Join neighbors and friends for our annual Chili Cook-off to be held at 6pm on Wednesday, March 4 in the Social Room. Enjoy a smorgasbord of chili recipes, salad, bread, and desserts. Vote for your favorite chili and see who wins the crown!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PRESBYTERIAN? This 4-week Lenten series explores our views on the Bible, faith, and discipleship. Connect with Pastor Jason to participate in this journey into our tradition.

"Re-Wilding Our Faith" – Join us on Ash Wednesday (Feb 18, 7 PM) as we begin the Lenten journey of letting the Wild God lead, seeking transformation in the wilderness.

FPCE is building Blessing Bags on Feb 15th following worship. We will share these with Operation Safety Net. Please check the Amazon Wish List or bring items (travel hygiene, snacks, socks, water) to the church office.

The Annual Congregational Meeting takes place Sunday, Feb 15, immediately following worship. Committee reports will be received and the final budget approved by Session will be reviewed.

Our scheduled SOUPer Bowl community meal has been canceled. We look forward to gathering with neighbors again soon.

Due to extreme weather patterns, some worship services have moved to Zoom. Please check your email for the link. Our community ministries continue to serve those in need.

Join us at 8:00PM in the Sanctuary for our annual Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight worship service. Theme: "Good News is Louder Than Fear."

Join us at 8:00PM in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, December 24 for our annual Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight worship service. Continuing with our Advent them "What do you fear?" from A Sanctified Art, the theme of the evening is "Good News is Louder Than Fear." The Christmas season can be filled with saccharine images of Mary, meek and mild, with a quiet, sleepy Jesus in her arms. But the host of angels shouts to the skies, “Glory to God in the highest!” What would it look like for us to proclaim the good news loudly, with overflowing joy? In a world that weaponizes fear, where algorithms decide what gets weight, what gets circulated, and what takes up space, let us be disruptive with our joy. Let us be loud and unruly, amplifying the good news like the shepherds running into the streets of Bethlehem. In a world where good news never feels loud enough to drown out fear, let us shout with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!”

Nothing beats A VC Holiday! Join Vocal Confluence for its annual holiday show, "A VC Holiday - A Cappella Sounds of the Season." Featuring our all-voice barbershop chorus as well as many talented small groups, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. Shows are Saturday, December 13 at 7:30PM and Sunday, December 14 at 3:00PM in the FPCE Sanctuary. In the spirit of the holiday season, we will once again be offering the Pay What You Can ticketing model. Donations are greatly appreciated at the door, but no advanced tickets will be sold. Seating will be first-come, first-served. Don't forget to follow us on all social media platforms for all updates on this incredible holiday tradition!

The Edgewood Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday concert will take place here at First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood on Saturday night, December 6 at 7:30PM. Always a favorite among residents, magical surprises await you in this joyful concert featuring the ESO debut of soprano Chantal Braziel. And, of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from dear old Santa! More information and a link to tickets for this concert, and all of this season’s concerts, are at www.edgewoodsymphony.org.

Be the “change” you want to see this holiday season! When you are making your list and checking it twice this holiday season, be sure to pick up some of the following items to donate during our holiday diaper drive which will benefit the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank: disposable diapers of all sizes, gently used cloth diapers, baby wipes, baby lotion, and baby shampoo. More details to come, but for info on how you can help, contact Patricia at 724-689-8130. Deadline: December 28.

Join us Wednesday, December 3rd at 6pm for a warm and wonderful evening of fellowship and festive cheer at Soup & Songs with Saint Nick! Savor a comforting variety of delicious soups, including vegetarian and vegan options. We'll lift our voices together to sing beloved Christmas carols and share in the inspiring story of Saint Nicholas. We will also be accepting donations of non-perishable goods to support the food ministries of FPCE. This is a perfect event for the whole family to kick off the holiday season!

Join in a special celebration to honor our beloved pianist, Sunny Sakai! On Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1:00PM in the Sanctuary, Sunny will perform a farewell concert, followed by reception in the Gathering Place. All are welcome. Please invite friends and past community members to share in this special tribute. Note that Sunny's last service as pianist at FPCE will be Christmas Eve. To make the worship even more special, daughter and violinist Inori will join as well.

VETERANS DAY COMMUNITY OBSERVANCE – The Edgewood Veterans will be holding a Veterans Day ceremony in Edgewood Memorial Park on Sunday, November 9. The ceremony will begin at 1:00PM, followed by a luncheon in the church Social Room. All are encouraged to participate in honoring our veterans.

FREE PASTA DINNER, Wednesday, November 5, 6:00PM…All are invited to a free Community Dinner hosted by our Deacons in the Social Room. As we enter fall, we will enjoy a comforting classic: spaghetti with meatballs. Desserts are needed to share. Everyone is welcome to join; please bring your family, friends, and neighbors.

NOV. 4 POLLING SITE & BAKE SALE…FPCE will serve as a voting location again this year. Voting will take place in the Gathering Place. The Mission Committee is also planning to run a bake sale from 8AM-5PM. Donations of baked goods will be accepted days before and day of. Proceeds benefit the Mission of FPCE. Questions: contact Marcia Haley or Rhonda Apessos.

NOV. 2 - ALL SAINTS SUNDAY All Saints’ Day was established as an opportunity to honor all the saints, remembered and forgotten, known and unknown. It has been celebrated on or around November 1 since the ninth century. In the Reformed tradition, the emphasis of this festival is on the ongoing sanctification of the whole people of God. While we may give thanks for the lives of particular luminaries of ages past, we also give glory to God for the ordinary, holy lives of believers in this and every age. At FPCE, we give thanks for members of the community of faith who have died in the past year and pray that we may be counted among the company of the faithful in God’s eternal realm. Please email the church office.

Church Accompanist (Pianist/Organist)
First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood
120 E Swissvale Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15218
www.fpcedgewood.org

Responsibilities:

• Prepare prelude, postlude, hymns and any other musical selections for regular Sunday worship service (11:00am) and additional special services as requested (e.g., Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, etc)
• Accompanies the choir as advised by the Minister of Music (9:30am rehearsal on Sunday)
• Plays for weddings and funerals, as requested, being permitted to receive additional compensation from the parties involved.
• Maintains an accurate account of piano needs and maintenance and notifies the Minister of Music.

Qualifications:

• Formal education in piano/organ is preferred. Experience may be substituted.
• Experience accompanying choral groups and soloists and performing with other instrumentalists preferred.
• Ability to collaborate and work with a wide variety of people with varying degrees of musical talent and knowledge.

Benefits

• Pay - $150 / service
• Expected Hours - 3 hours / week plus personal rehearsal time

Interested individuals should send their resume and video of performance to the selection committee. FPCE is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Pittsburgh East CROP Hunger Walk
Sunday, October 12
The Pittsburgh East community will celebrate its 48th year of walking to end hunger one step at a time. The oldest walk in the country, is sponsored by Church World Service (www.churchworldservice.org). 25% of what we raise is returned as grants to East End Cooperative Ministries and Wilkinsburg Community Ministry. FPCE will participate in this event with walkers from our congregation. If anyone else would like to join our small group of walkers, let the Church Office know. There are multiple length walks ranging from 1 to 4 miles around Waverly Church, Frick Park, etc. You can participate by either walking or sponsoring FPCE walkers by going to Pittsburgh East CROP Hunger Walk, scroll down to bottom of page, type in First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood to contribute online and support our effort to reduce hunger in our area!

Honoring our veterans at Edgewood Memorial Park. Dedication of the new monument displaying the Korea and Vietnam plaques. Luncheon followed in the Social Room.

A full schedule of services, from the Palm Sunday puppet show to Maundy Thursday Tenebrae, leading to the Easter Sunday Celebration.

New schedule: Thursdays from 9AM–12PM at 61B on S. Braddock Ave. Stop by to share ideas, talk theology, or just catch up.

Recognizing the efforts of Scout Troop/Pack 23 and their leaders, honoring the long-standing partnership between FPCE and the Boy Scouts of America. Sunday, January 28.

Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 21. Reviewing Annual Reports, 2024 budget, and electing Session/Deacon nominees.

Wednesday, January 17 at 7PM in the Gathering Place. Open to all Edgewood neighbors to coordinate calendars and community organizing.

Dual services: 11:00AM Family Worship (puppet show) and 8:00PM Candlelight & Communion. Dec 31: Lessons & Carols at 11:00 AM.

Sanctuary Choir presents "How Do You Welcome a King?" by Mike Harland and J. Daniel Smith during the 11:00 AM service.

Advent study on "The First Advent in Palestine." Thursday night gatherings at 6:30 PM with structured study, crafts, and prayer.

Wednesday, December 6: Soup, breads, and a visit with Saint Nicholas for kids. Open to the community.

Dec 9 (7:30 PM) and Dec 10 (3 PM). Barbershop harmony, holiday classics, and quartets. Donations accepted.

Edgewood Symphony Orchestra holiday program with soloist Kelly Lynch on Dec 2 at 7:30 PM.

November 27: Annual tradition of decorating the sanctuary, hallways, and lounge for Advent. All welcome to help.

October 5: Side lawn service. Individual blessings, pet treats, and hot dogs for the humans.

Return to Sanctuary worship at 11:00 AM on September 11. Sanctuary Choir rehearsals resume at 9:30 AM.

Launching our Alternative Gift Market and annual Manger Tree collection for MHY Family Services. Return gift provisions by Dec 5.

Moving to outdoor side lawn services at 11:00 AM beginning June 6. Bring your own chairs/blankets. Social distancing protocols remain in effect.

Hybrid Easter approaches: limited sanctuary seating for 11 AM services, combined with virtual Maundy Thursday communion broadcasts.

Moving all operations to digital platforms. Join us at 11:00 AM on Facebook Live. Support networks and check-in calls remain fully active.

October 7: Spaced, outdoor pet blessing service on the side lawn. Masks required, leashes mandatory.

First steps back: Outdoor summer lawn worship begins June 21 at 10:30 AM. Strict spacing guidelines apply.

The building is closed, but the Church is open. Remote services for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter Sunday streaming online.

Sanctuary Choir presents a special Christmas cantata during the 11:00 AM service on December 15.

Fall kickoff September 8. Sanctuary choir returns, followed by a fried chicken potluck luncheon.

A choral presentation on December 16 featuring orchestral dynamics and traditional carols.