Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
                “What a strange, strange world we live in!” might very well have been a thought running through the minds of the early Christians.  Pentecost introduced tremendous joy, power, and courage into the lives of the early church.  Along with those wonderful blessings came the challenge of great change.  How much changed?  Tomorrow morning scripture reading from Acts 8: 26-39 gives us a clue – check it out. 
                After the worship service we will cross the street and hold a service of memory in honor of the men and women who gave their lives in service of this country.  The scouts, some vets, people from the community, and our choir will lead the service. 
See you in the morning!
Pastor Michael
 
PS – adult Sunday School at 9:45 in the  lounge. 

Grace and peace brothers and sisters!
Every one of us has heard those “words of wisdom” that trip easily from the tongue, but hearing the words and doing as they say are two different things! We may smile, nod, and murmur, “I’m sure you are right,” but when we try to put the advice into practice – “Ah, there’s the rub!” Take these words of wisdom for example:
“Be still and know that I am God.”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.”
“If anyone lack wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly and it will be given you.”
Positive, affirming words, yes? Indeed. They are biblical. They have a fine ring to them. But to put the words into action...really? How?
May I share the secret I’ve discovered that makes these hallowed words doable? It takes time. It takes time and practice. It takes time, practice, and stillness. The stillness, the trusting, the wisdom are all there waiting for you. How quaint that advice sounds! Especially in our instant gratification driven world where we can buy or numb our way through many of life’s challenges. Quaint but true.
Listening for God’s word , opening ourselves to God’s presence, and discerning the wise words takes time…practice…stillness.
During these crazy, deeply unsettling times nothing is going to be easy. From the events unfolding day by day in our nation, or discovering the next step for our congregation to take, or learning to live in the bodies that don’t work as well as they used to, and finding the peace of God in the midst of it all? It may not going to be easy, but is still possible. God works best in the dark.
​If there is any advice that I, as your pastor, have for you it is this: Take the time. Practice, every day. Be still. Pray. Meditate. Find that still, quiet center within you that is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is there. Strong, patient, expectantly waiting for you.
“I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken...
my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices.” (Ps. 16:8)
Pastor Michael

Good morning,
                Any fishermen/women out there?  You might be interested in a fishing tip we will find in the verses we read tomorrow morning? Do any of you wonder what the church is good for in this fast-paced, tech savvy, confusing culture?  Let’s go back to the basics and find out. If you want to get a head start on tomorrow’s message…see John 21: 1-19. The sermon will be followed by the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. 
                Let’s meet together, be fed together, pray together, and sing together tomorrow morning at 11:00.  The life of this congregation is deepened and enriched when you, each one of you, is with us.
Grace and peace good people!
Pastor Michael
 
PS.  The adult class will continue to think and discuss how we can go about living the resurrection.  9:45 am in the lounge.

Good morning brothers and sisters – and what a beautiful morning it is!
A reminder, the last few Sunday mornings I have talked briefly about the vital ministry Wilkinsburg Community Ministry.  Mission emphasis: feeding children, supporting families. Please take a moment - maybe right now? – to affirm this ministry and support the work with a donation.  Giving is easy, it must be done on-line.  Support the Critical Needs Alert Giving Event sponsored by the Pittsburgh Foundation, go to:

1. Type www.pittsburghgives.org/wcm into the address bar.  You will be directed to the page for WCM contributions
2. Click on the DONATE box.  You will be directed to the giving page.
3. Type in the amount you wish to give (minimum $25.00) ….respond to the few questions….at bottom of page click – add to cart. 
4. YOU DO NOT NEED TO SIGN UP AS A REGULAR DONOR – scroll to bottom of page and click GUEST DONOR
5. Fill in the information for credit card and billing address.  Go to bottom of page and click on – accept terms.  Click – add to cart 
6. You will be directed to your CART  - you may be asked to click confirm donation – click on it -
7. YOU HAVE GIVEN TO A VITAL MINISTRY.  Thank you. 

That’s it – you are done.  If you have not given on-line before, be patient…and calm…the instructions are straightforward.  If you would like assistance, call or text me at 412-298-3140.
Grace and peace.
Pastor Michael