Sunday, February 2, 2025
The Presentation of
Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple
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. - Choral Evening Prayer, Rite I
The Calvary Choir sings Evensong
[This service will be Livestreamed]
| |
The deadline for submission of news and notices for the next issue is Friday, February 7, 2025. Please e-mail your text to calvary@calvarypgh.org or deliver it directly to the
church office.
Agape, the newsletter of Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is published monthly (except July), and is mailed to active members and friends of the Parish. You may opt out of receiving a printed copy and read each issue online at www.calvarypgh.org. Contact the Parish office at 412.661.0120 for details.
| |
On Wednesdays beginning February 19 and continuing through April 9, two classes will be offered at Calvary: Journey with Ruth: A Bible Study and the Inquirer and Adult Confirmation Class. Classes will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with a shared dinner beforehand at 6:30.
If you are interested in Bible study, curious about how to read and study the Bible, want to know more about women of the Bible, or have questions about the origin of the Old Testament, then Journey with Ruth: A Bible Study is the class for you! We will study the Book of Ruth, using it as a jumping-off point to examine larger themes and history in the Bible. All levels of biblical knowledge are welcome.
If you are a newcomer or new member curious about Calvary and the Episcopal church, the Inquirer and Adult Confirmation Class is for you. If you want to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church or reaffirm your baptism, the Inquirer and Adult Confirmation Class is for you. We will delve into church history, liturgy, church polity, the Bible and the creeds, and the purpose of the church.
Classes will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with a shared dinner beforehand at 6:30. Please register for the classes for planning purposes. You can register with Kim Pieratt at kpieratt@calvarypgh.org or 412.661.0120 or online.
| |
Calvary Young Adults—Sunday Brunch is back! On the first Sunday of the month, you are invited to join us for brunch following the 11 o'clock service. On February 2, we will meet for brunch at Square Cafe at 12:45 p.m. We will meet at the reception desk at 12:30 p.m. if you want to walk from the church. Reach out to Rev. Bonnie-Marie if you have any questions! | |
We will be selling soup and dry mixes after all services. Proceeds from this sale will benefit Church of the Incarnation. Quarts of frozen soup will cost $10 and pints will sell for $5. Our Bazaar Soup dry mix will sell for $10 and our Lentil, Barley and Pea Mix will cost $5. Cash or check made out to Calvary with “Soup Group” will be accepted. We will not be able to accept credit cards
If you have a favorite soup that you would like to purchase, please let me know. We will try our best to have that soup available for purchase. You may pre-order by emailing me, and contact me with any questions.
Adele Eley, 412.719.9637 or adele.eley@gmail.com
| |
Calling all newcomers—join us Tuesday, February 18, at 7 p.m. for our Newcomers Dessert Night. The Dessert night is a time of fellowship with newcomers, parishioners, and clergy. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect, build relationships, and learn more about Calvary. If this is your first week at Calvary or you've been attending for a while and want to learn more, please know you are welcome. Please RSVP to the Rev. Bonnie-Marie Yager-Wiggan at byagerwiggan@calvarypgh.org. | |
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
| |
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.
| |
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.
| |
Faith Formation Highlights
Last Sunday, the younger Faith Formation students explored The Holy Bible and the Books that Comprise It, deepening their understanding of the Bible as one sacred book made up of many books, all revealing the history of the Kingdom of God.
| |
The lesson began with a discussion about how the Bible is a “love letter” from God, containing His covenant in two great phases: the Old and New Testaments. The children were introduced to the Bible as a collection of various types of writings—history, prophecy, wisdom, and the life of Jesus—through hands-on exploration of a divided Bible cabinet. They sorted and identified miniature model books from the Old and New Testaments, reinforcing that the Gospels are central to the Christian faith as they reveal the life and teachings of Jesus.
The session wrapped up with a fun craft, decorating wooden bookmarks with dried flowers to remind us of the beauty of Scripture. It was a wonderful way to help the children feel more connected to the Bible and excited to explore it at home.
| |
The older students explored The History of the Kingdom of God, a lesson that offered them a "big picture" view of God’s work throughout history. They discussed the vastness and unity of this history, marked by three great moments: Creation, Redemption, and Parousia. |
The highlight of the lesson was a 150-yard-long ribbon, which was carefully unrolled and laid out in the church. It began in the narthex, representing Creation, and stretched all the way to the high altar, symbolizing Parousia, when "God will be all in all." As the students followed the ribbon’s journey, they traced the unfolding of God's plan—from the formation of minerals, plants, and animals to the arrival of human beings, uniquely made in God's image.
| |
They reflected on the gift of Jesus and his role in Redemption, noting that while his Light has already come into the world, the work of bringing God's kingdom to fulfillment continues. At the end of the ribbon, the students saw a white section, representing the future—a blank page yet to be written. They were invited to see themselves as co-authors in God’s ongoing story, contributing in their own unique way to the building of the Kingdom.
The students seemed to thoroughly enjoyed this lesson which helped deepen their understanding of their place in God’s grand design and the significance of each of their lives in bringing God’s kingdom to its fullness.
| |
The Priest and Rabbi class, by popular request, will reflect on the sermon of Bishop Mariann Budde delivered as part of the inauguration ceremonies at the National Cathedral. We will specifically focus on the biblical concepts raised including mercy and justice. If we have time, we will also continue the discussion of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 4. We will explore Ecclesiastes for the next several weeks. All are welcome to the class any week and this one in particular.
The sermon may be seen on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwwaEuDeqM8
| |
Thank you for the Winterwear!
Thank you to everyone who donated coats, mittens, beanies, and blankets for the Trinity Cathedral Walk-In Ministry. Mike Radziwon, the Ministry's director, asked me to share their thanks, too. Every coat Calvary has donated has gone to a client. Calvary has donated about 75 coats and many other winterwear items. Given the need, we will continue to collect coats and winterwear through the end of February 2025. The donation bin can be found in the lobby, across from the reception desk.
| |
We are looking for groups and any individuals to volunteer to organize refreshments for our Coffee Hour each Sunday following the 11 o'clock service. If you are interested in either sponsoring or helping let us know by emailing Kathy Farrington at farringtonk@me.com. | |
The Bookstore’s 20th anniversary celebration is off to a love-ly start with a 20 percent discount on all jewelry during the month of February. Time to treat a special Valentine! We’ll continue the celebration all year with a new discount on a different merchandise category every month.
Have you checked out our wonderful card selection lately? A card would be just the thing to brighten someone’s mood in these dreary winter days.
Big news for e-book readers: E-books are now available on Bookshop.org! If you haven't heard, Bookshop.org is a way to shop for most any book online while supporting the Calvary Bookstore. Just type zip code 15206 in the Bookstore Near Me box, click on Calvary Bookstore, then the red Support the Shop! Order any book and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Bookstore.
The Bookstore is open Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can’t stop by, call the Bookstore at 412 661 0120, ext. 133 (please leave a message) or email bookstore@calvarypgh.org and we will contact you.
| |
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. Upcoming meeting dates are February 4 and 18.
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 | |
What’s coming up in 2025?
2025 is our year of cultivation at Incarnation. We will begin to gather as a group, small but ever-growing, to be formed in community by the presence of God in our midst. These events will also be a way for you to get to know the Episcopal tradition and Incarnation in particular.
Our hope for Incarnation is that it would be a place of welcome and a harbor of spiritual safety for all who are yearning for good news and the deep belonging and abundant life that comes with it. With that in mind, please share this email with anyone who may be interested in taking this journey with us. “Let anyone who is thirsty, come” (Rev 21:6).
Questions? Visit our website or contact the Rev. Deanna Briody at deanna.briody@incarnationbc.org
| |
Ashes, Fish Fries, and Fasting:
What is Lent All About?
Third Friday in Lent / March 21 / Details to be announced
The Church Year is not something that most people think about on the day to day, but against all odds Lent has become a cultural staple. As we share a Lenten meal together (a twist on the classic fish fry), we’ll explore the theological meaning of Lent and the invitation that Jesus holds out to us through traditional Lenten disciplines.
| |
How Did We Get Here?
The Origins of the Church, its Shattered Witness,
and its Role in God’s Plan of Salvation
April-May / Meeting weekly for 6 weeks / Details to be announced
One of the most convincing arguments against Christianity is the Church—its division, its abuses, its lack of coherence across denominations. In this course, we will dive into the Church’s origins, uncover its evolution through the centuries, and explore its current state of disrepair. Our goal? To understand the role of the Church in God’s plan of salvation, that we might answer Isaiah’s call to “seek the Lord where he wills to be found” (Isa 55:6).
| |
Dear Friends,
The entire course will be offered online via an easy to register Zoom link here.
We will meet every Sunday till the end of the Epiphany season on Sunday, March 2. Each gathering should last about an hour.
If you don’t like to pray, or if you need some encouragement to renew your efforts to pray, or if you are already a faithful person of prayer, your participation is welcome. If a participant has to miss a session, it is okay to pick up on the next session and continue the course.
Please join me in this time of learning together as we draw our hearts closer to God and strengthen our ministry partnerships with Jesus and each other.
This gathering is also a wonderful lead up to a diocesan-wide 24-hour online prayer vigil to be held on Ash Wednesday, March 5.
I look forward to studying with you as I meditate over these words from Jesus to his disciples: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
Faithfully,
| |
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 January 31, 2025
Samuel Shoemaker, Priest and Evangelist, 1963;
Marcella of Rome, Monastic and Scholar, 410
Saturday February 1, 2025
Brigid of Kildare, Monastic, c.523
9:30 a.m. Heinz Chapel Choir Retreat
Sunday February 2, 2025
The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple
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. Evensong
Monday February 3, 2025
Anskar, Bishop and Missionary, 865
7:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer
Tuesday February 4, 2025
Cornelius the Centurion; Manche Masemola, Martyr, 1928
10:00 a.m. Garden Club Floral Workshop
11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
6:30 p.m. Student Dinner
7:00 p.m. AA Meeting
7:00 p.m. Spiritual Reflection
7:30 p.m. Architectural History Group
Wednesday February 5, 2025
The Martyrs of Japan, 1597; Agatha of Sicily, Martyr, c. 251
10:00 a.m. ESL Conversation Class
12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
6:00 p.m. Interlude Group
Thursday February 6, 2025
6:30 p.m. Mahjong
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
Friday February 7, 2025
Agape Deadline
Saturday February 8, 2025
Josephine Margaret Bakhita, Monastic, 1947
9:00 a.m. FLMH Meeting
10:00 a.m. Peanut Butter & Jam
11:30 a.m. Peanut Butter & Jam
3:00 p.m. Shelter Dinner Prep
7:30 p.m. Chatham Baroque Concert
Sunday February 9, 2025
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Soup Sale in the Parish Hall after 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
| |
CHILI FEST - Saturday, January 25
Dear friends,
As a representative of Parish Council, I am extending to all who helped with Chili Fest a great big ‘Thank You’ for all that you did to help to make it a successful event. Your time and help was invaluable; we so appreciate all that you did.
If you have any suggestions for improvement of the Chili Fest for next year, please let us know.
Thank you and God’s blessing to you,
Annie Augustine
| |
An archive of the past months weekly email blasts
may be viewed on the Calvary website at
www.calvarypgh.org
| | | | |