Your attendance is requested at The Great Exchange: Testimonies THIS Sunday, February 23 at 12:30pm in the Music Room. Folks of all ages are invited to this fun, interactive event where we together across the generations will explore some fun and important discussion questions through our own testimonies. We will have a simple lunch while sharing our life experience and stories with one another. No prep necessary, just come and enjoy! Sponsored by the Young Adult Ministry.
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This Week in Worship: February 23, 2014
Here’s what’s happening in worship Sunday, February 23rd.
Worship Services
8:00 a.m. Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan Worship will now meet at the new EECM Community House (6014 Penn Circle North). This week will be a bible study.
8:45 a.m. Journey Worship
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf will preach this week.
11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. This week, the Rev. Dr. Lisa Thompson, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will preach.
Christian Education Classes
Contemporaries
If Not Me, Who? If Not Now, When? Led by Lenore Williams
Racism…just hearing the word invokes many stereotypes. But not all racism is based upon hatred and violence. Some aspects of it may not be obvious. We will look at opinions of what racism is, where it came from, how to know it. We will ask ourselves how we can individually make a difference.
Journey with Scripture
In one of this month’s readings, the apostle Paul writes, “But we have the mind of Christ.” He addresses friends living in a cosmopolitan, religiously pluralistic, socially competitive, highly market driven, diverse city (Corinth) – one that pulled and shaped people’s minds, hearts, and bodies in diverse ways. Amidst this milieu Paul proclaims a deeper kind of shaping and communal existence. Many of this month’s readings call readers to such a life. Come and shape up!
Join us as we reflect on these readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18; Psalm 119:33-40; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23; Matthew 5:38-48.
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
Why are we Presbyterians? How did that happen?
Rev. Henk Bossers will explore the rich history and evolving identity of being a Presbyterian. We will reflect on the meanings and purposes of our personal identities, grounded in history and meeting the challenges of today.
Soul Food
We will continue discussing A Testament of Devotion, a spiritual classic by Thomas Kelly. This week, we will look at Chapter 5 in a discussion led by Joe Hajdu.
YAM Sunday School
Sunday, February 16 from 9:45-10:45am in Room 244
Tim Blass will lead the group as we examine “weathering the storm” through Scripture, personal testimony and group discussion.Bring your Bible. Café Justo served and childcare available in the nursery.
LGBTQ Ministry Meeting Dates
GOD CREATED YOU. GOD LOVES YOU. BE YOURSELF.
Each month the LGBTQ Ministry has two regular meetings. One is a business meeting to continue the work we have started in prayerfully and intentionally forming this new ministry. Business meetings are currently scheduled for 2/16/14 at 2pm, 3/30/14 at 12:30pm, 5/4/14 at 5pm, 6/1/14 at 12:30pm, 7/13/14 at 11:30am and 8/24/14 at 11:30am. These meeting will take place in the Pastor’s Conference Room on the second floor.
The other monthly meeting is a spiritual gathering where we will focus on relationship, education and spiritual growth. Spiritual gatherings are currently scheduled for 2/8/14 at 2pm, 3/8/15 at 5pm (Cabaret at 7:30pm), 4/12/14 at 3pm, 5/17/14 at 5pm, 6/7/14 at 3pm, 7/26/14 at 5pm and 8/9/14 at 3pm. Spiritual Gatherings change location, please consult a weekly bulletin or contact Wil for locations.
All are welcome to be involved with the LGBTQ Ministry at ELPC. Please contact Wil Forrest (wil@coh.net; 412.441.3800 x14) for more info and/or to get on the d-list.
This Week in Worship: February 16, 2014
Here’s what’s happening in worship Sunday, February 16th.
Worship Services
8:00 a.m. Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan Worship will now meet at the new EECM Community House (6014 Penn Circle North). This week will be a bible study.
8:45 a.m. Journey Worship
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy will preach this week.
11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. This week, the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, with a sermon entitled “Ritually Adrift: Good Grief, Good Funerals (part two).”
Christian Education Classes
Contemporaries
The Pro Bono Center Led by Barbara Griffin
Though the economy shows some signs of recovery, the need for legal help has not diminished. Calls for assistance are at an all-time high and according to Barbara, “This problem isn’t going away because wages are still low and even though you are working, you may not be making anything extra. If you have an emergency or a legal issue come up, there’s nothing extra to hire an attorney.”
Learn about this important program designed to recruit more attorney volunteers and generate funds for assisting people.
Journey with Scripture
In one of this month’s readings, the apostle Paul writes, “But we have the mind of Christ.” He addresses friends living in a cosmopolitan, religiously pluralistic, socially competitive, highly market driven, diverse city (Corinth) – one that pulled and shaped people’s minds, hearts, and bodies in diverse ways. Amidst this milieu Paul proclaims a deeper kind of shaping and communal existence. Many of this month’s readings call readers to such a life. Come and shape up!
Join us as we reflect on these readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 119:1-8 1p; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37.
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
The Power of Forgiveness
Many of us can remember the iconic image of a 1972 Napalm bombing during the Vietnam War. The girl in the image, Kim Phuc, lectures on the power of forgiveness. She has met and publicly forgiven the Rev. John Plummer, who coordinated the air strike that injured here. Come see the video of her powerful, moving lecture that was recently given at Sewickley Academy.
Soul Food
We will continue discussing A Testament of Devotion, a spiritual classic by Thomas Kelly. This week, we will look at Chapter 4 in a discussion led by Tom Menk, Doris Dick, and Sel Whitaker.
God created you. God loves you. Be yourself.
Interested in getting involved with the new LGBTQ Ministry forming at ELPC? We are in the process of beginning two regular monthly meetings. One that is a business meeting to continue the work we have started in prayerfully and intentionally forming this new ministry. Our next business meeting will be Sunday, February 16 after the Congregational Meeting (about 2pm) in the Pastor’s Conference Room. And the other that is a spiritual gathering where we will focus on relationship, education and growth. Our next spiritual gathering will be Saturday, February 8 at 2pm in the First Floor Lounge. Please contact Wil Forrest at wil@coh.net or 412-441-3800 X14 for more info, to get on the d-list and/or to come to the next business meeting and/or spiritual gathering in February.
Be an Actor
God has shown you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with God?
– Micah 6:8
It is central to the Christian faith that God desires a world in which justice is done. However, the past hundred years have revealed the scale of injustice in the world to be greater than anyone had previously imagined. Global forces that are deeply unfair determine the destiny of the world’s poorest people and cause damage to the planet’s environment. War and suffering follow. This has led to a planet on which, every eight seconds, a child in the developing world dies from diarrhea because his or her community has dirty water. And in our own country, each day three gay teenagers commit suicide because of being rejected and bullied.
What do you think God sees when God looks at our world?
Striving for justice, particularly for the world’s poorest people, is at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The good news he came to announce was that suffering and oppression could be brought to an end. The challenge Christians face is to have a personal way of life that does not add to the world’s problems. This means adopting a simple lifestyle in which the world’s resources are not wasted, buying goods that have been fairly traded (like Cafe Justo coffee), and changing habits that damage the environment. This requires our active participation, not sitting back and hoping for justice. How do you participate in God’s justice in this world? God calls us to act justly. Let’s get moving!
Take TRAIL to the North Hills
TRAIL: Three Rivers Adult Interdenominational Links
Christian fellowship for Pittsburgh area young adults (20/30s) from different traditions.
First Friday @ North Hills
Friday, February 7 at 7:00pm at Ross Park Mall, McKnight Road
Go suburban as we gather at the California Pizza Kitchen in Ross Park Mall and see where the evening takes us. Eating, shopping, entertainment or whatever the group decides. Bring money for food and potential entertainment. Contact Wil if you want a ride from ELPC at 6:30pm.
This Week in Worship: February 9, 2014
Here’s what’s happening in worship Sunday, February 9th.
Worship Services
8:00 a.m. Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan Worship will now meet at the new EECM Community House (6014 Penn Circle North). This week, Frank Reeves, editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, will speak.
8:45 a.m. Journey Worship
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach this week.
11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. This week, the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will preach.
Christian Education Classes
Contemporaries
How Did We Get Here? Led by Sharla Yates-Seif and Paul Seif
The tapestry regarding our spiritual faith-journey can, at times, be quite an adventure. Meet a dynamic new couple in our congregation as they reflect on their past, present, and future. They represent a vibrant hope for the light of Christ to shine in our midst as they embark upon the unfolding of the Lord’s plan for their purpose and destiny. This is the second of a two-week series with Sharla and Paul.
Journey with Scripture
In one of this month’s readings, the apostle Paul writes, “But we have the mind of Christ.” He addresses friends living in a cosmopolitan, religiously pluralistic, socially competitive, highly market driven, diverse city (Corinth) – one that pulled and shaped people’s minds, hearts, and bodies in diverse ways. Amidst this milieu Paul proclaims a deeper kind of shaping and communal existence. Many of this month’s readings call readers to such a life. Come and shape up!
Join us as we reflect on these readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12); Psalm 112:1-9 (10); 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16); Matthew 5:13-20.
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
Freedom to Believe (part 2)
Dr. Ann Corson will address issues highlighted during last week’s documentary screening of Free China: The Courage to Believe. Dr. Corson educates people about the oppression of Falun Gong practitioners in China. During the discussion, we will also hear from people who suffered persecution in China for their spiritual beliefs.
Soul Food
We will continue discussing A Testament of Devotion, a spiritual classic by Thomas Kelly. Until February 26th, we will look at Chapter 4 in a discussion led by Tom Menk, Doris Dick, and Sel Whitaker.
Can Faith & Science Talk With One Voice?
What can Christian faith add to the debate about science and ecology? As it turns out, plenty! For far too long, faith and science have been hesitant to engage in sincere dialogue. Scientists and sermon-writers may use the same vocabulary words, but a discomfort seems to arise when one side appears to be overly reliant on the ideas associated with the other side. The usual preference is for “creation” to be divided into camps associated with Genesis or with the Big Bang. “Change” and “adaptation” is split between language of evolution or language of repentance and renewal.
It is time to bridge these divides and seek a mutually-enriching, shared voice so that science and faith can address the present ecological crisis confronting our planet. In particular, the language of hope and grace that is at the heart of the Christian message is precisely the vocabulary a wounded, troubled biosphere (including each of us!) needs to hear.
As a way to explore this dual perspective, let’s begin with the poetry of Psalm 104. It is a long hymn extolling God as Creator and Provider. It’s language tells about the heavens are stretched out like a tent (vs. 2) and the clouds serve as God’s chariot (vs. 3). It then goes on to say this: You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken. You cover it with the deep as with a garment (vs. 5-6). At first glance, this language may not resonate with scientific descriptions of the earth; but that does the biblical writers a disservice.
The Psalmist spoke about the waters of the deep as a garment placed over the face of the earth. That is a wonderfully evocative image and more accurate than we might immediately assume. Scientists have long talked about three “garments” that sustain life on earth – the layers of water that sustain aquatic life; the layers of soil that allow for plant life; and the layers of ozone that enfold and protect the earth’s atmosphere. Each of these garments are vibrant and yielding of a wide range of life-forms (flora, fauna, birds, beasts). Yet each “garment” is fragile and susceptible to damage through human misuse and pollution. Think of overfishing and dangerous run-off into fresh water sources. Think of poor crop rotation and dust bowl conditions due to depleted top soil. Think of holes in the ozone layer and smog conditions stretching far beyond any one nation’s borders.
The idea of God entrusting us with the care of the fragile, beautiful garments God has draped over the earth is, to me, a fresh way to link the wisdom of faith and science. Science assures us that the garments can sustain life abundantly, if we wisely use and protect these resources and generously share the produce of the land, water and air with one another. And faith challenges us to mend and honor the Lord’s garments, because to do so is to live into our calling as stewards of creation.
The thin layers of life-sustaining water, plant-nurturing top soil, and lung-filling oxygen are God-given gifts. May the Psalmist’s song become a shared melody, as people of faith and science work together for the good of all creation.