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Pastor Amy's thoughts for November

11/5/2014

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Happy November!

This month I have been thinking about a theology book I read many years ago that opened my eyes to a new way of perceiving the Christian life.  British theologian Geoffrey Wainwright has written a systematic theology titled “Doxology: the Praise of God in Worship, Doctrine and Life” that, as you may expect from the title, looks at all we know about God and all we believe about God through the lens of thanksgiving.   “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” is the opening line of our Doxology we sing in worship weekly.   Wainwright asserts that praise is the only gift we can bring to God.    And as I read Wainwright’s book I began to wonder, “What would it be like if we viewed our whole lives through this lens of praise and thanksgiving?”   I think if we took this idea seriously, we would begin to recognize that there are many more reasons for us to give thanks than we might initially suspect.    Here are some that I came up with:

We are grateful to God for our lives:  body, mind and spirit.   We do not know how many days we are given to live, but we do know that the very breath of life is a gift from God.   Even in grief, we give thanks for the blessings of having known another of God’s children, and look forward to the day when we rejoice once again with one another in the eternal presence of God.

We are grateful to God for the gift of time.  Sure, some days it feels like “time flies” and other days feel eternal in their length as we wait for an anticipated phone call or news from a surgeon.   But the very fact that we can notice such things is a gift.  God has given us time in which to grow and change.  God has given us time and we can choose how to use it.

We are grateful to God for the world in which we live, and very conscious that too often we take this amazing planet for granted.   Today I am thankful for the rain on this gray October morning that makes our hills so green and our rivers so abundant.  I am grateful for the variety of food that is good to eat, and for the hands that grow, harvest, and send it to market.  

We are grateful to God for our individual gifts and talents, those things that make us unique in this world.   What are we doing with those gifts and talents?  Are you singing in the choir? Are you teaching someone else the craft or hobby you love?  Are you looking for signs that God is encouraging something new in your life – a new opportunity to serve, to assume leadership, or to care for others?

 We are grateful to God for communities in which we participate.  We are part of families, neighborhoods, cities, states and nations.  We are participants in God’s great community, the church.  Together, as communities, we can accomplish far more than any of us can by ourselves. We are grateful to God for the resources entrusted to our care, including our finances.   It is a joy to be able to give of our abundance to help others.  It is a joy to be able to share a portion of what we have been given with our church family, providing for the facilities we enjoy as well as for our worship, study, and community service. November is the time of year when we indicate by our pledges our anticipated financial support for the church for the coming year.  These pledges help our ruling elders to set a reasonable budget for the year.  Look for an opportunity to submit your pledges in the coming weeks. We can then give praise God that through the participation of each one of us, God provides the support we need to continue to do the work of ministry in this place.

For all these good gifts, the only response we have to give is one of praise.  We praise God from whom all blessings flow.

In Christ,

 Pastor Amy

 



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Personnel Committee

11/5/2014

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The Personnel Committee welcomes two new members - Ruth R. representing the Women's Association, and Don C., from the Board of Deacon's. They join me, Dick S., Minna D., and Brian H. in reminding you to let us know if you have any questions or concerns relating to personnel.
 
Also, please give a warm EPC welcome to Tamara M., our new child care provider during Sunday morning worship. In addition to providing our child care, she is currently pursuing her nursing degree at Seattle University School of Nursing. Thanks to Don I. for encouraging her to seek us out! 
 
Mary Beth B.
Personnel Committee


 

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Weekend Conference November 7-8

11/5/2014

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Calvin Presbyterian Church invites us to join them for a “Gospel in Life” conference, Friday evening and Saturday morning.  Dr. Matthew Kaemingk, Executive director of the Fuller Institute for Theology and NW Culture, will be the speaker.   If you have wondered, “Does God care …. about my job? … about my retirement?  … whether I am in business or mission?”  then this conference is for you!  More information can be found at www.calvinpc.org

 


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SECOND SATURDAY PRAYER | Experience prayer that transforms

11/5/2014

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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

November 8, 2014  Edmonds Presbyterian Church, Edmonds 

"Praying with Grateful Hearts in Times of Crisis", Rev. Dr. Paul Strawn

 


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Stewardship, Finance & Administration

11/5/2014

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 Session approved use of $500 from Gift money allotment for a new used digital keyboard to replace the old one we have played for years.  Kathy M., our amazing director of music, Is searching for a quality keyboard for the church to purchase.

 Third Quarter financial statements have been issued for you.  If you haven’t picked up yours or have not received yours in the mail, please notify the EP Church office.  Thank you to Tamara D. for taking care of this important aspect of our financial lives.

 Thank you for you continued willingness to honor your commitment of furthering God’s mission for His church, at Edmonds Presbyterian Church.

 Nominating Committee Members include:

Shirley L.
Rod D.
Charlotte B.
Minna D.

 Thank you to these people for their graciousness in serving.

We shall meet in Spring of 2015.

 Minna D., October 22, 2014

 

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Upcoming Holiday Events

11/5/2014

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Thanksgiving Eve Service
Come join us as we offer praise and thanks to God for all the gifts we have been given, Wednesday November 26th, 6:30 – 7:00 PM.  

 Deck the Halls
Saturday November 29th, 4 PM -- Come and help decorate the church and sanctuary for the Advent season.  We will follow the decorating with a simple soup supper. 

 Advent Potluck and Readers Theater
Saturday December 6th at 4:30 PM – Join us for a potluck together, followed by special Readers Theater presentation!   Bring a dish to share.    This is a great way to begin our Advent and Christmas celebrations!

 Advent Jazz 
Come and enjoy selections from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Sunday, December 14th 10 AM during worship. 

 Choir Cantata
Inspirational music of the seasons will be presented by our talented choir on Sunday December 21st 10 AM during worship.   

Blue Christmas 
A “Blue Christmas” service will be held the evening of December 21, at 7 PM.   December 21st also happens to be the longest night of the year.  This is a service especially for those for whom the Christmas season is filled with anxiety, sadness, or grief.    Come join us for a more contemplative service that offers God’s hope and comfort to all. 


Christmas Eve

11 PM Candlelight service to welcome Christ the Lord! 

 


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Special Events in November

11/5/2014

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· Guest Preacher Rev. Dani Forbess—November 2nd

· DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS—November 2nd

· Women’s Association board mtg.  11:00AM—November 4th

· Second Saturday Prayer w/ Rev. Dr. Paul Strawn—November 8th



· Women’s Association meeting & luncheon 11:30AM—November 12th

· Guest Preacher Rev. David Hackett—November 16th

· Thanksgiving Eve Service at EPC. 6:30—7:00PM—November 26th

· Thanksgiving—November 27th

· Deck the Halls. 4:00PM—November 29th

 

 


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Mary's Place

11/5/2014

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Mary’s Place Hats and Tea

Unfortunately, there will be no “Hats and Tea” this year at Mary’s Place,  a ministry that supports homeless women and families in Downtown Seattle.

You may support the work of Mary’s Place another time:

November 12th—Community Coffee 8-9AM, or

November 20th—Come inside Reception, 6-8:30PM

 


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Fall Teaching Retreat

11/5/2014

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$65—Includes snacks, lunch & materials. 

Register at
www.renewalminnw.org

 


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The Story Continues 

11/5/2014

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November finds us exploring the life of Ruth, King Saul, King David and King Solomon.   Come join us as we learn from the lives of these pioneers of our faith.   Bible Study options are Tuesday morning at 10 AM, Wednesday evening at 6 PM (dinner provided) and Sunday morning following worship.

 


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