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Pastor Amy's Thoughts...

11/12/2018

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It is almost November as I write this, and I have been thinking of seeds. In my garden, I usually sow seeds in the spring. But I know there are some plants, such as tulips, that are sown in the fall, so I guess that’s not such an odd thing to consider planting seeds in November. The seeds I’ve been thinking of are the seeds in Jesus’ parables and in Paul’s illustrations. Jesus talks a lot about seeds. There’s the mustard seed, that small seed that grows surprisingly into a big shrub. There are the seeds sown by the sower, some that fall into good soil, but many that do not. And there’s the words written by Paul in 1st Corinthians about seeds. Paul is speaking to the church about the different leaders who have helped that church to grow. It was not all Paul’s effort. It was not all Apollos’ work. He writes,
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Cor 3:5-7)
One plants, another waters, but only God gives the growth. It is a reminder that the church we are today is the result of many faithful workers over the years.
November is traditionally the time when we dedicate our pledges to the work of the church here in Edmonds for the coming year. We will do so in worship on November 18th this year. As I considered another year of faithfulness in this place, I was filled with gratitude.
Thank-you for planting seeds this year. We plant seeds when we give freely of our time, our talents, and our resources, not sure of what will happen. It’s like the sower scattering the seed. Some will fall on good soil, some will not. It’s an exercise in generosity. Others’ generosity provided us with this property, building, and ministry. They did not know in 1964 what ministry would happen here, but they trusted and planted. We continue to do the same.
Thank-you for watering seeds this year. Thank-you for your service in so many ways – your gifts of talent that we enjoy on Sunday morning, the gifts of baking that bless us following the service, the gifts of servanthood that make so much of what we do possible.
Thank-you for sharing your gifts of compassion, caring for our homebound and those in need. Thank-you for your prayers. Thank-you for your financial gifts that keep the doors open and the heat on. Thank-you for carrying the hope that there is a future for this congregation – and that hope is now bearing its own fruit.
Thank-you for reaping the harvest. This year we have begun preparing this place for new ministries of service and compassion. I am overjoyed that we are on our way to becoming a multi-use facility, with our worshiping congregation at the center of it all. There will be more details soon on what that will look like and the next steps we will need to take. Thanks to the generous bequest from Cindy Jacobson’s estate, we are able to take the time necessary to live into this new reality. The doors will stay open, our worship will continue to be spirit-filled, ministries of compassion will continue, and our lives will be enriched by the study and fellowship we share together in this place.
As you can tell by the many uses of the phrase “thank-you,” I am feeling very grateful to God for this congregation, for the discernment process we have undertaken, and for the future God has in mind for ministry in this place. Let’s continue to sow and water the seeds, and prepare for the new crop of blessings God has in store for us. 

In Christ, Pastor Amy 


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Missions

11/12/2018

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The congregation and Women’s Association will sponsor a needy family from the YWCA-Pathways for Christmas. Our family will have a mother and 2 children. We should have more information about our family soon.

The Christmas Joy Offering will be collected in December. Fifty percent of the offering will help retired pastors who are having financial difficulty, often caused by high medical bills. The other half of the offering will help racial ethnic students receive an education at Presbyterian related schools and colleges.


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Adult Sunday School Class

11/12/2018

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For this month we will be using the Videos and Book by Max Lucado, “Grace.” What is grace? How would you define it? Come join us after worship on Sunday mornings for study and discussion. No class on November 18.
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Food Bank

11/12/2018

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Don’t forget that we support the Concern for Neighbors food bank in Mountlake Terrace, located at Terrace View Presbyterian Church. Bring your non-perishable items, brown paper bags, or empty egg cartons and Jim N. will take them to the food bank. In case you are wondering what to purchase, here is a list of the “top 25” healthy non-perishable items most needed by food banks: canned beans; dry beans; peanut butter, or other nut butters; rolled oats; canned fruit in juice, not in light or heavy syrup; canned vegetables, with no or low-sodium; low-sodium soups; canned tuna in water; canned chicken; brown rice; quinoa; nuts, unsalted; seeds, unsalted; shelf stable milk and milk substitutes; whole grain pasta; low-sodium pasta sauce; popcorn kernels (not microwave popcorn); canned stews; unsweetened apple sauce; whole grain, low-sugar cold cereals; olive or canola oil; canned tomatoes; dried fruits, no sugar added; honey; chicken, beef and vegetable broths and stock.

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Deacons Fund

11/12/2018

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As we head into the fall, the needs in both our church community and the larger local area increase as the temperature falls. If you would like to assist the church in helping with immediate needs in our community, please consider a gift to the deacon’s fund. The Deacons have their own account. Please write your check to “Edmonds Presbyterian Deacons.” And again, thank-you for your generosity.

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Good News

11/12/2018

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The Northwest Coast Presbytery Executive Board approved our request (along with Maplewood) to include the Rev. Jean Kim’s Foundation for Homeless Education as a mission partner of the presbytery. Her foundation works with the homeless to provide a path toward job training through education, supporting them as they navigate the services available and providing housing as needed.
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Women’s Association

11/12/2018

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The Women’s Association met at the church in September for a business meeting, lunch and program. Margaret Kulkin gave a very interesting and informative talk and power point slide presentation about Tyler and Rochelle Holm’s ministry in Malawi. Tyler helps train future pastors, teachers and church leaders. Rochelle is involved in teaching people, including people with disabilities, how to improve water sanitation and helping make it easier for them to access clean water.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, November 14th, at noon at the Pancake Haus.

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Advent & Christmas Services & Events

11/12/2018

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Here’s the plan for the special worship services and events at Edmonds Presbyterian in December so you may mark your calendars:
· Saturday, December 1st – The annual Hanging of the Greens. Come at 10AM to decorate the church for the Advent and Christmas season.
· Sunday December 2nd – This is the first Sunday in Advent. Our celebration begins with a festive worship service including communion.
· Sunday, December 16h – 10AM - Advent Jazz with Gina and special guest musicians. Plus the Women’s Association will host an annual bake sale – all proceeds go to their mission causes. Bring an item to sell and $ to pick up some goodies from others.
· Sunday, December 23rd - 10AM Worship with the Choir Cantata- A musical presentation of the message of Christmas by our Choir.
· Monday, December 24th – 5PM (note the time change.)  
We will celebrate the birth of Jesus early in the evening with a “come as you are” Christmas pageant.  Arrive by 4:45 to select a costume for yourself or a child, and join us as we build a living nativity during the service.   We need sheep and shepherds, angels and wise ones.  Bring your family and join us! The service will conclude with candle lighting.

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Studio E3 Catalyst for Renewal and Revitalization

11/12/2018

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Pastor Amy has accepted a very part-time (8-10 hr/week) position working with other churches in our presbytery as they seek renewal and revitalization. Studio refers to the individual nature of renewal in congregations – no two churches are the same, and so there’s a creative part to pursuing renewal. E3 refers to the presbytery mission statement to Engage Equip and Encourage congregations and their leaders. Her work with our congregation will always come first, but as a ¾ time pastor, she has some time to give to other work, including this position. You may read more about the position here: https://www.northwestcoast.org/employment-1/2017/12/18/studio-e3-catalyst-nwc-presbytery.
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Tuesday Morning Bible Study – 10AM

11/9/2018

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We have finished the book of James and are moving into 1st Peter. Come join us as we break open God’s word together. Particular benefits of our Tuesday classes have been Kathy’s baked goods and Freddy’s laughter. It’s fun to have a child in our midst!

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