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Pastor Amy's Thoughts

5/4/2016

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Greetings –
 
Do you like to take photos? One of the best inventions ever was the addition of a camera to a cell phone – at least in my opinion. Now I can take photos anywhere and anytime. I’ve been known to pull over by the side of a road and take photos of flowers. Just this morning I stopped on my way into church and snapped a few photos of the white and pink azaleas in bloom beside the parking lot. Last week I took photos in Mount Vernon at the Tulip festival, trying to get just the right shot in the overabundance of possible photos.
 
Then last week I received a request from Mark’s work to submit three photos. A childhood photo, a photo of him when he first began working for this company (almost 23 years ago) and a current photo. Well, the current photo wasn’t hard to find. The one from childhood I had to ask his sister to send me – a cute shot of the two of them at a garden show amidst the mums. But the one from 23 years ago? I finally found one in a photo album (remember those?) and took a cellphone photo of it to submit - mission accomplished.
 
This journey through photographs reminded me of the blessing of time and the many emotions we feel at its passing. Looking back, I remember how it felt to be a new parent. I remember old addresses, friends we haven’t seen in a while, and older relatives now rejoicing in heaven. Observing time and its passing is part of being human. The book of Ecclesiastes includes this musing over time (Ecc. 3:1-8 selected verses, 3:11),
 
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; …4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; … a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” 11 He (God) has made everything suitable for its time;

It is that last line that struck me so deeply these past weeks. God has made everything suitable, or as other translations put it, “everything beautiful in His time.” Each moment of life holds wonder. Each moment can hold a sense of awe and amazement. Even the trials of life can bring a new focus on what really matters, what are the truly important aspects of life. William C. Martin writes this about time:
 
“There are only two questions that need to be answered in order to move along the path toward God. One could spend a lifetime just considering these two questions and answers. The first question is, “What time is it?” The second question is, “Where are you?” The only correct answer to the first is “Now!” The only correct answer to the second is, “Here!” [pg. 2, from his book, “The Art of Pastoring”]
 
Maybe I shoot those photos so that I may hold, for just a moment, the “now” that is passing. Maybe I shoot those photos to hold for just a moment the place that I’m passing through. All these places and times are made beautiful by God. My prayer for us in this month of May is that we may appreciate God’s gift of time in the here and now.

 

In Christ,
Pastor Amy



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​New Trees!

5/4/2016

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Look around the property and (soon) you will see five new trees! As you may recall, we had five dangerous trees removed, and as per Edmonds requirements, are planting five new trees. Many thanks to our own master gardener, Bobbie B., for shepherding this project and Steve W. & Gay H. for their assistance with the official paperwork.
 

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​Come and Meet a Missionary!

5/4/2016

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We have a missionary that we have been praying for over the years who works incognito in a country that is closed to official missionaries. She does economic development work and shares God’s love in the process. Curious? I can’t put her name in the newsletter, but you can meet her at 6:00PM on Wednesday May 25th. We’ll even include a pizza dinner for all who attend. Come join us - and bring your questions!
 


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​Do you like Basketball?

5/4/2016

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We have been invited to the Seattle Storm’s Faith and Family Night, Thursday June 30th. Please let Linda R. know if you are interested. Tickets are $15 each. The atmosphere at these games is tremendous – very fun! What other team has “Doppler” as its mascot? Friends are welcome to join us.
 


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​Game Night at EPC

5/4/2016

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Friday May 6th we will have a game night, 6:30 – 9 PM! Bring your favorite board game and we’ll enjoy a pizza supper together before playing games. If the weather cooperates, we’ll also have croquet and badminton! Invite your family and friends.
 


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​Deacons

5/4/2016

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The deacons continue to do good work, visiting those who are in the hospital or care centers, offering their prayers, and keeping in touch with those who can no longer attend worship. Do you know who your deacon is? You can also see them “behind the scenes” bringing flowers, setting up for communion, and making phone calls to invite you to church events. We don’t have a “Deacons appreciation month” but if we did, I’d encourage you to seek out and thank your deacon for their work. (A list of all the deacon assignments is posted in the Fellowship Hall.)

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PCUSA General Assembly

5/4/2016

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Want to see how our PCUSA General Assembly works? Our General Assembly meets every two years, rotating regions of the United States. This year the GA is in Portland, Oregon June 17-25. If you are able to visit, consider volunteering. If you can’t attend, but want to support the assembly in prayer, the Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) is looking for people to be prayer partners for the commissioners and delegates. More information on how to volunteer in person or in prayer can be found at the COLA website, http://www.gaportland.com/

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Congregational Meeting

5/4/2016

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A congregational meeting will be held after worship on Sunday, May 22nd to elect new officers (elders and deacons). Remember to submit your nominations to the nominating committee via Janet H. We are always looking for those who are gifted and called by God.
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​Worship and Congregational Life

5/4/2016

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Thanks to Mandy S. for hosting the coloring night at EPC on Friday April 29.
We are considering making this a once a month gathering to relieve the stresses of our busy lives.
 
Remember Mother’s Day is Sunday May 8th
Remember your mom or other women who have affected your life in positive ways.
 
Pentecost is May 15th. Show your spirit by wearing red.
 
Upcoming Events
‘Let the Summer Begin’ All church picnic, sometime in June. TBD
 

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​Can you hear me now?

5/4/2016

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We are beginning an upgrade to our sound system. The sound board has multiple channels, several of which have failed or are failing. Our sound tech, Joey M., has put together a proposal to get us back to full functionality. You may not notice the difference, until you see multiple microphones in use at once, or until you hear the choir rejoice at being able to hear themselves in the monitors once again. Contributions toward the upgrade are always welcome.
 


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