E-letter from Pastor Carolyn Poteet

September 16, 2021

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”
 – John 1:29

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In worship on Sunday, Ashley Gardner and Pastor Linda introduced you to a new discipleship/devotional opportunity called RightNow Media. You will be getting an email from RightNow soon, inviting you to establish an account and your own unique password. RightNow materials can be used for small group studies, self-study, and devotions. Two studies were piloted this summer in the adult class held after worship, and members of our session and staff have established accounts and are excited about using RightNow for adults, youth, children, and personal study. Please watch for an email from RightNow, and as with any new email contact, it may go into your Spam or Junk file. We’re looking forward to the many hundreds of studies that will come our way through RightNow! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Linda or AMT elder, Kevin Hambelton.

This Sunday we'll be looking at the Gospel of John, and all the names for Jesus. Did you have a nickname growing up? Sometimes those can come from people teasing you, and other times they can come from people who love you. My uncle (the one from Pittsburgh) loved to call me “Gwendolyn” when I was growing up, probably because he knew it bugged me. But then when my nieces came along, he started calling them Gwendolyn. And how did I react? “Hey, that’s my name!” 

Names can have power, power to build up or tear down. Names can connect us with the past or proclaim hope for the future. As we continue in the first chapter of John this week, we see many different names for Jesus. People are trying to figure out who he is and how he fits into the story. As we talked about last week, John loves sevens, so of course there are seven names for Jesus in this section: 1) the Lamb of God, 2) the Messiah, 3) Rabbi, 4) Jesus of Nazareth, 5) Son of God, 6) King of Israel, and 7) Son of Man. 

These names tie Jesus to the past and giving promise to the future. As the Lamb of God, we see the promise that he will be like the lambs sacrificed in the temple to cleanse sin, like the Passover lamb whose blood saved the people from death, and like the ram in the thicket that God provided Abraham as a substitute for Isaac. As the Nazarene, which means new branch, he fulfills the prophecy that he would come be the new branch from the stump of Jesse. In the line of Jesse’s son, King David, he would be the eternal King of Israel. As a rabbi, he would come to teach the people in the ways of the Lord. As the Son of God and Son of Man, he would fulfill the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. The Bible Project sums up these seven names by saying, “The fully human Jesus from Nazareth is the Messianic King and Teacher of Israel and the Son of God who will die for the sins of the world.” 

This Sunday, we welcome a guest preacher, Rev. Chris Eatough, who is a family ministry pastor at a large EPC church in California. He will be looking at the encounters Jesus has in this chapter with John the Baptist and several early disciples as they begin to comprehend who Jesus is and what his names mean for the future of Israel and the world. As we grow closer to Jesus, we too can point others to him and say, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”

As you prepare your hearts for worship this week, read through John 1:19-51 and imagine the encounters Jesus has with these followers. Which names mean the most to you? If you had a chance to meet Jesus, who would you like to bring along with you? 

Don’t forget, this Saturday, September 18, we will be gathering at church to pray from 10am-Noon. If you are not able to join us in person, click here for the New Beginnings Prayer Guide we will be using. We hope to see you there!

Blessings,
Pastor Carolyn 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES ~ All are Welcome. If you are visiting today, please join us!

LAMPLIGHTERS CLASS
Please join us for an Adult Sunday School class at 11:15 a.m. in the City View Room. (On the 3rd Floor, next to the Education Wing Elevators.) 

WOMEN’S STUDY GROUPS
The Women’s Ministry will meet in the Parlor this morning at 11:15 a.m. (The Parlor is located just outside the right front doors of the Sanctuary.) The group is beginning an 8 week study on prayer, based on the book “Praying Women” by Sheila Walsh. The book and workbook are available for $20. There are also groups meeting on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings for the study. Contact Allyson McDermott with any questions, or to sign up by phone: 412-906-5061.

MEN’S SMALL GROUP
The Men’s Small Group meets in the Library (located on the first floor, off the MacDonald Room), at 11:15 a.m. They are following the Sermon/Study series of the “Gospel of John”.

COUPLES AND OTHERS GROUP
This Small Group has been meeting via Zoom for the summer at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings, following the Sermon/Study series curriculum. Please contact Kevin Hambelton: (kevin.hambelton@yahoo.com) to learn more and join the group.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S CLASSES 
Meeting after worship, at 11:15 a.m.
• The Youth meet in “The Well”, located in the basement of the education wing.
• Children Pre-K - 2nd grade meet in Room 101 in the education wing.
• Children in 3rd - 5th grade meet in in Room 102 of the education wing.

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GUEST PREACHER
We Welcome Rev. Chris Eatough to the Pulpit this morning as our guest preacher. Chris is visiting Pittsburgh from Fair Oaks California, where he is an ordained EPC Pastor.

SERMON SERIES / SMALL GROUP
This week we continue the Sermon/Study series based on the Gospel of John, a 26 week study with a comprehensive account of Jesus’ ministry. Copies of the Bible study book are available in the Drive-thru Lobby for a suggested donation of $9. If you are interested in becoming part of a small group, please be in touch with Pastor Linda at lpokrajac@mlepc.org. 

MEALS WITH JESUS: FAMILY PICNIC DINNERS AND SMALL GROUPS
Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:30 PM 
Join us in Fellowship Hall for Meals with Jesus, a journey through Luke's gospel, for the whole family. A pizza dinner will be provided. If you'd like to help or want more information, please go to the website or email Ashley Gardner at agardner@mlepc.org.

YOUTH SERVICE PROJECT
Saturday, September 25
The Youth Ministry is looking for volunteers for a yard work service project in Carnegie. They plan to start at 10:00 a.m., and all youth and their families are welcome to attend. To sign up or get more information please email Karin Smith at karinpgh@aol.com.

MEN’S GOLF OUTING
Saturday, September 25
Guys, get your golf clubs out for the Men’s Golf Outing at the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Golf Course. Start time is 9:00 a.m., with a Continental Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and a Lunch held afterward. The cost of $30 for members and $15 for non-members includes 9 holes of golf with a cart, breakfast, lunch and skill prizes. Register by signing up in the church lobby, or by contacting Paul Pokrajac (prpok@verizon.net / 412-953-2252) or Kevin Hambleton (Kevin.Hambleton@yahoo.com / 412-973-6979).

LOCAL HOME REPAIR MISSION PROJECT
Date Changed! Now Saturday, October 23
Due to some scheduling conflicts, the date for this ministry project has been moved back a month, for the God's Helping Hands ministry to provide much needed home repairs to a family in the Carrick area. Don, a Vietnam Veteran has been in a hospital bed in the living room for many years and his wife Sandy provides most of his care along with help from other family members. Their daughter and two elementary age children live in the house as well. The house needs a variety of repairs and improvements and no matter what your skill level please pray about helping shine God's love to this family. To sign up or if you have any questions, please contact Andy Hromoko at andrew.hromoko@gmail.com or 412-980-9463.

REVEILLE MEN’S BREAKFAST
Saturday, October 9
Adam’s Quest men’s ministry is hosting Reveille on Saturday, October 9 from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come and enjoy a delicious breakfast, uplifting music and an inspiring message from Pittsburgh Steelers Chaplain Kent Chevalier. There is no charge to attend; a free-will offering will be taken. Register online at adamsquest.org, or by calling Bob Jamison at 412-561-2124.

SUNDAY HOUR OF PRAYER
A group of us gather on Zoom every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. to pray together, and we would love to have you join us! Please use this link: https://bit.ly/mlepcprayerhour for a computer, tablet, or smart phone. You can also call in from a regular phone – dial 1-646-558-8656 and enter the Meeting ID: 925 6196 4416 and the password: 798565. For more information, contact Pat Gaudio at t4two98@hotmail.com.

 WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
As always, 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 info@mlepc.org, 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.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS
The Sanctuary flowers this morning are given to the glory of God by Jack and Vera Park in loving memory of Mary Louise Oberlin.

SAVE THE DATE
October 30 - Trunk or Treat!
(We’ll have information for you soon about how you can get involved.)
Please Join Us! ~ In Person or Online
On Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for our Worship Service
Links to Join Us Online: Facebook Page or YouTube Channel