What’s Happening at East Liberty Presbyterian Church,
the “Cathedral of Hope”
January 31, 2012

From God’s word comes wisdom to guide us; from the testimony of faithful believers, we receive assurances of resurrection hope and good news to sustain us.

Spotlight

Concert of Spirituals “Ain't a That Good News,” Feb 5

Mark your calendars for February 5 at 4pm for Ain’t-a That Good News, an inspirational program of spirituals in honor of Black History Month. The concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be accepted. The concert will be presented by singers from the ELPC Music Ministry and will feature sacred music of Harry Burleigh, Hall Johnson, and William Dawson.

Worship services, Sunday February 5

With Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

• 8:00 am: Good Samaritan Worship; The Rev. Kathryn Hamilton-Vargo preaching; Pastor, South Side Presbyterian Church.
• 8:45 am: Journey Worship; Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy preaching.
• 11:00 am: Sanctuary Worship; Special Guest: Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan preaching.

Christian Education, Sunday February 5

Complete details on adult Christian Ed classes are on the CE page of our website.

• Contemporaries, “The Church of the Savior: Extra-Ordinary Ministry And A Calling For Us?,” with Rev. Tom Menk. Second floor parlor.

• Journey with Scripture, Isa. 40:21–31; Ps. 147:1–11, 20; I Cor. 9:16–23; Mark 1:29–39. Second floor library.
• Parenting Circle, Sharing joys and concerns. Book discussions resume next week. First floor, Harambe Room.
• Seekers: “Growing Extremism Among Israel's Ultra-Orthodox Jews and Its Impact on Society,” with Rachel Tabachnick. Room 234.
• Soul Food: We continue our text Spiritual Classics: J. B. Phillips: “Three New Testament Serendipities,” pp. 93-98, with Joe Hajdu.
• Clase de Escuela Dominical en Español, con Joaquin Anabe Lopez. Room 217.

Worship and prayer opportunities during the week

• Taizé prayer service: Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm in the Chapel, followed by a time of hospitality. Coming up February 8: Music on the Labyrinth.
• Labyrinth prayer walk on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Centering Prayer: Every Tuesday, 7:00.

News and events

February 2012 Reaching Out

Read the February 2012 “Reaching Out” Newsletter, including a welcome to our new interim Spiritual Director, Ash Wednesday services, celebrations of Black History Month, our new Employment Ministry, upcoming concerts, stories from our members, plus Rev. Bush’s pastoral message: “...The church wisely moves from the Christmas season into Lent. These forty days prior to Easter are times for self-reflection; they are opportunities to ask ‘What do I truly value in this life? What is God’s spirit urging me to do (or stop doing)? Where is hope seeking to be born in my own life?’” Read more

Welcome to Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan, Interim Director of Spiritual Life Ministries and Guest Preacher, February 5

The Spiritual Life and Personnel Committees are pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Mary Lynn Callahan as the Interim Director of Spiritual Life Ministries for ELPC. The Rev. Callahan is an ordained Presbyterian minister member of Pittsburgh Presbytery with over 12 years experience in pastoral ministry. We welcome Rev. Callahan as our guest preacher at the 11:00 service on February 5. Read more

First Sundays, February 5

Join us after the 11:00 service on Sunday for our February “First Sunday” Event: The Road to Happiness, from 12:30–2 pm. Please join Dr. Ann Moliver Ruben as she shares with us how she has found her own road to happiness. Read more

Save the Date, Love and All That Jazz, February 18

Mark your calendars for February 18 at 7:30pm for “Love and All That Jazz,” featuring Blues/R&B singer-songwriter, Kelley Hunt, Hope Academy’s HAT Co band, with special guest Randy Bush sitting in on keys, will open for Kelley Hunt. Read more

More happenings at East Liberty Presbyterian Church

To find out all about what’s going on at ELPC this week, see this week’s announcements.

In our community

Thomas Merton Center’s Celebration, January 31
Join the Thomas Merton Center on Tuesday, January 31, from 7 to 9 pm at ELPC as they celebrate the 97th birthday of Thomas Merton (1915-1968). This will be a kick-off to the Merton Center’s 40th Anniversary Year. Dr. Art McDonald will be the guest speaker on the topic “A Prophet in the Monastery: Why Thomas Merton’s Radical Social Vision still Inspires 40 years later.” Light refreshments follow the speaker. Free will offering appreciated.

East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Food Pantry
The EECM Food Pantry provides food for individuals and families facing hunger in Pittsburgh. February’s “Food of the Month” is Tuna.

East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Men’s Shelter
During the month of February, the Deacons continue to collect men’s hats, gloves, scarves, and underwear (sizes L, XL, and XXL) for EECM’s Men’s Shelter. Donations may be left in the hallway baskets. Thank you for your support!