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Pastor Amy's thoughts for June...

6/12/2014

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Greetings!

During the past nine months we have been experiencing various spiritual practices and forms for prayer.  We have practiced the prayer of examen, the Jesus Prayer, and lectio divina.  We have thought deeply and begun to practice intentional listening and hospitality.  This month as we move into our summer schedule where the pace of life slows down at the church, I would invite us to turn our attention outward.  

In the loose-leaf resource book, “Lord, Teach me to Pray,” there is a short article on praying with the newspaper.   I know many of you still receive a newspaper daily, others get their news online, on TV, over the radio, or through an app on their phone.   Regardless of where you find your news, this is a prayer practice that can deepen your experience of prayer.

Here are some simple steps to use in praying with the newspaper – based on the lectio divina practice for praying with scripture.   After beginning with a prayer to consciously invite God to be part of your reading, choose an article for your prayer.  Don’t spend too much time of this step – what article looks interesting?  What article would you like to spend more time with?   Then read that article slowly, looking for one word or phrase that stands out to you.   Next, read the article a second time.  As you read, prayerfully listen for that word or phrase and pay attention to the feelings and thoughts that come to you as you hear the text.   Then sit with that word or phrase, mulling it over, chewing on it.   What is it about that word or phrase that is speaking to you this particular day?  Does it remind you of a particular bible passage or biblical theme?   How does this article intersect with what you know of God and our world?  Finally, read the article one last time, this time asking “how may I pray?”   Take time to pray, using the insights you have gained to guide your prayer.

This morning I prayed with an article on the prevalence of concussions in sports as my text for the day.  A phrase in the article stood out for me “sports are vital.”  I wondered and prayed with the word “vital.”  Are sports vital?  Are they “life-giving, essential?”  My prayer led me instead to focus on the participants in the sports, the vital young men and women who are affected by a lack of safety awareness, and whose lives may be altered.  The article focused on one young woman, but my prayer led me to those I know who have suffered concussions in the last year.   And it is for them that I prayed.  For Ann, for Joe: ‘may the injuries they have suffered not follow them the rest of their lives.  May their brains fully recover. May they be vital and full of life.’   My prayers continued -  for coaches and players, parents and teachers, and the young woman named in the article.  By spending time with this particular news story in prayer my own awareness of God’s work in the world was increased, and I prayed for young people for whom I would not otherwise have remembered to include in my prayers this morning. 

Join me this month in praying with the news, in whatever form you encounter it.  Breathe deeply the more relaxed air of summer (once it arrives) and invite God to show you how to pray.

With thanks for your prayers,

Pastor Amy

 


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News and Notes...

6/12/2014

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The Session is busy getting bids for various improvement projects made possible by a generous donation from one of our church families. Be on the lookout for some needed changes and upgrades - new microphones and new LED lighting are the first projects on the list.

A new church address directory is available. Please pick up yours on the back table of the sanctuary. Almost as soon as we print one, it is out of date. If we've missed a change in address or phone number, please let the church office know.

Youth group is on Summer schedule! June 11th is the last regular Wednesday night meeting. We've got a lot of ideas for summer fun. Keep an eye on your email for a list of summer activities and dates. Bowling, game night, badminton tournament, volunteering at Food Lifeline, ice skating... and lots of great ideas. We'll have that list for you soon.

Bible Study's last session is this spring season June 10th. It is our tradition to enjoy a lunch together following the last study in June. Come on the 10th to study and join us for lunch.

Thank you to all that have donated toward the relief effort following the Oso landslide. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) volunteers have been hard at work leading "de-brief" sessions for the first responders and rescue workers. More are scheduled for later in June. PDA is a recognized leader in providing this kind of service. We can be proud of our Presbyterians!
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Stewardship, Finance & Administration

6/12/2014

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Stewardship: We have given over $1,500 toward our 2014 Per Capita. The total needed is a little over $1,950. We are doing great in recognizing our commitment to our church and the larger church. Because you are so responsible in paying your per capita, we do not have to dip into our regular capital funds to cover it. Thank you!

Finance: In the next week or so, the church administrative assistant will issue the quarterly giving reports. Ordinarily, your giving statement would reflect 3 months, but with the office change, Session agreed to wait for a little while to generate the giving reports. They will include 5 months (January through May). You will find them on the table in sealed envelopes, alphabetized. If you have any questions about your givings statement, please call the church or go by and see Tamara. Thank you for your continued willingness to being good stewards of our gifts from God.

Administration: EPC's website host is going out of business. After some research, Session agreed to change to Weebly as our website host. Pastor Amy has transferred and reworked the EPC website. Please compliment Amy on her great work. Take a look often at the church website (www. epc-pcusa.org). Our administrative assistant will keep the site up to date. Session agreed at the May 2014 meeting to add online giving to our church website. After researching options, we choose to use Paypal as our means of receiving online donations.
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Volunteers Needed!

6/12/2014

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Are you able to help out in one of the many volunteer positions that keep this church running smoothly? The Building & Grounds committee is looking for eager volunteers who love yard work or basic building maintenance. Talk with Gay H. if you're interested.

We're also developing a roster of volunteers for such things as liturgist, coffee host, childcare volunteer, and communion server. Sign up forms are available in worship or from the church office. Please sign up and we'll put together a schedule for next quarter.

Also, the choir is always looking for new members. It's a great time of fellowship!
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EPC Women

6/12/2014

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The ladies of EPC meet once a month for business and lunch. Throughout the year, they take part in mission projects such as Pathways families at Christmas, as well as local and Presbytery missions. All women in the church are encouraged to attend the meeting for fellowship and food.

Moderator Barb Sellevold opens the meeting with prayer. The minutes and treasurer's reports are read. After the meeting, the group has lunch.

Sincerely submitted...
Shirley L., Secretary
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Men's Fellowship

6/12/2014

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Men's Fellowship meets in the EPC Fellowship Hall every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. Coffee and maple bars are the usual fare with a pancake breakfast served quarterly. Christian discussion topics or a current topic from the news are presented by one of the group. 

We enjoy the fellowship of each other's company and always leave with something to think about that helps us review our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Please join us and become part of the fun and fellowship of EPC Men and Jesus Christ.

Gay H.
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Pentecost!

6/12/2014

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Pentecost is the day that we remember with joy the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples of Jesus following his resurrection. In Acts 2, we read:

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from Heaven, there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the spirit gave them ability."


Empowered by the Holy Spirit, these first disciples shared the good news of Jesus with those in Jerusalem and into the far reaches of their known world. On Pentecost Sunday, we will give thanks to the same Holy Spirit who dwells within each of us, leading us to know and follow Jesus. Please wear red to worship on Sunday in celebration of the coming Holy Spirit 

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Youth Camp!

6/12/2014

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It's not too late to register for camp!

We have EPC scholarships available for camp this summer - thanks to a generous donor! You may go to either Sound View or Tall Timber Ranch and receive up to $250 from the church for your week at camp. Please let Pastor Amy know id you need the "codes" for receiving  this great offer when you register. I know we have youth attending Sound View for the "LIT#2" & "LIT#5" high school service camps. Come Join them!

For more info on the camps, see - 

    Tall Timber: http://ttr.talltimber.org
    Sound View: http://soundviewcamp.com

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Summer Meals Program 

6/12/2014

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EPC Missions

6/12/2014

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As Stewards of resources, EPC missions collected Funds as follows:

            One Great Hour of Sharing - $1,781.05

            Christmas Joy Offering - $1,397.72

            Souper Bowl - $116.45

            OSO Relief - $190.00

Debbie B. was our guest preacher on Sunday, May 24th. After coffee hour, she met the congregation for Q&A, where she discussed her mission work in South Sudan and East Africa.
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