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From the Desk of Pastor Rob

11/27/2023

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Dear Fellow Travelers,
Advent is here! I love Advent for many reasons. Of course, the lights and the sweets and the Christmas cheer are wonderful. I also love the quietness and darkness. This is the time when we anticipate the coming of the Christ child on Christmas morning. This is when the Universal God comes to us as human in Jesus, a little defenseless baby at the breast of Mary. What kind of God does that? Explore the meaning of Jesus’s coming with the congregation and me this special season.

We are planning for a choral celebration on December 17th in worship. We are also cooperating with Maplewood Presbyterian and Terrace View Presbyterian for several events in Advent including Carol Singing and Christmas Eve services.

Our Bible Study on Acts continues. Join us after worship in person or Tuesday at 10 AM on Zoom. We are using Scot McKnight’s “Acts.” There are free copies on the back table at church. It is also available on Kindle.

Men’s Group is happening all summer at 9 AM on Saturday Mornings. We share in music, bible study, and discussion. Women’s Association meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month with lunch. Get involved in their mission and outreach activities.
Please tell your friends and family about our Online Streaming Worship. We have a new camera with much improved video quality. Please go to the www.epc-pcusa.org website for the latest links. 

This is what I am planning for worship in December.
Sunday, December3 rd. The darkest and most brooding Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and I love it!! Am I crazy? Perhaps, but I love the holiness of this special Sunday. In “Tear Open the Heavens” I will talk about the incarnation of Christ and the meaning of the coming of Jesus as our Savior.

Sunday, December 10th. Margaret K will be our sermon leader. She will preach on the famous passage from Isaiah “Comfort Ye My People” which is the line that opens Handel’s Messiah. The coming of Jesus was announced by John the Baptist. In a troubled world, we can confidently give and seek comfort for all people. 

Sunday, December 17th. This is Joy Sunday. Traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. The anointing of the Messiah is the highlight of this week. In “Testify to the Light” I will show how Isaiah tells us about the coming of Jesus. We will have a choral celebration with loads of carols. Come join in the joy of singing!

Sunday, November 24th. We will celebrate Christmas Eve in worship this year. This is Love Sunday just before Christmas Day. I will speak about “Sing the Lord a New Song” about hope for the future that Jesus brings.

Sunday, December 31st. Eileen O will be our sermon leader on this last day of 2023. She will say “Listen to Simeon” who was the righteous man who announced salvation in Jesus. In Galatians 4 we are told we have been adopted into the family of God. This adoption comes with great meaning.

It is a joy to serve God with you! I look forward to worshiping with you in December!
​
Grace and Peace, Pastor Rob

 


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MISSION NEWS

11/27/2023

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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
The Christmas Joy offering provides assistance to retired pastors and church workers who need extra help in retirement.  Some assistance can also be given to current workers who face situations requiring unusual financial needs.  Fifty percent of the money given to the Christmas Joy Offering will go to provide financial help to current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs.

Students of color attending Presbyterian schools will receive 50% of the offering to help pay for their education.  This will help them grow in their faith and knowledge so they can be used by God to serve as He leads them for many years to come. A good education will help them earn a good income so they do not live in poverty.

We will have readers for three weeks in December, giving examples of how this offering has helped Christian workers and students.  The offering will be collected on December 17th, but if you cannot give then, offerings can still be brought through the middle of January.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY
We have a Christmas family again this year, a mother, Monica, a boy Evan age 8, and a girl, Hazel age1.  Each child is to receive 2 $75 gift cards. The family receives a $150 gift card for enough money to give something to the mother, too. The family’s gift cards need to be delivered to Pathways on December 7th, so December 3rd is the last day to give money to help the family.

REENEWAL MINISTRIES

Renewal ministries has helped bring renewed spiritual vitality to thousands of Christians since 2003. This results in clarity of calling, missional impact, and deeper devotion to Jesus Christ. Ignatius retreats are held in a series of five retreats over five month period. Seasonal prayer retreats an open prayer retreats are also offered.

Ignatius retreats are based on the teachings of Ignatius Loyola, who lived in the 16th century. Ignatius taught that nothing is more life-renewing and life-giving than walking and talking with Jesus Christ. renewal ministries has some classes on zoom. Their contact phone number is 425-361-7953. Their website is https://renewalminnw.org.  Pastor Amy D has worked with this group. Our $100 mission allocation for this much will go to Renewal Ministries.

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​WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS

11/27/2023

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Six women and one guest attended the meeting held in the Friendship hall of Edmonds Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, November 8.  After secretary and treasurer reports, Mission Chairman Ruth R named the mission recipients and read some of the thank-you-notes and updates we received from them.  One update we received was from Kathy Gieske who works with Middle East Partners providing help to Christians from Iran, one of whom told a compelling story.
 
It is time to gather all the white socks we have collected and send them to Operation Nightwatch.  Ruth also contacted YWCA-Pathways for Women and they are matching us with a needy family for a Christmas project. We enjoyed a delicious luncheon provided by Linda R and Ruth R with an exotic dessert provided by Mary C.
 
The program was presented by Shannon Sessions, who grew up in the Meadowdale area and remembered having Jerry G and Kathryn G as two of her teachers.  Shannon is executive director and chaplain of Support 7, a non-profit organization with trusted trained and compassionate volunteers who serve along with first responders assisting victims and survivors of emergencies such as fires, floods, or sudden deaths in Snohomish County.  They have a camper van equipped with emergency food and water supplies which provides a place for clients to get out of the weather and relax while making necessary contacts and filling out paperwork involved with their emergencies.  Support 7 also supplies needed refreshments to firefighters and police who are present for the emergencies. Support 7 volunteers often stay with the affected family after the emergency workers leave in order to provide additional support as needed.
 
Since the organization is non-profit, accepting no government money, selling calendars is one way of supporting their operation.  They put out a yearly calendar for $25 each with pictures of their operations and include safety tips which all of us should know. Please contact the Women’s Association if you would like to have one of these calendars.
 
Best wishes to Bev F’s son Douglas  hoping he has beaten the COVID bug, condolences to Kathy C on the passing of her mother, Esther, and to Kathy F hoping she is happily settling in to her new home in Texas (we miss you, Kathy).
 
December meeting will again be at the church on the 13th and will be a salad luncheon. After which we will present Christmas stories and sing carols.  Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring a friend.
 
Margaret S, Women’s Association Moderator.

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​EDUCATION NEWS

11/27/2023

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Veterans Day was celebrated on November 11 this year in honor of all military men and women, past and present who served in the armed forces of the United States.  Nov. 11, 1918 saw the end of World War I and was called Armistice Day, but the name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954.  This day is celebrated to honor the 41 million Americans who fought in our wars or guarded America in peacetime.  Most were ordinary citizens holding regular jobs until they were called to serve our country.

During World War II, with the fall of Manila and other Pacific Islands,11 Navy nurses and 66 Army nurses fell into the hands of the Japanese and were sent to internment camps.  These women did not stay idle, instead they set up hospitals for thousands of prisoners and spent their time until the end of the war tending to the sick and wounded despite limited supplies and medicines.  All 77 of these nurses survived and became known as “The Angels of Bataan and Coregidor”  They are remembered in the National World War Museum in New Orleans.

Many entertainers also joined the ranks of the armed forces, including Jimmy Stewart, a Clark Gable, and Clint Eastwood to name a few.  Other entertainers volunteered their time to entertain the troops, including Bing Crosby and Bob Hope along with many Miss Americas.  Several famous sports figures also served in the armed forces including Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams and Warren Spahn.  We can be proud of all of them, they are part of our heritage.

Margaret S, Education Elder


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​OUTREACH NEWS

11/27/2023

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This month I am sending my sister’s favorite cookie recipe. Happy Holidays

​Apple Squares 350 degrees x 25 to 30  min, 9x9 pan greased
1 cup flour                           
½ cup brown sugar                    
1 tsp baking powder          ½ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt                              1 egg
¼ tsp cinnamon                  1 tsp vanilla
¼ cup butter (melted)         ½ cup apple (pealed and chopped)  may double
½ cup chopped walnuts
 
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon and set aside.
In a large bowl combine butter and sugars and stir.  Add egg and vanilla and mix well. Blend in flour mixture and stir until barely mixed.  Add apples and nuts and barely mix. Cool in pan then cut into 1 inch squares.  (I usually double the recipe and bake in a 9x13 pan, then I freeze half to eat later)
 
Margaret S, Outreach Elder


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