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Pastor Amy’s Thoughts….

11/10/2020

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Greetings –
As I write this, I am reminded that I am writing pre-November 3rd. I do not know what you will know when you open this newsletter, which candidate for president has won the election. And I do not know what reactions will happen, though I pray for peace and calm to prevail.
This moment reminds me of many other moments in my own lifetime, moments when I did not know what the future would hold.

The first was when I was seventeen, sitting by the window on an ordinary Sunday afternoon in May1980, and watching ash fall from the sky. We didn’t know if it was toxic. We didn’t know if we could drive in it, or if it would damage our vehicles. (We later learned that it did clog engines and scratch windshields). We didn’t know if schools would be closed, if events would be cancelled or postponed. It was an uncertain moment.

The most recent time I recall was when we first learned that COVID-19 had arrived in a Kirkland care center. What might that mean for us? Would our lives change? We are still living in that uncertain time. I have made over 30 cotton facemasks. And we are still waiting to return to worship in the sanctuary.
At our Presbytery’s Verge 3.0 conference in October, I had the opportunity to listen to Susan Beaumont speak about her book, “How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You Are Going.” In her presentation she reminded us that the traditional ways of leading – with clear direction, a five-year plan, and expectations that we will excel in this effort – just don’t work in times of uncertainty. Instead, she suggested that good leaders become comfortable with not having all the answers just yet; remembering to be present to ourselves, others, and to God; and acknowledging that we may be in this time of uncertainty for a while- and this uncertain time may have something to teach us.
 
Who in Scripture was faced with uncertainty? There are many examples to choose from. Moses in the desert of Sinai for what turned out to be 40 years. Ruth and Naomi, wondering what would happen to them following the death of their husbands. Mary, wondering about her pregnancy with Jesus. The disciples, following the crucifixion of Jesus. Or my favorite in this context, the persecutor, Saul, who was struck blind by the light of Christ. Blinded, and charged with heading into a city he could no longer see to find, Saul began his journey toward faith in Christ. His companions, who did not see the light or hear the voice, took Saul into the city of Damascus. Then, in Acts 9:9 we read, “For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” He was waiting, as instructed, to be told what to do next. Can you imagine the uncertainty and anxiety? I would have wondered if I was crazy. My companions would probably have become very impatient with me. But, he does wait, and Ananias appears, being instructed in his prayers to do so. Ananias heals Saul through his prayers, and teaches him the good news of Jesus. Saul, also known as Paul, becomes a great witness to faith in Jesus.

In our present moment of election and pandemic uncertainty, let’s look to the scriptures. Remember that God is faithful. Give thanks for all the times that God has been faithful in your life, and use those memories as encouragement to trust in God’s faithfulness today. Remember the trials God’s people have gone through over the centuries - and know that we are not exempt from such trials. Challenging times and situations will arise. Just as God was with Moses and the people of Israel in their 40 years of wanderings, God is with us as well. Finally, don’t forget to take time to give thanks and praise to God. Look outside – see the trees in all their fall splendor, and give thanks. On a clear night, notice the moon and the stars, and give thanks. And whether on Zoom or in real life, give thanks for each person you see this day, that they are a unique, beloved child of God.

In Christ,
Pastor Amy

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​SESSION NEWS

11/10/2020

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What has your Session been up to?
 
It is an active time to be on the Session! We
· Have begun work on the 2021 budget
· Have begun looking at models of pastoral ministry
· Are able, because of COVID-19, to keep elders and deacons on their respective boards for an additional year. We are grateful that both Elder Don I and Deacon Nancy B have agreed to serve for another year
· Continue to support our mission causes
· Continue to offer worship, bible study, fellowship, and game nights via Zoom
· With the assistance of the deacons and staff members, we continue to reach out to every member and friend in the church directory – online or by phone – to offer our prayers and support.
 
Please continue to keep your session elders and their work on your behalf in your prayers.


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​WOMENS ASSOCIATION NEWS

11/10/2020

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The Thank Offering for The Women’s Association will be by mail this year. Please mail checks to Treasurer Kathy M. at 18300 88th Avenue West, Edmonds, WA 98026. Recipients for offerings given this fall will be chosen early in 2021. Grants will be given to entities who work to help victims of sexual abuse, child abuse, people experiencing hunger, and/or homelessness, people in need of justice, areas where clean water is needed, people needing medical help and others who meet requirements and are chosen by the committee. Forty percent of the offering goes for health care. One recipient from last year’s offering was the Green Lantern Lunch Program in the Olympia Presbytery which received $30,000. This ministry provides summer-time lunches to children whose families cannot find jobs providing adequate income. Lumber and fishing jobs lost in the area have not been replaced with other jobs that provide a living wage for families.
Ruth R., Session Liaison
The EPC Women’s Association met via Zoom on October 14, 2020 with 7 women attending. Treasurer Kathy M. reports she received enough money in member contributions to send each of our 13 mission projects $75. Mission chairman Ruth R. has already received thank-you notes from Cocoon House who informed us they have expanded their teen services, and Mary’s Place who provide housing for homeless women. We are collecting white socks for Operation Nightwatch via a collection box just outside the front door of the church every Tuesday morning all through October. Ruth plans to contact Pathways for Women for a Christmas Family for us to adopt.
 
Please contact me if you have an idea for a speaker or mission project you would like to hear from. Amy Sukaguchi from Operation Nightwatch has agreed to be our Zoom speaker for the Women's Association meeting to be held on November 11th at 11am. I am asking her to Zoom in to our meeting at 11:30 and to speak to us about how their program is progressing in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Even if you are unable to use Zoom on your computer you can dial in by phone by using the same telephone instructions as for our church services. Either Pastor Amy or Kim will host the meeting.
 
Our condolences are being sent to Dick S. for the passing of our longtime friend and member Barbara S. Remembrance cards are being sent to Jerry G, Ila C, Marcia P, and June N.
 
Kathy M. is already making plans for our Christmas meeting which will be on December 9th. We will discuss more about this at our November meeting. Wishing you all good health and good cheer.
 
Margaret S., Moderator



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​STEWARDSHIP

11/10/2020

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To the Saints of Edmonds Presbyterian Church – Thank you
As I think about our congregation and Pastor Amy’s recent message: “Thanking God for All the Saints,” I can’t help but smile. Our congregation is truly filled and has been filled with Saints. Over the last many years, you have sacrificially given (tithed) and it has blessed so many. What have YOU impacted, let’s take a look?
Just think of all the missionaries and people whom we will not meet until we get to heaven that our congregation has supported. Even when we are not able to meet at the church, our property continues to minister to so many of our neighbors. Our commons are used by so many to walk, bike, or park under the shade of the trees and refresh their souls. It is due to the of support of our Saints that we are able to bless those in our community with our property. And how about the Saints in our congregation that make our worship services the blessing they are. Your support allows them to minister to us. You and the Saints who have gone on before you have provided a reserve fund for us to access in seasons when our giving doesn’t meet our expenses, such as we currently find ourselves in.
There are other things that you and the Saints that have gone before support. Things such as the electricity, telephone, power, garbage, payroll, insurance, equipment, and supplies. Perhaps they are not as exciting as supporting a missionary or providing food for the food bank, but they are needed. As faithful Saints of Edmonds Presbyterian Church, your giving keeps all of the inner workings of the church going.
As you prepare for 2021, prayerfully consider your part of this ministry. On behalf of the Session, thank you for your faithful support of Edmonds Presbyterian Church. YOU ARE A SAINT!
😊 God Bless you! Don I.



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MISSION NEWS

11/10/2020

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CHRISTMAS FAMILY: Yes, we will have a Christmas family this year but we will give gift cards instead of gifts, and we will mail donation checks to church. Our family will be a mother and 2 children. We will not know the ages and sex of the children until mid- November, too late for this Caller edition. We are expected to give two $50 gift cards for each child and a $100 gift card for groceries. It would be nice to be able to give the mother a gift card for herself as we have done in previous years. If you would like to help our family have an enjoyable Christmas, you can mail a check made out to “Edmonds Presbyterian Church” showing on the memo line that it is for the Christmas family. Our family will be introduced in the December Caller, but we cannot wait that long for donations since the gift cards need to be delivered to Pathways the first week of December.
OPERATION NIGHTWATCH: 83 pairs of socks and $30 cash were donated to Operation Nightwatch the Sock it to Homeless sock drive. Thank you to all who gave.
Ruth R.


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​REFLECTIONS ON PSALM 63, A PSALM OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN A DIFFICULT TIME

11/10/2020

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“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”

This Psalm was most likely written when David was in the desert region of Judah while hiding from Saul. Water probably was scarce in that area. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering and other groups work to help bring water to people who are still living without safe drinking water. We can also think of lack of water as a spiritual longing for God. Water is used in Baptism. Genesis1:2 says the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. As I was thinking about this a CD I had on played “There Shall be Showers of Blessing,” using a water metaphor as a sign of God’s blessing. This Psalm expresses a longing for God from someone who trusted in God but could not openly attend any place of worship. David knew God’s love is better even than life, and he was able to praise God even during the difficult circumstances he was in at that time.

God is present with us now during this difficult time we are in with the COVID-19 virus. He is with people in areas where they face persecution for their faith, including people mentioned in the “Voice of the Martyrs”, like the 3 Christian families in Laos. They were driven from their village and their houses were destroyed because they would not deny their Savior and give up their faith. Their faith was more important than their jobs and possessions. God was with the Pakistani Christian who was fired from his job because he would not embrace Islam, even though he knew it was hard for Christians to get a well-paying job. God is with people who struggle with physical deformities like those helped by Mercy Ships. One was a 12 year old boy whose deformed legs made it difficult for him to help his father in the fields and to play soccer, which he loved. He was able to get surgery from a Mercy Ship doctor to straighten his legs, and with extensive physical therapy was able to have a normal life, a real answer to prayer for his family. I am going to close by reading verse 5. Note that it does not say “my body, but “my soul.” “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lip my mouth will praise you.”
 
A devotional provided by Ruth R.


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​You’re invited to join Pastor Amy for Home Communion

11/10/2020

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While we cannot gather in person, we will gather over the internet to share the Lord’s Supper together. On Sunday, December 6th, at 2 PM (following our usual 1 PM check-in) we will gather via Zoom for home communion together. We will have a special solo by Jerry G as part of our service. Please have your own bread (simple is best), and grape juice / wine or other beverage common to your home. You may “zoom in” in from your phone, smartphone, or computer.


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​Thank-you

11/10/2020

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“I thank-you for the many emails and cards that I received in October for Pastor Appreciation Month! I don’t know who the instigator was, but it was delightful to hear from so many of you. I am truly blessed.” – Pastor Amy

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Bible Study

11/10/2020

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Our Bible Studies are starting a new series, “Advent of the Savior.” This study will take a closer look at the familiar passages from Isaiah, Matthew, and Luke surrounding the birth of Jesus. We will meet on Tuesdays at 10 AM, and Wednesdays at 3 PM, with the same study each day. You are welcome to join us whenever it works in your schedule.
 

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​Sunday Worship by Mail, too!

11/10/2020

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Do you know someone (maybe you?) who would like to receive a mailed copy of the Sunday worship and sermon each week? Contact Kim or Pastor Amy to be added to our list.

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