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Sunday, April 13, 2025
The Sunday of the Passion:
PALM SUNDAY
8 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A said service of Holy Communion
in the Chapel
9 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A service at the Crossing in the Church,
with congregational hymns and organ music
11 a.m. - The Holy Eucharist, Rite II
A service at the High Altar in the Church,
with music for choir, organ, and congregation
[This service will be Livestreamed]
5 p.m. - A Musical Meditation on the Passion of Christ
Scripture, Hymnody, and Music reflecting on
the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus
[This service will be Livestreamed]
| | Calvary Young Adults are gathering at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at Urban Stack. A little before 6 p.m., we will head to Calvary for the Holy Eucharist service at 6 p.m. Urban Stack has a full espresso/coffee bar and mocktail menu. All are welcome! | | |
Help Restock the Shelves at EECM
Calvary has done a wonderful job contributing non-perishable food to the food pantry at the East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) in the last few weeks. Thank you to all who brought in contributions! We have delivered over 1000 pounds of food in the last month. It is great to empty the grocery carts only to see them refilled within the week. We still need your help! Particularly needed items are: rice, dried beans, cereal, tomato sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, and tuna. However, no perishables or glass containers, please. Thank you!
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The Nominating Committee of the Vestry will receive nominations in the Parlor for Vestry and Parish Council members on Sunday, April 13, 2025 after all services.
Laura Marchl, chair, Jean Carr, Kelly Glass, Adam Bailey, and Peter Lewis are the members of the committee. The Rector is an ex officio member. Names may be also be submitted at any time to members of the Nominating Committee, or by email, to the chair, Laura Marchl, at laura.marchl@yahoo.com or the Rector at jjensen@calvarypgh.org. The relevant by-laws regarding the annual meeting and Nominating Committee have been posted on the bulletin board.
The 170th Annual Parish Meeting of
Calvary Church will be held on
Sunday, May 18, 2025
at 10 a.m., in the Parish Hall.
Election of members of the Vestry and Parish Council will take place and reports from the Wardens, Treasurer and others will be given. Please make every effort to attend.
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Open on Sundays from 8:45 AM. to 12:30 PM and for other church events as published. Details at https://www.calvaryfaithformation.org/nursery.html.
Special Nursery Hours for Holy Week
Holy Thursday 7 p.m. Service (open 6:30–8:30 p.m.)
Good Friday Noon Service (open 11:30–1:30 p.m.)
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Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW) at the 11 o'clock service is a special time for children to pray, ask questions, and hear the good news of God’s love. The Sunday scripture readings are proclaimed and explained on a level appropriate to children 4 years and older. Any child in this age group may participate - no registration is necessary.
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Children are invited to gather with adult leaders after the Opening Prayer and process to the Refectory. They return to their families at the time of the Peace. If you are running a little late and miss the beginning of the service, no worries! Drop in and join us in the Refectory.
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Calvary’s Calming Corner is a dedicated space designed to support families every Sunday from 8:45 AM – 12:30 PM and during special events. Whether your child needs a sensory break, a quiet moment, or a comfortable spot for nursing or feeding, this peaceful space is available for you.
Location: Level A (Downstairs, next to the Nursery and Faith Formation classrooms)
No registration or payment required.
Parents and guardians must remain with their children at all times.
We invite you to make use of this space whenever you need a moment of peace and comfort.
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Faith Formation Highlights
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Last Sunday, the younger Faith Formation students reflected on the mystery of life and death in light of the Lenten season and the approaching celebration of Easter. They heard one of Jesus’ shortest but most profound parables from John 12:24: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
The class then observed how a seed must be buried in the earth to grow into something new by gently uncovering soil in small pots to see sprouted seeds, and then marveled at a full wheat stalk. This helped the children understand that though the seed changes form, it continues in a new and greater way—just like Jesus, who gave His life and rose with a new, eternal life. The session concluded with a hands-on seed planting activity. Each child planted seeds for vegetables which will be transplanted into the raised- bed garden in the spring. As Lent continues, the children are learning to recognize signs of hope and new life, preparing their hearts to celebrate Easter—Jesus’ victory over death and the promise of eternal life.
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Community Service Opportunities for Students
Participating in community service can be a requirement for graduation, a prerequisite for scholarships, or an integral part of college applications. At Calvary, students can engage in meaningful activities such as assisting with church events, helping maintain community gardens, or preparing meals for a local shelter. These experiences fulfill requirements and foster a sense of responsibility, enhance personal growth, and strengthen community bonds.
To learn more, contact Vicki Rispoli at vrispoli@calvarypgh.org.
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Parents, caregivers, and other family members who support youth living with a mental health condition experience unique challenges while navigating mental healthcare systems. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed.
In moments that feel particularly difficult, we hope you’ll remember that you’re not alone and that mental illness is no one’s fault. This free, online program – available 24/7 – is designed to empower parents and caregivers of young people (ages 22 and younger) with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to navigate the challenges of youth mental health.
Visit basics.nami.org to enroll for free
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On Sunday, April 13, the Rector will finish the discussion of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Join the class live at 10 a.m. in McClintic Hall. The class is recorded and posted on the Calvary YouTube page. This will be the last class until the fall.
Beginning on Sunday, September 14, Rabbi Aaron Bisno and the Rector will lead a year-long class on the Book of Exodus from Jewish and Christian perspectives. The story of Exodus picks up after that of Genesis when the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob reside in Egypt and later become enslaved by the Pharaoh. It recounts the story of Moses leading them from slavery to freedom, their covenant with God, and their journey to the Promised Land.
Well known stories from Exodus include baby Moses, the burning bush, the plagues, Passover, crossing the Red Sea, giving of the Ten Commandments, the Golden Calf, and
the Tabernacle.
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Special Service Times on
Marathon Sunday, May 4, 2025
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Because the Pittsburgh Marathon route limits access to Calvary on May 4, we will have a celebration of the Holy Eucharist only at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The 5 p.m. service will be Livestreamed. Following the service the Parish Council is hosting the Third Annual Finish Line Party.
| | Online Ordering Ends on Sunday, April 13! | | New Altar Flower Delivery Ministry Volunteers Urgently Needed | | One of Calvary's oldest lay ministries needs to add some new volunteers. We have lost a number of our long-serving volunteers this year due to illness, retirement and relocation; and we need to add to our volunteer cadre ASAP so we can continue delivering altar flowers to our parishioners who need to know of Calvary's care and concern for them. If you would like to be part of this meaningful ministry, please contact Bonnie Weiss at janekeenanweiss@gmail.com or 412.780.5649, or Judie Compher at jmcompher@aol.com or 412.608.3916. Training is provided, and you will teamed with an “old hand” the first time you deliver altar flowers. –Bonnie and Judie, Co-Chairs | | We are calling everyone ages 5 to 105 to join the Acolyte Guild! Acolyte service provides valuable assistance to clergy and the congregation throughout our worship. It also gives you a front row seat to our beautiful building and liturgy. Whether you are new to Calvary or a seasoned acolyte, please consider joining this important ministry. It is a fun way for you or your family to meet new people and learn more about worship. Training opportunities will be arranged at your convenience. Please contact the Rev. Cameron Soulis (csoulis@calvarypgh.org) or the acolyte coordinator, Adam Bailey (atfbailey@gmail.com), with your interest! | | |
We are continuing to schedule hosts for coffee hours after the 11 a.m. service. Your group can sponsor a coffee hour by bringing, plating and arranging small sweet and savory snacks. If you are interested, please sign up with Kathy Farrington at farringtonk@me.com or use the sign in the Parish Hall.
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Just a reminder: The Bookstore will be closed on Easter Sunday. But there’s plenty of time before the holiday to stop in to pick up cards, gifts or reading material. We’ll be open Palm Sunday during our regular morning hours, and also from 4:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the Musical Meditation on the Passion of Christ. The Bookstore will also be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday of Holy Week.
Another reminder: We’re offering a 20 percent discount throughout April on all Bibles, Prayer Books and Hymnals. What a great opportunity for gift-giving, or to refresh your library!
Shopping for books online? We’d be delighted if you did it on bookshop.org. There you can browse the Bookstore’s recommendations for Lenten and Easter reading, or order any book at all and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Bookstore. Before ordering, just type zip code 15206 in the Bookstore Near Me box, click on Calvary Bookstore, then the red Support the Shop!
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Spiritual Reflection –
Lost in Wonder
Adult spiritual formation may be described as the step-by-step discovery of God’s presence in our lives and our personal transformation along the way. Calvary’s Spiritual Reflection meetings continue to be a regular and familiar forum for small group sharing and prayer.
For this term we use “Lost in Wonder: Rediscovering the Spiritual Art of Attentiveness,” by Esther de Waal. A foremost scholar in the Benedictine and Celtic traditions, de Waal has published extensively in both fields. In Lost in Wonder, she uses the everyday circumstances of our lives - the restrictions and frustrations as well as the gifts and opportunities - as our own way to God.
Meetings are held in the Conference Room from 7-8 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday evening of each month. The meetings are hybrid, allowing “in person” conversation while others join remotely using Zoom. The next meeting is on April 15.
Email Matt Muldoon (mattmuldoon@msn.com) or Sondra Krimmel (sskrimmel@gmail.com) for information or to be added to the email list. Please feel welcome to join us at any time.
| | The Contemplative Prayer group meets for silent prayer and reflection, both in person and on Zoom Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Evans Room. For more info and a Zoom invitation, contact Lucy Weingartner at lweingartner20@gmail.com | |
Save the Dates!
How Did We Get Here?
a 6-week series on the Church
Wednesdays, April 30 – June 4
6:30 p.m. at Merchant Coffee Co.
922 Merchant St., Ambridge
One of the strongest arguments against Christianity is the Church: its division, its abuses, its incoherence across denominations. How did we get here?
Beginning April 30th, join us for six Wednesdays to explore the origins, evolution, and current disrepair of the Church. The goal of this series is to address the confusion and despair that so many of us feel about the institution of the Church, and to answer this pressing question: If we desire life with God, where do we go to find it?
Each session will end with Evening Prayer. Childcare will be provided for children over eighteen months. Please get in touch with the Rev. Deanna Briody if you plan to bring children so we can make sure we are adequately prepared..
Questions? Visit our website or contact the Rev. Deanna Briody at deanna.briody@incarnationbc.org
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Watch on YouTube:
KDKA's Mamie Bah tells more about the trailblazer in this Black History Month report.
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Bishop Ketlen's Schedule:
April 13: All Souls, North Versailles
April 20: Trinity Cathedral (Easter)
April 27: Calvary, East Liberty
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Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous; CLASP: Calvary Lincoln After school Program;
CYAM: Calvary Young Adult Ministry; ESL: English as a Second Language;
FLMH: Functional Literacy Ministry of Haiti
Friday April 11, 2025
George Augustus Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand,
and of Lichfield, 1878
Saturday April 12, 2025
9:00 a.m. FLMH Meeting
3:00 p.m. Shelter Dinner Prep
Sunday April 13, 2025
The Sunday of the Passion: PALM SUNDAY
Nominations received in the Parlor following all services
The Holy Eucharist at 8, 9, and 11 a.m.
10:00 a.m. Children/Youth Formation
10:00 a.m. Gospel and Breakfast (GAB)
10:00 a.m. Priest/Rabbi Class
10:00 a.m. Choir Warm-up
11:00 a.m. Children’s Liturgy
12:00 p.m. Coffee Hour
3:30 p.m. Choir Warm-up
5:00 p.m. Musical Meditation on the Passion of Christ
Monday April 14, 2025
Monday in Holy Week
5:30 p.m. Bookstore Board Meeting
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
7:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday April 15, 2025
Tuesday in Holy Week
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
6:30 p.m. Finance Committee
7:00 p.m. AA Meeting
7:00 p.m. Spiritual Reflection
Wednesday April 16, 2025
Wednesday in Holy Week
9:00 a.m. CLEAR Presentation
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
5:00 p.m. CYAM Holy Happy Hour at Urban Tap
6:00 p.m. Interlude Group
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Thursday April 17, 2025
Maundy Thursday
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
6:30 p.m. Mahjong
6:30 p.m. Choir Call
7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Friday April 18, 2025
Good Friday
The Church Offices will close at Noon.
11:00 a.m. Choir Call
11:45 a.m. Nursery open
12:00 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
1:30 p.m. Church open for Meditation until 3 p.m.
6:30 p.m. Choir Call
7:30 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
Saturday April 19, 2025
Holy Saturday
8:30 a.m. Flower Arranging
4:00 p.m. Egg Hunt Preparation
7:00 p.m. Choir Call
8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil with Holy Baptism
Sunday April 20, 2025
The Sunday of the Resurrection: EASTER DAY
The Holy Eucharist at 8, 9, and 11 a.m.
No Christian Formation Classes
10:00 a.m. Choir/Clergy Breakfast
10:15 a.m. Egg Hunt in Swan Garden
Monday April 21, 2025
Monday in Easter Week
Easter Flower Delivery.
The Church offices will be closed.
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An archive of the past months weekly email blasts
may be viewed on the Calvary website at
www.calvarypgh.org
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