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Pastor Amy's Thoughts

8/30/2014

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Greetings!

School is about to start, and with it comes the many “new beginnings” of the school year.   Whether it is first day of kindergarten or the first day of college, there is much to look forward to in this season of the year.   

Our Church is also beginning a new season.  This school year I invite you to join me on an adventure reading selected verses that will take us through the major events of the Bible in 31 weeks.   We will begin in September and finish in May.  If you have not already picked up your copy of “The Story,” with the biblical texts printed for us in 31 chapters, please do so.   

Getting ready for “The Story” has made me think about why we study the Bible.  Over my vacation, our younger son was busy reading selected verses of the Old Testament for his tenth grade English class.   The Biblical story is the necessary cultural background for a novel they are also reading this summer.  You can’t understand the literary allusions to the great flood, or the walls of Jericho, if you have not read the Bible.   Reading for cultural understanding is one reason for reading the Bible, but I doubt if many of us read our Bibles more than once with that end in mind.

Why do I continue to read the Bible?  I do so because it is through reading the scriptures, meditating on their meaning, and praying about their application to my life, that I find myself transformed into more of who God wants me to be.   Reading the Bible changes me.

One of my favorite methods of Bible study assumes that God’s story always intersects our story.  In fact, God’s story (as found in the Bible) not only intersects our individual stories but our collective stories.   Consider for a moment the story of Jesus and his encounter with two of his disciples after the resurrection while the disciples were returning home to their town of Emmaus.  They did not recognize Jesus at first.   Only after he explained the scriptures to them, and broke bread with them, were their eyes opened and they recognized him.    In studying this passage together we may find that this story of Jesus and his disciples has parallels in our own lives.  Perhaps there were times when we were blind to the truth that we now see so clearly.  Perhaps someone once explained something to us that had been puzzling to us – and in so doing changed how we viewed the world.  Listening to how God’s story intersects our stories is life-giving and life-changing.  And it is why I return again and again to study the scriptures.

The words of the Declaration of Faith, found in our Book of Confessions, remind us that …

"The Bible is the account of God’s word and action in history together with his people’s response in faith. It tells how the Lord has moved with Israel and the church toward the kingdom of God, his just and loving rule over all. It is the story of the one God, who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That story is still unfolding and in faith we make it our own. It forms our memory and our hope. It tells us who we are and what we are to do. To retell it is to declare what we believe."   [Declaration of Faith, 1.4]

“That story is still unfolding, and in faith we make it our own.”   It is my hope and prayer that as we read and study the Bible this school year, God may use our study to change us, and through us change the corner of the world nearest to us. 

With thanks in Christ,     

Pastor Amy



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Stewardship/Administration/Finance

8/30/2014

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Thank you all for blessings of your time and monies and prayers for the work and mission of this church. Please continue as we turn toward Fall of the year.

You may notice an additional paper in pew pockets. That paper is a reminder about EPC’s move into the 21st century with PayPal. Visit our church website (www.epc-pcusa.org) to see and to use PayPal. Press the Donate button to view.

We were recently notified about a small investment we have with Mission Development, an arm of the Presbyterian Church USA. By leaving our money in the account, we help the national church to aid other churches who are pursuing perhaps a building campaign. You help people in so many different ways with your funds. Thank you.

We are mindful of the Burrells’ generous gifts to EPC. We are utilizing their gift to enhance our church. Notice our beautiful parking lot with its standout white lines and smooth surface. The church office received some needed computer programs to operate more efficiently and effectively with the gift.

Minna Dimmick

Stewardship/Administration/Finance Chairman


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The Story for all ages

8/30/2014

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There are copies of “The Story”  Bibles available for all ages of children, preschool through teen.  If you would like to purchase one, please see Pastor Amy.


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Potluck!

8/30/2014

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POTLUCK!!!

Our “Back to school” potluck picnic will take place following Worship on September 7th—bring a dish to share with your friends & family!


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News and Notes

8/30/2014

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The Story

Sign-ups have begun for reading and studying “The Story” during the coming school year.   Sign up for your own copy of the Bible readings and to join us at one of the three opportunities to go more in-depth into the word of God:

· Sundays following worship 

· Tuesdays at 10 AM in the Fellowship Hall

· Wednesdays at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall (dinner provided.)




The Story is 31 weeks of readings that cover the overall arc of Scripture from Genesis through Revelation in a chronological format.   Not all the scriptures are included, but the ones that are have been chosen to remind us of the major themes of God’s working in and through humanity over the centuries.    We will begin with the first chapters of Genesis.  The Tuesday and Wednesday studies will begin the week of September 1, the Sunday Study will begin September 7th around a potluck picnic table.   Worship, beginning on September 7th, will include Scripture passages also referenced in The Story.   Let’s study God’s Word together this year!


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Youth Group

8/30/2014

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Summer Camp

This summer Sound View Camp, a Presbyterian church camp south of Gig Harbor, was blessed with four youth campers from our church.  Laura D worked in the kitchen all summer long.  Jacob, Kate, and Lindsey attended camp as high school Leaders-in-Training.   What do LITs do?  A LOT of dishes, clear trails, and lead games for the younger campers.  Oh, and they also do all the stuff the campers do – bible study, archery, kayaking, paddle boarding, ga-ga ball, ropes course, arts and crafts …. You get the idea!   Thank-you to our generous donor who funded scholarships for our youth to attend this summer.   



Youth Group at Edmonds Presbyterian Church resumes on September 3rd at 6PM.


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Childcare Worker

8/30/2014

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We have had several interested persons, but no one has decided to accept the position.  So, it’s time to advertise once more.  Let your friends & family know that we need a Sunday morning childcare worker for children under age 6.  Two hours guaranteed, 9:30- 11:30 AM.  Applicants must be 18 or older and pass the state background check.   Contact Pastor Amy or the church office to apply.

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Thank you!

8/30/2014

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Pastor Amy’s office computer died earlier this summer, but thanks to generous donors she has a new computer and the software needed to make it work better and faster than her old Vista machine.  Thank-you donors!

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SECOND SATURDAY PRAYER | Experience prayer that transforms

8/30/2014

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9AM to noon - Second Saturday Every Month
A time & place set apart for renewal; space for you to engage in the rhythmic practice of Sabbath, retreat and prayer.
$20| RSVP to renewalministries@live.com or 425.361.7953

Renewal Ministries will be offering Second Saturday retreats throughout the Fall.  The next one is on September 13th will be held at Madrona Presbyterian Church.

"Praying when life seems Uncertain", with Gretchen Covey, MA

www.renewalminnw.org




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New Officers Elected!

8/30/2014

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We have elected our new class of deacons and elders!   Linda R. is returning for a second term as deacon.  Mandi S. will join her as a first-time deacon.    Mary Beth B. and Grace P. will be our new class of ruling elders.  Welcome!   These church officers will be ordained and/or installed on Sunday September 14th during worship.

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