Blog

This Week in Worship: May 24–30, 2019

Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click on “more” for details about this week’s Church School classes.

Worship Services

Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am

An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Vitality. Pastor Randy will preach from Psalm 19.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am

Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Randy will preach from Job 12:7–10, 13, and his sermon will be titled “Asking for Advice.” This week, we’ll celebrate Environmental Awareness Sunday.

If you’re out of town and/or unable to join us for worship, follow us on Facebook and stream our service.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm

Led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, our hour-long Taizé service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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Environmental Tip from the Justice Committee: Planting Trees Part 1

May is a good time to plant a tree so it can establish its root system before the summer heat begins.

Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2)—a major contributor to global warming. In addition, tree roots capture water and release it slowly, decreasing rain runoff from yards, buildings, sidewalks and streets. Read More

This Week in Worship: May 17–23, 2019

Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click on “more” for details about this week’s Church School classes.

Worship Services

Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am

An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Vitality. Pastor Patrice will preach.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am

Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. As we celebrate our 200th anniversary, Pastor Randy will preach from Revelation 21:1–6, 22:20–21, and his sermon will be titled “ELPC: A People of Hope.”

The Sanctuary walls will ring with the sound of brass and timpani, and echo with the voices of our special Anniversary Choir. Join us for this wonderful time of celebration as ELPC welcomes past staff and friends, and gives thanks to the God who has led us safe thus far and whose grace leads us into the future. The “Hallelujah Chorus” will be sung for the postlude, followed by a reception held in the Social Hall.

If you’re out of town and/or unable to join us for worship, follow us on Facebook and stream our service.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm

Led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, our hour-long Taizé service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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New Labyrinths to be Dedicated

On the evening of September 29, 1996, in the Chapel, East Liberty Presbyterian Church conducted a Service of Dedication for its first labyrinth, led by the Rev. Dr. Robert Chesnut and the Rev. Hydie Houston, followed by an inaugural opportunity to walk the labyrinth. Read More

This Week in Worship: May 10–16, 2019

Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click on “more” for details about this week’s Church School classes.

Worship Services

Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am

An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Vitality. Pastor Heather will preach from Acts 9:36–43.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am

Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Randy will preach from Acts 16:6–10, and his sermon will be titled “Come Over and Help Us.”

This first bicentennial Sunday worship service will focus on our church’s past. We will hear two new pieces commissioned for our ELPC Handbell Choir, and dedicate the two new labyrinths for our Spiritual Life ministry.

Chaplain Dan Leger of Dor Hadash congregation will be our special guest, leading us in a prayer for peace. Also, there will be a special piano postlude of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto performed by Pastor Randy and friends.

If you’re out of town and/or unable to join us for worship, follow us on Facebook and stream our service.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm

Led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, our hour-long Taizé service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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Pastoral Message: May 2019

During the week of April 12–19, 1919, the congregation of East Liberty Presbyterian Church celebrated their centennial. With the help of people like Georgina Negley, granddaughter of ELPC founding members Jacob and Barbara Negley, stories were shared about how the East Liberty of 1819 was largely composed of farms and grazing lands, occasional fruit orchards, and a few homesteads. Jacob Negley is the one credited with ensuring that the main road in East Liberty (formerly Greensburg Turnpike, later Penn Avenue) would be one hundred feet wide to allow for future business development. Jacob also opened his own home to periodic church services as preachers were visiting the area and able to lead worship. There was a strong desire to establish a Presbyterian Church in East Liberty, but the financial crisis of 1819 made it difficult to raise funds. However, a stalwart group of 89 subscribers pledged money toward a new church, and on April 12, 1819, they met in the Negley schoolhouse to deed a parcel of land at the corner of Penn and Highland Avenues as a new home for East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Read More

This Week in Worship: May 3–9, 2019

There will be no worship services or Church School classes this Sunday, May 5, due to the route of the Pittsburgh Marathon. Consider attending another local congregation for worship this week. Or regular schedule will resume next Sunday, May 12.

This Week in Worship: April 23–May 2, 2019

Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click on “more” for details about this week’s Church School classes.

Worship Services

Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 am

An interactive, energetic service for those seeking a fresh encounter with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our theme this month is Awakening. Pastor Randy will preach from John 20:19–29.

Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am

Our largest service, with music from the Chancel Choir and an organ prelude prior to the service. Pastor Randy will preach from Acts 5:27–39, and his sermon will be titled “A Change of Heart.”

If you’re out of town and/or unable to join us for worship, follow us on Facebook and stream our service.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm

Led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, our hour-long Taizé service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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Mission in Action: Tim VanFleet

by Tim VanFleet, ELPC member

A casual conversation in a church office 20 years ago caused me to re-examine my religious commitment—particularly in the area of mission. As a result of what I thought to be a series of random occurrences, I found myself organizing the first of what has now become 33 mobile medical clinics in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Haiti. I was challenged to use my skills as a physician in ways and places I had not previously imagined. Even more surprisingly, more than 150 healthcare providers and committed helpers have joined me over the years. Read More

This Week in Worship: April 19–25, 2019

Here’s what’s happening in worship this week. Click on “more” for details about this week’s Church School classes.

Worship Services

Good Friday | Friday, 12 pm

Pastor Heather will preach from Isaiah 52:13–53:12, and deliver a homily titled “Faith + Suffering.” The service will include hearing again the Seven Last Words spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross.

Good Friday | Friday, 7 pm

Pastor Patrice will preach from John 18:15–18, 25–27, and her sermon will be titled “Faith + Denial.” This tenebrae service will feature Lenten hymns, and readings of both the seven “I Am” statements made by Christ, as well as a compilation of seven “I Am Not” statements made by Christ’s adversaries as recorded in John 18 and 19.

Easter Vigil | Saturday, 7 pm

This historic service begins on the Penn Ave. steps and then moves by procession into the Narthex and Sanctuary, culminating in the celebration of the first Holy Communion of the Easter season. The Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan and the Rev. Dr. Randy Bush will lead this processing vigil.

Easter Sunday Journey Worship | Sunday, 8:45 Am

Our Easter Sunday Journey worship service will be held in the Social Hall, with the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy preaching. Communion will be celebrated.

Easter Sunday Sanctuary Worship | Sunday, 11 am

Our Easter Sunday Sanctuary Worship service will be preceded by special music beginning at 10:45 am. Pastor Randy will preach from Matthew 28:1–10, and his sermon will be titled “A Certain Victory.” Communion will be celebrated.

Taizé Prayer Service | Wednesday, 7 pm

Led by the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, our hour-long Taizé service includes sung prayers; simple, beautiful music; a time of silence; spoken and silent prayers; and an opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. If you’re unable to participate in person, join our live stream on your computer or mobile device.

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