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

Pastor Amy’s Thoughts….

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
Greetings on this lovely fall day in the beginning of September!
   Our church Session has been studying the “Seven Marks of Vital Congregations” as our meeting devotionals these past few months. Each of the seven is a trait that was discovered during two extensive national studies of vital mainline protestant churches, where the researchers wondered, “What is different about vital churches? What are the marks, the identifying characteristics, of their vitality?” [Curious? You can read more here: https://www.northwestcoast.org/vital-congregations -look for “immediate toolkit”.]  
   At our August session meeting we discussed the third mark of vitality, “Outward Incarnational Focus” using a Bible study on Romans 12:1-21. We began our study by unpacking the title of this mark. Outward: beyond our church walls to our neighborhood and world. Incarnational: seeking to be with our neighbors as Christ was incarnate (in the flesh) in our world. Focus: an intentional vision. In this text from Romans we noticed that Paul teaches, “we, who are many, are one body in Christ.” Although we have different gifts, different heritages, and different ideas about almost everything – In Christ we are one family, brothers and sisters of each other. Each one of us is vital to the mission God has in mind for this community of faith. We also were encouraged by Paul’s words to “be genuine” and to live lives “acceptable to God.” And as elders in a church with many needs, we resonated with the reminder “so far as it depends on you.” God has called us to each do our part, and it is good to remember that we do not carry the load by ourselves.
   How does this passage apply to Outward Incarnational Focus? As we discussed that, we affirmed that as this congregation and its members have grown older, we no longer do as much hands-on mission in our community. But we are involved in mission through our prayers and financial support. Our ‘10% for mission’ commitment does make a difference in the lives of those we serve. In those ways we continue to embody an “outward incarnational focus.”
   Are you curious about the other six marks? If so, there are several things you can do to learn more. You are invited to attend Verge 2.0 on Saturday, October 26th at Calvin Presbyterian in Shoreline. The theme of this year is Vital Congregations. You can register for Verge here: https://www.northwestcoast.org/verge. You may also read more at our presbytery website (link is earlier in the article) or at the PCUSA website (link is on the presbytery’s website.) I left our Session meeting reflecting on what it will take to maintain an Outward Incarnational Focus. I realized that a key part of maintaining that focus is story-telling. Our Missions Elder, Ruth Roberts, is good at this. She shares what she has learned about our mission partners in our newsletter, emails, and prayer requests. And on Sunday, September 15th, former PCUSA missionary, Jonna Reeder, will share stories about her previous and current work in international missions. I invite you to join me in keeping the local, national, and international mission ministries in your prayers, as we continue to deepen our Outward Incarnational Focus as a congregation.  Blessings, Pastor Amy


0 Comments

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Our weekly Bible study will resume our study of the first letter of John on Tuesday, September 17th at 10AM in the fellowship hall. We look forward to another year together!

0 Comments

Looking Ahead: International Potluck

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Plan on joining us on Sunday, October 6th following worship for an International Potluck in honor of World Communion Sunday. Bring a dish to share. Delaney's are either bringing their Irish corned beef (Mark’s heritage) or Scottish shortbread (Amy’s heritage). What will you bring?


0 Comments

Coloring Night – September 27th at 7PM

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
You are invited to join our small group and use your colored pencils to relax and de-stress as we color inspirational messages together and share with one another.

0 Comments

Sunday School for Adults

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Our fall class is a series studying Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s book, “Short Stories Jesus Told: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi,” using her videos to amplify the text. Dr. Levine brings her Jewish heritage to her study of the New Testament, and offers keen insights into the parables of Jesus form a Jewish and scholarly perspective. Join us for six Sundays following worship as we learn more about the parables of Jesus. The classes will be on Sundays beginning September 29th, no class on International Potluck day, October 6th.


0 Comments

Congregational Meeting

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
​The session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, September 22nd following worship to elect new officers (elders and deacons) and to revise Pastor Amy’s terms of call to reflect our smaller church size.
 
0 Comments

Women’s Association

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
All ladies are invited to meet at the Pancake Haus for lunch on September 11th at noon. 
​The address is: 530 5th Ave. S., Edmonds, WA.  This will be a fun time to enjoy visiting with each other.


0 Comments

Guest Preacher

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
We are blessed with some excellent preachers to fill-in when Pastor Amy is out for
vacation and study leave. Former PCUSA missionary, Jonna Reeder, will be in the pulpit on Sunday, September 15th and will share stories of her past and present experiences in mission around the world.

 
0 Comments

Missions

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
​October is sock month at Operation Nightwatch, so now is a good time to watch for sales of white men’s socks, crew or longer length.  They can be inexpensive since they are worn a few days and discarded. 
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY raised $9,673,682 nation-wide, helping over 3,500 charities which provide food for people in need. 

 
0 Comments

Looking Ahead: VERGE 2.0: Leading Vital Congregations

9/5/2019

0 Comments

 
Reserve Saturday, October 26, 9-3:30 for VERGE 2.0: Leading Vital Congregations. An energizing lineup of speakers and workshops will catalyze your spiritual leadership as you enter 2020 with renewed hope in the Gospel and energy for God’s mission in the world!
VERGE 2.0: Leading Vital Congregations : Saturday October 26, 2019, 9:00am-3:30pm. Lunch is included. Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline, WA
Workshops to focus on Vital Congregations Initiative, Emotional Intelligence for Spiritual Leaders, Improv for Church Leaders, and more! Register at:

https://www.northwestcoast.org/verge2
 
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous

    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