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This Week in Worship: September 30–October 6, 2016

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 Faith, Not Fear. Pastor Heather will preach from Matthew 14:22–33 and 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. This week, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday. Our guest, the Rev. Paul Roberts, will preach from Luke 17:5–10 and deliver a sermon titled “On the Loose.” In addition, Ysaÿe Barnwell, Hope Academy’s Teen Theater Company, and our Chancel Choir will join together to provide special music. The Peace and Global Witness Offering will be received and Communion will be celebrated.

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. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer.

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Announcing the Summer 2014 Young Adult Schedule

Young Adult Ministry

ELPC Young Adult Ministry welcomes ALL adults post-high school through about age 40 –

we are students, professionals, married, single, partnered, with or without children and from different races, sexual orientations, abilities, backgrounds and with varied beliefs. We join together to take part in this dynamic ministry and to seek to better understand, to worship and to serve the Holy. Throughout the entire year, we offer a range of opportunities to come together, share, learn, explore and grow as Christians.

All people & all questions are welcome. Seriously.

SUMMER 2014 SCHEDULE

First Friday @ Garfield Community Farm – Friday, June 6 from 7:00pm until a bit after dark

Garfield Community Farm on the corner of Cornwall and Wicklow Streets in Garfield, 15224

We will spend an evening serving on a reclaimed urban garden lot with local ministry partner Garfield Community Farms. Meet in ELPC lobby to travel together at 6:45pm or meet at the farm at 7pm. Dress to work in the dirt. Learn more at http://www.garfieldfarm.com/.

Show Your Pride – Sunday, June 15 after 10am worship, meet at Highland Circle for van ride

We will head down together in the church van to march as a church in the Annual Pittsburgh LGBTQ Pride Parade as our church does each year to show our support for our LGBTQ sisters and brothers. Afterward we can enjoy the booths and entertainment at the Pride street fair. This year consider signing up with Wil to work at the ELPC booth for an hour.

Learn more at http://www.pittsburghpride.org/.

Appe-Taize – Wednesday, June 25, meet at ELPC at 6pm

Relax and refresh after a long summer day as we first gather for fellowship and appetizers, but then we will join the Taize worship service. Come for the food and stay for the worship!

First Friday @ Fireworks – Friday, July 4 at 7:00pm, meet at ELPC

As a group we will head downtown to a choice location to experience the fireworks display and celebrate Independence Day together. We will travel all together and return to ELPC afterward.

Progressive Lunch and Discussion – Saturday, July 12 leaving ELPC at noon

Back by popular demand, we will again rotate locations for different courses of our one unified meal and at each location someone will host a discussion topic for the group. Please consider hosting a course at your place: appetizers, salad, main course or dessert OR if you can host a discussion topic for the group at one of the four locations. Please RSVP to Wil by July 1 with the following information: For hosting a course: your address and preferred meal course OR for discussion topic: your discussion topic & the course in which you’d prefer to discuss the topic. The church van will leave from ELPC providing a ride for all.

Cinema in the Park – Wednesday, July 23, meet at ELPC at 8pm

Gather at Flagstaff Hill early or come at 8pm from the church and we will share a fun summer Pittsburgh tradition – a free outdoor movie in Schenley Park. Learn more at www.pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/cinema-schenley.

First Friday @ Gateway Clipper – Fri, August 1 at 7:00pm, 350 West Station Square Drive, 15219

Spend a breezy summer evening on the three rivers with friends. We will set sail on the Gateway Clipper and return to Station Square for some fellowship and refreshments. Bring money to sail and to snack. Learn more at www.gatewayclipper.com.

A “Difficult” Day – Saturday, August 23 from 10am until 2:30pm, meet in Room 234

Not sure what to do with some parts of the Bible? Does it seem to contradict itself and tell stories that don’t seem very “Christian?” Along with our young adult presenter Rev. Sarah Robbins, come and wrestle some “difficult” Scriptures that challenge us as people of faith. We will spend part of the day together exploring this topic and Scripture as well as sharing lunch, fellowship and a time of prayer.

Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival – Sunday, August 31 leaving after 10am worship

Take a step back 500 years as we experience the annual Pittsburgh Ren Fest. Bring money for admission and food and your sense of adventure. Learn more at www.pittsburghrenfest.com.

For questions on any of the Young Adults programs, contact Wil Forrest,

your Young Adults Ministry Coordinator, at wil@coh.net or at 412-260-2554. https://www.cathedralofhope.org/programs/young-adults.html

This Week in Worship: September 23–30, 2016

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.

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 22:15–22, and his sermon will be titled “TED Talks: Political Choices in the Light of Day.”

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
An hour-long service including 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.

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ELPC Shows Strong at Circle of Faith

This past Sunday a couple hundred individuals from various area faith groups came together in Market Square as a public demonstration that God’s love is inclusive of all of God’s people. Speakers pointed individuals and congregation to “take a step” toward inclusion, toward justice and toward love by intentionally welcoming LGBTQIA individuals. ELPC not only had a strong showing in numbers but also ELPC members Carol Chonoska was the emcee and Sami Overby was one of the main speakers. Sami spoke eloquently about transgender inclusion and challenged us all to be more intentional.

This Week in Worship: September 16–22, 2016

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.

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 Esther 4:5–14, and her sermon will be titled “TED Talks: When the Personal is Political.”

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
An hour-long service including 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.

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This Week in Worship: September 9–15, 2016

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

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.

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 4:5–11, and his sermon will be titled “TED (Theologically Edifying Discourse) Talks: Political Temptations.” “TED Talks” will be a three-week sermon series by Pastor Randy.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
An hour-long service including 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.

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Just the FAQs: Hope Academy Scholarships

We are pleased to be able to offer scholarships and tuition assistance to students who are in good standing, with teacher recommendation; and those who qualify as being low-income and/or who represent a racial, ethnic or cultural minority. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to teens in our HAT Co (Hope Academy Theater Company) program.

Read more to find out how to apply for a scholarship; or for details about a scholarship you were awarded.

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Pastoral Message, September 2016

I stumbled onto a short article in which an 80-year old, Klezmer music-playing clarinetist was asked about the importance of breathing. She said, “Relax. Inhale deeply. Sit up straight. Appreciate your lungs.” Then she went on to add this pearl of wisdom: “When you know how to breathe, the word ‘stress’ is not in your dictionary.” Given how commonly so many of us deal with stress, it is certainly good news to hear how we can remove stress from our lives if we will simply remember how to breathe. Take a moment right now to pause, to inhale and exhale three slow, long breaths, and see if you feel a measure of physical improvement and inner quiet.

“Stress” as a noun describing hardship and affliction dates back to the early 14th century, with specific references to it in religious writings from the middle of the 16th century. But despite its ancient lineage, it is a word that feels modern—as if it is a peculiar quality of life in contemporary society. Rather than offer a diagnosis for stress, I want to build on what the clarinetist said regarding getting rid of stress. Exercise—moments of quiet breathing and meditation—these things can definitely reduce stress.

Another option is to do a short reading in conjunction with a time of stress-reducing meditation. Back when books were only beginning to be mass-produced and still very expensive to own, people would save up to purchase a family bible as well as some sort of religious devotional. It might have been John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress or Thomas á Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ (both worth reading today, by the way). British and American 20th-century authors of this type of material include C. S. Lewis, Harry Emerson Fosdick, or G. K. Chesterton, who have lots of devotional works whose short chapters can be read in small, daily doses. This category of writing can expose you to thinkers from other denominations, such as African American Baptist preacher Howard Thurman (Meditations of the Heart), Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Cost of Discipleship), Catholic priest Henri Nouwen (The Genesee Diary), or Trappist monk Thomas Merton (Thoughts in Solitude). They can introduce you to wonderful people, such as in G.K. Chesterton’s biography of St. Francis of Assisi or reading Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love.

My point is this: Too often we allow the richness of Christian faith to be condensed into bumper-sticker quotes and fortune-cookie words of inspiration. But the stress of life can never be reduced by micro-doses of spirituality, taken like a couple Advils with a sip of water. First, relax. Inhale deeply. Sit up straight. Appreciate your lungs, your heart, your health in general. Then allow yourself to dip into Christian writings that can sustain your soul and quiet your spirit. Read only a page or two at a time. This is not a “self-help regimen” you have to add to your “To Do” list. Instead it is taking a moment to care for yourself by listening to other Christians whose life-stress was eased by faithful reflection, prayer, and trust in God. This month find a book you can slowly read. Put it on your nightstand or download it to your smartphone. And let me know what books you enjoyed. I’m always looking for new spiritual-literary friends!

This Week in Worship: September 2–8, 2016

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

Worship Services

Journey Prayer Service | Sunday, at 8:45 am
Pastor Randy will lead this time of mutual intercessory prayer in the Social Hall, guided by Philemon 1–25.

Summer Worship | Sunday, at 10 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach from 1 Corinthians 14:26–33, 39–40, and his sermon will be titled “The Apostle Paul & Presbyterian Worship.” Join us in the Courtyard or Third Floor Music Room.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
An hour-long service including 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.

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This Week in Worship: August 26–September 1, 2016

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

Worship Services

Journey Prayer Service | Sunday, at 8:45 am
Pastor Randy will lead this time of mutual intercessory prayer in the Social Hall, guided by Hebrews 13:1–8.

Summer Worship | Sunday, at 10 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan will preach from John 7:37–39; Revelation 21:1–7, 22:17, and her sermon will be titled “Riffing on Water.” Join us in the Courtyard or Third Floor Music Room.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, at 7 pm
An hour-long service including 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.

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