Blog

This Week in Worship: March 3–9, 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 Following. Pastor Heather will preach from Genesis 12:1-4a. 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 Genesis 12:1–4 and his sermon will be titled “Unfaithful Phrases: My country, right or wrong.” 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. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. 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: February 24–March 2, 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 Back on Track. Pastor Patrice will preach from Matthew 17: 1–9.

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 Exodus 33:12–23 and his sermon will be titled “Glorious Freedom.”

Ash Wednesday Service| Wednesday, at 12 pm
Amidst the gray and darkness of winter, we pause to reflect upon our lives as children of God. This can involve both lighting a candle of hope and offering up prayers of repentance. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the special season of Lent—an important time for thoughtfulness and personal reflection.

To mark this sacred time, Pastor Patrice will lead a special service featuring the imposition of ashes in the Chapel. Following this service, a simple lunch of soup and bread will be served in Room 234, and we will welcome Dr. David Esterline, president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, as our guest speaker. All are welcome!

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
Our hour-long service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this service of sung Taizé prayer. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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2017 Lenten Devotionals are Available

As we look ahead to the start of our Lenten journey beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 1, Christian Education (CE) is offering Lenten devotionals for people of all ages. These materials will be available on Sun., Feb. 26. They will be located on the table outside of the East Transept, on the Second Floor CE table, and in the Social Hall during Journey worship.

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This Week in Worship: February 17–23, 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 Back on Track. Pastor Randy will preach from Leviticus 19.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Heather will preach from Matthew 7:7–11 and her sermon will be titled “Words from the Mount: Unanswered Questions.”

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
Our hour-long service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this service of sung Taizé prayer. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. 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: February 10–16, 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 Back on Track. Pastor Heather will preach from Luke 15:11–32.

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 Matthew 5:33–37 and his sermon will be titled “Words from the Mount—To Tell the Truth.”

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
Our hour-long service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this service of sung Taizé prayer. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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Pastoral Message, February 2017

Fill in the blank: When I think of my body right now, I’m not very fond of my (blank). The answer to this question should not be influenced by America’s flawed obsession with perfect physiques. This shouldn’t be about your measurements, weight or six-pack abs. Rather it should identify one part of your physical body. For example, at this moment I’m not very fond of my hamstrings. While being relatively tall, I seem to have short hamstrings, which cause my lower-back muscles to work too hard and thus provoke periodic back spasms. When that happens, I think very unkind thoughts about my hamstrings.

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A Statement from Pastor Randy

It has been a troubling week in America. To remain silent on current events is to be unfaithful to the gospel of Christ.

As you likely all know, in the past few days, several executive orders were signed by President Trump. Some of them are political grandstanding. Some are more threatening, running contrary to how scripture calls us to live. Tuesday’s order to streamline and expedite pipeline projects like the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipeline undermine our commitment to protect God’s creation and to honor the places our Native American brethren deem sacred. Wednesday’s order to punish any Sanctuary cities as well as the President’s statement that he believes torture works violate our Judeo-Christian duty to welcome the stranger and to treat others as we would have them treat us. And Friday’s executive order to suspend all US refugee programs for several months and to reduce the number of refugees allowed into America in 2017 causes malicious harm to the most vulnerable of all God’s children.

God is never to be confined to one nation’s borders; hence the concept of “America First” runs contrary to the heart of the gospel. That is why these recent actions and the policies surrounding them are more heretical than historical. If you support President Trump or oppose President Trump, your responsibility is the same: to remain vigilant and hold this nation’s elected leaders to Christian values of compassion, justice and peace. Let us pray, and act, and speak out until they do. For as it says in Hebrews 12:  Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. To God alone be the glory. Amen.

—Rev. Dr. Randy Bush

This Week in Worship: February 3–9, 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 Back on Track. Pastor Patrice will preach from Isaiah 58:1–12.

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 Matthew 5:21–26 and his sermon will be titled “Words from the Mount: Ripples of Anger.”

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
Our hour-long service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this service of sung Taizé prayer. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. 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: January 27–February 2, 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 Starting Over. Pastor Heather will preach from Matthew 14:22–33.

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 Matthew 28:9–17 and his sermon will be titled “Admitting Doubt.”

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
Our hour-long service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will lead this service of sung Taizé prayer. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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