Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click the “more” link for our Church School programming.
Worship Services
Journey Worship | Sunday, at 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Opening Doors. Pastor Randy will preach from Genesis 21:5–14, 20–21.
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
The three major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—all share a common foundation in the life of the patriarch Abraham. God’s covenant with Abraham and his wife Sarah included the promise that their children will prosper and become the 12 tribes of ancient Israel. God’s promise of protection was given to Abraham’s servant Hagar, who bore a son, Ishmael, to whom the Islamic faith traces its roots back to Abraham. And Christianity saw in the promises given to Abraham and Sarah a precursor to the covenant of grace and life made known in the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Randy will be joined by Rabbi James Gibson (Temple Sinai) and Imam Mufti Abdul Wajid (Islamic Center of Pittsburgh) to explore our common faith heritage grounded in Abraham’s story. Rabbi Gibson will deliver our Scripture lesson based on Genesis 25:7–13 and his sermon will be titled “Bridging the Chasm with Blessings.” Please join us for this interfaith celebration of God’s covenants that span centuries and continue to inspire people of faith the world over.
Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
Our hour-long service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this service of sung Taizé prayer. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. 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 | Second Floor Parlor
The Stranger and Hospitality
Our Advent and Christmas series will continue as Mark Roth and Old Testament scholar the Rev. Steven Tuell lead our lesson on Immigration.
Journey With Scripture | Second Floor Library
Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. This gospel reading, part of Luke’s crucifixion narrative, ends the three-year Lectionary cycle of scripture readings. It witnesses to Christ’s forgiving action on the cross. We yearn to be transformed from recklessness and violence to God’s kingdom of peace. The forgiveness of God is essential for this transformation. Join us as we reflect on these readings:
This week, our readings are Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122; Romans 15:4–13; and Matthew 3:1–12.
Seekers | Room 234
The Life of Abraham, From an Islamic Perspective
Imam Mufti Abdul Wajid, the religious director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, will lead our class on the life of Abraham, from an Islamic perspective.
Soul Food | Third Floor Music Room
This week, we will conclude our discussion on chapter five of The Gift of Being Yourself, led by Joe Hajdu, Linda Harrington, and Pam Napier-Barnes.
Young Adults | Pastor’s Conference Room
An Awesome Abrahamic Event
One patriarch and three religions come together at ELPC for this event as we welcome our siblings in faith from local Muslim and Jewish congregations. Start at our Church School class (9:45–10:45 am), then experience a combined worship service (11 am–12:15 pm), before we spend some time over lunch and conversation in the Second Floor Parlor (12:30–2 pm).