Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click on “more” for details about this week’s Church School classes.
Worship Services
Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is New Harvest. Pastor Randy will preach from John 17:1–11.
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Randy will preach from John 17:1,6–11, and his sermon will be titled “Joint Custody.”
Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm
Led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, our hour-long Taizé service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
Christian Education Classes
We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.
Contemporaries | Harambe Room
The Beatitudes: Righteousness, Mercy, Pure Hearts and Peacemakers Part 2
What is righteousness, how do we respond, and what are the consequences? Class members will conclude our two-part study of the beatitudes by discussing Matthew 5:6–12.
Journey With Scripture | Second Floor Library
“Astonished, they asked, ’how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?’”—Acts 2:7–8
At Pentecost, the witness to the risen Jesus begins with cultural acceptance and intelligibility. Foreigners in Jerusalem hear the gospel in their own language. To be born
from the Spirit, is to perceive that the Kingdom of God translates differently to different people. Join us as we read about new perceptions and new worlds—even dare to enter them.
Join us for this week’s readings: Acts 1:15–17, 21–26; Psalm 1:1–6 1 John 5:9–13; and John 17:6–19.
Seekers | Good Samaritan Room
Religion and the Media
The Bible is filled with examples of how Jesus and his disciples used all means of communication in the ancient world to spread the good news. We are called to do the same. However, many people of faith believe the media’s coverage of religion is often distorted, even though they recognize its value as a tool for promoting ministries.
The Rev. Jane Duffield will help us to become informed consumers of religious news, explore why the media covers the stories it does, and learn how to work with the press.
The Rev. Duffield was the director of the UPMC News Bureau for 30 years prior to earning her M.Div. at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
Soul Food | Third Floor Music Room
The Book of Joy by Douglas Abrams
We will discuss The Book of Joy, with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, led by the Rev. Joe Hajdu, Katlyn Dougherty, Yamuna Morgenstern, and Michelle Bard.