NEXT YOUTH GROUP EVENT: CHEER BASKET PREP ON DECEMBER 16! Youth group members, please join us at 6:30 PM on Friday, December 16 for our final youth group event of the year to prepare Cheer Baskets for our homebound members! Dinner will be provided. Please also consider signing up in the Parish House to deliver a few Cheer Baskets with your family–your help would be greatly appreciated! RSVP below for planning purposes!
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Adult Small Groups 2022-23
Adults are invited to participate in a small group and we will begin with a study of Ephesians, with a Lutheran resource that is new for us. Small groups have usually met twice each month at a mutually convenient time and each group’s members choose whether to meet in person or by Zoom. To express interest and be matched with a group that fits your availability and preferred format, sign up using the form, below:
Archived Requiem Mass for The Rev. Dr. Philip Pfatteicher
Pastor Halle’s Archived Ordination Liturgy
For those who were unable to view Vicar Halle’s ordination live, the archived footage is now available on McFarland Lutheran’s YouTube channel. Click the image above to be directed to the video, and click below to download a copy of the bulletin!
HLK Ordination Liturgy – Online Version
Archived Funeral Liturgy for Bill Luft
First Church laid to rest parishioner Bill Luft on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 2:00 PM. For those who were unable to make it, the service was livestreamed, and has now been archived on our YouTube channel. Use the link below to download a copy of the bulletin, and click on the thumbnail access the video footage.
Rest eternal grant him, O Lord – and let light perpetual shine upon him.
3.14.2021-WILLIAM LUFT REQUIEM BULLETIN
Allegheny County Emergency Resources
For those in need of emergency resources, the PDF document below details many that are available in the communities in Allegheny County.
Vital News from Pastor Evans Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Beloved of God,
Yesterday I announced some temporary but drastic changes affecting the life of our parish during this pandemic. Today we must go a step farther. It is now clear that it necessary for the greater good that we practice social distancing immediately. This comes at the urging of many of our own members who are doctors and medical experts, as well as with the general consensus of our leadership. Therefore, after the celebration of the Eucharist today at noon, our building will close for all public gatherings and worship. Except for staff presence, the building will remain closed at least through the end of March. Bob Beer’s visitation and funeral is postponed and will be announced at a later date.
This does not mean that the Church’s work is paused. On the contrary, our ministry must intensify. Our staff and leadership will be coordinating resources for worshipping and tending to our faith from home. We will also be organizing multiple ways in which we will be helping the elderly, the sick, and all those in need. Meetings will go on by internet as announced. Worship will be offered virtually as well. Your prayers, as well as your time, talents, and treasure are needed more than ever.
It is the instinct of the Christ’s flock to keep close together in body as well as in spirit. How good it is to be in the house of the Lord! But sometimes, every once in a great while, the danger is such that the flock must disperse in body for the good of the whole herd. Yet because we live not to ourselves but in Christ, we are never truly apart in spirit.
We have been rehearsing for a moment such as this throughout our whole lives as baptized children of God. Today, we are called to act with one mind and one heart toward the greater good. This must be our generation’s finest hour. Be not afraid. The Lord has prepared us already for this moment. In the words of St. Paul:
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
With you in Christ,
The Rev. Brian A. Evans
Senior Pastor
Assisted Listening Devices NOW AVAILABLE!
First Church is pleased to announce the installation of our new sound system! Many of you probably noticed the improved clarity of the audio this past Sunday. We are also pleased to announce that we are now able to offer assisted listening devices to our members and guests who are hearing impaired. We have easy-to-use receivers that may be used with our headphones or neckloops (we have antiseptic wipes to clean them before use, if desired), or you may bring your own headphones. Hearing aid users who have telecoil-equipped hearing aids can take advantage of our new induction loop by simply switching their device to its T-Coil setting. A feed from the audio system will automatically be picked up by their hearing aid with no additional equipment required!
A happy side-effect of our new sound system is the ability to generate broadcast-quality recordings of our services that you may listen to at will from our website or by visiting our Soundcloud page. Feel free to share these recordings with your familes and friends!
REVERENCE MY SANCTUARY- Capital Campaign
On January 31, 2016, the congregation of First Lutheran Church began the important work of preserving our nearly 130-year-old church building through the five-year, $1.5 million capital campaign, Reverence My Sanctuary. Together in love, we embark on this journey to tend to the physical needs of our sanctuary.
Our 180-year history as a congregation reflects a welcoming community of faith that proclaims the Good News of Jesus in word and deed. We look forward to the preservation of this holy house, and the creation of new and innovative spaces within it, that will enable us to expand our ministry to the city for many years to come.
Please take a few minutes to review our plans and consider how you can help. And check back often for project updates.
Click here to watch video and learn more about our Capital Campaign
May God give us glad and generous hearts that we may pledge to this work the gifts he has given to each of us.
Check out our progress below:
