Blog

ELPC Takes a Step at Circle of Faith

This past Sunday over a 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 participant 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. After the speakers and the singing ended, all participants joined together in making a 100 long rainbow flag with 6 colored banners filling the entire square.

Circle of Faith 2014 034

Young Adults Welcome July with a BANG

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 in one van and return to ELPC afterward. This is a TRAIL event. Contact Wil for a ride.

This Week in Worship: June 30-July 6, 2014

Here’s what’s happening in worship June 30-July 6, 2014.

Please note: We have moved to our summer schedule and combine our usual two Sunday services into a 10:00 a.m. Worship service held in our Courtyard, weather permitting. Adjust your alarm clocks and join us for worship and fellowship all month long!

Thirty years ago, our Good Samaritan Worship service began as a simple act of hospitality. It provided a time of fellowship and worship on Sunday mornings for the community and residents of the men’s shelter housed in ELPC. Over the years, church members and shelter guests accompanied one another’s spiritual journeys through prayer, praise, laughter, and Christian affection.

Last November, when the men’s shelter moved to the new EECM COmmunity House, Good Samaritan Worship began being offered in the Community House Chapel. We continued to establish meaningful relationships with residents as we shared in conversation, fellowship, and worship. However, after prayerful reflection, the Good Samaritan Worship planning committee decided to put this service on hiatus for the summer and explore alternative options, while EECM looks to hire its new executive director.

ELPC will continue to be engaged through monthly breakfasts at Community House, as well as through our volunteer service teams and meal groups.

Please remember the Community House residents and staff in your prayers.

Worship Services

Taizé – Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
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. There will be no after-Taizé class this week.

Courtyard Worship – Sunday 10:00 a.m.
In the summer, the 8:00 and 11:00 services come together at 10:00 a.m. We meet in the Courtyard, weather-permitting. This week we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach.

Christian Education Classes

Christian Education Classes are on summer break! All classes will begin on Rally Day, September 7, when we resume our traditional worship and education schedule.

This Week in Worship: June 23-29, 2014

Here’s what’s happening in worship June 23-29, 2014.

Please note: We have moved to our summer schedule and combine our usual two Sunday services into a 10:00 a.m. Worship service held in our Sanctuary — and weather permitting, in our Courtyard during July and August. Adjust your alarm clocks and join us for worship and fellowship all month long!

Thirty years ago, our Good Samaritan Worship service began as a simple act of hospitality. It provided a time of fellowship and worship on Sunday mornings for the community and residents of the men’s shelter housed in ELPC. Over the years, church members and shelter guests accompanied one another’s spiritual journeys through prayer, praise, laughter, and Christian affection.

Last November, when the men’s shelter moved to the new EECM COmmunity House, Good Samaritan Worship began being offered in the Community House Chapel. We continued to establish meaningful relationships with residents as we shared in conversation, fellowship, and worship. However, after prayerful reflection, the Good Samaritan Worship planning committee decided to put this service on hiatus for the summer and explore alternative options, while EECM looks to hire its new executive director.

ELPC will continue to be engaged through monthly breakfasts at Community House, as well as through our volunteer service teams and meal groups.

Please remember the Community House residents and staff in your prayers.

Worship Services

Taizé – Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
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 after-Taizé class this week is Celebrations!

 Good Samaritan – Sunday 8:00 a.m.
The Good Samaritan Worship meets at the new EECM Community House (6014 Station Street). This week Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach.

Sanctuary Worship – Sunday 10:00 a.m. 
In the summer, the 8:00 and 11:00 services come together at 10:00 a.m. This is the final week we will meet in the Sanctuary before moving to the courtyard for July and August (weather-permitting). This week, Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach.

Christian Education Classes

Christian Education Classes are on summer break! All classes will begin on Rally Day, September 7, when we resume our traditional worship and education schedule.

This Week in Worship: June 16-22, 2014

Here’s what’s happening in worship June 16-22, 2014. Please note: We have movde to our summer schedule and combine our usual two Sunday services into a 10:00 a.m. Worship service held in our Sanctuary — and weather permitting, in our Courtyard during July and August. Adjust your alarm clocks and join us for worship and fellowship all month long!

Worship Services

Taizé – Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
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 after-Taizé class this week is Music on the Labyrinth.

 Good Samaritan – Sunday 8:00 a.m.
The Good Samaritan Worship will now meet at the new EECM Community House (6014 Station Street). This week Peter Murray, Elder at ELPC, will speak.

Sanctuary Worship – Sunday 10:00 a.m. 
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. This week, Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach.

Christian Education Classes

Christian Education Classes are on summer break!

This Week in Worship: June 9-15, 2014

Here’s what’s happening in worship June 9-15, 2014. Please note: On Sunday, June 15, we move to our summer schedule and combine our usual two Sunday services into a 10:00 a.m. Worship service held in our Sanctuary — and weather permitting, in our Courtyard during July and August. Adjust your alarm clocks and join us for worship and fellowship all month long!

Worship Services

Taizé – Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
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 after-Taizé class this week is Music on the Labyrinth.

 Good Samaritan – Sunday 8:00 a.m.
The Good Samaritan Worship will now meet at the new EECM Community House (6014 Station Street). This week Rev. Michael Stanton of Open Hand Ministries will preach.

Sanctuary Worship – Sunday 10:00 a.m. 
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. This week, Rev. Heather Schoenewolf will preach.

Christian Education Classes

Christian Education Classes are on summer break!

What Your Front Yard Says About You

Our church’s front yard is different now. The rain garden project is basically finished. After the hard winter we had last year, we are making sure that the newly planted grass plugs, bushes and trees have taken hold. So far the rainfall absorption system seems to be working well, which is good since that means far less rainwater flows into the city sewage system. But the difference in the front yard is not just about the new plantings.

The prior landscaping on Penn Avenue consisted of a formal yard trimmed with a solid stone border. It looked postcard-perfect from a distance but it was functionally unwelcoming up close. Now we have broken that stone border with a series of benches and tables. As people wait for the bus or simply pause on their way up and down Penn Avenue, they can sit on benches provided for them. They talk; they eat; they interact with other passer-bys. Most importantly, they transform the church’s front yard into a community space. Our building now has a living, active link to the neighborhood, modeling a renewed and faithful spirit of hospitality.

ELPC Front Yard

We may not meet the people who pause in our front yard. But I trust they will enjoy the plantings around them and I hope that they will look kindly upon our building as a place that valued them and literally offered them a seat in the shadow of our cathedral walls.

I believe churches too often view their front yards as something designed only to look nice as people come into their buildings. Yet, front yards are actually the point of contact between the church and the community. What are other ways church yards can embody the love of Christ and make real our commitment to mission, radical hospitality, and God’s commission to go out into the world? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Join the discussion…

Why do some people believe it is not possible to be a LGBTQ Christian?

What do you believe about being a LGBTQ person and being a person of faith?

How do we understand this juncture of identities with thoughtfulness and articulate our point of view with compassion, confidence and justice?

These and many more questions will begin being explored this coming Saturday as we continue our conversation about the Roger’s book. Please read through the second chapter and bring your thoughts and questions.

Join the second part of the discussion which will continue intermittently over a number of months. We will save a seat for you!!

Learn more detail about the event at:

Spiritual Gathering

This Week in Worship: June 2-8, 2014

Here’s what’s happening in worship June 2-8, 2014. Please note: On Sunday, June 15, we move to our summer schedule and combine our usual two Sunday services into a 10:00 a.m. Worship service held in our Sanctuary — and weather permitting, in our Courtyard during July and August. Adjust your alarm clocks and join us for worship and fellowship all month long!

Worship Services

Taizé – Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
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. There will not be an after-Taizé class this week.

 Good Samaritan – Sunday 8:00 a.m.
The Good Samaritan Worship will now meet at the new EECM Community House (6014 Station Street). This week Rev. George Steffey of the East Liberty Family Health Care Center will preach.

Journey Worship – Sunday 8:45 a.m. 
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. At this week’s Journey Worship, the Rev. Heather Schoenewolf will preach.

Sanctuary Worship – Sunday 11:00 a.m. 
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. This week, Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach.

Christian Education Classes

These are the final Christian Education Classes for the summer!

Contemporaries
Christian Mission: What It Is/What It Isn’t Part 2
Led by Paul Seif
Mission requires determination and spiritual sensitivity. This presentation explores a challenging question: “How do we serve mission to those who oppress others and those who they oppress?” Paul’s mission to the Romans will guide our path toward enlightenment. Let us remember that mission will always be an important pillar within the Christian faith.

Journey with Scripture
June’s readings span the Easter season and Pentecost. The apostle Paul writes, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). For Paul, the gift of Christ’s Spirit is both a public manifestation and a dialogue between solidarity and differentiation. This is gospel (good news) for a world often driven by other means and ends. God’s creation arches towards mutuality and towards diversity. It ends in praise.

Join us as we reflect on Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23.

Parenting Circle
We use our time together to share our joys and struggles through a facilitated discussion, guided by the week’s lectionary readings. No advance preparation or reading is necessary and copies of the texts being discussed will be available. We welcome babies and toddlers who may not yet be able to leave their parents.

Seekers
Sacred Sites in Turkey
Gwen Puza will share images of ancient Christian churches, famous mosques, and other famous historical and cultural sites taken during her recent trip to Turkey.

Soul Food
We will continue discussing Discernment by Henri Nouwen. New participants are always welcome!

First Friday @ Garfield Community Farm

First Friday @ Garfield Community Farm – Friday, June 6 from 7:00pm until a bit after dark at 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/. This is a TRAIL young adult event.

Visit https://cathedralofhope.org/event/first-friday-garfield-community-farm/