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:

Theology on Tap: Final Night with Chris Buda ("Jesus Liked to Party")

What's the most fun you can have on a Wednesday night? Theology on Tap is a great time to hear engaging speakers, enjoy dinner and a beer, and meet others in their 20s/30s.The theme is “Good People Go to Heaven (and Other Myths).” We’ll be exploring (and re-thinking) some popular misconceptions of Christianity.

On Weds night, Oct 20, 6:30-8:30pm, Chris Buda (the funniest attorney-turned-youth-minister you've ever met) will be our speaker on, "Jesus Liked to Party."

We meet at Pizza Roma, 426 Beaver St., Sewickley. Make sure to order a delicious dinner from Pizza Roma’s menu and order something tasty from their extensive beer list.

Parking: Free on-street parking in Sewickley, free (after 5pm) lot behind Pizza Roma, or park at St. Stephen's and walk 4 blocks.

Childcare: Just drop your kids off after 6:15 pm at the Red Room in the Nursery at St. Stephen's, and leave a cell phone number. Please pick your kids up promptly by 8:40.

RSVP and info on facebook.

(Theology on Tap is sponsored by Anchor at St. Stephen's and Renew International.)

Theology on Tap: Week 3 with Keith Pozzuto ("Bad People Go To Heaven")

Theology on Tap is a great time to hear engaging speakers, enjoy dinner and a beer, and meet others in their 20s/30s.The theme is “Good People Go to Heaven (and Other Myths).” We’ll be exploring (and re-thinking) some popular misconceptions of Christianity.

On Weds night, Oct 13, 6:30-8:30pm, the Rev. Keith Pozzuto (world traveler, former plumber, closet Avril Lavigne fan, and Rector (senior pastor) of Christ Church in Brownsville, PA), will be our speaker on the subject, "God Is Not Santa Claus (Or: Bad People Go To Heaven)." Think Christianity means being perfect, always being nice, and saving baby seals, all so God will like you? Not so! Come hear Keith tell us why.

We meet at Pizza Roma, 426 Beaver St., Sewickley. Make sure to order a delicious dinner from Pizza Roma’s menu and order something tasty from their extensive beer list. We're so grateful Pizza Roma is hosting us, so we want to support them as much as we can!

Parking: On-street in Sewickley, metered lot behind Pizza Roma, or park at St. Stephen's and walk 2 blocks.

Childcare: Just drop your kids off after 6:15 pm at the Red Room in the Nursery at St. Stephen's, and leave a cell phone number. Please pick your kids up promptly by 8:40.

RSVP here.

(Theology on Tap is sponsored by Anchor at St. Stephen's and Renew International.)

Theology on Tap: Week 2 with John & Kathy!

Theology on Tap is a great time to hear engaging speakers, enjoy dinner and a beer, and meet others in their 20s/30s. The theme is “Good People Go to Heaven (and Other Myths).” We’ll be exploring some popular misconceptions of Christianity.

On Weds night, Oct 6, 6:30-8:30pm, John Hall and Kathy Emmons will speak on "Christianity: Not an Automatic Brain-Removal Tool." John and Kathy are co-hosts of the afternoon talk show on Pittsburgh's WORD-FM.

We meet at Pizza Roma, 426 Beaver St., Sewickley. Make sure to order a delicious dinner from Pizza Roma’s menu and order something tasty from their extensive beer list.

Parking: On-street in Sewickley, metered lot behind Pizza Roma, or park at St. Stephen's and walk 2 blocks.

Childcare: Just drop your kids off after 6:15 pm at the Red Room in the Nursery at St. Stephen's, and leave a cell phone number. Please pick your kids up promptly by 8:40.

(Theology on Tap is sponsored by Anchor at St. Stephen's and Renew International.)

Theology on Tap is Coming 9/29!

Theology on Tap is a great time to hear engaging speakers, think deep thoughts, enjoy a pint, and meet others in their 20s/30s. This year’s theme is “Good People Go to Heaven (And Other Myths).” We’ll be asking questions like:

• "Does Christianity mean you have to have a certain political views?"
• "Is church/religion/Christianity only for good people?"
• "Does being a Christian automatically remove your brain?"

Details

When: Weds nights, starting Sep 29 through Oct 20, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Pizza Roma (in upstairs dining room), 426 Beaver St., Sewickley. (Street view here)

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What: Dinner, drinks, and discussion. Food and drink from Pizza Roma’s menu. (They've got a great beer selection!)

Our topic on week 1 is "How Would Jesus Vote?" Our speaker is Geoff Chapman, senior pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Sewickley. We'll tackle the ideas people have about Christianity and politics.

Parking: On-street in Sewickley, metered lot behind Pizza Roma, or park at St. Stephen's Church on Walnut St. and walk 2 blocks.

Childcare: Free childcare available at St. Stephen's Church (enter parking lot on Walnut St and enter the building through the main doors--nursery wing doors will be closed for security). Just drop your kids off after 6:15 pm at the nursery at St. Stephen's, and leave a cell phone number. Please pick your kids up promptly by 8:40.

Theology on Tap is sponsored by Anchor at St. Stephen's (a community for young adults) and Renew International.

Evensong: Weds, Sept 22, 7:30pm

This beautiful, contemplative-yet-uplifting service of Evening Prayer combines ancient forms of Christian prayer with acoustic music that features hymns as well as contemporary worship songs. Many have found this service to be something of an oasis in our hectic lives. All welcome! Guest worship leader Sean Norris. Weds, Sept 22, 7:30-8:30pm, in the St. Stephen's Sanctuary.
Free childcare in the St. Stephen's nursery. RSVP and info here.

Fall Is In The Air, And Anchor Is Gearing Up

Fall means one thing: pumpkin flavoring. Pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks. Pumpkin cream cheese at Brueggers. I'm waiting for Pumpkin-flavored V-neck sweaters. Seriously, pumpkin-flavored everything.

And while Anchor is not pumpkin flavored, we still have a lot of great stuff going on this fall.

Here's the lineup:

ANCHOR GOES TAILGATING!

Saturday, Sept 18, starting at 4pm on the roof deck of the Smith Bros. Advertising Building at 116 Federal St, across from PNC park. Kids welcome! Grill will be ready for your meat products. Burgers and drinks will be provided. Fun, games, etc. Pirates game at 7pm, where our choir will sing the national anthem.

FALL COOKOUT
Saturday, Sept 25, 4 pm, at Walker Park (off little Sewickley Creek Rd. in Edgeworth). Burgers, dogs, games, good times. Kids welcome!

THEOLOGY ON TAP: STARTING SEPT 29
Theology on Tap is a great time to hear engaging speakers and meet others in their 20s/30s. This year’s theme: “Good People Go to Heaven and Other Myths.” We’ll be exploring some popular misconceptions of Christianity. Running on Weds nights, Sep 29-Oct 20, 6:30-8:30pm, at Pizza Roma, 426 Beaver St., Sewickley. Food and drink from Pizza Roma’s menu. Childcare available at the church.

BIBLE STUDIES
Anchor offers several weekly Bible studies that meet in homes in Sewickley. We have groups for men, women, and young married couples. Whether you know a little or a lot about the Bible, you’re invited! Beginning Tues, Sept 21, but drop-ins always welcome. For times and locations, email Aaron.

Bible Study Weds, Aug 25, 7:30pm at the Driscolls' home

Our Summer Bible Study continues this week on Weds, Aug 25, at 7:30pm, and we're again meeting at the home of Dan and Joan Driscoll, 304 Quaker Rd., Sewickley, PA. Map below.

Join us with guest Bible Study leader, Lauren Scharf. Lauren co-leads the Anchor Women's Bible Study, and is a seminarian at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge. Plus, she is awesome.

Need directions? See the map below.

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When is Cool Uncool?

Remember that kid in high school that tried too be hard to be cool? The trying too hard totally short-circuits whatever latent coolness, if any, that may have been there.

There's this thing now where churches try to be cool for coolness' sake, it seems. Sometimes words like authentic or relevant are used. (Note: Any time anything has to point out that it is relevant or authentic, it is by definition neither. For example, doctors are both relevant and authentic, but you never saw one advertising himself or herself as such. If you have to say it, it's not true.)

Anyways, there's a great post over at the Mockingbird blog by my buddy Dave, responding to a WSJ article about the "Cool Church" trend. Both are worth a read.

It's time again for Evensong: 7:30 pm, Weds, Aug 18

Anchor's monthly Evensong service is Weds, August 18, at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary. This beautiful, contemplative-yet-uplifting service of Evening Prayer combines ancient forms of Christian prayer with acoustic music that features hymns as well as contemporary worship songs. Many have found this service to be something of an oasis in our hectic lives. All welcome! Guest worship leaders Todd Brewer and Todd Hamer.

Location Change: Tonight's Bible Study

Location change! Tonight's Bible Study will be at the same time (7:30pm) but at a new place: The home of Dan and Joan Driscoll, 304 Quaker Rd., Sewickley, PA. Map below.

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Anchor's Summer Bible Study--Starting Weds, July 21, 7:30 pm.

Anchor's traditional summer Bible study begins Weds., July 21, 7:30-8:30 pm. We'll continue to meet for the next 3 Wednesdays (last meeting is August 11). We're meeting at Aaron and Andrea Zimmerman's home (location and directions here) and light refreshments will be provided. Join us as we discuss some fascinating Biblical passages, always trying to see how the Christian message connects with our everyday lives. Friends welcome!

Cheers! Anchor's Wine Tasting and Summer Party (Sat., July 24, 7pm)

Anchor is hosting a fantastic summer party. Join us Saturday, July 24, at 7pm, at the home of Dan and Loretta Brooks (they live near Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley Heights; for the address and driving directions, RSVP and we'll send you the info via email).

St. Stephen’s own Andy Kozusko (Grove City College alum, Pittsburgh native, and attorney) will lead a wine tasting, introducing us to some fabulous but lesser-known summer wines, paired with some delicious hor d'oeuvres.

Details: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide childcare for this event. The event is free, but w

e will collect a what church-types like to call a "Love offering"--that is, if you can spare a few bucks, it would help us out!

Please RSVP (this is important!) on the event on our facebook page or send Aaron an email. Please feel free to invite any friends who love wine or just love hanging out with great people.

Evensong--Weds, July 14 (Tonight!)

Anchor's monthly Evensong service is tonight. 7:30pm in the Sanctuary. Childcare provided in the nursery (Red Room). This beautiful, contemplative service of Evening Prayer combines ancient forms of Christian prayer with acoustic music that features hymns as well as contemporary worship songs. Many have found this service to be something of an oasis in our hectic lives. All welcome!