November 25, 2021 | ISSUE #86 |
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Love. Share. Grow. Serve. |
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Dear Bellefield Family,
The famous Norman Rockwell painting of a holiday gathering, “Freedom from Want”, is a painting that is so iconic it has been borrowed by nearly every niche of popular culture. People inserting the Muppets, Disney characters, and Marvel superheroes into the painting speaks both to the breadth and staying power of it. Rockwell once said, “I paint life as I would like it to be”, and “Freedom from Want” is certainly evocative of an ideal: family and friends gathered around a simple yet bountiful meal, laughing and enjoying one another’s company. That ideal may be far from reality, but it is still a powerful image, evoking a similar feeling as a Hallmark Christmas special.
Why is such a simple image so powerful? “Freedom from Want” taps into a desire that we have that goes beyond food; it is the desire for shalom. Shalom is not simply the absence of conflict, but is everything rightly ordered and at peace. In the gospels, Jesus (the Prince of Peace) comes to declare the beginning of his Kingdom, and one of the main images he uses to describe his Kingdom is a joyful feast. His feast, his shalom, is what we as Christians have to look forward to. It is also what we as Christians show to the world as Jesus’ ambassadors. How do we do that at Thanksgiving?
We show shalom to those around us. We forgive and seek forgiveness. We offer ourselves to others, just as Jesus did for us (one very practical way to do this: give a gift for children affected by homelessness. There are still 15 slots available!). We are thankful for sweet times together, but recognize they are simply foretastes of heaven. We may be disappointed by difficult times, but remember that though pain lasts for the night, the joy of morning is coming.
Whatever our Thanksgiving gatherings look like this year, we know we have a heavenly Father who is preparing a feast whose peace “Freedom from Want” can only capture a hint of. So let’s be thankful in all circumstances, giving praise to God (Hebrews 12:28).
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Greg Burdette, Director of Adult Discipleship
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COMMUNITY CARE
In need of help? Looking for ways to get connected? Here's how:
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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Given the still significant number of COVID-19 cases in our region, our leadership is asking that everyone please wear a mask during indoor worship services and group gatherings in the church. More details are on our website.
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Sunday, November 28th
Monday, November 29th
- Women's Bible Study @ 9:30am, Conference Room
Wednesday, December 1st
- PRISM International Women's Bible Study @ 10:00am, Conference Room
- Women's Bible Study @ 7:30pm, Zoom
- Cornerstone: Pitt University Ministry Gathering @ 8:40pm, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, December 2nd
Sunday, December 5th - Communion Sunday
- Sunday Classes @ 9:15am
- Adult Class, James @ 9:15am, Zoom/Conference Room
- Adult Class, Hard Scriptures @ 9:15am, Fellowship Hall
- Worship Onsite @ 10:30am, Sanctuary
- Worship Online, Livestream @ 10:30am
- Worship Onsite @ 5pm, Fellowship Hall
*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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This week you should have received a pledge card and letter in the mail from us, kicking off our Stewardship Campaign. Our 2022 Campaign will run through December 15th. There will be opportunities to hand in your pledge card during worship services on December 5th and 12th. We ask that you prayerfully consider making a pledge to the Operating Fund so that Bellefield can more effectively plan for the upcoming ministry year.
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Caring for Refugees:
A Presentation
December 11 @ 1:30pm
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Join us in the Conference room where Kim McCarthy will do a presentation on Pakastani Refugees. This presentation will focus on who refugees are and how we as Christians can care for and live with them.
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Women's Ministry Christmas Ornament Exchange
December 11 @2pm
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Women's Ministry invites all women, college aged and older, to our ornament exchange! Bring a wrapped ornament to the party. Ornaments can be purchased, homemade, or from your personal ornament collection.
When: Saturday, December 11th from 2-4 PM
Where: The Teufel's Office Building, 1575 McFarland Rd., 15216 (directly off Banksville Rd. in Mt Lebanon)
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Light of Life Giving Tree
Now through December 12
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This holiday season, please consider providing a Christmas present for a child in the Light of Life Rescue Mission's Women and Children Program.
If you have questions, please contact Tanya Carter at [email protected], or 412-508-2249.
Thank you for brightening a child's life this Christmas.
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Christmas Pageant
December 18th @3pm
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Join us in celebrating Christmas with a pageant staged by the Children & Youth! All are invited to hear the timeless story once again and participate with some carol singing.
More details and RSVP in Realm!
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Bellefield Presbyterian Church | 4001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 | 412-687-3222 |
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