June 9, 2020
Dear Friends,
Thank you for being a part of the mission and ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville. We appreciate your patience as we have adapted to new ways of engaging our congregation and community in the service of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for movement of the Holy Spirit during this difficult time and pray that you and your family have remained safe and healthy throughout the past several months.
Our Session has been carefully monitoring the situation regarding the COVID-19 and the return to in-person worship and other activities. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has announced that Westmoreland County moved to the “Green Phase” effective June 5, 2020, and we are pleased to share our plans to return to in-person worship services on Sunday, June 14, 2020. In consideration of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please exercise the following recommendations for safe and healthy worshipping:
8:30 a.m. in Laird Hall
- Be free of illness and illness-related symptoms
- People are encouraged to use face masks while indoors in the entrance ways, and once seated, to use them at their discretion. Masks will be available if needed.
- Self-select your seat, while maintaining social distancing, with not more than two individuals per table, or one complete family unit.
- You are welcome to bring your own bible to worship and Sunday School (bibles and hymnals will not be available). Tablecloths will not be on the tables.
- Preparation and distribution of food and beverages will be discontinued at this time.
- Offering baskets will not be passed but will be available at a designated location. (You are also welcome to continue to mail your offering to the church, or utilize the Online Giving on our Church website.)
- Bulletins will be provided for pickup only at a designated location.
- We will refrain from handholding and passing of the peace at this time.
- Limited music will be offered, with extensive social distancing.
- The restroom will be open on the main floor only. We ask that only one person be in the restroom at any time. (Downstairs restrooms are available for emergencies only.)
- All exterior doors will always be open during worship to maximize air circulation. Windows may be opened, and ceiling and floor fans may be used, weather permitting.
- Childcare is not available currently.
- Communion will not be shared at this time.
- Socializing/greetings before and following worship may be held outside with social distancing being observed.
11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
- Be free of illness and illness-related symptoms.
- Face masks will be available, if desired. People are encouraged to use them while indoors in the entrance ways, and once seated, to use them at their discretion.
- There will not be ushers. Please self-select your seat, while maintaining social distancing, with not more than two individuals per pew, or one complete family unit. Please maintain one empty pew row between worshipers, when possible.
- You are welcome to bring your own bible to worship and Sunday School (bibles, hymnals, and pew cards will not be available).
- Offering plates will not be passed but will be available at a designated location. (You are also welcome to continue to mail your offering to the church, or utilize the Online Giving option on our Church website.)
- Bulletins will be provided for pickup only at a designated location.
- We will refrain from physical contact and passing of the peace at this time.
- The restroom will be open on the main floor only. We ask that only one person be in the restroom at any time. (Downstairs restrooms are available for emergencies only.)
- All exterior doors will always be open during worship to maximize air circulation.
- Childcare is not available currently.
- Communion will not be shared at this time.
- Socializing/greetings before and following worship may be held outside with social distancing being observed.
Online Worship
We will also be offering online worship via YouTube for those who are unable to attend on Sunday mornings. If you are uncomfortable with returning to in-person worship, at this time due to health concerns or anxiety, we fully understand. Please join us for worship virtually as we continue to develop this ministry. We do not livestream, but we will provide edited content. To ensure quality production, online worship will be available the Monday following live worship.
We trust that you share our excitement as we prepare to gather in the presence of the God in this sacred and holy space. We are grateful that we have continued to “be the church” in our homes and with our families and give thanks for those who have worked diligently to insure that the Body of Christ has remained united by the Spirit. But we rejoice in the renewed opportunity to raise our voices in unity and harmony, bearing public witness to the glory of the Lord who binds us together in love. Now, more than ever, we are called to boldly proclaim the Joy of the Lord as one body and one people.
I look forward to being with you June 14 and look forward to the exciting future that the Lord has in store for the First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville.
Blessings,
Rev. Ed
UPDATE!
Sunday Morning Worship
Beginning Sunday, June 14, 2020 we are returning to in-person worship at our regular service times (8:30 a.m. in Laird Hall and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary). Praise be to God!
In recognition and support of those who are not yet comfortable attending in-person worship, we will continue to offer online worship on our website and YouTube.
Murrysville Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels has continued to operate throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
We are committed to meeting the needs of our area Seniors, therefore we are dedicated to continuing Meals on Wheels. We are working together with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to meet whatever standards are necessary to clean and disinfect our facility and provide for proper meal preparation and service. However, many of our current volunteers are in a high-risk category to contract the Coronavirus, and are not able to serve at this time. We need more volunteers to operate this ministry. Please contact us through Church email (firstpresbymurrysville@gmail.com), telephone (724-327-0728), Facebook, or this website if you can help.
External Groups and Partnerships
Outside groups and activities that take place in Church facilities are beginning to return and are following the Church guidelines for safety as outlined by the CDC. These partnerships include Alcoholics Anonymous, Chess Club, Electric Car Club, ICAN, Moms in Prayer, Girl Scouts, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, and the Murrysville Cantata Choir rehearsals. If you are in doubt about a regularly scheduled event, please contact the event leader, or the Church office at 724-327-0728.
Counseling Partnership Services
Essential individual counseling services conducted by The Blackburn Center and our contracted professional counselors are continuing at the Main Church Building.
FaceBook and YouTube
We will be posting information contained on this website to the Church Facebook and Church YouTube pages. Both are accessible from our home page.
If you are on our email contact list, you will be receiving regular updates regarding church news in your email. This will generally be through a link to the Home Page, with updated highlights.
Office Hours
On Monday, June 22, 2020 the office staff will begin to slowly transition back to operating from the Church building. It is recommended, however, that you make an appointment if visiting the office so that we can minimize the amount of person-to-person contact at one time.
Deacons are Available
We have updated our Deacon Care Lists – If you are a member or frequent attender of our church, a Deacon will be contacting you soon. They will be confirming your contact information and inquiring about your preferred method of contact. They will also provide you with the means to contact them should you have a need or concern. They are there to not only talk to you – but to listen. If you have a need, please share this with your Deacon.
Contact Us
If you are not on our regular email list and would like to be included, please provide your information in our Contact Us. We will include you in our efforts.
Murrysville Presbyterian Preschool (MPP)
MPP has decided to align itself with the path chosen by the Franklin Regional School District. This has been their policy concerning snow cancellations and other emergency situations. As such, MPP is currently closed for the remainder of the school year, in compliance with the Governor’s order.
Regular Church Activities
Regular church activities have been postponed – including Lunch Bunch, Sandwich Sunday, MPP Sunday, Girl Scout Sunday, Movie Night, Chancel Choir and Joy Ringers rehearsals. NO new activities will be considered at this time.
There is a place for you here.
Cast your worries and anxiety on the Lord, because God cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Have you ever wondered where you belong? Longed for a place to be welcomed for who you are? Searched for comfort and peace away from the storms of life? Desired to be lifted from the challenges of this world to experience the joy of life to its fullest?
We invite you experience the love of our Lord Jesus Christ in the vibrant worship and ministry here at First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville. Join in the renewal of God’s Holy Spirit as we build on established relationships in our community, develop exciting new partnerships, and create new opportunities to share the love and grace of our Lord.
Explore our website, visit our campus, and meet our people.
This is a place to grow. This is a place to feel loved. This is a place to know the Grace of God.
Rev. Edward Gray
PASTOR
Reverend Ed Gray came to First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville in October of 2017. He is a Pittsburgh native and attended Duquesne University before graduating from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1986 with a Masters of Divinity, subsequently serving congregations in both western Pennsylvania and Florida. In addition to solo pastoral, primary preaching and leadership responsibilities at First Presby, he is an active member of the church choir and frequent soloist in its expansive music ministry. Ed has also been an active participant through the years in the governance of the Presbyterian Church USA, serving in roles with local Presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly.
Ed and his wife of 31 years Karen have two sons, Eddie, a law enforcement professional in Pittsburgh and Aaron, a student at Waynesburg University. Among his many active community roles is sports officiation for a variety of school and local athletic organization programs.
Ruth Poscich
MUSIC DIRECTOR & ORGANIST
Ruth Poscich, a member of First Presbyterian Church, has been Director of Music and Organist since September 2001. She plays organ and piano for the Sunday morning services, directs the Chancel Choir, the Joy Ringers handbell Choir, and leads the children in music on special occasions. She also coordinates and directs various groups of instrumentalists who play for worship services on a regular basis. Ruth holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has been a lifelong church musician. She is retired from a 30-plus-year career as an official court reporter. Most recently, Ruth conceptualized, and directs the Murrysville Cantata Choir, a community choir that offers Lenten and Patriotic Thanksgiving concerts during the year.
Lori Livingston
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Lori has been the Administrative Assistant since August 2013. She offers assistance to the Pastor, as well as the various Church committees. She plays handbells in two Church choirs, and values her daily interaction with members of the church, as well as members of the community.
Lori is a native of Southern California, and moved to Pennsylvania 20 years ago. She resides in Murrysville with her husband and two daughters. She is active in the community as a volunteer at her church and the Franklin Regional School District.
Carol Ludovici
NURSERY STAFF
Tom Johnson
CHURCH SEXTON
Tom Johnson was born in Wilkinsburg, grew up in Penn Hills, and served in the Army in the Viet Nam era. He lives in North Apollo with his lovely wife, Sherry. He has three children (all of whom were baptized here at First Presbyterian Church), and eight grandchildren. Tom is a firearms enthusiast, and loves to bake cheesecakes for his friends (rarely keeping any for himself). In addition to being the Church Sexton, Tom also volunteers at many of the Church's events and functions.