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Pastor Amy's Thoughts

2/4/2015

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Greetings!

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving…Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.”   Col. 4:2,5

     Did the Seahawks win the super bowl?  Possibly by the time you read this that question will be answered.   As a Lutheran church sign in Kirkland reads, “God doesn’t play favorites but we’re rooting for the Seahawks!”  

     Thinking about timelines and deadlines makes me wonder about God’s timing.  In our study of “the Story” we have been reading through the history of the nations of Israel and Judah.  Again and again they were led by kings who chose not to follow God’s law.  But God was patient, until finally the time was right for God to allow the nations to suffer the consequences of their disobedience.  First the Northern nation of Israel fell in 722 BC and many were taken into captivity in Assyria.   Then the Southern nation of Judah fell in 587 BC and the best and brightest among them were taken captive and sent to Babylon.   But that’s not the end of the story.   On February 8th we will hear of the return of the people of Judah to their land.   They waited 70 years for the return to happen.  Almost all of those who were taken into exile did not live to see the return.  I think about that fact when I am impatient for God to act, or when I wonder why answers to prayer seem to take so long.   My timing is rarely God’s timing.

     Randy Frazee, in the materials we have been studying for “the Story,” talks about God’s “upper story” and our “lower story.”  My desires to “have it now” are part of my lower story.  I can only see so far, only understand so very little of what God has in mind for the world.  God sees our lower story, but acts in ways that keep the upper story plan moving forward.   The Exile is an example. We knew that hope was not lost for the nation of Judah, because God had said that the messiah would be form from that tribe.  Judah needed to continue as a nation for God’s plan to unfold.   Those who went off into exile didn’t see the fulfilment of this plan during their lives on earth.   Likewise, we don’t always see the full purpose of God’s plan while we are alive.

     In just a few weeks we will begin to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate Easter.  The beginning of this journey is Ash Wednesday, February 18th.  We have been invited to join Renewal Ministries NW in a special worship service that evening at 7 PM at Calvin Presbyterian Church.   There will be no choir rehearsal that night, so come instead to Calvin as we mark the beginning of Lent, the season of preparation for Easter.    How will you prepare yourself for Easter this year?

     A number of years ago a good friend made a resolution during Lent.  She made a list of the 40 most important people in her life and, on each day during Lent, she wrote a letter of thanks to a name on her list.  She got behind, as many of us do, and I received my letter sometime during the season of Easter.  It was a treasured letter – unexpected, honest, hand-written, and thoughtful.

     This Lent is an opportunity for you.  What will it hold? How will you draw near to God? How will you use this gift of time that we each have been given?  The season of Lent consists of 40 days (excluding Sundays.)  Lent is long enough to make a difference.

     At the end of the letter to the Colossians (4:5) is a reminder to make “the most of the time.”  May we make the most of the time we have been given, for the glory of God.

with prayers for a blessed Lent,

Pastor Amy

 


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Mission Update

2/4/2015

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We just received news that one of the missionaries we support with our “ten percent to mission” giving is returning to Africa!  Rev. Debbie Blane, a lecturer in theology at the Nile Theological College will be returning to South Sudan in April in preparation for classes resuming in May.  The college has been closed due to the civil war in that country, and is now planning on reopening.  Please keep Debbie and her students in your prayers as they prepare to resume their education. For more information about Debbie's ministry, see the World Mission website at: 
 http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/blane-debbie/

 


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Ash Wednesday

2/4/2015

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You are invited to join others from Edmonds Pres at an Ash Wednesday service presented by Renewal Ministries Northwest.   Choir will NOT meet this night.

· Ash Wednesday “Selah” Service with Jeff Johnson

· Wednesday, February 18th at 7 PM

· Calvin Presbyterian Church 18826 Third Avenue NW, Shoreline, WA 98177 

The word “Selah” is found inserted throughout the Psalms and was probably a musical term delineating a pause or rest. The Selah Service offers the opportunity to pause and rest together in prayer, song, reflection and worship before God. Incorporated into the service, is a ten minute period of silent prayer providing a time for participants to bring their concerns, confessions and petitions to the Lord and to rest in the mercy and grace that Christ offers each one of us.

Join us for this very special observance of Ash Wednesday, as we begin the Lenten Journey to Easter by remembering that from dust we have come and to dust we will return.

There is no cost to attend; a free-will offering will be taken during the service.

About Jeff Johnson : Jeff Johnson leads Selah worship for churches, pilgrimage groups and retreat centers around the world. His many ArkMusic recordings feature music from Selah as well as collaborations with Irish flutist, Brian Dunning inspired by Stephen Lawhead’s novels and guitarist, Phil Keaggy. To learn more about Jeff Johnson and his music, visit www.arkmusic.com
 .


 


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Sunday, February 1st   -  is Souper Bowl Sunday!

2/4/2015

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It is time to root for the Seahawks!  Again!   And it is our great pleasure to celebrate that win (we hope) with another record-setting collection of cash and food to support the Concern for Neighbors food bank in Mountlake Terrace.  Come to worship on Super Bowl Sunday and give a can of soup or a $1 as a small reminder of all who do not have soup to eat.  Update:  We collected $106.48 and many pounds of food! thanks!

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The Season of Lent 

2/4/2015

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Lent is the season of the church year when we prepare our hearts and minds for Jesus’ death and resurrection.  It is the 40 days preceding Easter, excluding Sundays.  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, the day when we recall our need for God, remembering our own mortality: “Dust you are and to dust you shall return.”  This year we are invited to participate in Renewal Ministries special Ash Wednesday evening service at Calvin Presbyterian Church, Wednesday February 18th at 7 PM.   Many people choose to “give up” or “take on” something for Lent in order to prepare themselves for Holy Week and Easter.   You might give up a bad habit, or give up a treat for the duration of Lent.  Or you might take on daily prayer or Bible study.  There will be Lenten devotional booklets on the back table with readings and prayers to guide your preparation this year, if you choose to “take on” that discipline.  

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Did you know….

2/4/2015

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Deacons –

The deacons are now meeting quarterly.  At their most recent meeting they updated their “care lists.”  Each deacon has a list of members & friends of our congregation that they pray for and  keep in touch with during the year.  If you don’t know who your deacon is, a list is posted in the Fellowship Hall.  Your deacon can be helpful in guiding you to the resources offered by the church in times of need, grief, or celebration.   Thank-you to the deacons for all that you do to make our congregation so caring and compassionate.    

Congregational Life –

You are invited to meet after church on Feb. 8 to plan the next round of fun activities for Edmonds Pres!  Want to go bowling?  See a play?   Game Night? Would you like to have a potluck or a hymn sing?  Stay for a few minutes and share your ideas with Session Elders Gay H. and Grace P.


 

 

 

 


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A Class for the Curious  – Saturday, March 21st

2/4/2015

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If you are interested in learning more about Edmonds Presbyterian Church, or the denomination (Presbyterian Church USA) to which we belong, please plan on joining us on Saturday March 21st  from  10-1 for an informative discussion followed by lunch with the church leaders.   This class is required for those who wish to become members of the congregation, but others may attend also.  Contact Pastor Amy for more information or to sign up for the class.

 

 


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Stewardship, Finance, & Administration

2/4/2015

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Stewardship

2015 Per Capita Due

Please note that per capita is $48.60 per member for 2015.

Per Capita is a set amount of money (an apportionment) per member that congregations pay to the larger national Presbyterian Church (USA) once a year. Per Capita is one fundamental way by which about 11,000 congregations of the Presbyterian Church (USA) stay connected, and participate in the work of the whole church.

We send our apportioned amount to our Presbytery (Northwest Coast Presbytery—$39.03) but funds are shared further with the Synod ($2.50) and General Assembly ($7.07), for a total of $48.60.   For more information about Northwest Coast Presbytery - check out the new website:  
http://www.northwestcoast.org/  

Please remember your per capita payment as you plan out your pledge amount for 2015.

Finance

Thank you for continued giving support of EPC’s ministry and mission. Because of your willingness to give, EPC continues in God’s ministry.

Thank you for planning to honor God’s commitment to you, by underwriting His work through you at Edmonds Presbyterian. Without you, His work would not go forward.

You, Edmonds Presbyterian Church, continue to affirm God’s blessings by allowing us to give 10% or to tithe our blessings to missions of both local and national concerns. 

Thank you.

Minna D., Finance Elder/Stewardship Elder


 

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In Our Prayers …

2/4/2015

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These last two months have seen the deaths of three beloved members & former members.  Please continue to pray for the families and friends of Betty Jane B.,  Betty B., and Bob G.  We ask for God’s comfort in their grief.

 

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Annual Congregational Meeting

2/4/2015

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The annual meeting of the congregation was held on Sunday January 25th.  Copies of the annual report  are available for you on the back table in the sanctuary.   At the meeting we received the budget for 2015, approved the pastor’s compensation package, elected new corporate officers and added Steve W. to the nominating committee as a member-at-large.

 

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