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. Youth classes are currently meeting after our Sanctuary worship service. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More
News & Events
Blog
Worship with Us | Week of October 11, 2020
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Beginning on Sunday, October 11, ELPC will allow limited in-person attendance at our Sanctuary worship services. Register here.
Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This month’s theme is “Reclaim.” Pastor Randy will preach from Matthew 22:1–10.
Join us on YouTube or Zoom on your computer, mobile device, or tablet. 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).
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Download this week’s bulletin. Pastor Randy will preach from Matthew 22:1–10, and his sermon will be titled “A Troubling Banquet.”
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
The Rev. BJ Woodworth will select an archived service with an impactful message. Tune in at 7 pm, or as your time permits. Stream here
Church School Classes | October 11, 2020
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. Youth classes are currently meeting after our Sanctuary worship service. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More
Mission in Action | SAVE Students Act
On September 18, 2020, State Representative Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming) and 11 bi-partisan co-sponsors introduced HB 2873, the Safety and Violence Education for Students (SAVE Students) Act in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This legislation would require that all Pennsylvania students in grades 6–12 have access to evidence-based programming that teaches them how to reduce social isolation and build inclusive communities, identify the signs and signals of interpersonal violence and suicide, and reach out for help. This bill could save lives and keep students safe across the state—whether school is in-person or virtual.
Although Pennsylvania has made significant strides in addressing youth suicide and related behavioral health and bullying problems, further legislation ensures that evidence-based violence prevention programs will be in place for generations to come.
The Peace Committee requests that you contact your state representative and ask for co-sponsorship of this legislation.
We’re Nearing Stewardship Sunday, November 8
Do you recall times when you held up your index finger and sang, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine,” and can you remember the joy and pride that you felt? If ever there was a time to let our lights shine, it is now. During this season when we as a community are struggling with the effects of COVID-19, have heightened awareness of racial inequities, and are gearing up for a Presidential election, we need God’s light.
2020 Peace & Global Witness Offering
On World Communion Sunday, October 4, we will come together at the Lord’s table and celebrate Christ’s peace that extends throughout all creation. As we receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering that day, we celebrate that we are offered everything we need to continue the work of building the household of God with active peacemakers—locally and globally. By participating in the Peace & Global Witness Offering, we extend Christ’s peace throughout our community and our world. With our siblings in every time and place, we begin at the communion table, and commit to building a more just and peaceful world. We celebrate the truth found in II Thessalonians, “May the God of peace give you peace at all times in all ways.”
Worship with Us | Week of October 4, 2020
Here’s what’s happening this week in worship. As a reminder, our services are currently being held virtually. Beginning on Sunday, October 11, ELPC will allow limited in-person attendance at our Sanctuary worship services. Registration will open on Monday, October 5.
Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am
An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This month’s theme is “Reclaim.” Pastor Patrice will preach from Matthew 21:23–32. We also will celebrate World Communion Sunday and receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering.
Join us on YouTube or Zoom on your computer, mobile device, or tablet. 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).
Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am
Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Download this week’s bulletin. Pastor Randy will preach from Philippians 3:4b–15, and his sermon will be titled “Something Bigger Than Ourselves.” We also will celebrate World Communion Sunday and receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering.
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
The Rev. BJ Woodworth will select an archived service with an impactful message. Tune in at 7 pm, or as your time permits. Stream here
Pastoral Message | October 2020
The month of October is usually associated with cooler weather and falling leaves, but for our church right now, it is definitely a place of increased activity and sprouts of new growth. For us at ELPC, the past months have been challenging on many levels. Having the building closed for so long has forced all our staff to innovate new ways to stay connected with the church congregation and continue our ministries serving the community. Yet despite the rocky soil of this pandemic season, fresh growths are now emerging into the light.
Church School Classes | October 4, 2020
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. Youth classes are currently meeting after our Sanctuary worship service. Read more about our adult classes and children and youth offerings. Read More
It’s Mission Month at ELPC
Being a PC(USA) Matthew 25 Church | “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”—Matthew 25:40
Racism, a social construct, is prejudice and social power that advantages one people over others based on skin color, ethnicity, or ancestral background. Racism is anti-Christian. Structural racism is not about individual prejudice or beliefs and attitudes, but is systemic and results in oppression, as well as unequal and inequitable treatment, access to housing, employment, education, money, and decision-making power. Racism is contrary and opposite to what God intends for humanity.