Just about one year ago we officially launched our ELPC “Building our Future” renovation project. There was a short ceremony after worship, a time of prayer, and a cluster of doves released to celebrate this important event in our church’s life. Now the bulk of that work is completed. There are still details like “punch lists,” testing of new air-handling systems, hanging of pictures, and final cleanings to be done. But the project has been successfully navigated, generously funded, and patiently endured by staff and congregation members alike. Thank you! Read More
Blog
This Week in Worship: May 4–10, 2018
Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. As a reminder, there will be no Journey or Sanctuary worship services or Church School classes this Sunday, May 6, due to the route of the Pittsburgh Marathon.
Worship Services
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.
This Week in Worship: April 27–May 3, 2018
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 Reclaiming Our Spirit. The Rev. Tony Richardson-Eckes will preach from Ruth 1:5–21.
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Heather will preach from Acts 8:26–40, and her sermon will be titled “Unexpected Grace.”
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.
Café Justo: Drink in the Justice
Did you know that we only serve Café Justo fair trade-PLUS coffee here at ELPC? Did you know that our first order for Café Justo was on April 18, 2011, and since that date, we have bought $11,463 worth of coffee? That’s approximately 1,432 pounds, which is more than 200 pounds per year. Also, did you know that Café Justo helps keep families together?
In April 2018, we welcomed the Rev. Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado, Café Justo founders and border missionaries, as our guests at ELPC. The husband-and-wife team attended our Young Adult Church School class for discussion, participated in our Sanctuary worship service, and engaged with us during fellowship time following worship.
If you’d like to learn more about this amazing coffee, please visit JustCoffee.org.
This Week in Worship: April 20–26, 2018
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 Reclaiming Our Spirit. Kalyn Stevwing, our intern from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will preach from Psalm 23.
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 Exodus 23:10–13 and his sermon will be titled “Global Sabbath Rest.”
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.
An Opportunity to Celebrate Earth Day
The ELPC Justice Committee invites you to celebrate Earth Day by participating in The Climate Ribbon Project—an arts ritual to affirm our solidarity as we unite to fight against “climate chaos.”
On Sundays, April 15 and 22, ribbons will be provided for you to write about what you love most in the environment and want to keep safe for others to enjoy. These ribbons will be collected and used in a processional during Sanctuary worship on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22. Then, the ribbons will be on display during fellowship time, where you can read them and choose one or two to take with you as a visual reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our common home.
Look for more details in the weekly bulletin.
This Week in Worship: April 13–19, 2018
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 Reclaiming Our Spirit. Pastor Randy will preach from Luke 24:36-48.
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Patrice will preach from Luke 24: 36b–48, and her sermon will be titled “Can I Get a Witness?”
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.
This Week in Worship: April 6–12, 2018
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 Reclaiming Our Spirit. Pastor Patrice will preach from John 20:19–31.
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 1 John 1:1–7 , and his sermon will be titled “Walking in the Light.”
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.
Pastoral Message: April 2018
What images come to mind when you see the word “web”? Most commonly we think about spiders weaving their silken threads in plants or under eaves. There is the iconic image of Charlotte’s web, spelling out words to save Wilbur the pig in E. B. White’s classic book. Webs are both things of beauty as well as things of interest, particularly in their ability to link together objects not normally connected. This is true both of literal spiders’ webs and metaphorical “connectors” like the internet’s World Wide Web. Read More
Get to Know a Healthier You
Beginning in April, the ELPC Membership and Outreach Committee will be offering the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Healthy Blood Pressure for All program. This community-based, health-education program empowers participants to take control of their cardiovascular health by combining the AHA’s Check. Change. Control.® tracker and 412 Food Rescue’s Cooking Matters classes. Check. Change. Control. is an evidence-based, self-monitoring program focused on lowering blood pressure. Cooking Matters is a course focused on preparing delicious and nutritious meals on a budget with hands-on cooking, nutrition lessons, a grocery store tour, and take-home groceries each week.
Check. Change. Control. will meet twice-a-month for four months (on the second and fourth Wednesdays), and Cooking Matters will meet on Wednesdays for six consecutive weeks. Meetings will be held in the Good Samaritan Room on the ground floor (formerly the Small Dining Room). Click the links for dates and times.
The first 10 participants who sign up will receive a free Cooking Matters class! In addition, 10 participants who show the best outcomes (drop in blood pressure, weight loss, etc.) will receive a $25 gift card at the end of the program!
For more information or to sign up, contact Carla Coles at 412.661.1363.