I have too many books. Maybe the trouble is that I have too many bookcases. Having so many places to put books—at home, in my office, in our living room, on my bedside table—means that I have no reason to restrict the number of books I accumulate over the years. Most of them I’ve read, so there have been both functional and pleasurable aspects associated with owning all these books. But in the end, there are simply too many of them. Read More
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This Week in Worship: June 2–8, 2017
This week, we will celebrate Pentecost. Please wear red as we celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit and the conclusion of the Easter season. Click the “more” link for our Church School programming.
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 Transformed. Pastor Randy will preach from Acts 2:1–21. We also will celebrate Communion.
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 2:22–24,36–42 and his sermon will be titled “Pentecost Devotion.” We also will celebrate communion.
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. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
VOTE for Hope Academy’s Design – Belonging Poster Contest
Hope Academy’s “Pittsburgh is an Immigrant Town” design was selected as a finalist out of nearly 250 submissions in response to the Sprout Fund’s call for art in support of immigrants & refugees. This design was part of our East Liberty & Justice for ALL event on January 20, 2017.
Free posters and yard signs will be made of the one winning design, chosen by popular vote, and distributed to the local community.
If you like our design, and want to support the work that Hope Academy does making theater, music and dance accessible to ALL young people in our community, please click VOTE
If our design is selected, the cash prize will help us buy and repair instruments for our young musicians; and purchase additional dance clothing and shoes for our dance students.
Cast your vote by 11:59 PM, On Friday, May 26.
This Week in Worship: May 26–June 1, 2017
Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click the “more” link for our Church School programming.
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 Transformed. Pastor Patrice will preach from Romans 12:1–8.
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 John 17:1–11 and his sermon will be titled “Quiet Glory.”
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. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
This Week in Worship: May 19–25, 2017
Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click the “more” link for our Church School programming.
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 Transformed. Pastor Randy will preach from John 14:1–7.
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. This week, our Senior High youth will lead us during Sanctuary worship. This special service is an annual tradition at ELPC, as we celebrate the gifts of our youth, while praising God for the work of the Holy Spirit upon and through them. Our graduating seniors will share their faith stories, and receive a blessing as they prepare for the next steps in their respective life journeys.
Students completing third grade will be presented with a Bible as a gift from ELPC, so that they might be nurtured in God’s word.
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. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
This Week in Worship: May 12–18, 2017
Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click the “more” link for our Church School programming.
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 Transformed. Pastor Patrice will preach from Acts 6:8–15, 7:54–60.
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 1 Peter 3:13–22 and his sermon will be titled “The Defense Never Rests.”
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. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
This Week in Worship: May 5–11, 2017
As a reminder, there will be no church services this Sunday, May 7, due to the route of the Pittsburgh Marathon. If you are not attending our All-Church Retreat, from May 5–7, you are encouraged to support a local congregation for worship that day.
Worship Services
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. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
Pastoral Message, May 2017
On Staten Island, there’s an Italian restaurant called “Enoteca Maria.” Actually, it is only half an Italian restaurant, because the other half of the menu changes daily. The fixed half is Italian, but the rest features different cuisines from around the world. And best of all, these specialty menu offerings are not prepared by professional chefs; they’re cooked by grandmothers. This “international house of grandmothers” is wildly popular. People have to make reservations weeks in advance. Read More
This Week in Worship: April 28–May 4, 2017
Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click the “more” link for our Church School programming.
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 Disruption. Sharron Boddy, our intern from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will preach Exodus 17:1–7.
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 Luke 24:13–35 and her sermon will be titled “An Ironic Turn of Events.”
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. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.
Construction’s Underway: What To Know
The long-awaited renovation work at ELPC has finally begun! This will be a significant project affecting three floors of the building and several of the exterior entrances. Construction is scheduled to be completed in a 10-month time period, barring any unforeseen delays.
As we begin this journey together, all are invited to a groundbreaking event following worship on Sun., May 14.
The sequence of work will begin with the Whitfield Entrance and Ground Floor improvements first, with work on the Second Floor offices and work spaces happening this summer. Renovations on the First Floor will likely begin this fall.
Throughout this time of construction, your patience, prayers and flexibility will be greatly appreciated. Programs and events will largely continue as planned, although rooms hosting the events or pathways to the events may at times be different than normal.
If you have specific questions, contact Pam Kimmel, business administrator, at 412.441.3800 x118.