Edmonds Presbyterian Church
  • Home
  • About
  • Sermons
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Facility Rental
  • Education

Pastor's Thoughts for February 

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greetings –

For four Sundays, January 29- February 19, the lectionary gives us scripture readings from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to use during worship. The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of Jesus’ teachings on all kinds of issues. If you have the time, I encourage you to read the sermon as a whole from start to finish. You can find it in Matthew, chapters 5 through 7. I am always amazed at the timeliness of Jesus’ words. This morning I was struck by these simple yet profound words of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-45:
​
“43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

We are living in a polarized world, divided into camps of liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats. Increasingly we get our news from different trusted sources, trusted by those “like us.” It is comfortable to live in an echo-chamber, where the ideas and thoughts we hear on the TV or see on the internet are all echoes of our own ideas and thoughts. Other ideas do exist, but we choose not to listen. And even more tragically, we discount the merit of those who see the world in ways different from ours.

As Christians, I think we can do better. I recently went to a workshop by Rev. Ron Richardson on the topic of the Healthy Church. Ron has a personal mission to listen to those who see the world differently than he does. He wants to understand, and so he seeks out people from other viewpoints for conversation. I think most of us would rather avoid those kind of encounters. When we see the hat or the T-shirt, we turn the other way. Some of us avoid talking with family who disagree with us, or unfriend one another on Facebook when the posts of that former friend become “too political.” Instead, maybe we should listen to Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount. Loving those who are like us is not usually difficult. Loving those who are different, who voted for the other candidate, who see the world in ways we do not – that’s much harder. I think that is what Jesus is asking us to do when he says “love your enemies.” Why? Jesus says it best. Like you and me, they are children of God.

During the month of February, let’s practice this more difficult love. Make a list of those whose politics you disagree with. Then pray for the people on that list daily. Don’t pray that they would change their views – that would be praying for them to become like you. Instead, pray for their well-being, and for an opportunity to calmly listen well to each other for the purpose of understanding. I wonder what God will teach us through a month of prayer and thoughtful conversation?

With prayers for courage,
Pastor Amy

0 Comments

Learning and Growing

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Booklets
Did you notice the booklets in the booklet rack at the back of the sanctuary? There are some new ones as well as some old favorites. Next time you have a few minutes, take a look and choose one to read.
 
Bible Study
The Tuesday morning bible study is working its way through the 2nd letter to Timothy. Come join us at 10AM on Tuesdays as we discuss and learn from this letter.
 
The Wednesday evening Bible study is now studying the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Each letter offers new material to discuss. Books are available from the church or you may purchase your own. In February we will study letters 2-5.
 

Sunday School
Sunday school is happening for the children during Sunday worship! And we can use some volunteers to be the extra adult in the room on Sundays. Contact Pastor Amy or Tamara D. in the office to be added to the rotation. No preparation required. You will join the children following the children’s sermon.

0 Comments

Souper Bowl

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sunday, February 5th - is Souper Bowl Sunday!
 
It is Super Bowl time, so we are collecting Soup! We will be collecting cash and food after the worship service to support the Concern for Neighbors food bank in Mountlake Terrace. Come join us 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.


0 Comments

Christmas Joy

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Christmas Joy offering was received during the month of December. This is a national offering program of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The offering benefits the work of our historically racial/ethnic schools as well as the needs of retired church workers. We collected $779 this year! Thank-you for your gifts.

0 Comments

Northwest Coast Presbytery Meeting

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Northwest Coast Presbytery will hold its February meeting here at Edmonds Presbyterian Church Thursday, February 23rd, beginning with dinner at 5PM and worship at 6PM. There will also be workshops earlier in the day. If you are available to be a volunteer that day, answering the phone in the office, providing coffee, or being helpful in other ways, please let Pastor Amy know.

0 Comments

Thank You...

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
…to all who provided reports for our annual congregational meeting on January 29th! If you did not receive a copy of the reports and would like one, please contact Tamara in the church office.

… to all who came and celebrated with the youth at their white elephant exchange and pizza party over the holidays. A great time was had by all!



0 Comments

Women's Association

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Women’s Association will meet on Wednesday February 8th for their monthly meeting at 11:30, luncheon at noon, and a speaker from Matthew House  following lunch at 12:30. Matthew House is an organization dedicated to assisting children and the families of people incarcerated in Washington’s prisons, and is one of the ministries our congregation supports.
For more information see:  
http://matthewhousemonroe.org/ 
All are welcome to join the women for the presentation, and all women are welcome for the meeting and luncheon.


0 Comments

Celebrating and Working Together

2/10/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ash Wednesday
Look for more information on the upcoming Ash Wednesday Service, as we join with Calvin and North Creek congregations at North Creek Presbyterian Church featuring Jeff Johnson in a contemplative service, sponsored by Renewal Ministries NW. 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.
 
Dessert Social
Come and worship with us and then bring a treat to share and enjoy others on Feb 12th for our Valentine’s Day dessert social.
 
Coloring Night
Come to our Coloring Night on Friday, Feb 17th at 7PM.

0 Comments

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    The Caller

    A monthly newsletter of upcoming events, celebrations, and news of the church community.

    Categories

    All
    Bible Study
    Deacons
    Education
    Events
    Fellowship
    Jobs
    Mens Fellowship
    Missions
    Music
    NW Coast Presbytery
    Pastor Thoughts
    Prayer
    Scouts
    Session Info (church Board)
    Stewardship
    Sunday School
    Womens Assn
    Worship
    Youth

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from KarenBorterPhotography, peddhapati, Jamie In Bytown, Evim@ge