Good News for People with Big Problems: Part 6

Join us tonight for the thrilling conclusion of GNFPWBP (worst acronym ever).

As always, tonight's installment uses movies and music, the Bible and pop culture, to look at our real problems, and to explore the Christian response to them. Part 6 (the final session) is "What Would Scrooge Do?: Gratitude, Honesty, and Astonishment," concludes the series by looking at what a life might look like under the staggering Christian reality of Grace. Starring Kermit the Frog, the Beatles, and Thornton Wilder. Feb 23, 6:30-8:30pm, in Grace Commons at St. Stephen's. We start with dinner ($5), then begin presentation and conversation at 7:15pm.

All 20s and 30s invited, whether you go to church, left church, or never went to church. You don't have attended all the sessions to get something out of this--feel free to come even if you've missed the others.

Dinner $5. Free childcare. Free parking at the church. Info and RSVP on facebook.

Good News for People with Big Problems: Part 3

Anxiety, guilt, fear, judgment, disappointment, powerlessness, and hurt. What does the Christian understanding of the world have to say to our big problems? Join others in their 20s and 30s and find out in the 6-part “Good News for People with Big Problems.” This series uses movies and music, the Bible and pop culture, to look at our real problems, and to explore the Christian response to them. Part 3, “Check Out Any Time You Like (But You Can Never Leave)" deals with depression, powerlessness, and... hope.

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Steely Dan, author David Foster Wallace, and director Whit Stillman

Weds, Jan 26, 6:30-8:30pm, in Grace Commons. The event is free, but we ask you throw in $5 if you opt for dinner. Dinner kicks off at 6:30; presentation and conversation at 7:15pm.

Info and RSVP on facebook.

All 20s and 30s invited, whether you go to church, left church, or never went to church. You don't have to attend all the sessions to get something out of this--feel free to come to any of the sessions as you're able.

As always, free childcare available in the nursery. Free parking at the church.

Future sessions:

Weds, Feb 2

Part 4: “When I Get to the Bottom I Go Back to the Top: Addiction, Anxiety, and Recovery” (Starring Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA; Marlin and Dory from Finding Nemo, and director Wes Anderson)

Weds, Feb 9

Part 5: “Getting Out of Jail Free: Death, Despair, and Sacrifice” (Starring Bob Dylan, Leo Tolstoy, WH Auden, and Clint Eastwood)

Weds, Feb 23

Part 6: “What Would Uncle Scrooge Do? Finding Freedom, Recovery and Grace (One Mistake At A Time)” (Starring the Muppets, Thornton Wilder, and the Beatles)

PS--"Good News for People with Big Problems" was developed by Mockingbird Ministries. Check them out!

Upcoming: Good News (Part 2) and Evensong

Lot's cooking in the Anchor kitchen. Next Weds, Jan 12, we continue with our series "Good News for People with Big Problems."

Part 2 is “It’s Not You It’s Me and Other Lies: Judgment, Guilt, and Identity,” starring: George Costanza, T.S. Eliot, and Axl Rose. It should prove to be thought-provoking, funny, and as always, connected to your real life. RSVP and info here.

Then on Weds, Jan 19, we have our monthly Evensong service from 7:30-8:30 in the Sanctuary. Acoustic music featuring hymns and contemporary songs, all in a setting of ancient yet simple ways of praying. Many have found the service a powerful way to connect with God and find a real place of peace. All welcome! RSVP and info here.

New Series Starts Jan 5: Good News for People with Big Problems

Axl Rose. Woody Allen. Lindsey Lohan. Brian Wilson (the aging odd rock star pictured on the left). Michael Jackson. Mark Sanford.

What can these people teach us about the Christian message? And what can Christianity offer in light of the stress and problems in your life?

Join us for "Good News for People with Big Problems." Hosted by Anchor, a group of people in their 20s and 30s, and featuring pastor/speaker/blogger Aaron Zimmerman, this six-part series examines what the basic Christian message might have to say in light of the real stresses and problems of life, while weaving together pop culture, art, music, movies, and literature with the Biblical diagnosis of reality.

All 20s and 30s invited, whether you go to church, left church, or never went to church. We don’t have all the answers, but we’re very interested in the questions and the conversation.

Starting Weds, Jan 5. (Future sessions: Jan 12, 26, Feb 2, 9, 23)

At St. Stephen's Church (corner of Walnut St. and Frederick Ave. in Sewickley)

Dinner and Conversation at 6:30pm

Presentation at 7:15pm

You don't have to come to each session--feel free to come as you are able.

Dinner $5. Free childcare. Free parking at St. Stephen's Church. RSVP on facebook.

Anchor's Annual Christmas Party: Friday, Dec 17

Yule Rules! This year’s party is retro-themed (think Mad Men). We'll be at the home of Joan and Dan Driscoll in Edgeworth (304 Quaker Rd., corner of Pine and Quaker; the site of some of our summer Bible studies). Food, drink, a few games, and a prize for the best retro costume. Please RSVP by Dec 14, either here on facebook.

We're asking everyone to bring either a drink (soda, wine, beer, etc.) or a dessert. Please let us know what you plan on bringing.

Weds, Dec 15: Caroling!

Join Anchor for Christmas Caroling! We'll meet at the church at 6pm, then head to Masonic Village to sing carols for the residents there (we'll be indoors). Then we'll return to the church for some refreshments. See you there!

Jingle Bell Rock

Anchor starts its own Christmas special on Weds, Dec 1, with our first installment of “Jingle Bell Rock: Finding Meaning in the Pop Music of Christmas.” From The Ramones, to the Killers, to The Band, and even the Jackson 5, everybody has a Christmas song. What is so powerful about Christmas? We’ll explore this question through the lens of scripture and some of the more interesting pop/rock Christmas songs that have come out over the years. We kick off Weds, Dec 1, at 6:30pm, in PromiseLand (St. Stephen’s basement). Dinner (Pizza from Pizza Roma) for $5, followed by a talk, some songs, and a great discussion. We continue with part 2 on Weds, Dec 8. Free childcare care in the Red Room in the nursery. And here's a little preview: