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Pastor Amy's Thoughts...

9/14/2018

September is a time of returning.

Those of us who have children in schools, or who work in the schools, return to school this time of year. College students return to their classes. Vacations are mostly over, and we return to a more routine schedule whether we are working or retired.
In the book of Hosea, the prophet speaks the words of God, calling the people to return to the Lord with all their heart. A popular meditative song is titled “Hosea” and paraphrases the prophet (especially Hosea 14) this way.

“Come back to me with all your heart. Don’t let fear keep us apart. … Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life.”

In this season of discernment it has been a challenge to lean into all the options that were before us as a congregation, a session, and a task force. One of the challenges has, quite honestly, been a fear of change. We like what we have. We are hesitant, and even fearful for something new. This pattern is something that the prophet Hosea knew as well. “Don’t let fear keep us apart.”

In God’s goodness, the session, with help from its task force, has discerned a way forward with few disruptions to our current congregation. The preferred option is to become a more multi-use facility, especially during week days. The plan is to offer our building and property as the host for one or more non-profits and their office needs. As the plan firms up, we will share the details with the congregation.

I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to a return this fall. I am looking forward to breathing in the new life God has promised to us. I am giving thanks for knowing that the future of the congregation will soon be more secure than it has been recently, and that the time of uncertainty and stress that many have felt in the process is nearly over.

This fall, let us heed the words of Hosea. Let us return to the Lord and to the blessings of worship, fellowship, bible study, and prayer. Let us return to “living deeply our new life.”
Have a blessed September!

In Christ,
Pastor Amy

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

9/14/2018

Tuesday morning bible study resumes September 18th at 10AM. We will continue our study of the book of James, picking up where we abruptly ended in May. Come and be refreshed and renewed weekly by God’s word for us.

Potluck September 16th

9/14/2018

Sunday, September 16th, we will have our final summer picnic potluck! Come to worship and then join us for food and fellowship following the service. I wonder what treats we will
enjoy.

Coloring Night Friday, September 21st at 7PM

9/14/2018

Come join us Friday, September 21st, for a night of coloring and fellowship. Bring your own supplies, or use ours. Invite a friend and join us for a relaxing evening of fun and friendship.

Education Resumes

9/14/2018

After a summer break, our adult education series will resume on September 9th with the final lesson in Max Lucado’s series, “He Chose the Nails.” Then on September 23rd we will begin a 5 week series on the reformer, John Calvin, considered the theological pioneer of the Presbyterian and Reformed branch of the Christian church. Following that series, we will begin several weeks of music and learning as we look at the biblical texts that are put to music in Handel’s Messiah that pertain to Advent and Christmas. It will be an exciting and informative fall of learning. I hope you can join us after worship in the back classrooms beginning September 9th.

Elders & Deacons

9/14/2018

It is that time of year when we recruit new leadership for the session and deacons. Any member is eligible to serve. If you are interested, or know someone who you think would make a great elder or deacon, please speak with Don I. or Don H., Sr. We will hold a short congregational meeting on September 30th following worship to elect these new officers.

Mission Fundraising Parking Lot Sale

9/14/2018

In July, we held a parking lot sale fundraiser and raised over $300.00 for local missions! Thank you for coming and selling your stuff. Each person who participated gave $25 toward the use of a stall, and in addition, surplus church stuff was sold. Everyone who participated had a good time – including some of our neighbors! The proceeds were split between the food bank and Vision House. Thank you for your donations. It was a fun event!
We’ll do it again next year!

Women’s Association

9/14/2018

The Women’s Association will meet to enjoy lunch together at the Pancake Haus on September 12th at noon. We are trying a new format this year. Some meetings will be lunches out and some will be meetings at church with a business meeting, lunch, and a guest speaker, as in the past. In October, Margaret K. will share information from Tyler and Rochelle Holm, the missionary couple she and Ruth met for lunch.

Missions

9/14/2018

Our “homegrown” missionary, Jan Griffith, preached at the July 8th service. After the service, Jan showed pictures and told about her work in Sweden. She answered questions from the congregation, making this a very informative and interesting program. Later in July, Margaret K. and Ruth R. were privileged to have lunch with Tyler and Rochelle Holm, and their daughter Mphatso. Tyler and Rochelle are missionaries in Malawi. Tyler teaches at the University of Livingston, College of Theology, training future pastors and other church workers. The need for pastors is very great, as there is only one pastor for every 6,000 people. Rochelle is employed by the government, teaching about water sanitation and working to improve access to water for the local people. They shared a special prayer request for better access to clean water for disabled people.

The Jean Kim Foundation is having a dinner at the Korean United Presbyterian Church, 8596 238th St. SW, in Edmonds on September 8th from 6:00-8:00PM. They will have an interesting program, including the Total Experience Gospel Choir, and an update on their mission helping low income and homeless people obtain a college education. RSVP to Shirley at 425-742-9398. The dinner is free but a free-will offering will be taken.

Church update

9/14/2018

Thank you for your financial support of the church and its ministry. Thanks to contributions like yours, we are able to support high quality worship & music, tend to our building and grounds, and give substantial amounts each year to missions near and far. Thank you!
The session wanted to let you know a few of the things that are happening this year at the church.

· Membership, worship attendance and giving is down this year. We have an aging congregation, and this is not unexpected.
· Giving is down more than what the session had projected in November. This is a concern, and we realize that “doing nothing” may lead to closure in less than two years.
· The session continues to monitor and look for additional ways to reduce expenses.
· At our recent discernment retreat, the session, task force, and congregation members discerned to go ahead with plans to become a more multi-use facility, sharing our property by offering office and meeting space for one or more non-profits. Details on that will hopefully be available soon.

And most of all, Thank you for your prayers!