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From the Desk of Pastor Rob

10/27/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Welcome to Fall and to lead up to Advent! We are on the verge of something new. A new church year and a new era in our church. I am so excited that we have several new members coming in. We have some building projects and a thriving Bible Study.

We simplified our Mission Statement to “We are a community where people stretch and grow in Christ.” It is something we can all easily memorize, and it contains a strong statement of purpose. We are a community. We welcome people to join us. We stretch our hearts and intellects in the Holy Spirit. And we grow in Christ.

This is stewardship season when we will ask you to make your pledge for 2023. You will be hearing from several elders about the work of our church in coming weeks. As we lean into the end of 2022, we are running tight on cash for several reasons. Your session has taken several actions to economize. We will also ask you to catch up with your 2022 pledges and consider reaching a little further in your giving so that we can end the year in the black. We have an amazing, important, and vital ministry. Pray for our church and for your support.

We will start choir again in November leading up to Advent. We are already making plans for the Christmas program, including Christmas Eve and a rare Christmas Day service in cooperation with Maplewood Presbyterian. I can’t wait to tell you more about it in the coming weeks!

This is what I am planning for worship in November.
Sunday, November 6th. I will preach “Why Build a New Church?” about the return of the exiles from Babylon and the command of God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. We are rebuilding our church and we are focusing on the most important mission we have for our community and neighbors.

Sunday, November 13th. Larry Y will lead worship using the sermon, “New Heavens and a New Earth.” The Thessalonians were worried that Jesus had not come yet. They were awaiting the promise in Isaiah. What they didn’t know was that Christ is with us now and always.

Sunday, November 20th. For Christ the King Sunday, I will preach “Jesus Remember Me.” This is the cry of the thief next to Jesus at the crucifixion, and Jesus promises a meeting in paradise. Jesus’ presence in our lives is the greatest gift of all time. God is present even in the toughest times. This is the true Kingdom of Heaven.

Sunday, November 27th. Advent is here! I will preach about Isaiah’s words “In the Days to Come.” This is the threshold of a new year and a new era in our church. Come join me in celebrating a new beginning!

It is a joy to be with you in this time. You are a gift to me and all those around you.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Rob

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS

10/27/2022

Seven women (5 Association members and 2 guests) attended a luncheon at the Pancake Haus in Edmonds to enjoy casual talk and planning for the rest of this year. Treasurer Kathy M reported $600 was collected and disbursed at $50 apiece to each of our 13 mission charities. We still have $1,395.37 in the bank to use for church related expenses.

Mission chairman Ruth R requests permission to again sponsor a Christian family consisting of a mother and 2 children and ask the entire congregation to assist us in raising money to buy gift cards for them.

October is Sock-it-to me month when we collect new white socks for Operation Nightwatch to distribute to the homeless along with prayers, limited sheltering, meals, and friendly companionship. A box will be placed near the church entrance for sock collection.

Kathryn Goren’s memorial service was postponed in October and is again scheduled for November 6, 2022 at 3 pm. The choir plans to sing and the women’s association will assist with set-up and clean-up help as well as providing snack foods and drinks and help serve.

Prayer partners were revealed and a carnation given to each participating member, then a drawing was held for this year’s prayer partner.

November meeting will again be at the church on November 9 at 11:30 am. The lunch will be a Souper Meeting with each participant bringing a can of soup which we will combine into a combination Harvest meal with rolls and cookies added. A program with a speaker is being planned.

December meeting will be a Christmas Party at the church with details next month.

Margaret S, Women’s Association Moderator

MISSION NEWS

10/27/2022

In August our allotment of $2,300 for mission was sent out and divided among 9 recipients. Several thank-you notes have been received in return along with news of how the funds are being used.

Our missionary to Sweden, Jan G joined the September Women’s Association meeting via Zoom (special thanks to Linda R for setting up zoom for us). Jan told us of her current activities of taking a class from the book Across the Street and Around the World, which focuses on and helping communicate with newcomers to the country, especially Muslims. The book is in English and is being translated into Swedish. Otherwise, Jan is continuing her duties of assisting the minister of a church and helping individual families learn about Christianity.

Our next Special Offering is Christmas Joy which will be collected in November and December. These gifts make it possible for students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. Fifty percent of our gifts provide assistance for current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs. “If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.”

Margaret S, Mission Elder

EDUCATION NEWS

10/27/2022

Bible Study resumed after summer vacation and is held at 2 times during the week, either on Sundays following church service, or at 10 am Tuesday mornings via Zoom. Our study continues in the book Toward the Kingdom of Heaven by Amy-Jill Levine.

The study center on the Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew chapters 5-7 with practical advice on how to incorporate the bible teaching into our everyday lives. It answers such questions as how to get along with people we disagree with and how tradition is tied in with present policies of our church. The study lessons are led by volunteers taking turns each week with a lively discussion on every topic.

Pastor Rob is giving classes on how to join the church. Please contact him if you are interested in taking the class.

Margaret S, Education Elder

OUTREACH NEWS

10/27/2022

October is pastor appreciation month, and we are all thankful to have Pastor Rob and his wife, Carol as part of our church. Pastor Rob has been busy sharing the church’s message through Tik-Tok and Facebook so all can see and find us, and is currently giving membership classes to those who want to join. Please join us in thanking God for sending us our massager who brings us the Word from the bible and inspires us with encouragement to follow that Word.

Margaret S, Outreach Elder

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

9/28/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is an exciting time to be at Edmonds!

We are starting choir again in October. The first practice will be on Wednesday,
October 5 at 7 PM. Depending on interest and attendance, we will decide on how to proceed from there.

We are also starting membership classes in October to welcome new members during Advent. If you would like to participate, please contact me.

Bible Study has started again! It’s about the Sermon on the Mount using Amy-Jill Levine’s “Toward the Kingdom of Heaven.” Please join us after Sunday Worship in-person or Tuesdays at 10AM for Zoom Bible Study.

The Edmonds Toy Shop bicycle ministry is up and running using our property. Watch for events in the springtime.

I remain very active on social media. Please follow me on Facebook (@EdmondsPres), Instagram (@EdmondsPresbyterianChurch), or TikTok (@realbiblerob). Look on our website www.epc-pcusa.org for links. If you know anyone who could benefit from my messages, please encourage them to follow me!

We continue to offer an alternative worship option via email and YouTube. Please contact the office to get on the email list.

Here’s the plan for worship services in October:
October 2, Rev. Laurel Underwood will be celebrating World Communion Sunday with us! This will be a special service.
October 9, I will preach “Except This Foreigner.” Jesus shows us that many times it is immigrants who show us what gratitude really means.
October 16, In “Honest About Scripture” I will share the many things I have learned by posting daily 45-second videos on the Bible. It is fascinating to see all the different responses and beliefs about Scripture.
October 23, I will talk about the ideas of completeness and perfection in “I Will Pour Out My Spirit.” Are we perfected by God or are we completed by God?
October 30, Rev. Charity Sandstrom will preach an uplifting message.

I am so excited about all of the great things happening with our church!
With the Peace of our God,
Pastor Rob

Women’s Association

9/28/2022

Nine women attended the September women’s association meeting in the church friendship hall, Luncheon was provided by Ruth R and Jean G. Treasurer Kathy M reported $600 was collected for the women’s mission fund and disbursed to our selected charities. We still have $1,395.37 in the bank to use for church related expenses.

Mission chairman Ruth R asked if we want to sponsor a Christmas Family again this year and we unanimously voted to again sponsor a mother with 2 children. We will again ask the entire congregation to assist us with this project as in the past several years.

October is the month to collect new white socks for Operation Night Watch who in turn provide socks for the homeless along with prayers, limited sheltering, meals, and friendly companionship. A box will be placed near the church entrance marked for sock collection.

Linda R assisted us in connecting with Jan Griffith, our missionary in Sweden for an on-line conversation. Jan said she now has to pace herself after a long episode of long term fatigue. She has resumed most of her duties assisting the minister of a church and is also taking a very interesting class based on the book “Across the Street and Around the World” which focuses on helping communicate with and assist newcomers to a country, especially Muslims. The book is in English and is being translated into Swedish.

Prayer Partners were revealed. Names were drawn last September for one person to pray for and send special remembrances to during the year. Carnations were given to the Praying partner. New names were written on bookmarks and drawn by each participating member.

Kathryn Goren’s memorial service will be held at 3 pm on October 9 and the Women’s Association will assist by providing snack foods and drinks and assist with serving and cleanup.

Thinking of You cards are being sent to Marcia P and Mary C.

October meeting will be at the Pancake Haus in Edmonds at 12 noon on October 12. November and December meetings will again be at the church at 11:30 am on the 2nd Wednesday.
Margaret S, Moderator

Missions

9/28/2022

A few short years ago our church enjoyed hearing from Kathy Giske, a missionary with Mid-East Partners. Her ministry helps to strengthen God’s people in the Middle East and also here in the United States through partnership and leadership development.

In a recent letter she writes: "The spiritual hunger among Iranians remains stronger than ever, as thousands continue to find faith in Christ in unexpected ways. Through a movement of small house churches, the Church in Iran continues to grow and thrive. Please pray that more Iranians will hear the gospel and find hope and new life in Jesus, despite economic and political hardship in Iran. Today we are witnessing refugees from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey (mostly between the ages of 15 and 30) coming to the Lord in great numbers. This remarkable move has the potential to shape the future of these nations.

But what about our own nation? Are we seeing this promise fulfilled among our own Youth? To be honest, these are dark times, as we watch an entire generation being brainwashed by strong messages to reject God through music social media, entertainment, and education. But God is full of surprises because he is the God of the impossible."

This summer Kathy began a new project to monitor 12 young adults to help them to become true disciples of Jesus as one way our nation can be changed – by equipping the next generation to lead with integrity. So far it has been a very rewarding summer.

This fall Kathy will be hosting a field partner, Voula Antouan, Executive Director of Bridges Humanitarian Initiative, who is making speeches in the Seattle area to interested groups. She will be speaking at Bellevue Presbyterian church on October 2, and at other churches during that week. Please contact kathygiske@yahoo.com for details.
Margaret S, Mission Elder

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

8/30/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
We have been busy this summer! We had two church workdays, an active men’s group, an ordination, and new hymnals!

We also partnered with Edmonds Toy Store (part of the Edmonds Food Bank) for doing bicycle distributions in the coming year. Things are really happening at the church!

As we go into Fall, we will restart the Bible Study about the Sermon on the Mount using Amy-Jill Levine’s “Toward the Kingdom of Heaven.” Please join us after Sunday Worship in-person or Tuesdays at 10AM for Zoom Bible Study.

For those of you who would like to become members and those who are membership curious, I will do two sessions in October and November, so we can welcome new members in Advent.

I am very active on social media nowadays. Please follow me on Facebook (@EdmondsPres), Instagram (@EdmondsPresbyterianChurch), or TikTok (@realbiblerob). Look on our website www.epc-pcusa.org for links. You will soon see a new logo and updated website pages as well.

We continue to offer an alternative worship option via email and YouTube. Please contact the office to get on the email list.

Here’s the plan for worship services in September:
September 4, “No Longer As A Slave” Paul’s letter to Philemon shows tremendous grace and mercy, but it is also troubling for us today. I explore how this letter opens our eyes to the tremendous progress that we have made in our church and our society.

September 11, We will worship at Elder Nancy B's house followed by a BBQ social. This will be a special treat! I will preach “Starting Life Over” about redemption and how the small and large turning points in our lives are what being a Christian is all about.

September 18, Rev. Kimberly Crispeno will be back to lead worship with an inspiring message.

September 25, Rev. Charity Sandstrom will be back to lead worship as well.

Carol and I will have our first official vacation traveling around Wisconsin and Michigan. We will tell you all about the fall colors and Great Lakes when we return in October!

I am so excited about all of the great things happening with the church and I look forward to serving with you as we start the new school year!

With the Peace of our God,
Pastor Rob

Women’s Association News

8/30/2022

Women’s Association will meet again on September 14 at 11:30 am at the church Friendship Hall. Luncheon will be provided by the Jean G and Ruth R. Jan Griffith, our missionary in Sweden, has agreed to join our meeting via zoom to tell of her recent activities.

Mission contributions were collected at our June meeting and we will hear where the funds collected are being dispersed. Treasurer Kathy M reports that we have $1,578.77 in the bank, not counting recent contributions. Thank you all for your generous contributions to our missions. Prayer partners will be revealed and new prayer partners will be selected. It is also time to elect new officers for the year.

We all mourn the passing of Kathryn G at the age of 101 but are extremely grateful for her participation and guidance through all the years. She has enriched all our lives by her presence among us. A memorial service will be held at the church in her honor on October 9.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone, and please invite a friend to come with you.
Margaret S, Women’s Association Moderator