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Pastor Amy's Thoughts

10/8/2014

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Greetings!

Our study of “the Story” has begun!    We are moving rapidly through the earliest stories of our faith.   I hope that you have been able to pick up a copy of “the Story” and are reading the chapter for each week.   We have had quite a few people join us for Bible study – and there’s room for more!  Come join us at any one of the three studies: 10 AM Tuesday, 6 PM Wednesday, or after church on Sunday.

Something special happens when we study the Bible together.   As we read the scriptures and share our insights with each other, we find that our own learning is enriched by the experiences and ideas of those who are studying with us. 

I remember a Bible study I attended many years ago.  I was an outspoken young 20-something, and frankly thought that any church-led Bible study was probably not going to teach me anything.  I’d taken classes on the Bible in college, and suspected there wasn’t much new in the texts for the day, which happened to be the first two parables in Luke 15 (the lost sheep and the lost coin.)   I clearly hadn’t read theologian Michael Green’s comments on parables.  He writes,

 “Parables are not meant to pat us on the back, but to give us a kick in the pants. They are not intended to comfort us, but to challenge us and change us. Parables speak out against the status quo. . .Parables are demonstrators waving signs of protest, speaking out against our ways of thinking, our traditional ways of experiencing and obeying God, our spiritual institutions.”

I should not have been surprised when a simple question that our Bible study leader asked,  “what do we learn about God in this parable?” brought me to a new and deeper understanding of my own faith as we discussed this question together.   I realized that some of what I brought to studying the Bible was my own bias – and it was not found in the text at all.  Isn’t that an interesting observation?  That little Sunday morning Bible study with eight people around the table led me to study my Bible in a new way.  I began to try to carefully strip away what I thought the text was saying from what the text really says.

 So what was my simple observation that Sunday morning?  That I had been interpreting parables about men as being about God, and the parables about women as being about human beings.  Yet these two parables, side by side, dealt with the same theme (searching for the one that is lost.)   One has a male protagonist, another a female.  Was I making a distinction that the text did not make?  What do you think? 


If you have the opportunity, study the Bible with another person.  Ask good questions of each other, and expect that God’s Holy Spirit will find ways to open your heart to God in new ways.

In Christ,

Pastor Amy

 


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Special events in October at EPC

10/8/2014

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· September 30th— Women’s Association board mtg.  11:00AM

· October 8th—Women’s Association meeting & luncheon 11:30AM

· Oct 11th—Second Saturday Prayer w/ Rev. Dr. Robert Slater

· 
Oct 19th—Guest Preacher Barb W.

 


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Other Tidbits

10/8/2014

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  • Deacons will meet following worship on Sunday, October 4th to organize themselves for the year. 
  • A new volunteer is needed to put out and take down the sign-boards directing folks to our church.  We have been blessed by Rod D doing this for the past year – thank-you, Rod! The signs go out on Saturday and are taken down Sunday following church.  The city limits their use to 24 hours at a time.   If you live nearby, please speak with Pastor Amy if you are interested in taking on this responsibility.  Thanks!  
  • The Women’s association has collected items for first-aid kits for Vision House, a transitional housing program for homeless families.   Thank-you to all who donated, and to Ruth R for setting up and running the collection effort. 
  •  It’s not too late to look at “the Story!”  Pick up your copy of The Story on the back table in the sanctuary, then join us for a study group at 10 AM Tuesday, 6 PM Wednesday (dinner included) or after church on Sunday.    We’d love to see you there! 

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SECOND SATURDAY PRAYER | Experience prayer that transforms

10/8/2014

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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.  



October 11, 2014  Edmonds Presbyterian Church, Edmonds 
"Praying Through a Dark Night of the Soul", with Rev. Dr. Robert Slater


 


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New Session!

10/8/2014

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Session notes:

We have a new session!   Our term of service runs September through August, so the new session members have now been officially ordained and installed to service, as have the new members of the board of deacons.

The session elders have divided their duties this way.  Each elder also assists on one or more other committees/areas. 

  • Administration and Finance:  Minna D. 
  • Building and Grounds:  Gay H. 
  • Clerk: Nannette H.
  • Congregational Life:  Gay H. and Grace P. 
  • Education:   Janet H. 
  • Mission: Grace P.
  • Outreach:  Rod D. 
  • Personnel: Mary Beth B.
  • Stewardship:  Minna D. 
  • Worship:  Janet H.

 

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Youth Group

10/8/2014

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Youth Retreat at Sound View Camp!


Friday, October 24 at 7:00pm – Sunday, October 26 at 11:00am

Grades: 6 – 12
Cost: $85

The Fall Retreat is a great chance to reconnect with summer friends and also hang out with someone new! This year, in addition to all the fun activities, we'll tell stories, ask questions, and dig deeper into what the story of Creation means. Not only is this a time to experience an awesome weekend at camp but it's also an exclusive sneak peek at the 2015 summer program!  Talk to Pastor Amy for the sponsorship code that will send you on this retreat for free!   

 



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News & Notes

10/8/2014

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Personnel Committee

Thanks to Dick S. for his past service as chairperson of the Personnel Committee. As the incoming chairperson, I met with Dick and Pastor Amy at the end of August to review the work of the committee, with the hope of making a smooth transition. I look forward to serving the congregation in this capacity. Members of the Personnel Committee include Dick (who graciously agreed to continue serving on the committee to share his knowledge and experience), Minna D., and Brian H., along with a representative from the Deacons' Board. Please let us know if we can be of assistance with questions or concerns pertaining to personnel.

The committee's first order of business will be to conduct staff performance/salary evaluations, beginning with Tamara D.'s 6-month review. Our goal is to complete the remaining evaluations as soon as possible, looking ahead to formulation of the 2015 budget.

Mary Beth B., Personnel Committee

 

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Did you know?

10/8/2014

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Northwest Coast Presbytery to meet in Ketchikan, Alaska!

Remember when our presbytery (North Puget Sound) merged with Alaska Presbytery (SE Alaska)? One of the questions I was asked was “So, do you get to go to Alaska?”  And the answer is, “Yes I do, and so does Linda!”   I have been to Alaska three times already on Presbytery business – twice to Sitka and once to Wrangell.  Now our Presbytery is holding its September meeting in Ketchikan and our Teaching Elders and Ruling Elder commissioners will all attend. One of the Alaska pastors told me not to get my hopes up, that it will likely rain the whole time we are there. So far, I've been blessed with sunshine on my three previous trips, so I can’t complain!  Look for more updates on our new Presbytery following that meeting.  – Pastor Amy


 


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Stewardship, Finance & Administration

10/8/2014

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You show your continued support and love for our church in your attendance, your interest in the church’s programs, and in your giving.  Thank you.

You will remember that EPC received a gift of $25,000 several months ago. 

Funds already used:

·   Paving and sealing of EPC parking lot                $        15,177.19

· Office computer program                                      $             361.33

· “Story” materials                                                      $              424.22

· Sanctuary lighting                                                    $              472.26

· Choir robes                                                               $           3,162.45

· Microphones for choir/soloists                             $              500.00 (approved, not spent)

 Total Gift money expenditures=$20,097.45

 Session is at work on the next phase of delineating projects and funds needed. Again thank you for your mindful stewardship for God’s church at Edmonds Presbyterian.

 
Minna D.    

September 17, 2014

 

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Presenting these before the Lord…..

10/8/2014

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·  Pray for those going through serious medical issues, and pray for wisdom for doctors.

·  Pray for those receiving treatments for cancer, adding our prayers for the many in full recovery and remission. Also wisdom and grace for the caregivers.

·  Pray for comfort and God’s peace for all dealing with grief.

·  Pray for our missionaries and missions around the world. Even though it seems that everything is falling apart,.. we know that God holds everything in his hands.

· 
Pray for our service men and women who are away from home, and pray for their safe return—that God would strengthen them and keep them out of harms way.

 

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