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Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington
Rev. Deborah Wilkinson 213 Bailey Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15211 412.481.0425 phone pcmtwashington@gmail.com
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Living Into Hope
"It's hard to say that I’d rather stay awake when I’m asleep, because my dreams are bursting at the seams.” This is my favorite line, the final line, from the popular song “Fireflies” by the group Owl City.
Have
you ever had a dream like that? A dream of something so real, so
exciting, so impossibly possible, that you jump up from sleep, ready
right then and there to make it come true.
In
the book of Acts (16:9-15), the apostle Paul was awakened with a dream
of a Macedonian man, pleading urgently for his help. When Paul
immediately set sail to provide the aid, what he found instead was a
group of women and their households worshiping at the river, led by
Lydia, an entrepreneur who dealt in the making of purple cloth.
As
a result of Paul sharing the gospel with Lydia, on the spot she, along
with her whole household, is baptized. And in this one woman’s decision,
a movement begins. Paul’s encounter in Philippi with Lydia marks the
beginning of the Christian mission in Europe. Lydia is the key member of
the Philippian church, a church beloved by Paul, and Lydia’s story is
directly connected to our own story, followers of Christ here in America
largely settled by European immigrants.
What
dreams are bursting at the seams for Presbyterian Church of Mt.
Washington? As we begin our new life together, as pastor and
congregation, it is important for us to continue to open our hearts to
God’s spirit as it moves creatively and passionately among us and in our
community.
I urge you
to be aware of God’s work in all of our lives, and open to listen for
God’s call. Let us remember the relational and collaborative way in
which God calls us to be about spirit work. Let us continue to offer the
invitation of God’s love and desire for reconciliation, peace, and
wholeness in all we do.
We are
all travelers on this journey of faith together and we invite you to
join us on the path. There is something for everyone behind our red doors. Come join us as we seek to make our way in this world as followers of Christ.
May the peace of Christ be with you. . .
Rev. Deborah Wilkinson
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