What’s Happening at East Liberty Presbyterian Church,
the “Cathedral of Hope”
December 6, 2011
The gospel writer Mark tells us with urgency to get ready for the coming Messiah and proclaim to all the world the glory of God’s name. Let us prepare ourselves to greet the one who is coming, Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Spotlight
Christmas 2011 events
 ELPC offers several Christmas services and programs during the month of December including Advent/Christmas Hymn Festival on December 18, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, the Christmas Pageant, a church tour to highlight the meaning of the holiday decorations, and more. Read the details
Worship services, Sunday December 11
Christian Education, Sunday, December 11, 9:45 am:
Complete details on this week and upcoming adult Christian Ed classes are on the CE page of our website.
- Contemporaries, “Lines of Radical Democracy in Christianity,” part two of two, with Darren Belajac, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Second floor parlor.
- Journey with Scripture, Isaiah 6:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; I Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28. Second floor library.
- Parenting Circle, From the text Ten Talks: Chapter 10, “What We Believe: Talking about Your Family’s Values.”
First floor, Harambe Room.
- Seekers: “Gifts of the Season,” with Seekers members and friends. Room 234.
- Soul Food: “A Christmas Carol,” Christina Rossetti, pp. 309-313, from Spiritual Classics, with Joe Hajdu.
- Clase de Escuela Dominical en Español, con Joaquin Anabe Lopez. Room 217.
Worship and prayer opportunities during the week
News and events
Presbyterian Women Bible Study, December 6 at 10am
Join the PW Tuesday morning as they continue their study of the Beatitudes: “Greatly Honored Are Those Who Are Famished and Parched for Justice.” Second floor parlor at 10 am. Read more
 Noah’s Pudding, December 7
Our friends at the Turkish Cultural Center of Pittsburgh will be sharing their home-made Noah’s Pudding with the Taizé community after the service on December 7. Muslims call the day that Noah’s Ark was settled down safely on a mountain top the “Day of Ashura.” The making of Ashura, Noah’s Pudding, is a common practice among Muslims and Christians in the Middle East. In Turkey, people cook Ashura every year. Christian communities throughout the Middle East prepare a similar sweet dish, called hedik, amah, or qamhiyyi. People who cook Ashura at home send a cup of it to each of their neighbors.
 First Sunday event, December 11, 12:30, Second Floor Parlor
Join Sue Bailey in a discussion on the book 7 Paths to God: The Ways of the Mystic by Joan Borysenko. Borysenko points out how a mystical moment can strike at any time when you are fully present in the moment: when looking at a sunset, walking in nature, etc. This event is sponsored by Spiritual Life. Read more
Giving Tree gifts due December 11
Wrapped gifts, with tags securely attached, are due back in the church office by noon on Sunday, December 11. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to ELPC Giving Tree and deliver it to the church office. The Deacon Board thanks the congregation for its enthusiastic support of this ministry!
 More happenings at East Liberty Presbyterian Church
To find out more about what’s going on at ELPC this week, see this week’s announcements or our Christmas events (Seasonal Worship) page. You can also read our December Reaching Out newsletter online.
In our community
 Renaissance City Choir, “Sing in the Holiday Season,” Saturday December 10
Our friends the Renaissance City Choir will be presenting their Christmas concert this Saturday, “Don We Now Our Gay Apparel,” which will include music by Joan Szymko, Cris Williamson and Vivaldi. It also includes Thriller Christmas by David Maddux and an outrageously fun rendition of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. As always, the audience will be invited to sing along with us on The Twelve Days of Christmas and a new sing along of favorite holiday tunes.
Christmas Tea, Friday, December 16
The Fellowship of Christian Women invites women from East End Churches to a Christmas Tea on Friday, December 16, from 10 AM to Noon, at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, 271 Paulson Ave. Refreshments will be provided. Please bring a specialty tea bag to swap. Contact Mary Alice Lightle, (412) 682-1504 for more information.
 East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Food Pantry
The EECM Food Pantry provides food for individuals and families facing hunger in Pittsburgh. December’s “Food of the Month” is Dried Beans.
East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Men’s Shelter
During the month of December, the Deacons continue to collect men’s hats, gloves, scarves, and underwear (sizes L, XL, and XXL) for EECM’s Men’s Shelter. Donations may be left in the hallway baskets. Thank you for your support! |
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