The Season of Easter 2023

We are tempted to think of the season of Lent as building up to one day, Easter Sunday. Indeed, it is good we celebrate that after three days our Lord and Savior was resurrected. Our joy on this day is difficult to contain! But Easter is not a single day, it is a season that begins with Resurrection Day (Easter Sunday) and extends until the Holy Spirit fills the disciples at Pentecost. Included in this season is the Ascension of the Lord, forty days after the resurrection. During the period between the resurrection and the ascension, our Lord appears to the disciples and many others affirming His resurrection so that we may believe in Him. When Jesus appeared with the disciples the second time after His resurrection, it was clear that He wanted all of them to believe, so He invited Thomas to touch His wounds. We do not have the same opportunity that Thomas had, but the writer of the fourth Gospel told us the stories of the signs that Jesus did in the presence of the disciples so that we too may believe and have life in Jesus’ name. May it be so with you!

This past week Session has taken action to approve a long-term Facility Use agreement to host A One-Room Schoolhouse for the 2023-2024 school year. A One-Room Schoolhouse is a homeschool support organization that offers in person instruction for homeschooling children ages K-12 in the greater Pittsburgh area. Students learn with professional teachers and peers up to three days per week. Parents provide instruction on the other days. The program would begin the week before Labor Day and conclude the last week of May in 2024.

The Session also approved a motion brought by Buildings and Grounds to repair the Fellowship Hall entrance. The cement pad will be improved, and the ramp will be extended from the cement pad all the way to the sidewalk that borders the parking lot. This will make the entrance easier and safer to use for persons with disabilities and improve the support for the entry roof pillars.

The Session also approved relocating the Children’s library to the primary library on the main floor of the church. Space will be made in the primary library for the children’s books by moving some of the reference books to the empty shelves in the pastor’s study and a review of the remaining books in both libraries.

You will notice a change in the communion liturgy beginning in May. We will go back to using a spoken invitation to communion and the sung responses in the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving will be replaced with spoken responses.

Just as Spring brings welcome changes to the out of doors, we are making changes here at The Presbyterian Church of Plum Creek. May everyone enjoy God’s gift of a beautiful Spring!

To God be the Glory!

Pastor Frank Hancock

Email: pastor@plumcreekpc.com

Office: (412) 793-4525

Cell Phone: (412) 860-3719 – Please feel free to leave a message.