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Just the FAQs: Shakespeare Contest 2015-2016

Details for Hope Academy’s Musical Theater Workshop  and HAT Co (Hope Academy’s Teen Theater Company) Students

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE SHAKESPEARE MONOLOGUE AND SCENE COMPETITION

MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP (grades 4 – 6)
Teaching Artists: Tonya Lynn and Alisa Cullison

  • Sunday, Feb 7 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm – Dress Rehearsal @ ELPC
  • Monday, Feb 8 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm – MTW Preliminary Round @ Pittsburgh Public Theater (call time 2:30 pm)
  • Monday, Feb 15 at 7:00 pm – Showcase of Finalists @ Pittsburgh Public Theater

HAT Co (grades 6 – 12)
Teaching Artists: Meredith Hoppe and Monica Stephenson

  • Thursday, Feb 11 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm – HAT Co Dress Rehearsal @ ELPC
  • Friday, Feb 12 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm – HAT Co Preliminary Round @ Pittsburgh Public Theater (call time 2:30 pm)
  • Monday, Feb 15 at 7:00 pm – Showcase of Finalists @ Pittsburgh Public Theater

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This Week in Worship: Jan. 8–14, 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 What’s Next? Pastor Heather will preach. 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 Luke 3:15–22 and his sermon will be titled “Word and Water.” Communion will be celebrated.

Taizé | 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 worship. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer.

Christian Education Classes

We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.

There will be no regular Church School classes on Sun., Jan. 10. Instead, plan on joining us for Winter Rally Day. We will gather on the third floor with multisensory learning stations exploring the Lectionary readings located throughout the classrooms and Music Room. A detailed map and friendly greeters will guide you along the way. As always, breakfast will be served! Coffee and Fruit will be provided, but please bring a breakfast bread to share. We will then incorporate activities and ideas from each of the stations into our Sanctuary worship service.

A Word of Thanks from Pastor Heather

tunney-rev-heather_200x240I wish to offer a word of thanks to the ELPC Session, staff and members for the opportunity to take a one-month sabbatical in November, with the remaining two months to be taken in July and August.

I am honored to have been elected to serve Pittsburgh Presbytery as Sr. Vice Moderator in 2016, even though the responsibilities connected to this role would interfere with my ability to take three months off together as originally planned. I am grateful for Pastor Randy’s creative thinking, Session’s permission to split up my sabbatical, everyone’s collective planning to ensure coverage while I was off. I’m deeply grateful to both staff and volunteers who stepped up to cover my responsibilities during my absence—particularly Pastor Randy, Pastor Patrice, Sara Hackett, Wil Forrest, Gloria Knopp, and Mark Blank.

Finally, I’m grateful that our congregation offers installed pastors three months of sabbatical after seven years of service. It’s hard for me to believe I’ve completed eight years of ministry here (and counting!), and I remain blessed to serve such a dynamic, loving, welcoming congregation, alongside gifted and caring staff. It is a privilege to be a part of this faith family!

This Week in Worship: Jan. 1–7, 2016

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

Worship Services

Journey Worship

There will be no Journey worship service on Sun., Jan. 3.

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 John 1:3–14. Her sermon will be titled “In the Beginning…”

Taizé | 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 worship. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer.

Christian Education Classes

We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.

There will be no Church School classes on Sun., Jan. 3. Plan on joining us for Winter Rally Day on Sun., Jan. 10. We will gather on the third floor with multisensory learning stations exploring the Lectionary readings located throughout the classrooms and Music Room. A detailed map and friendly greeters will guide you along the way. As always, breakfast will be served! Coffee and Fruit will be provided, but please bring a breakfast bread to share. We will then incorporate activities and ideas from each of the stations into our Sanctuary worship service.

Diapers for ‘Burgh Babies’

Presbyterian Women is hosting a Diaper Drive to collect diapers for children in Western Pennsylvania. One in three American moms struggle to provide clean diapers for her children. Food stamps and WIC don’t cover diapers, and families often are forced to make tough decisions regarding day care and employment because they can’t afford diapers.

The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank partners with local organizations to distribute free diapers to families in need. Diapers collected at our drive will go to families in our community.

The drive begins on Fri., Jan. 1, and will run for approximately six months. Please drop donations in the box in the front office marked “PW Diaper Drive.” Check the bulletin for more information.

This Week in Worship: Dec. 25–31, 2015

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

Worship Services

Merry-Christmas-ELPC_webChristmas Eve Family Service | Thursday, at 5 pm
This early service, with communion, is a time of familiar carols and a re-telling of the Christmas story, shaped for people of all ages. Come share in this time of Christmas cheer and good news. Pastor Heather will preach.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service | Thursday, at 11 pm
Within the hush of evening, gather for a time of wonder, beauty, and joy as the birth of Christ is celebrated. The sacrament of communion, familiar scripture readings, and music of the season make this one of the most memorable services of the year. Special prelude music begins at 10:30 pm. Pastor Randy will preach.

Journey Worship

There will be no Journey worship service on Sun., Dec. 27 or Jan. 3.

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 Luke 2:15–24. His sermon will be titled “Treasuring, Pondering, Presenting.” There also will be a Christmas carol sing-a-long during the Prelude music time.

Taizé | 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 worship. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer.

Christian Education Classes

We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.

There will be no Church School classes on Sun., Dec. 27 or Jan. 3. Plan on joining us for Winter Rally Day on Sun., Jan. 10. We will gather on the third floor with multisensory learning stations exploring the Lectionary readings located throughout the classrooms and Music Room. A detailed map and friendly greeters will guide you along the way. As always, breakfast will be served! Coffee and Fruit will be provided, but please bring a breakfast bread to share. We will then incorporate activities and ideas from each of the stations into our Sanctuary worship service.

Special Availability for the Labyrinth

Through the end of December, ELPC will set up the labyrinth in the Social Hall and offer extended hours. Availability is as follows:

  • Mon., Dec. 21, from 7 am–1 pm
  • Wed., Dec. 23–30, from 9 am–9 pm (except Fri., Dec. 25 and Mon., Dec. 28)
  • Thurs., Dec. 31, from 9 am–5 pm

The labyrinth is an ancient, sacred symbol found in many religious traditions throughout the world. During the Middle Ages, labyrinths were prominent in numerous cathedrals in Europe, where Christians walked floor labyrinths or traced their fingers along the carved ridges of wall labyrinths. For medieval Christians, the labyrinth was a symbolic pilgrimage: instead of taking a costly and dangerous pilgrimage to Jerusalem, worshipers made a symbolic journey on a cathedral labyrinth. The best know of these Christian labyrinths is in Chartres Cathedral in France, which was built during the 13th century.

For more information about the Labyrinth Ministry at ELPC, click here.

Repairing Homes, Hearts, and Minds

Arrival in NJELPC has participated in the Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts since it hit the East Coast three years ago. Since then, 21 ELPC members and friends have undertaken four, week-long mission trips to Point Pleasant, N.J.

In October, nine people from the ELPC community joined with others from the Lend a Hand Foundation on a final mission trip to assist with the residential recovery effort. Over the course of the week, the volunteers provided more than 700 hours of work at five residences in need of repair and restoration.
The hours offered are important in that communities are granted FEMA funds for every volunteer hour, but the hours mean even more to homeowners and communities who are grateful that others understand they are still struggling for a sense of normalcy. The repair and restoration is not just to physical structures, however. Hearts and minds are repaired, the love of God is shared, and hope is restored.

While this may have been ELPC’s final trip to Point Pleasant, our work and faith relationship with Lend a Hand Foundation and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will continue.

This Week in Worship: Dec. 18–24, 2015

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 Family Tree.  Pastor Randy will preach from Luke 1:38–45.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, at 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Our theme for Advent is Bookends. Each week, we’ll take a theme from Genesis and explore how it is “answered” in Revelation. As we observe the fourth Sunday of Advent, our scripture readings will be Genesis 11:1–9 and Revelation 7:9–17. Pastor Randy will preach and his sermon will be titled “Advent Bookends: Babel and Harmony.”

Taizé | 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 worship. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer.

Christian Education Classes

We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.

Contemporaries | Second Floor Parlor
Following Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, we will use Dr. Kenneth Bailey’s scholarship to peel away centuries of Greek, Roman, and European paint from the birth narrative of Jesus, to reveal the classic story within.

This week, our lesson is The Savior, the Wise Men, and the Vision of Isaiah. Who did Jesus come to save? Where did the wise men come from? What do Jerusalem and Isaiah 60 have to do with Christmas? Mark Blank will lead our discussion of Matthew 2:1–12 and Isaiah 60:1–7.

Journey With Scripture | Second Floor Library
Mary, the expectant mother of Jesus, exclaims to her relative Elizabeth, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant”—Luke 1:47–48. Like Mary, our spirits can rejoice for the life being born within us: the Word made flesh—a maturing love in Christ for our family, neighbors, and for the world. Join us as we seek an Advent and Christmas of peace with justice.

This week, Jan Irvin will serve as facilitator. Our readings are: Micah 5:2–5a; Luke 1:46b–55; Psalm 80:1–7; Hebrews 10:5–10; and Luke 1:39–55.

Seekers | Room 234
Gifts of the Spirit
We will share music and Christmas memories. ELPC members and friends from other lands will tell us about their Christmas traditions, including folks from Argentina, British Virgin Islands, China, Congo, Mexico, Pakistan, and others.

Soul Food | Third Floor Music Room
This week, we will conclude our discussion of chapter six of An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor. Class will be led by Joe Hajdu, Michele Bossers, and Judy Roberts.

This Week in Worship: Dec. 11–17, 2015

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 Family Tree. 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. Our theme for Advent is Bookends. Each week, we’ll take a theme from Genesis and explore how it is “answered” in Revelation. As we observe the third Sunday of Advent, our scripture readings will be Genesis 4:1–16 and Revelation 19:5–10. Pastor Randy will preach and his sermon will be titled “Advent Bookends: Murder and Marriage.”

Taizé | 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 worship. Stay afterward for Contemplative Prayer.

Christian Education Classes

We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays from 9:45–10:45 am. Click the links for adult class descriptions and children and youth offerings.

This week, classes will be cancelled so that everyone can enjoy our Christmas Pageant, The Traveler’s Guide to Christmas. Church School classes will resume next week, Sun., Dec. 20, before taking a break. Mark your calendars now for Winter Rally Day, Sun., Jan. 10. More details to come.