News highlight

Randy Bush Sermon Series
One of the most vexing topics for the church today is that of human sexuality. Too often, a few scripture verses are taken out of context and used as weapons to harm and diminish the church as the Body of Christ. Believing that it is important to speak faithfully on this subject, Rev. Bush will present a two-week Sunday sermon series: July 19, S-E-X and Being God's Child; July 26, S-E-X and Being God's Family. Re-examining some difficult passages from I Corinthians 6 and Romans 1, this sermon series seeks to present a fuller exposition of the God-given gifts reflected in our human sexuality and loving relationships.

Sunday services and classes

July 19 Services

• 8:00 am: Good Samaritan Worship; Carolyn Russ preaching; member, ELPC.
• 10:00 am: Sanctuary Worship; the Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush preaching.
• 6:00 pm: Holy Ground Service; the Rev. James Davidson preaching.

July 19 Christian Education

• Contemporaries: "Everywhere That We Can Be: The Holy Spirit and Religious Diversity," from Multitude of Blessings, led by Joe Kennedy and Mary Alice Lightle. Join us in the Parlor (second floor) for a six week summer session around Dr. Cynthia M. Campbell's book, A Multitude of Blessings.
• Journey with Scripture, Parenting Circle, Seekers: Classes will resume on Rally Day, September 13.

Youth and Young Adults

• Young Adult Ministries Summer Sunday School Series: Spiritual Gifts. What counts as a spiritual gift? How do we discern what gifts we have? Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the second floor Pastor's Conference Room as we take up these questions and more.

Additional worship and prayer opportunities during the week

• Taizé prayer service: Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm in the chapel. Childcare available from 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm. July 15 service followed by tour of the church, led by Marti Moore. (Closed toe / closed-back shoes needed.)
• Labyrinth Prayer Walk: Mondays, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, and Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm.
• Centering Prayer: Tuesdays, 7:00 pm, room 250.

ELPC News

Summer mini-retreat, Sunday July 19, 7:30 am - 9:50 am.
Retreat ... Receive ... Come Away Refreshed
Join us for a special 2-hour mini-retreat here at the church. This retreat is open to everyone. Find the quiet inner space where God reaches out to you. Be present, and hear the Christ spirit that lives in you and strengthens you. We'll have opening prayers, prayers and meditation, and personal time where you can choose to walk the labyrinth, journal, or do a creative response. Childcare (and breakfast for the children) is provided. RSVP to Norma Meyer by Thursday, July 16. (412) 441-3800 x11. Limited to 20 participants. Sponsored by Adult Education.

This comfy chair is for you
Our summer worship schedule continues, and we're holding the 10:00 service outside in the courtyard during the months of July and August. The Session is aware, however, that some are not comfortable sitting outside, and that the courtyard is not fully accessible. To accommodate these needs, we're projecting on the screen in the third floor Music Room, which is near the elevator. Hope to see you!

Summer music concert, Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 pm
Join us for a free summer concert by spiritual and talented Marsha Stevens and Justin Ryan. They will perform individually and together, and share songs of faith from a range of musical styles. ELPC's Journey Praise Team will also perform a few of their favorite songs. Stay for light refreshments.

Hope Academy Fall Term Registration Open
Hope Academy's fall 2009 term begins on September 19! Course brochure, registration form and scholarship applications are available online. Print them out and mail them in. The deadline for scholarship applications is August 15, 2009. Preference is given to previously enrolled Hope Academy students who are in good standing. Auditions are required for our new Hope Academy Theater Company - HAT Co (see Hope Academy page for more information). We continue to offer Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dance classes (Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet and Ballet 1), Musical Theater, Shakespeare, Voices of Hope Vocal and Drumming Ensembles, private music instruction for piano, composition, violin, viola, cello, classical and electric guitar, bass, clarinet, flute, organ, percussion and voice.

Presbytery Night with the Pirates, July 31, 7:05 pm
Come see the Pirates take on the Washington Nationals. A portion of the ticket sales support the mission of Pittsburgh Presbytery. Tickets must be purchased from the Pirates box office by Fri., July 24. Remember to mention Pittsburgh Presbytery Night with the Pirates. See you at the ballpark!

Youth Ministries Local Summer Mission Trip: Break the Illusion
ELPC youth will serve right here at home for our annual Mission Trip, from Wednesday July 15 at 7 pm to 10 am on Sunday, July 19, joined by youth from Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Green Tree. The youth will serve with Open Hand Ministries, rehabbing homes in Pittsburgh's East End, spend time with local Social Service Ministries, and more.

ELPC in the Community

East End Cooperative Ministries Food Pantry
During the summer, families of children who qualify for school breakfast and lunch programs face the additional cost of providing these meals on limited budgets. The Poverty Committee and the EECM ask that we focus our summer offerings on items that can help the pantry provide lunch for children, such as: juice boxes, graham crackers, applesauce, raisins or other dried fruit. Thank you.