Blog Archives - Edmonds Presbyterian Church

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

3/31/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Wow, it’s Spring and Holy Week is just about here! I am so happy that we get to do some of the things we love to do in person again. We will do Easter baskets on April 9. We will have a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services in partnership with Calvin Presbyterian on April 14 & 15. And then the big event, Easter on April 17! The choir will bring us the joy of Easter.

In other joyful news, I was called by the congregation on March 20 to be ordained as your installed pastor! Stay tuned for information about the installation service sometime this summer. I could not be more thrilled and grateful for your trust in me and your support as I begin my ministry with you!

Our Bible Study using Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans continues for two more weeks. It has been a great experience learning a new way to have faith and to learn what it means to be a Presbyterian. Don’t worry if you have miss a few. Just pick up a book at the church and join us! You can join us in-person on Sundays after worship and Tuesdays at 10 AM on Zoom.

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 April. I will be preaching for the whole month.

April 3, “There Is Something About Mary.” The story Martha and Mary is so rich with meaning. Along with their brother Lazarus they were personal friends of Jesus and they played a pivotal role in Jesus’s preparation to enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

April 10, Palm Sunday, “Of the Same Mind.” Palm Sunday is at once joyful and harrowing. Jesus knew the danger of entering Jerusalem, but he emptied himself and became an example for us all.

April 14 & 15, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in coordination with Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 3rd Ave. NW, Shoreline. Both services will be at 7 PM. Maundy Thursday at Edmonds, and Good Friday at Calvin. Please try to attend both, as you are able, to show support for our brothers and sisters at Calvin.

April 17, Easter, “Can You See the Real Me?” No one recognized the real Jesus on the road to Emmaus until he broke bread. Just like the song from The Who, it is a cry for identity. What will the church become? How will the real Jesus be revealed in us?

April 24, “We Must Obey God.” Peter just can’t help himself when he is told by the High Priest to stop preaching the good news. He is bursting with the Holy Spirit when he exclaims “we must obey God!”

As the temperatures warm and the sunlight returns, prepare your hearts and mind for renewal.

With the Peace of our God,
Pastor Rob

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS

3/31/2022

The Women’s Association for March was held as a lunch meeting at the Pancake Haus in Edmonds on Wednesday, March 9. For the first time in 2 years we are again making Easter Baskets for the Neighbors In Need food bank. This year we have enough baskets and filling material except we need candy to put in the baskets. Ruth R, mission chairman, requests small individually wrapped candies that can fit into a small plastic Easter egg. The candies can be the size of Hershey’s kisses. Otherwise we also have candy donated by Ruth from coupons she has saved. We plan to put the baskets together on Saturday, April 9. All who would like to help with this project are invited to come to the church at 10 AM and meet in the Friendship Hall. Hope to see you there.

Margaret S, Elder

Holy Week Schedule

3/31/2022

Maundy Thursday, April 14th, 7PM
On Maundy Thursday, we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples and his commandment to love one another.

Good Friday - April 15th, 7PM Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 3rd Ave. NW, Shoreline. On this sorrowful day of remembrance, we will gather to remember the events of that day in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified.

Easter Sunday - April 17th, 10AM
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Come join us as we joyfully celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The choir will enrich our worship with Easter music.

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

3/1/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Lent is all about preparation. Sometimes we give up something. Maybe it’s a temptation or a bad habit – turning over a new leaf. Instead of being another New Year’s resolution, however, it can be about giving up on an old way of thinking. As we approach Holy Week and Easter, let’s plan to be open to new ideas and new people.

I am excited about our new Bible Study using Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans. She was a young person who found her faith again in a congregation like ours. It’s a great way to acquaint ourselves with people who can find a safe landing place in our church. I will lead the Bible Study through Lent. You can join us in-person on Sundays after worship and Tuesdays at 10 AM on Zoom. Also, there is a bonus. There will be just enough Presbyterian polity mixed in so that those of you who would like to can join in membership at Easter.

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

On March 6, I will preach about the temptations of Jesus and how we should trust in the workings of the Holy Spirit. We should proclaim “Jesus Don’t Jump!”
On March 13, I will offer an encouraging message about “Our Citizenship is in Heaven.” When it seems like nothing is going right in the world, we can be confident that God will provide.
On March 20, I will focus on “That Which Does Not Satisfy.” We get so wrapped up in striving for the future and what we accomplish that we can forget what is really important. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that we show who we are by the fruit we bear.
On March 27, Christina Bergevin will offer an inspiring message. She is a fourth-year seminary student after a career in music ministry and staff at a megachurch. She has much wisdom about the movements of wider church around us.

As the temperatures warm and the sunlight returns, prepare your hearts and mind for renewal.

I wish you all every grace this March!

With the Peace of our God,
Pastor Rob

Mission News

3/1/2022

On March 2, the One Great Hour of Sharing campaign begins. This is one of the Special Offerings sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in support of ministries of compassion, justice, hunger, education, peacemaking, and global witness. Funds raised during the season of Lent are sent to Presbyterian Mission Agency where they are divided with 36% to Presbyterian Hunger Program, 32% to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and 32% to Self-Development of People.

In 2020 the Disaster Assistance granted $6.5 million as more than 500 grants in the United States and 56 countries. Of that, $3.5 million was for COVID-19 response. Find an interactive world map with OGHS recipients may be seen at pcusa.org/oghsmap. Also, to find out more about the ongoing work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, go to presbyterianmission.org/pda.

A BIG Thank You to all who contributed either cans of soup or cash to Souperbowl Sunday. On Monday, 24 cans of soup, 3 bags of nonperishable food, and $14 cash was delivered to the Neighbors in Need Food Bank.

Margaret S, Mission Elder

Education and Outreach

3/1/2022

The Tuesday morning Bible Study has completed their study of Romans. Pastor Rob has set up a new Bible study on a book by Rachel Held Evans called “Wholehearted Faith” which will start on March 6 and last 6 weeks, and will be used for both the Sunday mornings and Tuesday morning classes. Rachel Held Evans wrote “I’ve come to believe that wholehearted faith isn’t just about coming to terms with the heart that beats inside of me. Wholeheartedness is about seeing and comprehending my place in a bigger family of faith. It is about risking hurt and confusion for the sake of the thing that so many of us seek: belonging.”

Rachel Held Evans was the New York Times bestselling author of several books about faith, doubt, and life, and featured in numerous publications including The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Huffington Post, and appeared on NPR, BBC, The Today Show, and The View. She served on President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

In the foreword written by her husband, David, you will find her voice and maybe see her vision, her approach to others, her approach to faith and doubt and her approach to this fragile, fleeting life. Wholehearted.

The Tuesday morning Bible study will begin again on Tuesday, March 8 at 10 AM. Please pick up your books at the church or ask Kim in the church office to send a book to you.

Margaret S, Education and Outreach Elder

Women's Association News

3/1/2022

Eight women met together in the Friendship Hall at our church on Wednesday, February 9 for a regular meeting and Valentines Day Party. Flowers and table decorations were furnished by Kathy M and her friend Gail. Many delicious salads were brought by the members, and a spectacular dessert was served by Kathy M. Minutes of our December meeting were read by secretary Ruth R. Treasurer Kathy M reported that we have $1,203.77 in our bank account plus another $150 received from Phyllis Avery’s family and from Dick Sellevold’s family in appreciation for our help in providing refreshments for memorial services. We thank both families for their generous contributions.

Mission chairman Ruth R reports she did not get to send Valentines to our high school and college students this year, but instead will send candy and Easter greetings to the 2 students in our congregation.

New business: Ruth contacted Neighbors in Need Food Bank and found they are again willing to have us provide Easter baskets to the children served by the food bank. Since the Easter Baskets contain a coloring book with a religious message, we need to provide 2 volunteers to hand out the Easter Baskets to the families. Ruth R and Margaret S volunteered to hand out the Easter Baskets at the food bank. We have 2 special requests:
1) The session needs to approve use of either the friendship hall or a classroom to put the Easter Baskets together.
2)We ask the whole congregation of our church to join us in providing individually wrapped candies for the Easter Baskets. We plan to meet at the church on Saturday, April 9 to put the baskets together and will need a volunteer to transport them to Terrace View Church where they will be distributed.

We mourn the loss of our long-time friend and church member Billy Jo R, husband of Ruth R. His memorial service is being held on Saturday, February 19 at 2pm. Thanks to all who bring refreshments to his service. We also join Charlotte B in mourning the loss of her son Jeff who has been suffering from health issues for years. Charlotte thanks us all for prayers in behalf of her family.

Our March meeting will be at the Pancake Haus in downtown Edmonds on Wednesday, March 9 at 12 Noon.

Margaret S, Women’s Association Moderator

Men's Fellowship

3/1/2022

To all Men that are seeking a Great Way to spend a Saturday Morning Saturday, April 2nd, from 8:30 to 9:30. Once again we will have Men’s Fellowship at Edmonds Presbyterian Church. Masks are Suggested and the use of them will be adjusted as the requirements change. Please join us Each Saturday for a time of Fellowship and discussion. If everything works out, we will resume our Quarterly Pancake Breakfast.
I look forward to seeing all of you,
Gay H

Home Communion

3/1/2022

You’re invited to join us for Home Communion - While we cannot all gather in person, we will gather over the internet to share the Lord’s Supper together. On Sunday, March 6th, at 1 PM we will gather via Zoom for home communion together. We will have a special solo by Jerry Goodman as part of our service that will be hosted by Pastor Rob. Please have your own bread (simple is best), and grape juice / wine or other beverage common to your home. You may “Zoom in” in from your phone, Smartphone, or computer.

Bible Study

3/1/2022

Bible Study Starting March 6th, we will use "Wholehearted Faith" by Rachel Held Evans for Bible Study for six weeks. She was a young gifted author and theologian who found a new faithfulness in a mainline church much like ours. We will cover a wide selection of Bible verses on a variety of topics around building a wholehearted faith. Pastor Rob will lead and add a Presbyterian twist so that any who after attending the studies may join the church in membership. Come join us in-person after Sunday worship about 11:30 AM or on Zoom on Tuesdays at 10 AM!