HOLY WEEK

Holy Week begins one week from today with Palm Sunday of the Passion. We gather on the lawn in front of the church to hear of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, then join in a festive procession into the sanctuary where the focus shifts to the drama of the Passion.

There are other worship opportunities throughout the week, which we look forward to celebrating with our 3-19 family. 

In celebration of the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday, The Deacons invite you to play a role in the beautification of the sanctuary with spring flowers.

Updated order forms will be available on Sunday in the bulletin or print the updated order form below.

Easter Cross

All are invited to join the deacons in decorating the cross in front of the church before or after the Easter Sunday service. Come with your own flowers, real or artificial, or if you forget, there will be extras on hand. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

The One Great Hour of Sharing special offering is collected each year at Easter time. We usually collect it on Palm Sunday, which is March 24th this year, but donations are welcome any time in March. Money distributed through One Great Hour of Sharing is split almost evenly between its 3 missions:

Presbyterian Hunger Program works to alleviate local, national, and worldwide hunger.

Self-Development of People advances partnerships with people who are oppressed by poverty or social systems.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance provides disaster response and refugee ministries.

Please consider giving to One Great Hour of Sharing, using either the designated pledge envelope or a pew envelope marked for OGHS. The lives of many in great need can be significantly impacted by your contributions. Thank You!

Clef Notes

By: Stephen Schall, Music Director

March 14, 2024

Sunday is the Fifth in Lent and the last true Lenten Sunday, as next week we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion. Sunday’s gospel points us to that great sacrifice. The anthem the choir sings, Greater Love Hath No Man by English composer, John Ireland (1879-1962), is the model of perfection. It is a marvelous combination of Bible texts, which emphasize the sacrificial love of Christians, wedded to gloriously expressive music, ranging from triumphant to hushed. It has full choral sections and simple solo sections, and a challenging and colorful organ accompaniment along with sumptuous unaccompanied moments. May it be a blessing as we continue our journey to the cross.

Incidentally, Ireland is also the composer of the wonderful tune, LOVE UNKNOWN, which we will sing next Sunday to the hymn “My Song Is Love Unknown.” More on that next week.

Hymn of the Month - Lent

During Lent we will highlight two hymns. During the early weeks we will sing the ancient text, Kind Maker of the Word. This is a seventh-century Latin hymn, Audi benigne Conditor,”  that is attributed to Gregory the Great (c. 540-604). It has been used for centuries during Lent at the daily services prayed in monasteries. Gregory was a nobleman who became a Benedictine monk, and later, pope. He contributed greatly to the universal church, but among musicians he is famous for founding or reestablishing the Roman singing school. Gregorian Chant is named for him.

Hiland Book Discussion 

Hiland Presbyterian Church is hosting a book discussion of The Color of Life: A Journey toward Love and Racial Justice by Cara Meredith over a simple lunch of soup and bread

Date: Saturday March 16, 2024

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 

Location: Hiland Presbyterian Church

845 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229

The event is free of charge.

RSVP by March 8th to Carolyn at gibbses5@verizon.net 

or Barb in the church office at 412-364-9000.

Website: https://hilandchurch.org/

A New Thing I’m Up To:

From January to March, I will be taking an online course with the goal of receiving an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising. This program, offered through an organization called the Lake Institute, will give me tools and resources to better equip myself and the church to do some outreach-focused fundraising. 

Update as of March 14:

The class gatherings are now over and done with. Up next is to finish my final project. Thank you all for the opportunity. 😁

AMOS nights are our way of creating an atmosphere of fellowship and hospitality for families and all members of our church. We will be sharing a meal together and then breaking off for a time of learning. AMOS nights will take place once a month at 6pm.



Mark your calendars for the upcoming AMOS nights:

April 24

May 22

Mark your calendars for the following events.

Youth Gatherings:

April 10 at Northmont at 6 (Movie Night)

May 8 at North Park at 6

Confirmation Gathers:

2/25, 3/24, 4/21, 5/19

Any questions? Contact Ben