Edmonds Presbyterian Church
  • Home
  • About
  • Sermons
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Facility Rental
  • Education

Pastor Amy's Thoughts...

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Greetings on this summer day,

My life has been on a roller coaster lately. It all began with a trip to urgent care, who then sent me to the ER, who informed me that I needed surgery. What a ride! I’m very grateful to be alive, to be living in a time of excellent medical care, and to have received so much love and care from family and friends over the last month.

Coincidentally the book on top of my “to read” pile when I went into the hospital was Diana Butler Bass’s latest, titled “Grateful.” Coincidence? Probably not. God always seems to know what I need to read and when I need to read it. I have been savoring her book, reading a chapter or two at a time. I was hooked, however, from her very first set of anecdotes about writing thank-you notes at the behest of her parents. I remember doing the same, sitting at the kitchen table, struggling to find the words to thank a distant relative for clothes that I did not like. Carefully, Butler Bass picks apart the social, cultural, historical, and spiritual meanings of thanks-giving. And interspersed in the text are scientific studies about the health benefits for living a grateful life.

I’d like to share with you two insights that struck me from the book thus far. First, two quotes caught my attention. The first by David Steindl-Rast early in the book, “Everything is a gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is a measure of our gratefulness, and gratefulness is a measure of our aliveness.” And likewise, a quote from Karl Barth, “Grace and gratitude belong together like heaven and earth. Grace evokes gratitude like the voice an echo. Gratitude follows grace like thunder lightning.” We are truly grateful when we realize that all of life, all that is, is a gift of God’s grace. We did nothing to earn this life, these people, or these glorious summer days. And once we breathe in that truth, we realize our only response is one of gratitude to God. Each day in the hospital I made it my practice to learn the names of my care team, and to thank them by name for the care they provided. A pretty simple task, made easier by their names printed on my white board. But I noticed a change in my attitude. I began experiencing their care for me as a gift.

A second insight is unfolding at my current bookmark in the book, and that is the connection between gratitude and community. When we gather together for play or celebration, we almost always end up more thankful than when we started. Play takes many forms. We can play a sport or a board game, read a book to a child, go for a walk at the beach, or sing in a choir. Even gathering for worship and fellowship contains an element of play as we approach the gifts of the day in wonder and expectation.

If you are like me, I’m certain that there are many reasons we could choose to be serious, to avoid play. The world situation, the financial needs of the church, health concerns are just a few that come to mind. But I would challenge you to join me in play. Sing, dance, and enjoy this life that we have been given. As the wise adage says, we call this moment in which we live “the present” because it is a gift of God to us. Let’s enjoy those gifts together.

​With thanks in Christ, Pastor Amy

0 Comments

Session & Task Force Update

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
What has been happing lately with the session and its task force?
The session is considering what steps to take to help our giving more adequately match our expenses. Expenses are currently outpacing giving by twice what we had anticipated when we built the 2018 budget. We still have adequate financial reserves for at least a year, but the session is considering that other steps we can take to bring our finances back into balance.
 
The task force is doing three things. First, we are surveying the congregation to find out what is most important to you in a future church program and building. We will have conversations at the potluck on July 9th to finish these discussions. Second, we are connecting with our fellow local Presbyterian churches to see if there are ways that our visions for mission overlap. Are there ways we could share mission and ministry together? Third, we are preparing for a longer conversation on July 8th with Presbytery officials about future uses of this property. At their request, an independent appraisal is being conducted. And we are meeting with people who have been instrumental in helping other churches creatively look at new uses for existing property.
 
At the request of the session and task force, we invite you to join us in seven weeks of prayer. We began with week one on Mother’s Day, and, because of Pastor Amy’s absence, are just now entering into week two. Please hold the work of the session and task force in your prayers. A guide to prayer will be included in each week’s bulletin. If you would like a copy emailed to you, please let Tamara in the church office know and she can make sure you receive a copy.

0 Comments

Potluck

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Sunday, July 8th we will have a summer picnic potluck! Come to worship and hear from missionary Jan Griffith as she shares about her work in Sweden. Join us for food and fellowship following the service. And, as a bonus, members of the property task force will be available at each potluck table to ask and answer questions about their work discerning our future together.
0 Comments

Guest Preacher

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Jan Griffith will speak on Sunday, July 8th during the worship service. We will have the opportunity to learn more about her current ministry in Sweden. Jan has been a missionary in Sweden for many years. Some of the people Jan’s church and Christian school reach are refugees. Jan grew up in Edmonds Presbyterian Church. Her parents, Bob and Marian, served in the church in many ways.

0 Comments

Missions Parking Lot Sale

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Saturday, July 14th is the annual missions fund-raising parking lot sale. For a $25 donation to missions, you may reserve a stall to sell your items. We’ll take care of the publicity. All proceeds are yours to do with as you wish. Invite your friends and family to sell with you, or come and shop the sale! 10AM – 1PM. Signups are online at https://goo.gl/forms/0CFv6bAAO5NYoCdX2 or contact the church office to reserve a space.

0 Comments

Summer Camps

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
It is not too late to send a kid to camp! Both Tall Timber Ranch outside of Leavenworth, and Sound View Camp, located south of Gig Harbor, are accepting registrations for their summer programs. Whatever your age and interest, there is a camp for you! Contact Pastor Amy for more information about the camps or about the camper-ships we offer to defray the expense (Did you know that Jacob Delaney is working at Sound View Camp as part of their program staff this summer? It looks like it will be a great year for camping!).

0 Comments

Elders & Deacons

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
It is that time of year when we recruit new leadership for the session and deacons. Any member is eligible to serve. If you are interested, or know someone who you think would make a great elder or deacon, please speak with Don I. or Don H., Sr. Once we have the nominees in place, we will hold a short congregational meeting to elect these new officers.
0 Comments

Outdoor Worship

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Put Sunday, August 12th on your calendar – you won’t want to miss our annual Outdoor Worship Service! At 10AM we will gather on the lawn outside to worship God. And, there will most likely be a potluck picnic afterwards. Come join us for a lively time of worship and fellowship.

0 Comments

Coloring and Game Nights

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Our July and August coloring and game nights will be on Friday, July 6th and August 10th, starting at 7PM. Come join us for a time of fellowship together as we color or enjoy board games together. There will even be croquet for the outdoor games enthusiasts! I hope to see you there.

0 Comments

Missions

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
One of the missions supported by the mission tithe from our offerings is Eagle’s Wings DisAbility Ministries (they use a capital “A” in their name to show that everyone has ability and talent). One way they add pleasure to lives of people with disabilities is to host special events at different churches or other places willing to host them. Mill Creek Presbyterian Church sponsors a Pirate Bash each year, with music for dancing for everyone, including people in wheel chairs. Bethlehem Lutheran Church has a Talent Show. A Halloween party at the YWCA, and a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at LIFE Church 360 were other fun times. A special Winter Wonderland Ball was enjoyed at Marysville Foursquare Church. These are only some of the special events for people to enjoy throughout the year.

0 Comments

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    The Caller

    A monthly newsletter of upcoming events, celebrations, and news of the church community.

    Categories

    All
    Bible Study
    Deacons
    Education
    Events
    Fellowship
    Jobs
    Mens Fellowship
    Missions
    Music
    NW Coast Presbytery
    Pastor Thoughts
    Prayer
    Scouts
    Session Info (church Board)
    Stewardship
    Sunday School
    Womens Assn
    Worship
    Youth

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from KarenBorterPhotography, peddhapati, Jamie In Bytown, Evim@ge