Join Us for Worship & Church School: September 11–17, 2020

This fall, we will journey together and learn about God’s love through an activity box, online classroom, Zoom check-ins, Sunday challenges, and invitations to connect in worship. Our theme for September is “Love thy Neighbor as Thyself.” Together, we will enact God’s love—and love God in return—by loving our neighbor. Activities and messages also will connect to our larger call of being a Matthew 25 Church—a theme that will be explored by our church throughout fall. When you pick up your Church School Activity Box, we will have a variety of activities your family can do around the outside of the church. You can pray on the outdoor Labyrinth, go on a story walk through the rain garden, help decorate our sidewalk with chalk art, and pray for our neighbors while playing a game of I Spy.

We will gather on Zoom, 12:30 pm, for a building challenge to explore how Jesus built a community of disciples and how we can build community today.

“Though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”—Psalm 37:24

Join us as we read “Year D” scripture texts selected by Pastor Randy to complement traditional lectionary readings. This month’s Hebrew and New Testament readings lay out, quite bare, the failed leadership and usurpations of power in Israel’s history—the deadly stumbling of leaders and misguided followers. Fortunately, the Psalms offer relief! An assurance of God’s presence through the recklessness and ignorance.

Join us for this week’s readings: 2 Samuel 15:13–16, 23–30; Psalm 11; Hebrews 13:9–14, 17–25; and Luke 19:41–48. Contact Sara Hackett for Zoom information.

Anyone involved in parenting (singles, couples, adoptive parents, step-parents, grandparents, guardians, mentors, etc.) is welcome to join us. We share experiences, resources, prayer, and scripture as we explore how our faith builds and nourishes our family lives, as well as nurtures our parent/child relationships. Join us as we learn from one another ways to foster closer family relationships in the context of creating active faith communities. Contact the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf for Zoom information.

This week, the Rev. Dr. Graham Standish will be with us to discuss “What is a Christian Mystic?” We’ll gain an understanding of the history of Christian spirituality and experience. This lesson will revisit our class from March 15. Contact Gwen Puza for Zoom information.

The Rev. Dr. Graham Standish, executive director of Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, and Consulting. He is the author of numerous books on Christian mysticism, as well as an adjunct professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a spiritual director and clergy coach, and was a pastor for 22 years.

This week, we will meet on Zoom for a gathering and preview session. If you’re interested in joining our class, email the Rev. Joe Hajdu.