Began in 2010, this PC(USA) national program is celebrating 15 years of certifying churches and celebrating environmental ministry across four major areas of a congregation’s life: worship, education, facilities, and outreach in the community. It recognizes churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden. Read More
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Church School Classes | April 6
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.
We will continue to honor the PC(USA) Lectionary Scriptural Passages while also using Rozella Haydée White’s book, Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World, for our inspiration. Join us.
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.
What Do You Believe about Resurrection?
Pastor Michael will be with us to discuss why some Christians believe in Jesus’ bodily Resurrection, while others believe in a more spiritual Resurrection. As a diverse community of faith, how do we follow the teachings of Jesus while making room for different views of the Resurrection?
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. New participants are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the Rev. Joe Hajdu.
We will discuss chapter 7 of our current book, Necessary Risks, by Teri McDowell Ott.
Worship with Us | Week of April 6
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship at ELPC.
Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor BJ will preach from Psalm 31:9–16.
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. This week’s scripture readings are Luke 19:28–40 and Psalm 31:9–16. Pastor BJ will preach and deliver his sermon, titled “Journeying all the way with Jesus.”
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.
Support the One Great Hour of Sharing
Love and justice are at the heart of our Presbyterian tradition. God’s immense love for us is the reason for our very existence. Every year, Presbyterians join with millions of other Christians through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Read More
Church School Classes | April 6
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.
We will continue to honor the PC(USA) Lectionary Scriptural Passages while also using Rozella Haydée White’s book, Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World, for our inspiration. Join us.
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.
The Great Resurrection Debate
In preparation of Pastor Michael’s time with us on April 13, we will watch a video offering two differing views about the Resurrection and the subsequent sightings of Jesus. William Lane Craig is an American analytic philosopher, Christian apologist, author, and theologian. He is a professor of philosophy at Houston Christian University. Bishop John Shelby Spong was an American bishop in the Episcopal Church and a best-selling author who makes contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary layperson.
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. New participants are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the Rev. Joe Hajdu.
We will discuss chapter 6 of our current book, Necessary Risks, by Teri McDowell Ott.
Pastoral Message | April 2025
How’s your journey through the wilderness this Lent? How has God’s love been challenging you? As much as we appreciate receiving the affirmation that we are God’s beloved in church, venturing out into the world and being treated as if you are anything but a child of God can take its toll. In addition to the frustrations we have with our political climate and the injustices we are encountering, I know many of us are wrestling with career anxieties, relationship challenges, and financial struggles. Read More
Worship with Us | Week of April 6
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship at ELPC.
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 Matthew 11:28–30.
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 Matthew 11:28–30 and deliver his sermon, titled “Love Tends to Our Souls.”
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.
Church School Classes | March 30
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.
During Lent, we will use scripture and Rozella Haydée White’s book, Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World, to explore what it means to love God, love ourselves, and love others in ways that truly transform us and the world around us.
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.
China Stamping Out Tibetan Culture and Religion
This disturbing and informative PBS documentary examines how the Communist regime has taken over control of Tibet’s Buddhist population, and the battle over the succession of its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. It shows the vision that Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese party, has for the future of Tibet.
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. New participants are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the Rev. Joe Hajdu.
We will discuss chapter 5 of our current book, Necessary Risks, by Teri McDowell Ott.
Worship with Us | Week of March 30
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship at ELPC.
Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor BJ will preach.
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 BJ will preach and deliver his sermon, titled “Embrace Your Body.”
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.
Church School Classes | March 23
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.
During Lent, we will use scripture and Rozella Haydée White’s book, Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World, to explore what it means to love God, love ourselves, and love others in ways that truly transform us and the world around us.
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.
The Sins of Scripture: Beyond Texts of Hate to the God of Love
Bishop John Shelby Spong gives a wonderful and thoughtful discussion of the troublesome passages of our scripture that historically preached violence and exclusion rather than love toward all people.
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. New participants are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the Rev. Joe Hajdu.
We will discuss chapter 4 of our current book, Necessary Risks, by Teri McDowell Ott.