Thursday, January 15

Pittsburgh Presbytery

Pennsylvania

Open Door attendees Nick Burdette and Lauren Burdette are anointed by Pastor B.J. Woodworth during a time of prayer before a Sunday worship gathering. Photo by Aaron Pavkov.

Three new congregations in Pittsburgh Presbytery are exploring what it means to be missional churches.

Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community began with a few young adults gathered in a tattoo parlor. Soon they began holding worship services in the cafeteria of a Goodwill building. When they outgrew it, they purchased an abandoned bar. In a community where churches are being turned into bars and condos, they are the first to convert a bar into a church. They continue to hold Bible studies and prayer vigils in coffee shops, tattoo parlors, and bars throughout the South Side. As a result they gather a wide variety of families, students, professionals, and homeless people who work together to transform the community for Christ.

The Pittsburgh Project repairs houses for people in a vulnerable community. Mosaic Community Church grew out of the Pittsburgh Project as a congregation dedicated to rebuilding beautiful lives out of broken shards. It is an intentionally interracial and economically diverse congregation.

The Open Door combines traditional icons and liturgy with alternative rock music. Congregation members move into the neighborhood to live in community with one another and with the people they are attempting to reach for Christ. This teaching congregation gathers pastors, leaders, and seminary students to explore what it means to be a faithful and missional church in the twenty-first century.

Pittsburgh Presbytery’s 151 churches, 3 new church developments, and Crestfield Camp and Conference Center serve 40,834 members. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is within its bounds.

Let us join in prayer for
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Dr. Robert Charles Anderson, professional transitional specialist, interim pastor to the presbytery and pastor for large-size churches
Rev. Dr. Douglas Portz, associate pastor for medium-size churches
Rev. Judi Slater, associate pastor for small-size churches
Rev. Jay Lewis, stated clerk
Elder Betty Angelini, executive director of Crestfield Camp and Conference Center
Rev. Karen Battle, director of justice ministries and mission
Elder Sharon Stewart, director of disciplemaking and spiritual growth
Elder Jeff Walley, business administrator
Elder Vera White, director of new church development/stewardship/committee on ministry
Dina Blackwell, coordinator of resource center ministries
Lana Dumrauf, administrative assistant
Suzanne McHenry, administrative assistant
Cindy Miller, administrative assistant
Janice Millner, executive assistant
Evelyn Moulton, receptionist
Dorothy Winter, financial secretary
Sydney Winter, administrative assistant

Presbyterian Media Mission
Elder Gregg Hartung, executive director
Elder Tina Hartung, office manager

PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Amgad Beblawi, GAC

Prayer
Holy One, give us the grace and the courage to reach out into our neighborhoods with the love, justice, and mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Lectionary
Ps. 97, 147:12–20 Ps. 16, 62
Isa. 41:17–29
Eph. 2:11–22; Mark 2:1–12