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Pastor Amy's Thoughts

4/3/2017

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April Greetings!
I love reading the parables of Jesus. They make me think. There is a parable Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 25 that has been on my mind lately. The premise is this: Ten bridesmaids go to wait for the wedding party to arrive. They bring their lamps, but only five of the bridesmaids think to bring extra oil. The wedding party is delayed, and by the time they arrive the lamps have all gone out. The wise bridesmaids fill and light their lamps – and enter into the joy of the feast. The foolish bridesmaids cannot, because they failed to bring extra oil with them for their vigil. This parable makes me think about what we do to be prepared for the events, surprises, and even delays in our lives. Are we wise? Or are we foolish?
A few years ago my brother and I had a conversation with our mom about her future. We asked her: Where did she want to spend her final years? What was important to her? At first she did not want to talk about it, but then we reminded her that it is better to have these conversations now, when no decisions have to be made, than to wait until we urgently needed to arrange for care. We were attempting to be wise instead of foolish.
Our church congregation is at a key point in its life. We are continuing to meet our budget and to enjoy worship and fellowship with one another. We could put off having discussions about what’s next for us. But if we seek to be wise about our future, this is a good time to do so, before a crisis forces us to act. We can use this time God has given us to ask questions about the next 10 or more years of this congregation. We can plan and dream together, asking “What would you like to see for this congregation in 2025?” Inside the newsletter you will find more information about what the Session has planned.
What I want you to understand is that this is not an immediate crisis. Having the conversation is like talking with my mom about assisted living. She was not in need of more care at that time, so it was the perfect opportunity to have that conversation about values and priorities as she looked forward to her future. Having that conversation early helped my brother and me to make good decisions about her care when that time came.
In the next few weeks we will journey with Jesus through Holy Week. We will wave palms at his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, share communion in memory of his Last Supper, pray as we consider his prayers at the Garden of Gethsemane, and remember his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Then on Easter Sunday we will celebrate God’s triumph over death in the account of Jesus’ resurrection. It is my prayer that looking at how God brings resurrection and new life will assist us in planning for the future of this congregation.
In Christ,  Pastor Amy

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Vision House Fundraising Luncheon

4/3/2017

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Once again, Gay Hawkins will be hosting a table at the fundraising luncheon for Vision House, the agency responsible for the Jacob’s Well transitional housing in Shoreline. Their program provides a stable living situation for families with children as they work to move out of homelessness. But they can’t do it without help from the community. If you’d like to attend the lunch on Thursday April 27th, it is located at the Bellevue Hilton. A carpool will be leaving from the church if you’d like to drive with us, or you can meet us there.

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Screwtape Letters

4/3/2017

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We continue to study The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis on Wednesday nights at 6 PM. Each letter offers new insights, so please feel free to join us any Wednesday you are available. It is good to share the challenges of living the Christian life with one another.

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One Great Hour of Sharing

4/3/2017

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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, April 9th, but you may continue to bring your offerings throughout April. 

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.
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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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Baby Shower

4/3/2017

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There’s a baby coming! We are very excited for this young family who are expecting their first child soon. There is a shower being planned for them at the church on April 8th. Please speak with Pastor Amy or Mandi if you would like an invitation.

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Deacons

4/3/2017

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The Deacons’ quarterly meeting will be Sunday April 9th following worship. If you are a deacon, please put the date on your calendar or talk with Mandi if you are unable to attend.
 
The deacons are on the front-lines of our caring ministry at the church. They often work in the background, so you may not know all that they do. One part of their ministry is allocating the monies donated to the deacons’ fund. In 2017 alone the deacons have helped a number of local residents with gas and food gift cards and housing assistance. Thank you for your gifts to this fund. Through your generosity we bless our church community and the larger Edmonds community.

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Easter Basket Stuffing - Saturday April 8th at 10 AM- NOON

4/3/2017

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We will be stuffing over 100 Easter baskets again for the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace. Every child will receive a basket with a stuffed toy, candy, and a booklet about Easter. The Women's Association invites you to bring wrapped candy for the baskets (by April 2nd) and/or join them on Saturday April 8th to fill and wrap all the baskets. Bring a friend!  A Special thank-you to Ruth Roberts for pre-sorting all the goodies and organizing our efforts so that the packing goes quickly and smoothly on the 8th!

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Praising God Together – 2025

4/3/2017

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What will the church and our larger Edmonds community look like in 2025? For the first time in a number of years the session is undertaking an honest assessment of our long-range opportunities as a congregation planted in this particular location.
 
You are invited to explore the future with us in a variety of ways. Here are several to look forward to:
  • · We will have “talk sheets” that we would like you to complete for yourself, then share one-on-one with a neighbor in the community. Let’s learn from one another.
  • · We will have interviews with community leaders, again one-on-one. The session invites you to consider who you know in leadership in the Edmonds area that you might be willing to interview on our behalf. Look for that invitation in May. Let’s learn from our community.
  • · We will have a “Heritage Lunch” in June to celebrate and learn from the history of this congregation. As we share memories together, our future may begin to come into clearer focus. Let’s learn from our past.
  • · We will bathe this whole process in prayer, as we prepare to Praise God together for many years to come. Look for specific invitations and suggestions for your prayers as we proceed. Let’s learn from our prayers.
 
May God lead us as we study scripture and pray. In the words of Psalm 119:106, we proclaim our hope that God’s word will guide and direct us, “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” that we may praise God together!

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Holy Week

4/3/2017

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Our Holy Week Services this year 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 worshipping and remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we arrive at Easter Sunday with renewed appreciation and understanding of our faith.
Palm Sunday, 10AM, April 9th. Join us for worship and the waving of palms. We will shout “Hosanna!” and remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday, 7PM, April 13th, 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.”
Good Friday, 7PM, April 14th at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 3rd Ave. NW, Shoreline. At this service we will remember Jesus’ death on the cross for our salvation.

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Easter Sunday

4/3/2017

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Easter is Sunday, April 16th! 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. There will be activities for the children, including an Easter-themed “worship bag” and Easter egg hunts.

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