For those of us who gather in Advent expectation, we know that the only perfect gift ever given was the one we received in Jesus Christ. Yet, our congregation knows that our collective gifts through the Christmas Joy Offering celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, the “perfect gift” from a gracious God. Read More
Blog
Pastoral Message | December 2024
“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living a heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”—L.R. Knost
People of God, I eagerly await a return to the ordinary and mundane. Read More
Christmas Pageant Help Needed
We’re looking for actors, sheep, stars, narrators, musicians, and set designers for our annual Christmas Pageant! Let Sara know if you want to help!
- Dress rehearsal is on Saturday, December 14, 9:30–11 am, for all involved.
- The Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 15. Kids should arrive by 9:30 am; the pageant begins at 10 am.
- Middle schoolers (grades 6–8), we need your help to be narrators! Practice will be on Sunday, December 8, 12:15–1 pm, for narrators only. We will run through the script and assign parts.
- High schoolers, we would love your help directing, designing the set, or playing music for the Pageant.
2025 Stewardship Campaign Update
The season of Advent is a time of hope and joyful anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. We give presents, make donations, and volunteer our time off as a reflection of the gift of salvation that Christ’s coming has given to us. Will you consider a gift to ELPC this season?
It’s not too late to pledge your gifts in support of the mission and ministries of ELPC as part of our 2025 Stewardship Campaign. Your pledges help the stewards of ELPC’s finances prepare for the upcoming budget year so that we walk with confidence in the path that God has laid before us.
Stewardship pledge cards are available at the church, online, or by contacting our Rachelle Calfee at RachelleC@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x234.
Advent Devotional Now Available
This Advent, ELPC’s Faith Formation Board is excited to offer Sanctified Art’s Advent devotional, From Generation to Generation. The stories, scriptures, and traditions of the Christmas season have been passed down to us throughout the generations. Many of us enter this season with a swell of memories and emotions as vast as the cultural and religious rituals this holiday holds. Read More
Worship with Us | Week of December 1
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship.
Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Michael will preach from Isaiah 2:2–5 on the theme, Peace.
Join us on Zoom on your computer, mobile device, or tablet. If you’d like to join by telephone, call 929.205.6099 and enter Meeting ID 824 2903 4526 when prompted (press # if asked for a personal ID).
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Michael will preach from Isaiah 2:2–5 and deliver his sermon, titled “There’s Room for Every Story.”
Join us in person or watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook. If you’d like to join by telephone, call 929.205.6099 and enter Meeting ID 188 135 194 when prompted (press # if asked for a personal ID).
Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm
Join us to experience Taizé’s prayerful songs and quiet meditations. Pastor BJ will lead us.
Blue Christmas Service | Friday, 7 pm
The ELPC Board of Deacons invites you to ELPC’s Blue Christmas service in the Chapel. The service is designed as a source of strength during what is a difficult season for many.
Church School Classes | December 1
Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Adult Education Church School classes.
Journey with Scripture | Highland Room and Zoom
The Journey with Scripture class reads scripture readings listed in the Revised Common Lectionary. Participants seek encouragement from God—towards the direction of steadfast love, justice, and faithfulness in their lives. Prior knowledge of the scriptures is not necessary. Contact Sara Hackett for details.
Join us this fall as we relate both the Psalms and the liturgical calendar’s Gospel of Mark with the “Heavenly Hosts.” Our scriptures will expand and deepen our understanding of our “Reformed, Ever Reforming” legacy.
Seekers | Garth Overlook Room and Zoom
The Seekers wish to grow in religious understanding, insight, faith, and practice. Classes 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. Contact Gwen Puza for more information.
Discussion on Religion and the 2024 Election
November brought an end to a contentious and polarizing election season, but while the election is over, the contention and polarization will continue—and maybe worsen. What is a Christian to do? This session will provide a preliminary look at the role religion played in the election, and provide us with an opportunity to process our reactions to the results of the election.
Daniel Aleshire served 12 years as a seminary professor, was on staff at the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the U.S. and Canada in 1990, and served as ATS executive director from 1998–2017 (ATS membership includes more than 280 Mainline, Evangelical, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic seminaries and theological schools.) Since retirement from ATS, he has been a member of the Board of Directors at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His wife, Jo Ellen Aleshire, is a deacon at ELPC.
Soul Food | Good Samaritan Room and Zoom
Soul Food 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. For more information, contact the Rev. Joe Hajdu.
We will discuss chapters 21 and 22 of Always a Guest, by Barbara Brown Taylor. New participants are always welcome!
Amen to Action: A Great Success!
A round of applause goes out to the ELPC volunteers that participated in Amen to Action on Saturday, November 2. Along with about 250 volunteers from other area churches, we packed 75,000 macaroni and cheese meals, which will be distributed by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to our neighbors who are experiencing food shortages.
Thanks to all those who participated, including: Carolyn Bigbee, Bill & Lynn Buchanan, Gretchen Chapman, Carla Deppernan, Bob & Carole Forloines, Sara Hackett, Debbie Harrell, Caroline Hough, Cathleen Malmstrom, Carla Mercado, Hannah Moon, Sandy Plumbo, Cheryl Rhodes, Paul Self, Allison & Darrah Seidel, Judy Shannon, Michael Sudar, Tiffany Sudar, Beth Urbaitis, and Nancy Wright.
Special Affordable Homeownership Opportunity
Open Hand Ministries recently announced the upcoming availability of the cottage at 428 Ardary Street in Garfield. This small craftsman style home has been remodeled from its new roof to its hardwood floors. Actually, this was a total gut renovation, which means that everything in the house is new—including the electrical, heating and air conditioning, and plumbing systems. This three bedroom home may be perfect for your family.
If you want more information about the home and also about your eligibility for affordable homeownership, please call Wayne Younger at 412.924.1409 or email office@openhandpittsburgh.org.
PW Thank Offering
During this Thanksgiving season, you are invited to make a gift to the Presbyterian Women Thank Offering as an expression of gratitude for your blessings. The Thank Offering provides seed money for projects that address health, education, and economic development needs in the U.S and internationally.
This year’s Thank Offering will be received on Sunday, November 24. Please make your checks payable to “Presbyterian Women” and write “Thank Offering” in the memo line. For more information, contact PW.ELPC@gmail.com.