at ELPC, April 25, 7pm
 The Thomas Merton Center is facing financial shortfalls, a building in disrepair, and most recently, the layoff of the staff. TMC wants to hear your thoughts and suggestions for how it should move forward. TMC wants to hear the thoughts and suggestions from the membership and community. For more information, call them at (412) 361-3022.
East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Food Pantry
The EECM Food Pantry provides food for individuals and families facing hunger in Pittsburgh. April’s “Food of the Month” is pasta sauce.
East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Men’s Shelter
During the month of April, the Deacons are collecting bar soap and shampoo for EECM’s Men’s Shelter. Donations may be left in the hallway baskets. Thank you for your support! |
