Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Church School classes. We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Youth classes are currently meeting after our Sanctuary worship service. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings.
Children | Preschool–Grade 5
Our theme for May will be “Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.” We will gather via Zoom on Sunday, May 23, 10 am, so we can celebrate Pentecost together. All students are welcome whether or not you are doing Church School at home. If you haven’t signed up, register your child at ELPC.church.
Journey with Scripture
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city.”—Revelation 22:1–2
The Bible begins in chaos—the earth as a formless void, darkness covering the face of the deep waters. But through the Spirit of steadfast love and faithfulness, God begins to tame it. Order, diversity, and mutuality become established. This month, at Bible’s end, we read that a new Heaven and Earth emerge. A new city descends from heaven. God and Christ dwell there together with its inhabitants. The chaos is gone. Death, mourning, crying, and pain are gone. The nations walk by the city’s light. Leaders and people enter its gates, they’re always open. Welcome home! Such a long journey to get here. Take heart Pittsburgh and ELPC. Look where the future happens and to the One who makes all things new.
Join us for this week’s readings: Psalm 83; Esther 14:1–19; Revelation 21:1–27. Contact Sara Hackett for Zoom information.
Parenting Circle
We will continue discussing excerpts from Lauren Burdette’s book, This Life that is Ours, and how her insights connect to our unique perspectives and experiences of parenthood. Each class will have time for personal sharing and reflection on brief readings from the book. All people involved in parenting are welcome to join us, even if you haven’t read the book.
If you would like a copy of the book, contact the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf.
Seekers
What can we Learn from the Dead Sea Scrolls?
Beginning in the late 1940s, the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 11 different caves near the western banks of the Dead Sea in Israel. It is hard to understate how significant this discovery has been for the study of Jewish history and for biblical studies.
What are in these documents? How have they changed our understanding of the Bible? What do they tell us about the cultural world of the New Testament?
Dr. Tucker Ferda, ELPC member and assistant professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will introduce us to these fascinating texts.
Contact Gwen Puza for Zoom details.
Soul Food
We will continue discussing our current book, In My Grandmother’s House: Black Women, Faith, and the Stories We Inherit, by Yolanda Pierce.