Where do your emotions reside? Are they things in your head or things you feel in your heart and gut? For most of us, it is likely a combination of those two bodily locations. We feel “out of sorts,” depressed, or burdened and that manifests itself in drooping shoulders and a slouched physique—which then prompts us to think about why we feel that way and ponder this emotion in our head. Conversely, we feel “on top of the world,” happy, and exhilarated and that is evident by the spring in our step—which leads us to mentally list off why we are feeling so good so we can remember this special moment. Read More
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Worship with Us | Week of August 1, 2021
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Click here for a live feed of worship services at their scheduled times. Please note, there will be an error message if there is no live broadcast.
Summer Worship | Sunday, 10 am
Kathryn Ophardt will lead worship in the Courtyard. She will preach from Psalm 51 and deliver her sermon, titled “Muddy and Merciful Waters.” Communion also will be celebrated. Download this week’s bulletin to follow along and read about upcoming events.
Register to attend in person, or watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook. If you’d like to join by telephone, call 929.205.6099 and enter Meeting ID 188 135 194 when prompted (press # if asked for a personal ID).
Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm
Pastor BJ will lead our service in the Sanctuary as we continue our summer-long theme of “Praying with the Elements.” This week, we will be contemplating the wind in Genesis 1 and Psalm 104. Join us in person or watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook.
Caregiving 4 Care Research Study Opportunity
Do you provide care for a family member or friend? If so, consider participating in a research study being conducted by Caregiving 4 Care.
Founded by Dr. Emily Jaffe, Caregiving 4 Care seeks to find a solution to caregiver stress and isolation, thus enabling caregivers to better care for their own and their loved one’s physical and emotional health. Research findings will be shared with caregivers via an online platform.
Participant Criteria:
- Is an unpaid caregiver to a loved one
- Currently reside on the East End of Pittsburgh (Zip Codes: 15213, 15201, 15224, 15232, 15260, 15217, 15208, 15206, 15218, 15221)
- Is 18 years or older
- Has access to a smartphone or computer
If this sounds like you, Caregiving 4 Care would love your help. In return for your time and thoughtful feedback, you will receive a free, one-year trial to the web app once it is launched.
If you would be willing to participate, please visit Caregiving4Care.com to register. If you have any questions, email info@caregiving4care.com or call 412.254.4172.
Worship with Us | Week of July 25 2021
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Click here for a live feed of worship services at their scheduled times. Please note, there will be an error message if there is no live broadcast.
Summer Worship | Sunday, 10 am
Pastor Randy will lead worship in the Courtyard. He will preach from I Thessalonians 5:12–28 and deliver his sermon, titled “First Words, Last Words: The Appeal of Faith.” Download this week’s bulletin to follow along and read about upcoming events.
Watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook. If you’d like to join by telephone, call 929.205.6099 and enter Meeting ID 188 135 194 when prompted (press # if asked for a personal ID).
Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm
Kathryn Ophardt will lead our service as we continue our summer-long theme of “Praying with the Elements.” We will focus on the element of water as we imagine how God holds our tears, inspired by Psalm 56:8. Watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook.
Worship with Us | Week of July 18, 2021
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Click here for a live feed of worship services at their scheduled times. Please note, there will be an error message if there is no live broadcast.
Summer Worship | Sunday, 10 am
Pastor Randy will lead worship in the Courtyard. He will preach from I Thessalonians 4:13– 5:5 and deliver his sermon, titled “First Words, Last Words: Grieving With Hope.” Download this week’s bulletin to follow along and read about upcoming events.
Watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook. If you’d like to join by telephone, call 929.205.6099 and enter Meeting ID 188 135 194 when prompted (press # if asked for a personal ID).
Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm
Kathryn Ophardt will lead our service as we continue our summer-long theme of “Praying with the Elements.” We will focus on the element earth and meditating on the seed as the image of the Reign of God inspired by Mark 4:26–27. Watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook.
ELPC Mask Policy Updates | July 2021
East Liberty Presbyterian Church (ELPC) seeks to be a place of radical hospitality for all God’s people. During this time of pandemic, the manner in which hospitality is lived out continues to change. While directives about mask-wearing vary from place to place, we seek to be a community where all people, especially the most vulnerable, can be safely welcomed. As of July 14, 2021, at ELPC:
- Mask wearing is optional for all fully vaccinated persons. People are always free to wear a mask while on church property.
- Mask wearing is required for all unvaccinated people/staff while on church property.
- Mask wearing is required for all volunteers/staff working indoors with unvaccinated children, regardless of vaccination status.
- We will continue our practice of allowing vaccinated preachers/singers/liturgists to not be masked while leading worship services, whether inside or outside.
Thank you for your continued patience and partnership as we move ahead in these uncharted waters, and continue to strive to be a faith community that is inclusive of all.
July Environmental Tip | Composting
Did you know food scraps make up one third of an average household’s trash? In landfills, these scraps take up space and contribute to methane (greenhouse gas) production. The good news is that by composting, we can lessen the impact! And summer is the perfect time to embrace composting. Warmer temperatures speed up the decomposition of food and yard scraps, and one can transform what would be waste into fertile soil within a few months. Read More
Are You Willing to Open your Heart and Home to an International Exchange Student?
ELPC members Stephen and Travis Simpson-Hunt are local coordinators for Foreign Links Around the Globe (FLAG), a non-profit international exchange organization providing experiences that transform the lives of high school students. This year, they will be hosting Nándor, a 15 year old boy from Hungary and would love to have other ELPC members serve as host parent(s)/families alongside them for the upcoming 2021–2022 school year.
Many students were unable to participate last year due to COVID-19 and so there is an increased demand for host families this year. For some students, this year will be their only opportunity to participate before they “age-out” of the program. FLAG prides itself on being small by design and offering local support to both the student and host family. Stephen and Travis will serve as your local support throughout the entire process.
If you are interested in hosting or learning more about the program, please call 412.852.2245 or email ssimpson-hunt@flag-intl.org. More information and FAQs can be found at www.flag-intl.org.
Worship with Us | Week of July 11, 2021
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Click here for a live feed of worship services at their scheduled times. Please note, there will be an error message if there is no live broadcast.
Summer Worship | Sunday, 10 am
Pastor Randy will lead worship in the Courtyard. He will preach from I Thessalonians 4:1–12 and deliver his sermon, titled “First Words, Last Words: On Pleasing God.” Download this week’s bulletin to follow along and read about upcoming events.
Watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook. If you’d like to join by telephone, call 929.205.6099 and enter Meeting ID 188 135 194 when prompted (press # if asked for a personal ID).
Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm
Pastor BJ will lead a live service in the Courtyard as we continue our summer-long theme of “Praying with the Elements.” We will focus on the element of fire and how “it burns in our hearts” in Luke 24. Watch our livestream on YouTube or Facebook.
Pastoral Message | July 2021
Everybody loves a good volunteer. You know the person I’m talking about—that one volunteer who is dependable, quick with a smile or to ask “What do you want me to do?”; the person who makes others’ jobs easier by their competence and good natured skills. Think of all the times you’ve relied on volunteers—people to help with a school project, to coordinate meals for someone in need, friends who help you pull together a surprise birthday party, or good souls willing to sell raffle tickets or staff a table at a neighborhood yard sale. The Rotarians always talk about “service above self,” and that is the motto of a good and faithful volunteer. Read More