What’s Happening at East Liberty Presbyterian Church,
the “Cathedral of Hope”
February 21, 2012

Friends, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not been revealed. What we do know is this: When Christ is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.

Spotlight

Ash Wednesday Services, Feb 22, 12:15 and 7pm

Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday, February 22. Join us at 12:15 for a quiet service in the Chapel with prayer, scripture and the imposition of ashes. Following the service, all are invited to gather for a simple lunch with guest speakers from World Mission Initiative The Taizé Service that evening at 7 pm, also with imposition of ashes, will continue the focus on preparing our spirits and souls for Lenten reflection. Read more

Worship services, Sunday February 26

• 8:00 am: Good Samaritan Worship: Rev. Michael H. Smith, Destiny International Ministries.
• 8:45 am: Journey Worship: Rev. Heather Schoenewolf preaching.
• 11:00 am: Sanctuary Worship: Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush preaching: .

Christian Education, Sunday February 26

Check out our Christian Education webpage for complete course descriptions and notes on this week’s and upcoming classes.

• Contemporaries, “The Beatitudes: Living a Blessed Life,” with special guest facilitator Rev. Heather Schoenewolf. Second floor parlor.

• Journey with Scripture, Genesis 9:8–17; Psalms 25:1–10; I Peter 3:18–22; Mark 1:9–15. Second floor library.
• Parenting Circle, We continue our two winter texts, The Five Love Languages of Children and The Five Love Languages of Teenagers. Teen Book: Chapter 5, “Quality Time.” Child Book: Chapter 4, “Quality time.” First floor, Harambe Room.
• Seekers: “Troubling Texts,” with special guest Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush. examining Jude and the topic of fallen angels and God’s wrathful condemnation. Rev. Bush will address the topic of holy war with reference to the tension between Israel and the Amalekites that first surfaces in Exodus 17. (Read Exodus 17 8-16, “Amalek Attacks Israel and Is Defeated” and 1 Samuel 15.) Room 234.
• Soul Food: We continue our text Spiritual Classics: Catherine Marshall: “Fasting from Criticalness,” pp. 57-61, with Joe Hajdu.
• Clase de Escuela Dominical en Español, con Joaquin Anabe Lopez. Room 217.

Worship and prayer opportunities during the week

• Taizé prayer service: Join us this Wednesday, February 22, for a special Ash Wednesday-themed service with prayers and imposition of ashes.
• Labyrinth prayer walk on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Centering Prayer: Every Tuesday, 7:00.

News and events

Lenten Bible Study begins next Wednesday, Feb 29

Join the Revs Bush and Schoenewolf Wednesday evenings during Lent from 6 - 7pm in the Second Floor Parlor for a time of study, discussion and reflection together. This special Lenten program will run from Wednesday, February 29 through Wednesday, April 4. Read more

Thoughts on preparing for Lent with Rev Bush (Video)

How do we prepare for Lent, especially during times in our lives when we feel rushed and busy? What are the core values we might embrace? or perhaps are there things we might “give up” during Lent? Hear Rev. Bush’s thoughts in this short video with some thoughts on the Lenten season. View the video

Readings for Lent

For your Lenten Journey, you may be interested in the following books: The Desert: An Anthology for Lent, by John Moses; The Easter Story from the Gospels, edited by Marguerite Northrup and published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Kneeling in Jerusalem, by Ann Weems. Read more

More happenings at East Liberty Presbyterian Church

To find out all about what’s going on at ELPC this week, see this week’s announcements.

In our community

EECM “Have a Heart for Hunger” Campaign begins today

Join in the fight against hunger by participating in ELPC’s efforts to support EECM’s Have a Heart for Hunger campaign. Two ways of helping are by making a financial contribution or by collecting food. Monetary donations made between Feb 14 and March 31 will have a matching donation made up to $30,000. Fill a bag with a selection of the following items always needed by the EECM Food Pantry and bring it to ELPC on March 18 (note date change): hamburger helper, instant mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing mix, rice-a-roni, diapers in all sizes or household cleaning products. Find out more about the Have a Heart Campaign.

East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Food Pantry
The EECM Food Pantry provides food for individuals and families facing hunger in Pittsburgh. February’s “Food of the Month” is Tuna.

East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Men’s Shelter
During the month of February, 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!