June 23, 2022 | ISSUE #115
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Love. Share. Grow. Serve.
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Dear Bellefield Family,
“Hidden in plain sight” is a phase that we often use to talk about something that is so common that we fail to notice it. We have a limited amount of attention, and so our brains tend to filter out what is unremarkable, and to focus on that which is strange or unique. It is difficult for us to be really aware of everyday things every day.
A lot of these everyday things are also common images in Scripture, and unfortunately that means that we can also read about them in Scripture without really considering their significance. For example, trees and their parts (branches, leaves, roots, etc.) are everywhere in the Bible, from the two trees in the garden of Eden to the tree of life at the end of Revelation. The imagery of a tree functions in so many ways that it would be difficult to summarize even in a doctoral dissertation. But for most Bible readers, we tend to gloss over any mention of trees or roots or branches, not noticing how rich an image that is.
Water in Scripture is another thing that is so common as to be hidden in plain sight. In the beginning of the Bible, the Spirit of God hovers over the waters at the creation, and at the end of the Bible, a stream of living water flows through the heavenly city. Water is chaotic, cleansing, life-giving, and judging. In baptism, we pass through the waters that bury us with Christ, then come out of the waters cleansed and raised with Christ.
Light is another everyday object we ought to pay more attention to. Light begins at creation and is made permanent at the consummation in Revelation 22 (notice a pattern here?). It represents glory, purity, holiness, wisdom, safety, and along with a whole host of other things.
Scripture uses these things not simply because they make good similes and metaphors for deeper truths. It uses them because we encounter them every single day, indeed, almost every moment of every day. What this means is that if we are paying attention, God has built into creation and his Word reminders for us of who he is, what he is like, what he has done, etc. You don’t need to be a theologian or a Biblical scholar to see them either; you just have to pay attention to Scripture and the world around you.
Tuesday was the summer solstice, which means we have more daylight right now than any other time this year. So this seems like a good time to reflect on light in nature and Scripture. Use the experience of more daylight to cause you to reflect on Jesus being the light of the world.
In Christ,
Greg Burdette
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COMMUNITY CARE
In need of help? Looking for ways to get connected?
Connect
If you are looking for ways to connect with our community, please reach out to us using this connect form. One of our staff or leaders would be happy to talk with you.
Small Groups
If you would like to grow in your faith through joining a small group, there are a number of groups to choose from! Email Julie for more information.
Prayer
Our Prayer Team will offer prayer after our morning service. Contact Greg if you need to talk or would like prayer during the week.
Deacons
If you or your family have been experiencing spiritual, financial, or physical hardship during this time, please reach out to our Deacons who are here to help care for you.
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Our neighbors, the Oakland Business Improvement District, ran a unique project this spring. People with connections to Oakland were invited to submit poems to be painted onto the city sidewalks! The project is described as: "Sidewalk poetry embeds the power of art into our everyday spaces” said Cate Irvin, Director of Placemaking & Activation for OBID. “Especially during the pandemic, our sidewalks have become critical spaces for contemplation, fresh air, and socializing. Sidewalk poetry uplifts these important spaces." Check out the map of poetry here, including the one on our sidewalk on 5th.
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Over the past two years, our elders and leadership have made it our practice to promote the local CDC guidelines for mitigation strategies. Here are the current recommendations:
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The CDC COVID-19 Community Level for Allegheny County is currently LOW, and people may choose to wear a mask at any time.
- Those who are sick or may have recent exposure are encouraged to remain at home and participate in our online options when available.
- Please be mindful of your interactions with vulnerable populations.
- We will maintain a fully masked and distanced seated section in the sanctuary for any who choose to sit there.
- If after attending an onsite event you test positive for COVID, we encourage you to let the group leader know so they can inform those who may be impacted.
Thank you for helping us to care for one another!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Sunday, June 26th
Monday, June 27th
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Chatham Summer Bible Study @ 5:30pm, Chatham University. Please contact Jessica Bonzo for details.
Tuesday, June 28th
- Rooted: Young Adult Fellowship @ 6:30pm, contact Greg Burdette for details.
Wednesday, June 29th
- University Summer Bible Study @ 6pm, Conference Room
Thursday, June 30th
- PRISM English Conversation @ 7pm, Conference Room
Saturday, July 2nd
- Families with Young Kids Small Group @ 9:30am, Room 202
Sunday, July 3rd
*To watch our worship service online after Sunday morning, head over to our YouTube page, click Videos and then Past Live Videos. On Monday mornings you can find the recorded live stream on the front page of our YouTube channel.
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Rooted, Young Adult Fellowship
June 28th
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Join other young adults in our large group fellowship at the church on June 28th at 6:30pm!
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Garage Giveaway!
Saturday, August 20, 2022
PRISM's Annual Garage Giveaway is coming! They need both Donations and Volunteers to make this event a success! Will you help out?
They will be collecting gently used donations of small furniture, kitchen wares, small appliances, and other household items the week of August 16-18, and distributing them to new international students on Saturday, August 20. Setup volunteers are needed for August 16-18 and many Extra Hands are needed on Garage Giveaway Day, Saturday August 20.
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Guatemala Missions
Donations Needed
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A Bellefield team is headed to Guatemala in July to work along side the ministry of ASELSI. A new roof is needed for the office building and and a new supply of medicines will be given to ASELSI. Please consider donating so the team can have the supplies needed for this mission trip. Donations can be made to Bellefield with a note, Guatemala mission trip.
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Bellefield Presbyterian Church | 4001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 | 412-687-3222
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