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Pastor Amy's thoughts

3/8/2016

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Greetings – 
This season of the church year, Lent, prepares us for Holy Week and Easter. Day by day we are journeying ever closer to the solemn remembrances of Jesus’ last supper and his crucifixion. Then finally on Easter Sunday we will rejoice, singing our alleluias, at the mystery of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. 

The observance of Lent is often compared to a journey. When we studied the Good Samaritan last week in our Wednesday bible study it occurred to me that our whole Christian life is a journey. You may remember Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus is answering the question of the Pharisee, “who is my neighbor?” through the use of this parable. A man is on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. He is accosted by thieves, beaten, robbed and left naked by the side of the road. Three men are also on the road. The first, a priest, passes him by without stopping, as does the second, a Levite whose work is to serve as an assistant to the priest. But the third man, an outsider from Samaria (a place despised by those who lived in the land of Israel), stops to offer first aid. He takes the injured man to an inn in Jericho and leaves money with the innkeeper to cover two weeks of care. He also pledges to return to the inn and resolve any remaining debt. Jesus asks, “Who was the neighbor?” It was the Samaritan, of course. He saw the need, and responded with abundance. 

The Good Samaritan is a challenging parable. It reminds me of the story of a professor who decided to research the effect of this parable on preachers-to-be in seminary. The students filled out a questionnaire, then were told they needed to give a talk on a subject (either the parable of the Good Samaritan, or how to find a campus job) at a room across campus. On the way they passed a fellow student (a drama student, recruited by the professor) who was acting injured, and asking for help. Did they stop to offer help? What do you think? If they were not in a hurry, 63% of the students stopped. If they “just had enough time to get there” 45% stopped, and if they were told that they were already late, only 10% stopped to help. It didn’t matter which talk they had been assigned. The biggest factor in their offering assistance was how much of a hurry they were in. 

And so I wonder, how do we keep our eyes open during Lent and indeed during all of life? What is it that lets us see the woman in pain not as a distraction or annoyance, but as a fellow human being, loved by God, and in need of our particular assistance? I think we begin by paying attention, and that means slowing down. Give yourself the time to notice who is around you. Give yourself time so that if someone says to you (as someone did to me at Starbucks just last week) “Do you have a moment- I have a theology question for you?” You can say “I do. I’m not in a hurry.” 


And if we slow down, I wonder who God will place in our path, along our journey this month? Perhaps you will provide the answer to someone’s prayer. As the 16th century mystic, Theresa of Avila, reminds us in her writings, 
“Christ has no body now but yours; no hands, no feet on earth, but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world; yours are the feet with which he walks to do good; 
yours are the hands with which he blesses the world.”

May we notice our fellow children of God during Lent. And may we respond as the hands, the feet, and the eyes of Christ to each person we meet along our journey.
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With thanks in Christ, 
Pastor Amy 

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​Souper Bowl update

3/8/2016

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On February 7th we collected many cans of soup and $94.71 in donations for the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace. Thank you for your generosity! 
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​A Class For The Curious—Sunday March 13th.

3/8/2016

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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 Sunday, March 13th following worship for an informative discussion. 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 register for this class.

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​Per Capita – We are 1/3 there!

3/8/2016

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As of January 31st we have collected $1,026.25 in Per Capita fees Edmonds Presbyterian Church pays on behalf of our members to be a part of the Presbyterian Church. This represents nearly 1/3 of the congregation had paid their Per Capita – GREAT WORK! If you haven’t paid your Per Capita, please do so. 


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​One Great Hour of Sharing

3/8/2016

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Around the world, people lack access to food, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) serves to help change the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. We will dedicate this offering on Palm Sunday, March 20th.

Started in 1949, One Great Hour of Sharing is a long-standing ecumenical effort aimed at raising the funds necessary to provide relief and reconstruction for communities in the aftermath of disaster. What started as an hour-long radio appeal has evolved over the years, varying from eight to 29 participating denominations, and has become the most participated-in Offering in the PC(USA). Today, projects supported by One Great Hour of Sharing are underway in more than 100 countries. 

OGHS makes a difference in the world through three impactful programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) works within communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural or human-caused disasters. Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) takes action to alleviate hunger and its systemic causes, and helps create access to healthy food for entire communities. Self-Development of People (SDOP) partners with people and communities with tools for development and education to alleviate poverty, oppression, and injustice.

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​The Season of Lent

3/8/2016

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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 day preceding Easter, excluding Sundays. Lent began 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.” Lenten devotional booklets are available on the back table with readings and prayers to assist you in a prayerful Lenten journey.

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2016 World Day of Prayer

3/8/2016

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The women of Cuba have written the service this year and share their stories of intergenerational wisdom, traditions and experience of God’s love and acceptance. Please come join us. We are hoping by having the service on a Saturday that more women who are at work during the week might be able to attend and participate. We will be holding the service in memory of Maplewood’s own Louise B. who was instrumental in the planning of these community services for many years.
 

 


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​Congregational Life

3/3/2016

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Our Valentine’s Day Potluck was a success. Thanks to all of you that brought food for our Valentines’ weekend potluck. Thanks to all the many hands that helped clean up.
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Looking Ahead: Ethiopian dinner, Roza K. has offered to host another Ethiopian dinner for the church –Details to follow.



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Holy Week Services

3/3/2016

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Our Holy Week Services will include two joint services with Calvin Presbyterian Church. If you have not included Holy Week services in your schedule in past years, I would encourage you to do so this year. After worshiping and remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we arrive at Easter Sunday with renewed appreciation and understanding of our faith.
 
Palm Sunday, 10 AM, March 20th. Join us for worship and the waving of palms. We will shout “Hosanna!” and remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
 
Maundy Thursday, 7 PM, March 24th. Preparations are in the works for a shared Maundy Thursday service with Calvin here at Edmonds Presbyterian Church. On Maundy Thursday we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, and his commandment (‘mandate’ – where ‘Maundy’ originates) to “love one another.” This year we will be treated to a Last supper meal in the style of a Passover meal, where we will encounter anew the meaning of the truth that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Reservations are required. Please sign up after church or phone the church office to reserve a place at the table. We also need a few people for readings, so there will be a signup sheet for readers. After March 6th, reservations will be open to members of Calvin Presbyterian Church – so reserve your space early. Seating is limited.
 
Good Friday, 7 PM March 25tth Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 3rd Ave. NW, Shoreline. At this service we will remember Jesus’ death on the cross for our salvation. 
 
Easter is Sunday, March 27th . Join us and invite your family and friends to come with you for our joyful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The choir is preparing uplifting music, and gospel soloist Nichol Eskridge will be our guest vocalist. There will be activities for the children, including an Easter-themed “worship bag” and Easter egg hunts.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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​Summer Camps

3/3/2016

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As parents know, March is the time to start thinking about your summer plans. If you have a young person in your life who would like to attend a Christian summer camp, we have two Presbyterian camps in the area that provide excellent summer programming. Brochures for both camps will be available soon on the back table in the Sanctuary, or you can find information online at Tall Timber Ranch (www.talltimber.org) or Sound View Camp (www.soundviewcamp.com). Camper-ships are available thanks to generous donations. Speak with Pastor Amy for more information.
 

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