East Liberty Presbyterian Church

ELPC Fire Safety Training and Drill
2025-08-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | PA
ELPC’s Safety & Security Advisory Committee (SSA) will be presenting a series of trainings over the next several months concerning important issues to create a safer church for us all.
Following worship on Sunday, August 17, all are invited to stay for a fire safety training and drill presented by our very own Isaiah Wilson, who is a fire safety professional. The congregation will be invited to stay in the Sanctuary after worship ends for this session.
Over the next few months, we will have trainings on first aid, Stop the Bleed, AED, CPR, and intruder threat. All these trainings will be attended by staff members and open to church leaders. Some, such as the fire safety/fire drill and intruder threat, will include sessions intended for all congregation members to attend.
We believe that part of being radically hospitable is keeping all who enter our building as safe as possible. We invite you to pray for us in our work and to keep an eye out for training sessions in coming months in which you can participate.
The SSA Committee is Sandy Brake, Don Breitbarth, Lynne Chadwick, Carol Chonoska (Chair), Carol Chontos, Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz, Wil Forrest, Sara Hackett, Tom Morton, Rev. Jim Tinnemeyer, Isaiah Wilson, and Nancy Wright.

Online Prayer Service
2025-08-19 08:00 - 08:20, 2025-08-26 08:00 - 08:20, 2025-09-02 08:00 - 08:20 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Online, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC offers an online prayer group each Tuesday morning, hosted by ELPC member Steve Evrard. These 20-minute sessions feature scripture readings, responsive prayer, and interactive dialogue. All are welcome at this opportunity for fellowship and prayer.
Join us by clicking the link below, or you may call in by dialing 929.205.6099. Enter meeting ID 896 9680 6662 and passcode 116 when prompted.
Join via Zoom

Pittsburgh Comprehensive Plan Public Workshop
2025-08-19 17:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | PA
Pittsburgh is undergoing significant changes, and for the first time ever, our city is creating one comprehensive plan encompassing all 90 neighborhoods. This presents a unique opportunity for us to ensure that these changes benefit everyone. The plan needs your input!
On Tuesday, August 19, a public workshop will be held on the “State of a Just Pittsburgh”—our city’s current conditions, our strengths and things we celebrate, our most urgent challenges and risks, and perhaps most importantly, the forces driving change in Pittsburgh over the next 5, 10, 25 years.
The event is currently planned to be held at 5 Hot Metal St.

5–6 pm | Open House & Refreshments
6–7 pm | Pittsburgh’s Tough Choices Activity
7–7:30 pm | Open House

Register Online

Meditation Hour
2025-08-19 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-09-02 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Chapel, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
“The ladder leading to the Kingdom is concealed within you, that is, in your soul”—Saint Isaac of Syria.
Meditation is the practice of “looking deeply.” In silence and withdrawal from the world of everyday concerns, we turn our attention inward and calm our bodies and minds. In this emptiness, we may see the world as if for the first time. We may see others as they are and we may find that the Kingdom of Heaven is truly within us; that we are living in God and God in us.
The Spiritual Life Committee invites you to join John Benedict in the Chapel on Tuesdays, 6–7 pm, for an hour devoted to meditation. The session will include an opening reading, silent sitting, and walking. No experience necessary, all are welcome.
John Benedict is a retired psychologist and a longtime student and practitioner of Insight Meditation.

Labyrinth Prayer Walk
2025-08-20 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-21 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-27 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-28 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-09-03 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-09-04 10:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – McKelvy Room (114), 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The labyrinth is an ancient, sacred symbol found in many religious traditions throughout the world. Today, modern pilgrims walk the labyrinth as one of many ways to pray and meditate. The winding path into the center and back out again is a metaphor for the journeys of life and faith. Unlike a maze, which has many paths and is a puzzle to solve, the labyrinth is a single path in and a single path out, and is designed to quiet the mind for prayer and meditation. Members and non-members welcome.

The Labyrinth is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 am–7 pm, in the McKelvy Room.

Cathedral Yoga
2025-08-20 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-27 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-09-03 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Yamuna Morgenstern offers Cathedral Yoga class on Wednesdays, 6–7 pm! Join her and others in the ELPC Sanctuary or your own home via Zoom (password: [REDACTED] as she guides you through gentle poses. No yoga experience is necessary to enjoy the class, which Yamuna continues to offer with joy, light, and her uplifting playlists and spirit. Have a strap, scarf, or belt handy and experience time to heal your body, mind, and spirit.
Commune with the Divine through breath, gentle stretches, mindful music, and guided meditation. See you on the mat! Om shanti and Namaste.
A donation from the heart, to the church, is very much appreciated.
Join via Zoom

Taizé Prayer Service
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-27 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-03 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – Chapel, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
ELPC offers evening prayers with chants from Taizé every Wednesday, 7 pm, in the Chapel. The hour-long service includes sung prayers, beautiful music, a time of silence, spoken and silent prayers, and opportunities for individual prayer and anointing. For more information, view our Taizé page.
Download this week’s bulletin.

About ELPC’s Taizé Prayer Service
Our Taizé prayer service is based on a style of worship developed at the Taizé community in France founded in the 1940s by the late Brother Roger. Originally a refuge during the war, Taizé has developed into an ecumenical prayer center for visitors from all over the world. Today, the Taizé community is made up of over a hundred resident brothers, both Catholics and from various Protestant backgrounds/traditions. Taizé wants to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples.

Games with Friends
2025-08-23 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
All are welcome to this game day co-hosted by ELPC’s LGBTQIA+ Ministry and local queer gaming groups as we share fellowship, food, and fun. Bring a game or snack to share, or just come and enjoy the event.
Please email Wil Forrest or call him at 412.441.3800 x218 in advance to RSVP and/or with any questions.

Summer Worship
2025-08-24 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us for our Summer worship service in the Sanctuary on Sundays, 10 am.
Printed copies of the weekly bulletin and announcements are available, or you may download a digital version for viewing on your mobile device or tablet.
You also may join us via livestream on YouTube or Facebook.

See details for this week’s worship services here.

Connections @ Reservoir of Jazz
2025-08-24 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | PA
The ELPC Connections Groups Ministry invites everyone to Highland Park Reservoir for a performance by Paul Cosentino’s Boilermaker Jazz Band on Sunday, August 24. Music starts at 5 pm and ends at 7 pm.
Grab your blanket or chair and come join us for the free outdoor concert! Bring a picnic meal for yourself or plan to buy food from the vendors on site. Relax and talk with other EPLC folks while we enjoy music.
RSVP to connectelpc@gmail.com.

Taizé Social Gathering
2025-09-03 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month following our Taizé prayer service for a time of fellowship with some light refreshments in the Narthex.
Taizé is a unique spiritual community at ELPC, and we desire to have time for those who gather to get to know one another, converse, and move from solitude into community and expand the connection that exists amidst our prayerful songs and quiet meditation.

Journey Praise Team Rehearsal
2025-09-04 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – Music Room, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Journey Praise Team rehearses in the Chapel on Thursdays, 5:30 pm, and leads the Journey worship service on Sundays, 8:45 am.
Gerald Savage, ELPC’s Journey music director, leads the Journey Praise Team.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2025-09-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – Sanctuary, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
The Chancel Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary on Thursdays, 7–8:30 pm, from September through early June (unless noted otherwise). Sunday morning rehearsals are at 10 am, in preparation for the worship service. The choir provides musical leadership at our Sanctuary worship service on Sundays.
No audition is required, just the desire to learn and have fun as we prepare to lead worship. The choir is open to everyone in high school and older.
Dr. Ed Moore is the director of the Chancel Choir.
Come join us and make a joyful noise!

Bearing Witness: Nell & Poll Documents at Heinz History Center
2025-09-06 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | PA
In June, our congregation learned about the lives of Nell, Poll, Sam, Savara, Jack, Sukey, Isaac, Frank, Het, and Maria—the family enslaved and sold by two of our founders.
The Reparations Ministry Team and Facing Systemic Racism Committee invite you to the Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives on Saturday & Monday, September 6 & 8, 10 am–12 pm, to view the primary sources we relied on for our research: the bills of sale for Nell and Poll, the registry of births of babies to enslaved mothers, and other documents that gave us insight into the lives of the family. We will provide a brief recap of the information from our program in June, and an archivist will be on hand to answer questions about the materials, which will be available for you to view in person. Viewing the documents can be a powerful experience and is a chance to bear witness as we begin to reckon with our church’s tie to enslavement.
Afterward, attendees are encouraged to visit the “From Slavery to Freedom” exhibit, which provides information relevant to enslavement, abolition, and the civil rights movement in Pittsburgh.
Attendance is free, but space is limited. Call or text Hollen Barmer at 412.512.0786 with any questions.
Sign up online

Journey Worship
2025-09-07 08:45 - 09:45 (America/Halifax) | ELPC – Social Hall, 116 South Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us for Journey worship in the Chapel each Sunday, 8:45 am.
Click here to see details for this week’s worship services.

About ELPC’s Journey Worship Service
Our Journey worship service is a lively service of spirit, hope, and praise in which we encounter God’s word in a fresh, compelling way. The blending of contemporary music, Gospel songs and hymns, introspective worship, and interactive communal praise helps to reflect the diverse, creative spirit that is at the heart of ELPC. The service is led by ELPC’s pastoral staff.

Youth Sunday School
2025-09-07 09:45 (America/New_York) | PA
7th-12th grade teens meet on the first and third Sunday of the month from 9:45-10:45am in the Second Floor Parlor.
Also check out Youth Group for 7th -12th graders happening Thursdays from 4:30-7pm with dinner, games, conversation, God talk, service projects, and a lot of laughter. Contact Sara Hackett for more information.

Adult Sunday School
2025-09-07 09:45 - 10:45 (America/Halifax) | East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Adult Sunday School
Classes for adults meet on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, from September through May, unless otherwise noted.
Journey with Scripture | Highland Room and Zoom
The Journey with Scripture class reads together various Scripture readings for that week in worship, whether from the lectionary or our pastor’s choosing. These readings span across the entire Bible. The class uses a variety of methods of engaging the scripture texts and is conversational in nature. Prior knowledge of the Scriptures is not necessary for participation. Rev. Henk Bossers and other class members facilitate the class. Contact Sara Hackett for Zoom information.
Seekers | Garth Overlook Room and Zoom
The Seekers class desires to grow in religious understanding, insight, faith, and practice. We create a space for spiritual and intellectual exploration, enrichment, and sharing. Together we seek a broad, inclusive dialogue, including respecting and learning about other faith traditions. All viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged at our classes. The Seekers class consist of speakers and videos, with time for sharing and questions. Contact Gwen Puza for Zoom information.
Soul Food | Good Samaritan Room and Zoom
Soul Food is an adult class that focuses on feeding our spirits and nurturing our awareness of God’s presence. We use a prayerful, contemplative format that includes small group discussions of spiritually nourishing texts and personal experiences. Our upcoming books are So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo, to be followed in November by Season’s Greetings, by Ruth Boling. New participants are always welcome! The Soul Food class is facilitated by the Rev. Joe Hajdu and other class members. Contact the Rev. Joe Hajdu for additional and Zoom information.
View this Week’s Adult Church School Offerings

Children and Youth Sunday School
The Nursery, for children up to age 3 is staffed from 8:30 am–12:30 pm on Sundays for children to sing songs, tell stories, and play.
Children age 4- 3rd grade go to Sunday School: Sacred Stories for Kids after the Moments with our Children in the Sanctuary (11:10 am) and parents pick kids up after worship in Room 206.
Tweens in grade 4th-6th go to Sunday School: Sacred Stories for Tweens after the Moments with our Children in the Sanctuary (11:10 am) and parents pick kids up after worship in Room 207.
Teens in grade 7th-12th meets on the FIRST and THIRD Sunday of the month from 9:45-10:45am in the Second Floor Parlor
