Palm Sunday, March 24

Hosanna! Hosanna! Hear the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on what has come to be called “Palm Sunday.” Children are encouraged to participate in worship on Palm Sunday by processing into worship and helping to collect the Have a Heart for Hunger donations. Children and parents who are interested in joining the procession should meet in the Chapel at 10:45 am on March 24.

View the Holy Week schedule and parking information

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Hope Academy students in Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest, Mar 22

Hope Academy Shakespeare students have been preparing for the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 2013 “Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest.” Over 1,000 students in grades 4-12 from across the tri-state area compete. Contestants present their Shakespeare pieces on the main stage in front of a panel of judges. Around 30 students are selected to compete in the Showcase of Finalists. Hope Academy has been well represented with a number of finalists each year. The Showcase of Finalists at 7 pm, on Mon., March 25, is free and open to the public. Please join us for a wonderful evening of theater. You may be able to help us cheer on some of our very own students! Read more

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Worship services, Sunday March 24, Palm Sunday

• 8:00 am: Good Samaritan: Rev. Dr. John Burgess, Professor of Systematic Theology, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. (In the ground floor Dining Room.)
• 8:45 am: Journey Worship: Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy. (In the third floor Music Room.)
• 11:00 am: Sanctuary Worship: Rev. Dr. Randy Bush ·  Lenten Life Lessons: Joy  ·  Luke 19:28-40  ·  Read the scripture (In the Sanctuary.)
  

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Open Gym, March 26, from 2 - 4pm

The Gym and Bowling Alley at ELPC will be open for parents and adults to bring children and youth for a time of intergenerational recreation on Tuesday, March 26 from 2-4 pm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand, but adults are expected to stay at the church and chaperone the children they bring.

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Mission Walk, March 29 (Good Friday), 9am

All are invited to tour some of the missions serving the homeless in East Liberty on Good Friday, March 29. We will leave McDonalds (120 Penn Circle West) at 9 am and conclude with lunch at the Orr Center before returning to the church for worship. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for walking outside. Tour is hosted by Presbyterian Women. Reservations are required by Noon on Wednesday, March 27 (to plan for lunch). RSVP or questions to Mary Alice Lightle (412) 682.1504.

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Have a Heart for Hunger | Bring your grocery bags on Palm Sunday, March 24

Hunger is on the increase in Allegheny County. Hundreds of people in the East End of Pittsburgh do not know where their next meal is coming from. Join East End Cooperative Ministry as we reach out to those who are experiencing hunger. Support EECM’s Have a Heart for Hunger Campaign. Donations made between February 14 and March 31 will have a matching donation made up to $30,000! See the announcements for more details.

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Our Lenten Journey

• Wednesday Bible 116: Please join us for a special Lenten evening Bible Study, every Wednesday in Lent, from 5:45 pm to 6:55 pm in the Second Floor Parlor. The Bible 116 class is an informal (adult) gathering in which Pastor Randy and/or Pastor Heather lead a conversation about the scripture passage that is the focus of the upcoming Sunday worship service. Bring your own bible, or bibles provided. A simple meal of soup and bread will be available, and volunteers are encouraged to assist in providing these refreshments.
• Lenten Life Lessons: Throughout the Lenten season, the pastors will be preaching on the theme “Lenten Life Lessons” at both the 8:45 Journey and 11 am Sanctuary services. In conjunction with this series, the Christian Education Committee has created Lenten devotional materials to serve as roadmaps for our journey together. Each weekly devotional offers an opportunity to explore scripture, reflect, pray and respond to how God is and has been at work in your life, through milestone events and in the day-to-day. The materials will be passed out at the doors of each service on Sundays.
• You are also invited to draw deeper into your own personal “Lenten Life Lessons” with our Lenten Life Lessons Journal. Each section follows along with the weekly worship theme, and has spaces to write your thoughts, to draw pictures, and to write out prayers--either as an individual or as a family. View the PDF
• “From Ashes to Resurrection,” offered by Presbyterians for Eco-Justice, includes an Easter devotional which Rev. Bush contributed. View the PDF

View the Holy Week/Easter worship services page for more details

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South Highland Bridge closed, March 4 to November

The bridge on Highland Ave, just south of the church, will be closed from March to November for repairs. According to the contractor, both the deck and steel superstructure of the bridge will be replaced. The existing stone masonry abutments and pier are to be retrofitted. (View the information sheet) City of Pittsburgh documents also note that Ellsworth Avenue, which runs under the bridge, will be lowered to increase the clearance between Ellsworth and the bridge above. The bridge was originally constructed in 1925. Detours will be posted. View parking information

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Safe exercising program for those with arthritis, Mondays & Wednesdays through May 1

The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is designed specifically for people with arthritis or arthritis-related conditions. The class includes gentle, joint-safe exercises from the Arthritis Foundation. This 10-week program can help relieve stiffness and decrease arthritis pain, and can help improve balance. This low-impact, fun class can be taken either sitting or standing and is taught by an Arthritis Foundation-certified instructor.

Classes offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-4pm, through May 1. In the Sewing Room. For more information or to register, call (412) 383-1303.

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