Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Church School classes. We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More
Blog
Facing Systemic Racism | From Taskforce to Committee
In 2017, the Mission Board established the Facing Systemic Racism Task Force. For the past four years, volunteers studied, researched, and presented opportunities for congregants to sit at the table and ask hard questions about how we as a country, city, body of believers, and individuals participate in and support racist structures that maintain the status quo of white supremacy, implicit bias, and white privilege. Read More
Pastoral Message | October 2021
In telling the story of Jesus’ life and death, it had to be awkward to acknowledge that Peter, the lead disciple, publicly disowned Christ in a moment of weakness. Or that another of the select followers, Judas, literally plotted and facilitated the arrest and eventual crucifixion of his faith leader. But in actuality, it is precisely the inclusion of these awkward moments involving the doubting, dense, and disastrous acts of the disciples that make the Bible accounts of Jesus so compelling. It is the honesty of the gospels telling about the failings of Jesus’ disciples that encourages us to trust these biblical authors when we read “the rest of the story.” Those who didn’t hide the ugly truth of denial and betrayal can now be seen as reliable witnesses to the amazing truth of resurrection and renewal after Easter. Read More
Worship with Us | Week of October 4, 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. Read More
A Return to In-Person Taizé Prayer Services
On Wednesday, September 8, for the first time in almost 19 months, more than a dozen people entered back into the ELPC Chapel for Taizé, to sing prayers, be quiet and still, light candles, and contemplate God’s divine presence in their lives and the world. It was so exciting to feel the intimacy of sung prayer and God’s presence and see the Chapel returned to its contemplative, welcoming, holy, and ambient space. Read More
Church School Classes | October 4, 2021
Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Church School classes. We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More
World Communion Sunday 2021
Sometimes it feels like the world is coming at us so quickly that we don’t know which way to turn, where to look, what to do next. In a chaotic world, we find strength in knowing that God is always near. That is why we are grateful for a season of coming together as a diverse community, mutually seeking peace, justice, and equity for all of God’s people. This season culminates on World Communion Sunday, October 3, when we receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering. Read More
Worship with Us | Week of September 26, 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. Read More
Just the FAQs: Hope Academy’s Dance Program Dress Code 2021-2022
Hope Academy’s first day of dance classes for 2021-2022 is on Saturday, September 18. This will be a “get to know you” and “get settled” day as students are placed in classes that fit their age / experience levels. We are starting the year with in-person classes for students 12 and up who are vaccinated; and virtual classes for unvaccinated students. As younger students are able to get vaccinated, we will open their classes up to in-person, as well. It is important to be wearing the proper dance clothes and shoes whether you are in-person or not, so please read our guidelines carefully. We are also arranging for a dance clothing and shoe “swap” so that families can return their gently-used items and pick up new sizes.
To find out more about the Dance Clothing and Shoe Swap, register through this online form to let us know what you are donating and what you need. Anyone can donate (and we are grateful for all items that fit our dress code), but we will only be able to provide dance clothing and shoes to our students. Read More
Church School Classes | September 26, 2021
Here’s a list of what’s happening this week in our Church School classes. We offer Christian Education classes for persons of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, on Sundays, 9:45–10:45 am, unless otherwise noted. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More