Dear MLEPC family and friends,

Whether you grew up in the church or are just getting involved, you have heard the principle of being kind to your neighbor. Church or un-churched, young or old, whatever background you may have, the idea of "loving your neighbor" is a common principle across humanity. Apparently so is seeking exceptions as to who qualifies as a neighbor. It happened in Luke 10:29 and it continues to occur to this day. It's the "surely you don't mean them," syndrome. It's the "I love my neighbors, but..." disease. That's not what the Lord intended for us.

In 2 Peter 1 it says to grow in brotherly kindness. What greater kindness can we show to a fellow human being than to share the Gospel? To include them in the Good News. And that's what Peter is called to do in Acts 10. Love your neighbor, Peter. Show kindness. Sounds easy enough. Until Peter gets his specific marching orders. And just as I wrote above about our "surely you don't mean them," syndrome and the "I love my neighbors, but..." disease, Peter came down with the "surely not" virus. One of God's chosen people defiling himself by being with an impure Gentile? Surely not! But the Lord says, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

Show kindness. Share your life freely. Love others extravagantly. Not just to do those who look like you, speak like you, believe like you and vote like you. But all people.

Blessings,

Chris Buda
Executive Director
The Pittsburgh Experiment

~ ANNOUNCEMENTS ~

We Welcome Rev. Chris Buda to the pulpit on Sunday, July 19, as Pastor Carolyn will be on vacation through Saturday, July 25.  Please contact the church office (412-531-3387) if you have any pastoral care needs - Pastors Steve and Linda are available! 

Youth Sunday is July 26, when our youth will be participating in the service and we celebrate our stellar class of 14 graduating high school seniors. 

A Family Page is available each week along with the Study Guide for our current Sermon series, "A Call to Excellence". Both can be found here on our website  Sermon/Study Series www.mlepc.org.

Small Groups: Small groups continue to meet on Zoom throughout the week. As we complete the Peter study on August 2, we will begin a five-week study to go along with a sermon series on selected Psalms.  We have groups for Tweeners, Middle School and High School, Young Adults, just women, just men, and coed groups. And the Lamplighters Sunday School class meets weekly as well. If you are interested in becoming part of one of these groups, please contact us at 412-531-3387 or [email protected] .

Weekly Prayer Meeting:  A group of us are gathering on Zoom every Sunday at 7pm to pray together, and we would love to have you join us! Here is the Zoom link for a computer, tablet or mobile phone:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/92561964416 .

You can also call in from a regular phone - dial 1-646-558-8656 and enter the Meeting ID - 925 6196 4416. For more info, contact Pat Gaudio at [email protected].

Please let us know if there is any way we can support you or connect with you during this season. You can email us at [email protected] with any needs, prayer requests, or just updates on how you are doing. And you are always welcome to call us at 412-531-3387.