What’s Happening at East Liberty Presbyterian Church,
the “Cathedral of Hope”
Week of June 1, 2011

God of grace and glory, we thank you that the life of eternity can be ours in the present.

Spotlight

Community Mission Opportunity, Saturday, June 4
ELPC’s Neighbors Committee, part of the Mission Board, is sponsoring a work day in the East Liberty and Garfield neighborhoods and forming family care teams to support our new homeowners. On Saturday, June 4 we will work with our partners Open Hand Ministries and Garfield Community Farm doing various projects including rehab of a house for a family ELPC is sponsoring and preparing for crops that will benefit the community. For details, call Emily Rosenthal, (412) 963-0139 or the Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy, (412) 441-3800 x30.

Worship services, Sunday, June 5

• 8:00 am: Good Samaritan Worship; Rev. David Carver, preaching, First United Presbyterian of Crafton Heights.
• 8:45 am: Journey Worship; Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy preaching.
• 11:00 am: Sanctuary Worship; The Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush preaching: “The Sense of Suffering,” I Peter 5:6-11.

Christian Education classes, Sunday, June 5, 9:45 am

For full descriptions and details on this week’s classes, click to the Christian Education page of our website.

• Contemporaries: “Just War Standards and What Our Denomination (PCUSA) Says About Recent US Wars,” part 1 of 2, with Rev. Don Dutton. Second floor parlor.

• Journey with Scripture: Acts 1:6–14; Ps. 68:1–10, 32–35; I Peter 4:12–14; 5:6–11; John 17:1–11, with Jan Irvin. Second floor library.
• Parenting Circle: Fall planning discussions. First floor, Harambe Room.
• Seekers: “The Egyptian revolution and beyond, and how the Shia and Sunni schism in Islam is playing an important factor in the revolutions in the Middle East,” with Youssef Ragheb. Room 234.
• Soul Food: Discussions continue using Joyce Rupp’s Fresh Bread, June chapter, with Anne Jackson. Second floor, Pastor’s conference room.
• Clase de Escuela Dominical en Español: Nos reunimos cada domingo de 12:30-1:30 en el cuarto No343. Bilingual bibles available.

Worship and prayer opportunities during the week

• Taizé prayer service: Every Wednesday, 7:00 pm in the Chapel. Join us after the June 1 service at 8:15 for “Mission Trip to Sweden” with Richard Kobertz. All are welcome. Childcare available from 6:45 to 8:15 in the Nursery.
• Labyrinth prayer walk: 9:00 am to 1:30 pm on Mondays; 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on Wednesdays. (Check the calendar for details.)
• Centering Prayer: Every Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Newcomers welcome! Room 250.

News and events

June 2011 Reaching Out
Read the June “Reaching Out” including stories written by ELPC members. Read Rev. Bush’s pastoral message: “Important decisions always require sincere, spiritual deliberation. Salesmen and telemarketers have a vested investment in quick decisions; God in Christ has a vested interest in helping us make righteous decisions.” Read more

Support Vacation Church School by donating supplies
VCS is an annual week-long "church school" for children 3½ through 5th grade, offering activities each day from 9 to 3. ELPC offers this program free of charge to families. Can you help? Please consider support this ministry by either volunteering your time, or by donating needed supplies and snacks, listed on the apple tags on the main hallway bulletin board. Return items to ELPC by June 19. Thank you!

Deacons sponsor Young at Heart luncheon, Sunday, June 5, 12:30
Are you a member of ELPC who is 65 and over? Please be our guest for the annual “Young at Heart Luncheon”! We will gather after the 11:00 service on Sunday, June 5 at 12:30 pm in the Social Hall. If you are not a member of ELPC or not over 65, but you would still like to attend the luncheon, the charge is $10/person. Please RSVP (or questions) to Kate Carlson, (412) 44-3800 x16.

Organ recital by Jennifer Gorske: Note corrected date, June 15, 8:15 pm
All are invited as Jennifer Gorske, organ student of The Rev. Dr. J. Richard Szeremany, and member of the Taizé music leadership team, performs in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, June 15 at 8:15 pm. This follows the Taizé prayer service in the Chapel, held each Wednesday at 7 pm.

Shower of Blessings for Lydia’s Place, Saturday, June 11
Presbyterian Women invite you to participate in a “Shower of Blessings” for Lydia’s Place, a non-profit agency that helps female offenders and their children. Join us from 2-4 pm, in the Second Floor Parlor. Read more

Summer schedule begins Sunday, June 19
June 12 will be our last “regular” schedule. Beginning July 19, the Journey and 11:00 Sanctuary worship services will be combined into one 10:00 am service, held in the Sanctuary during the month of June and in the courtyard in July and August. Our fall schedule resumes on Rally Day, September 11. For details, view the calendar.

VCS Volunteers needed
Vacation Church School is coming up at the end of June and we are looking for adults and youth in grades 6-12 to help. You may also help out by donating: Check the bulletin board from May 22 to June 5 for needed items. Thank you! Read more

Volunteers in Ministry (VIM) opportunities
Each week we feature open opportunities where we need your hands. Read more about this week’s volunteer opportunities

In our community

Shelter Walk 2011: A Walk With a Twist, June 4
Join walkers from across the region to help raise money for the Northside Common Ministries’ food pantry and men’s shelter. Walkers raise money through pledges. (Pets welcome!) View the event flyer

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

East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Men’s Shelter
During the month of June, the Deacons continue to collect men’s socks, deodorant, and shampoo for EECM’s Men’s Shelter. Donations may be left in the hallway baskets. Thank you for your support!