Blog

This Week in Worship: January 5–11, 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, at 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Distance. Pastor Patrice will preach from Jonah 1:1–10. Communion will be celebrated.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Randy will preach from Acts 19:1–10, and his sermon will be titled “A Persistent Gift.” Communion will be celebrated.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 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.

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Pastoral Message: January 2018

A new year has begun! I’m always a bit partial to even-numbered years (like 2018). They just feel more symmetrical and balanced than their odd-numbered compatriots. And with the beginning of any new year, there is always a sense of hope—“This year will be a better than the last” or “Time for a fresh start!” Hopefully your January has brought you something to celebrate and something to look forward to in the coming months. Read More

January 2018 Renovations Update

Last month, significant progress was made to complete the majority of work on the Ground Floor, Second Floor, and First Floor north hallway. New glass doors also have been installed at the Highland and Whitfield entrances.

This month, the First Floor east hallway will be closed, as the final construction phase begins. There will still be access to the elevator from the Whitfield ground floor entrance and the central staircase will remain open as well. For the next several months, those entering by the Highland Avenue doors will need to walk around through the Chapel to access the main Sanctuary. In addition, what had been our Library and several offices, will be transformed into two, glass-fronted, modernized gathering spaces.

Continue to keep our workers, staff, and visitors in prayer as the final chapter of our renovation work unfolds.

This Week in Worship: December 29–January 4, 2018

Here’s what’s happening in worship this week.

Worship Services

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Kalyn Stevwing, our intern from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will preach from Isaiah 61:10–62:3, and her sermon will be titled “A Vision of Peace.”

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 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.

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Year-End Giving

Contributions to our 2017 Stewardship Campaign, Rebuilding Bodies and Souls, will be accepted until Sun., Dec. 31, for credit in 2017. Your generous support of our ongoing mission, personnel, and property needs helps us maintain our church’s wide range of programs. In addition, your amazing financing of our Building Our Future capital campaign thus far has exceeded where we need to be at this time in the five-year pledging cycle.

If you have questions on the status of your giving, please call Deborah Marx, our church bookkeeper, at 412.441.3800 x134.

Thank You for Supporting the 2017 Giving Tree

The ELPC Board of Deacons thanks EVERYONE who participated in the 2017 Giving Tree ministry. ELPC members purchased gifts or supported the ministry financially, making it possible for more than 100 children to receive more than 200 presents this Christmas. The outpouring of your generosity is overwhelming and greatly appreciated.

Thank you and may God continue to bless each of you.

—ELPC Board of Deacons.

This Week in Worship: December 22–28, 2017

Here’s what’s happening in worship this week.

Worship Services

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Patrice will preach from Titus 2:11–14, and her sermon will be titled “Advent Waiting: Blessed Hope.”

Friends & Family Service | Sunday, at 5 pm
Pastor Heather will lead a special Christmas Eve Friends & Family worship service, featuring the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and candle lighting.

Candlelight Service | Sunday, at 11 pm (music begins at 10:30 pm)
Pastor Randy will lead a special Christmas Eve Candlelight worship service. The gospel reading will be Matthew 1:18–25, and Pastor Randy’s sermon will be titled “In the Name of God.” The service will feature the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and candle lighting.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 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.

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This Week in Worship: December 15–21, 2017

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, at 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Joy. Pastor Patrice will preach from 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Randy will preach from Romans 15:1–6, 13, and his sermon will be titled “Advent Waiting: Personal Hope.” Special prelude music will begin at 10:50 am, featuring the ELPC Handbell Choir and holiday caroling.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 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.

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Hope Academy Winter Term 2018 Registration

Hope Academy’s winter term begins on Saturday, January 6, 2018

Because of recent, unforeseen developments in our renovation project, we need to limit some of our offerings for the winter term due to a lack of available space. Our classes and most of our private lesson studios are currently full.

We do have space in our new Flute Ensemble (5 Saturdays from 1:00-2:00 pm with Brittany Trotter – 1/13, 1/20, 2/3, 2/24, 5/10); and in Ben Barson’s Saxophone & Clarinet Ensemble (new day and time: Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15 pm). Both ensembles are free for students taking private lessons with Brittany or Ben; or $40 for other young musicians interested in being part of an ensemble.

Courses
Both sections of Musical Theater Workshop, all Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dance classes, Music Discovery, In partnership with Pittsburgh Girls Choir, and our teen theater company ensembles (HAT Co and HAT Co Jr) are filled.

Private Voice and Instrument Instruction + Flute Ensemble and Saxophone/Clarinet Ensemble
We have limited openings in our private lesson studios.

There are spaces open in the Saxophone/Clarinet Ensemble (moving to Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15 pm with Ben Barson) and our new Flute Ensemble (on Saturday’s from 1:00-2:00 pm with Brittany Trotter). Other private lesson studios with extremely limited openings include: Voice (with Katherine Bell on Thursdays and Fridays; and Gizel Rodriguez on Saturdays), Cello (with Ana Diaz on Tuesdays), and Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba (with Karen Sloneker on Fridays). Students interested in any of these ensembles or private lesson studios should fill out an Inquiry Form for Private Lessons.

Registration and Payment for Winter 2018
Continuing students, or those on the wait list who have been notified of an opening, can complete an online registration form and either send it in with their check or money order, or make an online credit card payment to reserve their spots in classes and lesson days/times/teachers for private lessons. Checks should be made out to “ELPC” and mailed to: Hope Academy @ ELPC, 116 S. Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Scholarships
All of our scholarships have been awarded for 2017-2018.

Thank you for your patience
We apologize for the limitations and are looking for some alternatives for people interested in private music instruction. The best way to be updated as we add courses and open up spots in private lesson studios, is to complete a wait list form (for courses) and/or and Inquiry Form for Private Lessons.

If you have any questions about registration or payment, contact Karly Threets at KarlyT@coh.net,or 412-441-3800 x117

Affordable Housing Update in East Liberty

As you drive down Broad St., passing Target, you will notice a huge, empty lot where the East Liberty Gardens apartment complex formerly stood. For many years, ELPC leadership, members, and friends participated in East Liberty Garden’s annual Community Day celebration and served on their board of directors.

What happened to the more than 100 families that lived there? Where did they go?

All of the families received support through the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative—including relocation assistance, employment services, health and wellness support, and education advocacy. The program’s goal is to help families move back if they choose to do so.

  • 52 families remained in East Liberty
  • 34 families moved into new housing on Larimer Ave., two blocks away
  • 25 families moved to the Hill District and Homewood
  • 25 families moved to neighborhoods within 8 miles of East Liberty

In addition, the new housing being built on the site will have 65 units earmarked for previous East Liberty Gardens residents, and 21 other East Liberty sites are near completion, which also will provide housing for former residents.

If you have questions about the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, or about relocation efforts for the former residents, call Becky Gloninger, ELPC Elder and Choice Neighborhoods senior project manager, at 412.520.4160.