Letters from the General Minister

When the Vote Doesn’t Go Our Way

November 12, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 12, 2020 Four years ago, half of our country was overjoyed at the presidential election outcome, while the other half reeled in dismay. In those … →

Ordinary Christianity in Extraordinary Times

November 5, 2020 | Posted in COVID-19 Resources, Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, November 5, 2020 Charles Dickens famously begins his Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Today we … →

Honoring the Image

October 22, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 22, 2020 My father passed away last Friday, October 16. His obituary is published at https://www.musmannofh.com/listings. Rather than trying to prepare a new weekly article … →

On Earth as in Heaven?

October 15, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 15, 2020 “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) It is the bedrock of God’s self-revelation to Moses. (Exodus 34:6-8) It is the core message of … →

Seven Months In – The Church’s Response Today to the COVID-19 Pandemic

October 8, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 8, 2020 Last weekend brought the COVID-19 pandemic into new limelight, as the President became ill with COVID, and many in his inner circle were … →

The Difference Jesus Makes in a Polarized World

October 1, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, October 1, 2020 What difference does it make to follow Jesus? As a child I was taught (whether intentionally or not): “It’ll save you from going … →

The COVID Squeeze

September 24, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 24, 2020 (This letter is an expanded version of the cover letter for the September 24, 2020 Pittsburgh Presbytery Meeting Packet.) This week’s presbytery meeting … →

In It Together

September 17, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 17, 2020 When we embrace the call to serve the church as a pastor, elder, or deacon, we take a big breath, then dive into … →

Worship Is A Verb

September 10, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, September 10, 2020 Some of our congregations have opened their sanctuary doors on Sundays, while others continue to offer services only remotely. Several of our congregations … →

Unshakable

September 3, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 20, 2020 Beloved of God, have you noticed that we are in a time of great shaking? Protests and counter-protests have been escalating into violence, … →

The Power of Testimony

August 27, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 27, 2020 I grew up in a church that had Sunday night services, which always included time for sharing personal “testimonies” about what God has … →

Whom Shall We Fear?

August 20, 2020 | Posted in Letters from the General Minister

A Letter to Pittsburgh Presbytery from Rev. Dr. Sheldon W. Sorge General Minister Thursday, August 20, 2020 Stoking fear and resentment is a powerful way to gain a mass following. Some politicians, and even some preachers, traffic in raising anxieties … →