January 2012 Reaching
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Editor’s Note This month’s theme is Hope for the New Year. Look for articles written by members of our faith community, identified by this symbol. newsletter of east liberty presbyterian church January 2012 Sunday Morning Services * Celebration of the Lord’s Supper Winter Rally Day Good Samaritan Worship • 8 am On Sun., Jan. 8, we resume our regular worship and Liturgists: Clark and Bill Johnson Church School schedule. We begin the New Year with a special intergenerational Church School hour Jan. 1 Rev. John Welch, Dean of together, from 9:45–10:45 am, in the Social Hall. Students, Pittsburgh In this season of new beginnings, it is fitting that Theological Seminary we explore new beginnings in our Lectionary Texts Jan. 8* Jay Poliziani, ELPC Deacon for this Sunday—God’s creation of the universe and and Director, North Side Jesus’ baptism in Mark’s Gospel (Gen. 1:1–5 and Mark 1:4–11). Join us Common Ministries for an exploration of these texts through discussion, movement, prayer, Jan. 15 Will Scott, Student, Pittsburgh drama, worship, crafts, music and more! Learners of all ages are invited Theological Seminary to learn God’s Word by attending any of the various activity stations as an Jan. 22 Ray Anthony, ELPC Deacon opportunity to deepen our understanding of our scripture as a community of Jan. 29 Southminster Youth faith. Several activity stations will be a part of our 11 am Worship Service. Sr. High Youth Club There will be a light breakfast served as well. The Christian Education Journey Worship • 8:45 am Committee will provide juice and fruit for the morning, and the Jan. 1 No service congregation is asked to bring breakfast breads to share. Jan. 8* Rev. Dr. Randy Bush Jan. 15 Darren Belajac, seminary intern Jan. 22 Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy Communion on Sun., Jan. 8 Jan. 29 Rev. Heather Schoenewolf With New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday, the decision was made to have Sanctuary Worship • 11 am communion celebrated on the second Sunday of the month, Jan. 8. This Jan. 1 Rev. Heather Schoenewolf allows communion to coincide with the church year, special days of Jan. 8* Rev. Dr. Randy Bush Epiphany and the Baptism of Christ. Remembering not only the birth and Jan. 15 Rev. Dr. Randy Bush revelation of God in Christ as well as the beginning of his earthly ministry Jan. 22 Rev. Heather Schoenewolf when he was baptized by John the Baptist, it is fitting for the church to Jan. 29 Rev. Dr. Randy Bush tell those stories while we gather around the Lord’s Table and celebrate communion. Join us for this special day! Labyrinth Prayer Walk Mondays • 9 am–1:30 pm Wednesdays • 9 am–9 pm “For the upcoming New Year, it is my wish that our congregation Taizé Prayer Service continues to do the good work of furthering God’s Kingdom on earth. Wednesdays • 7 pm Particularly, with our emphasis of being an intentionally inclusive Rev. Christiane Dutton church, it is my hope that we can be a model for Christian love in the Note: Our service on Wed., Jan. 4, greater Pittsburgh community. Through our many acts of service to God and will be a celebration of Epiphany. to one another, it is my hope that ELPC can live out our faith together as a Please join our procession as we follow church family. I hope to get to know more of the people at ELPC, and grow the Three Kings / Wise Men on their together as we listen for God’s call in how we can continue to be a beacon of journey to Bethlehem. light in the East End. I am grateful to be able to serve such an amazing church. Praise God!” – Erica McIlroy, PTS Seminary Intern East Liberty Presbyterian Church • 116 South Highland Avenue • Pittsburgh, PA 15206 • www.CathedralOfHope.org East Liberty Presbyterian Church Pastoral Message The Cathedral of Hope The Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush, Pastor 116 South Highland Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 A visitor to the United States wrote the following words: “In America I saw the freest and most enlightened [people] Tel: 412.441.3800 placed in the happiest circumstances that the world affords; Fax: 412.441.4422 yet it seemed to me as if a cloud habitually hung upon their brow, and I thought them serious and almost sad, even in their www.CathedralOfHope.org pleasures…It is strange to see with what feverish ardor the Americans pursue their own welfare, and to watch the vague Staff Leadership dread that constantly torments them lest they should not have The Rev. Dr. Randall K. Bush chosen the shortest path which may lead to it.” It is a fascinating Pastor critique of contemporary culture—the cloud hanging over us even in our times of pleasure, and the vague dread that we have not chosen the shortest, easiest The Rev. Heather Schoenewolf path to our personal goals of happiness. It is an astute comment on life today, and Associate Pastor for Educational Ministries even more intriguing in that it was written 170 years ago by Alexis de Tocqueville Linda Addlespurger (Democracy in America, vol. 2; 1840). Director of Hope Academy The first month of the year is traditionally a time for self-reflection and goal- Jane Anabe and Darren Belajac setting. (Also, because the weather is generally cold and miserable, there’s not Seminary Interns much to distract us outdoors!) One feature of contemporary life is that the “rest- less temper” noted by de Tocqueville long ago is still alive and active in life today. The Rev. Brian Diebold We have a tendency to move from place to place, from city to city, sometimes Coordinator, Youth Ministry from church to church. The recent period of high unemployment has made us less prone to “job hopping”; however, that has not fully stopped the restless impulses The Rev. Christiane Dutton in our lifestyle and shopping habits. We buy; we discard; we buy again—cars, Minister of Taizé Prayer television sets, clothes, furniture, iPhones, Droids, you name it. We exist in what Wil Forrest some have called a “market turnover culture,” searching for new things (new Coordinator, iSERVE and products, new relationships, new locations) as if that will bring us true happiness. Young Adult Ministry Sometimes the healthiest spiritual path to follow is not to move anywhere or do The Rev. Patrice L. Fowler-Searcy anything. After the initial burst of evangelistic fervor spread the gospel out from Director of Mission Ministries Jerusalem into the bustling towns and cities of the known world, a few centuries later the inclination was to found monasteries as quiet places of prayer and study Pamela M. Kimmel for people of faith. From the fifth century into the middle ages, monks, nuns, and Business Administrator people of faith regularly stopped what they were doing to offer prayer at specific Paul Martin times of the day. This was to help remind themselves that God’s time takes pre- Facilities Manager cedence over human time, and seeking to follow Christ takes precedence over following the relentless demands of this world. Committing to be in a community Katie Mohr (monastery, church, a marriage or relationship or family) involves a faithful de- Educational Ministries Assistant termination to stick around—to “be still and know that God is God” (Ps. 46)—to quiet the restlessness within us that we might find peace in the living, sustaining Dr. Edward Alan Moore embrace of the Lord. Music Director and Organist If we begin there, then the next step is usually easier. After spending time in The Rev. Dr. Robert Chesnut silence, in prayer, in quieting the roar of the maddening crowds, we are able to Pastor Emeritus discern where God is leading us. Our ELPC church leaders are actively seeking to The Rev. Dr. J. Richard Szeremany do this as we consider ministry directions and options for the coming year. May Music Director Emeritus you also walk this same path as you set your own goals and make decisions for the year unfolding before you. Reaching Out Newsletter Reaching Out is a monthly publication of East Liberty Presbyterian Church and is free to members and friends. Deadlines are the first Thursday of the preceding month. page 2 Reaching Out • January 2012 Session News “Working in a specialized internship with the Latino population, it During the season of Advent, the has been a privilege to get to know not only the Latino community in Session strives not to hold a regular Pittsburgh, but you all—the members of ELPC—as well. I have enjoyed meeting and encourages committees seeing the “inner workings” of the church, to honor this “sabbatical rest.” and look forward to continuing that in the new year. My greatest desire for ELPC in During December, the elders did 2012, though, is that we continue to be gather to receive new members and aware of the people in our midst, learn friends, and work continued on the more specifically about Latinos and the 2012 budget. context from which they come, and be open to where God might be calling us as The next monthly Session meeting will a church to reach out to this population in be held on Tues., Jan. 17. Pittsburgh. It is my prayer that, as we all continue to grow in our own faith, the God whom we praise will use the many gifts in this church to further serve the Kingdom of Jane and Joaquin Anabe with their son, Isaac. Bereavement God.” – Jane Anabe, PTS Seminary Intern Fellowship Team A Bereavement Fellowship Team has been formed to offer comfort and support to all the families and friends Stewardship 2012 of our congregation, with an informal Being the Redeemed People of God time of refreshment and consolation Thank you to all who have responded to the Stewardship stories, following funeral or memorial services.