It’s time to turn the page!

I am grateful to the session and congregation for supporting my trip to an annual event called the Festival of Homiletics (preaching.) The Festival always inspires me and gives me an opportunity to talk informally with pastors of large and small mainline congregations.

​Here is what I learned:

• We are not alone. The reality is mainline churches across the country are becoming smaller. (Note: even many mega-churches are experiencing losses in membership and donations.)
• The mainline church fulfilled meaningful and fruitful ministry for decades all across our nation. But those traditional ways of being and doing are no longer connecting with our communities and the younger generations.
• It is not time to sit back, mourn, cling to traditional ways, wonder what happened or point fingers of blame.

It is time to turn the page! A meaningful chapter in Christian life across the country is coming to an end. The end of a chapter is not the end of the book! If anyone watched the movie and television series, The Everlasting Story, the story
of life – including church life – is always being written. It is time, past time, to begin writing the next chapter.

FPCE has a strategic planning committee (Paul Ohori, Tom Ochs, Jim and Lisa Segedy, Tyler McGuigan, and Pastor Michael) who will help us begin writing that new chapter. We will meet regularly beginning this summer. Your ideas, encouragement, and prayers are most welcome.

Hi all….
God has tried three times. Three times to reveal what God is like – Father, Son, Holy Ghost…Creator, Redeemer, Comforter. Different names…different ways of being. Every time, God trying to tell us what He/She is about and how much He/She wants to be in a relationship with us. Was the third time a charm? What do you think?
I am excited about Sunday morning’s service. Great music. Intriguing verses from the Bible (Romans 5: 1-5 & John 14: 12-21)…See you soon.
Pastor Michael

It is Pentecost Sunday! We will read the story of the sudden, mind-boggling, raucous arrival of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit arrived with power – and a mission. That power and mission is with us. Do we find our life’s purpose in its presence? Let is worship together – this Sunday, 11:00 a.m.
See you soon,
Pastor Michael
 
Adult Sunday School class at 9:45 in the lounge. There is room for you!

Good afternoon.
The Lord has called a beloved brother home. Most of you have not had the opportunity to meet Dick Roller or his devoted, wonderful wife, Myrna. Dick and Myrna were long time members of the Mulberry Presbyterian Church – the church home for Dick since his baptism 91 years ago. Dick suffered from a terrible fall not too long after I came to FPCE. Unfortunately, he complication followed complication and Dick was never able to recover. Dick was called to the place where there will be no more pain, crying, or death on Sunday afternoon, June 2.
The funeral service for Dick will take place at 11:00 a.m. this Thursday at the Rose Funeral Home (10940 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills 15235.) Keep Myrna and her large, tightly-knit family in your prayers.
Grace be with all of you,
Pastor Michael

Good morning brothers and sisters,
This Sunday, June 2, is Youth Sunday
Please join us for this special worship service when we acknowledge and thank our youth. The youth are our future and bring us energy and a new perspective.  This Sunday morning, we will enjoy special music, hear personal statements, and put our youth to work as lector, choir and ushers.  We will also acknowledge our graduates. The future looks bright!
Grace and peace,
Rhonda Apessos, Christian Education team
 
I hope you will join us to be led in worship by the youth FPCE has and continues to nurture in the Christian faith. I will be preaching from the classic and very timely parable found in Luke 10: 25-37.
There will be an adult class in the lounge at 9:45 – read Matthew 14: 22-33.
Pastor Michael

Good morning,
            After 104 very full and active years, our beloved sister, faithful servant, and good friend, Florence Pickels, has died. Early this morning, Florence slipped away from this world into the eternal home God has prepared for her. Due to weakness caused by leukemia, Florence was placed in Shadyside Hospital last week. While in the hospital, doctors discovered that other illnesses had beset her. Yesterday, Florence was transferred into hospice care at Canterbury Place in Lawrenceville where she spent the last hours of her life. When we learn more about arrangements, we will let all of you know.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Let us pray for our sister, Florence, that she may rest from her labors,
and enter into the light of God’s eternal rest. Amen.
May the God of grace and peace be with you,
Pastor Michael

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Hello,
I just spoke with Florence’s daughter, Mary Jasper, about arrangements for Florence. Florence and the family desire that Florence be cremated and there be no viewing of funeral service in the near future. The family is scattered about the country and busy with graduations, etc.
The family is looking forward to planning a Memorial Service for Florence when the timing is better for everyone – they are looking at sometime in June or July.
Florence would want all of you to know that she holds the congregation very close to her heart. She loves you and this church with every fiber of her being. The cards she has received brought her joy.
God bless,
Pastor Michael

Good morning everyone,
            What makes you get out of bed each morning? What do you live for? For me, the answer to those questions has changed through the years. Two answers that have been true throughout my years – purpose and hope. To wake up in the morning without purpose or without hope would be a dark start to the day, indeed.
            Purpose and hope are at the heart of tomorrow’s scripture readings: Acts 11: 1-18 and Revelation 21: 1-6. Those readings, praying, worshiping and the upbeat music of our worship ensemble await you. 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. See you then.
Grace and peace to all,
Pastor Michael
 
There will be an adult class at 9:45 a.m. in the lounge.

​Good afternoon,
            If you ask me, it has turned out to be a lovely day…a bit nippy but that sun is shining.
            I urge you to join us in worship this Sunday and shine some of your light on some other members of our fellowship. This week we will elect, install, and ordain elders and deacons to lead us into the next year of ministry and mission. I look forward to working with them…they look forward to your encouragement.
            It is Baptism of the Lord Sunday, when Jesus is blessed by water, a powerful eccentric prophet, a dove and a strong voice from heaven. We will be reflecting on the beauty and power of a father’s blessing.  
See you in church,
Pastor Michael
 
The adult Sunday School class is starting a new study – “Searching for Happiness.”  A great group of people, a good book, lively, non-judgmental discussion…you will find your spirits lifted. 9:45 a.m. in the lounge.  

Dear brothers and sisters,
            Reverend Hollingsworth’s final prayer request has been answered. It was 18 months ago that we interred the body of his wife, Fran. Both Carol, his daughter and David, his son, tell me that their Dad so longed to join his wife in the place God had prepared for them. God granted that request; at 2:00 a.m. this morning the Reverend Jerry Hollingsworth entered the eternal presence of the Lord he served so faithfully.
There will be an interment for family only at the Homewood Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 18.
A Memorial Service here at the church will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 19.  
The family intends to handle the service for their father as they did for their mother: no visitation, just a low-key Memorial Service without a luncheon reception. The family will greet FPCE members and friends in our sanctuary before and after the Memorial Service. An obituary will appear in the Post-Gazette this Sunday.
 
I will respond to questions the best I can, please contact me. One suggestion, the family is very tired after sitting at Reverend Hollingsworth’s bedside for nearly a week, perhaps we could hold off on phone calls for a few days. I am sure notes, cards, and letters will help lift their spirits.
 
In Christ’s service,
Michael Rucker, Pastor