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 Just Christians. Pastor Heather will preach from Matthew 16:13–20.
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 Luke 17:11–19, and his sermon will be titled “Good News from Unexpected Places.”
This week, we will continue lifting up our unity and uniqueness in Christ during worship by celebrating all of God’s people, seeking justice for everyone. The Renaissance City Choir—Western Pennsylvania’s only LGBTQA choral group—will be with us. You also are invited to join the Peace Committee, the International Partnership of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, and Crossroads Presbyterian Church for the 7th Annual Forum on Sudan and South Sudan, 1:30 pm, which will honor Congressman Mike Doyle, Esther Sprague, and the Enough Project.
If you’re out of town and/or unable to attend worship, join us in spirit. Subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on Facebook and stream our service.
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. Read more about our adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.
Children and Youth
- Infants–Age 2 | Nursery
- Pre-school/Ages 3–5 | Room 110 B
- Kindergarten–Grade 1 | Room 206
- Grades 2–3 | Room 205
- Grades 4–5 | Room 211
- Middle School (grades 6–8) | Room 207
- Senior High (grades 9–12) | Room 217
Contemporaries | McKelvy Room
Our Brothers and Sisters in South Sudan
As Christians, we have a particular obligation to be aware of the welfare of Christians in other parts of the world. To coincide with the 7th Annual Forum on Sudan and South Sudan, which will take place at ELPC later in the day, we have invited Benedict Killang, a Sudanese Pittsburgher to share with us his knowledge and insights on fellow Christians and their journey in South Sudan.
Journey With Scripture | Highland Room
Alas! Lonely sits the city… Thus begins this month’s readings that interpret Israel’s crisis of national defeat and exile to Babylon in 587 BCE. This Lamentations reading is the first part of the book’s five poems of loss and confession. On a different tack, the prophet Jeremiah counsels the exiles to actively seek the welfare of their new foreign city. In the gospel readings of Luke, Jesus proclaims a similar defenseless wisdom; the despised ill foreigner, the tax collector, and the humble display of faith. They get upheld and healed. The rich, the great, get last. October’s readings address dislocation and the radically re-oriented life of the commonwealth of God. Can scripture readings be any timelier? Come join us as scripture grows with it readers!
Join us for this week’s readings: Jeremiah 29:1, 4–7; Psalm 66:1–12; 2 Timothy 2:8–15; and Luke 17:11–19.
Seekers | Garth Overlook Room
Lessons from South Africa
Pastor Patrice will share information about South Africa post-Apartheid, from her recent trip there. Learn about the history, changes, challenges, opportunities, continued oppression of the people, and how we as Christians can respond faithfully from across the globe.
Soul Food | Good Samaritan Room
Inspired | Deliverance Stories
Together with our Young Adult Ministry, we will discuss the chapters on Deliverance Stories from Inspired—Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, by Rachel Held Evans, led by the Rev. Joe Hajdu, Judy Roberts, Beth Urbaitis, and Bill Newcomer.