May 4, 2017
Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:
This week, we welcome Rev. Christopher Mathewson to our pulpit. Chris is the pastor of New City Church, a church plant of the EPC, located on the corner of Forbes and Wood Streets, across from PNC Tower. In a sense, Chris and his wife, Lisa, and family are part of the MLEPC family as daughter Elizabeth is a student at our Kingdom Kids Christian Preschool (and loves it!).
As I looked at their website (www.newcitychurchpgh.org), I saw that New City Church's vision is to be "a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community that worships, learns, and serves for the common good of the city," citing Jeremiah 29:7: "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Their mission is to live out this vision by "equipping the church, the college, and the community to advance God's kingdom in the city," with a reference to Luke 17:21, "nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." As one who spent 30 years going to college and working in "dahntahn" Pittsburgh, I am encouraged by this vision and mission and look forward to hearing more about New City Church and their Kingdom work.
On this fourth Sunday of Easter, I wonder how the joy and energy of the Resurrection is for you? Last week on a day at home, I finally had an opportunity to "redd up" the house from the Easter weekend visit we had from our son from Ohio, his girlfriend and her 7-year old son. I confess to feeling low in spirit as I thought about that busy weekend with our many wonderful worship services and Lenten/Easter programs at MLEPC, in addition to having a house full of people on Florida Avenue. It went by so quickly! It especially hit hard when I put away the youth baseball mitt and ball, thinking of the many spring/summer seasons when Scott and his brother played baseball on the Mt. Lebanon fields, and Paul and I would sit in the stands, cheering them on. Perhaps you, too, feel low in spirit from time to time as a result of life passing by so quickly. My encouragement to you is to remember that there is Life after life because of the Resurrection. Remembering that and drawing back to the gospel was exactly what I needed to do that day through scripture and prayer.
And there is much life at MLEPC in the days, weeks and months to come! We look forward to guest preachers Rev. Mathewson this week and a son of our congregation, Dr. Sam Schreiner, on May 14. Youth Sunday is May 21, and we are working out a preaching schedule for the weeks until we have a transitional pastor in our pulpit, hopefully by July 1. Our TENTH Mission Possible is coming, July 16-23, and you will begin hearing much about that this week in our May Month of Mission. The Adult Ministry Team is planning for the summer Christian education opportunities, which will include the continuation of our Welcome Class along with some small group opportunities.
Come worship with us this Sunday and in the weeks to come and continue to draw close to Jesus through the Resurrection, knowing that life here at MLEPC and Life Eternal are both good things to look forward to! Rev. Mathewson will be preaching on Acts 10, a favorite story of mine. Peter is obedient as a vision sends him to preach the gospel to the house of Cornelius, a God-fearing centurion. Cornelius also had a vision that made him receptive to Peter's words, and the result was that the Holy Spirit poured out upon the Gentiles. As we do church together in this season, after Easter, coming up to Pentecost, may God continue to pour out His Holy Spirit upon MLEPC.
Love, in Christ,
Linda Pokrajac, Director of Congregational Care
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