I am so excited that it is open-window weather! I love listening to the fountain from the Prayer Garden while working. It is so peaceful and reminds me of the beauty of each season. There is something so comforting about returning to familiar routines. This September, as always, we will get back our programming here at GPC. The choirs will return during worship, Sunday school will be back, and our regular pattern of worship will return.

On the first week of the month, we will begin our September sermon series which is titled: No Fair! This three-week series discusses issues we often face as we go about our lives. As followers of Jesus, we are called to model the selfless love that Jesus exemplifies, even when people seem to not deserve it. We’ll begin the series on Sunday, September 6 by learning how to fight like a Christian. No need to bring your boxing gloves to worship! We’ll be reading Matthew 18:15-20 to explore how we can settle conflicts. We will also celebrate communion this Sunday, which is a perfect way to remember that we are all part of God’s beloved family.

Sunday, September 13 will be Rally Day. Over the past few years, we’ve explored different ways of celebrating Rally Day. This year we are taking a different approach. We will be rallying towards how we can work together with other congregations and the denomination to make a greater impact on our community. I’m excited to share that the Rev. Jessica McClure Archer, the General Minister for Pittsburgh Presbytery, will be joining us to preach on this special Sunday. It will also be the first Sunday back for our choir. I am looking forward to a wonderful day of worship.

On Sunday, September 20, we will return to our September sermon series by exploring Matthew 20:1-16. This passage challenges us to think about what we deserve. There are times when we feel like we don’t get what we ought, and there are also times when we see others receive things that perhaps they didn’t earn. Jesus addresses these instances with a parable to help us work through these unfair situations.

Monday, September 21 will be our September Prayers with the Pastor. I’ve truly enjoyed our monthly prayer evenings and am so grateful to the folks who have been attending. If you’ve never stopped by, please consider doing so!

Finally, on Sunday, September 27, we will conclude our series by turning to Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32. In this passage we will explore God’s desire that we live our lives fully and not as punished people. There are times when we are the hardest on ourselves (and that is not fair), God wants more for us than we can ever imagine.  

I am excited to return to our regular program year and look forward to seeing you all in Sunday school and worship. May we all be blessed this month.

Pastor Emily

The Deacons are going to be representing GPC in the community by participating in the Shaler Community Yard Sale on Saturday, September 12 from 8:00 AM to noon at Kiwanis Park.

Instead of selling rummage items, we will be selling baked goods, with all proceeds going toward our ongoing mission work.

How can you help? Please bring your baked goods to the downstairs church kitchen by 3:00 PM on Thursday, September 10 so that we can package them in “Grab and Go” bags on Friday for the next day’s event.

Also, please come to Kiwanis Park on the day of the event, stop and say hello, and buy a goodie to eat right away or bring home.

Thank you in advance for your support!

In recent months, and through consultation with Pastor Emily and Session, the Mission and Outreach (M&O) Committee has been exploring a new approach to building stronger connections with the residents of surrounding neighborhoods.  

The congregation was recently surveyed about how they identify and perceive the culture and principles of GPC.  Supporting each other and reaching out to the less fortunate was identified as the central legacy theme.

Spurred by a generous gift from the Raynor family, and by the motivation to carry on the caring legacy of GPC, M&O will be implementing a community engagement and strengthening initiative modeled on the recent successful initiatives in Etna, Millvale, and Sharpsburg. 

In the coming months, a deliberate process will be initiated to educate GPC members about the initiative, asking for input about how to utilize GPC’s resources while staying true to Christian teaching and the legacy culture of GPC.  We will be relying upon the leadership of this congregation and volunteer efforts will be presented to our members.  But to be clear, the success of this initiative will depend on the participation, and in some cases the leadership, of community members.  The most critical contributions of GPC will be our foundation of benevolence, physical infrastructure of the church campus and the financial foundation created by the Raynor family’s contribution. 

In the weeks ahead, we will be scheduling a congregational educational and brainstorming meeting. Let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions in the meantime.