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From the Desk of Pastor Rob

12/23/2021

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Dear Fellow Travelers,
Welcome to the Lord’s Year 2022! You might be thinking, “How is this year going to be different?” It already is! Because we are doing many things that we didn’t a year ago. It is a good time to take stock of how far we’ve come. There are the obvious things, like returning to in-person worship and the choir and the amazing music program we had during Advent. But there are also many things happening in the background, from how we are managing our finances, emerging plans for stabilizing our building, new ideas about missions, and of course, me, as your new pastor. The church is alive and will become more active and alive in 2022. I could not be more excited than to be on this journey with you!
 
We are studying Romans in our Bible studies. If you haven’t already, please consider joining us on Sundays after church in-person, and on Tuesdays at 10 am on Zoom. Romans is a book to come back to time and time again, because it describes the whole of the Apostle Paul’s theology. More importantly for us, though, it shows how Paul talks to people in the richest, most powerful nation on earth. In a lot of ways, Paul is talking to us! He shows the importance of women in the ministry of the early church, in ways that remind us of the central and growing role of women in the life of our church and the church worldwide.
 
We will finish Romans by Lent. In Lent, I will start a class about being “Presbyterian in a Changing Church.” Presbyterianism is all about representation and equality. When we do it right, it is welcoming and life-giving, bringing the love of Jesus to individuals and the community in the way we hope for. We will study scriptures and other resources that will make this hope come alive in our church. The study is for everyone who wants to participate in growing the church. For those of you who aren’t already members, by attending these studies, you will be eligible to join the church at Easter, if you choose.
 
These are the Sunday worship services I am planning for January:
January 2: “The Remnant Awakens”  Jacob became Israel, the one who wrestles with God. The most beautiful things are made from remnants and broken things. God recreates beauty in us.
January 9: “You are Precious in My Sight”  In the waters of baptism, we die and rise again in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
January 16: “One in Creation”  Caring for the environment and caring for people are the same thing. Jesus turned water into wine and celebrated creation.
January 23 and 30: We settle into Ordinary Time, like the people of Judah did in the rebuilt temple in Nehemiah. And we learn that love is for all. There is nothing ordinary about Ordinary Time!
 
2022 will be an amazing year for me and for you. I can’t wait to travel on the road with you!
 
In the Grace and Peace of Our Lord Jesus,
Pastor Rob
 
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WOMENS ASSOCIATION NEWS

12/23/2021

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Our December meeting was held in the Friendship Hall on December 8, 2021 with 10 women attending.  Secretary Ruth R read the minutes of the November meeting and as mission chairman reported that she has received a generous $575 to purchase gift cards for our Christmas family which consists of a mother and 2 school age children, referred to us by Pregnancy Resource Center.  The gift cards are to be given to each of the children and to the mother to buy gifts and food for the family.  We thank everyone in the church for helping us provide a very Merry Christmas for this family.
 
A letter from missionaries Rochelle and Tyler Holm was read.  Saying they continue to stay in Richland, Washington waiting for a decrease in COVID activity so they can return to their missionary station in Malawi.  Tyler Holm continues to work for the University of Livingstonia and requests that we prayerfully consider financially supporting his position with a gift through Presbyterian World Mission. 
 
Jan Griffith also wrote from Sweden, saying she is gradually returning to work after recovering from her chronic fatigue type illness and she feels she can hold a zoom meeting with our group whenever it can be arranged.
 
I personally thank Kathy C for arranging time off from work to drive Ila C to the meeting, it was so fun having her there to enjoy our Christmas party.  Kathy M decorated the tables with a beautiful flower arrangement and put 2 round tables together so we had just enough room to all sit together and talk about past Christmas memories.  Jean G brought a delicious chicken casserole and Margaret S brought a salad.  The highlight of the meal was a delicious mint cheesecake made by Kathy M.  Of course, food eaten at our parties do not contain any calories.
 
Christmas Greetings are being sent to Marcia, June, and Charlotte.

Our next meeting will be held at the Pancake Haus in Edmonds at 12 Noon on January 12, 2022  and one person will receive a special surprise.
 
Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, Women’s Association Moderator
 
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MISSION NEWS

12/23/2021

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Women’s Association Mission Chairman Ruth R reports $575 was raised by our congregation to purchase gift cards for the mother and 2 children whose name was given to us by Pregnancy Resource as a family in need of help for Christmas.  Ruth purchased gift cards for each family member plus a separate gift card for food and other necessities.  We thank the entire church for helping make this a Merry Christmas for that family.

Thanks to the generous donations made by our congregation  to the food bank we have been able to deliver food and  nonperishable items to the Neighbors-in-Need Food Bank 3 times in the past 2 months.
 
Jim N generously volunteered to deliver the socks donated by our church members to Operation Nightwatch in downtown Seattle.
 
Christmas Joy offerings are being collected this month, the collections have been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930’s.  The Offering distributes gifts equally between the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges.  The Assistance program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families.  Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage, which has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years. 

Thank you to everyone for your support of our retired church workers and their families.


Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, Mission Elder
 

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OUTREACH AND EDUCATION NEWS

12/23/2021

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This month we were treated to 2 events at our church.  The first on December 12, was a delightful presentation of A Charlie Brown Christmas presented by Nicole Estridge and her group, with singing and instrumental music presented in their own special way, and they brought their own Christmas tree!  I counted 60 people there, and it was wonderful to see so many people worshiping and enjoying the fellowship of being together at our church.
 
The second event was a Christmas Cantata presented by the choir under direction of choir director Kathy M.  Again, the attendance was great (over 50 people) and the church seemed alive with beautiful Christmas music.  Thanks to all who came and helped us celebrate the Good News of the Coming of Our Savior.
 
Our 2 bible studies continue, one following worship on Sundays and the other on Tuesday mornings at 10 AM via zoom.  This week we are studying Romans Chapter 9, which is about the way God is fulfilling his ancient promises to Abraham in and through Jesus, and what this will mean in practice, both to Jews and to those of every race and nation.
 
Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, Outreach and Education Elder


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Events in January 2022

12/23/2021

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Annual Congregational Meeting this year, Sunday, January 16th
Please join us directly after service for the annual meeting.  We will be electing officers, electing a pastor nominating committee and voting on the budget.  Your attendance is greatly appreciated.
 
You’re invited to join us for Home Communion If you are not able to gather in person, w will gather over the internet to share the Lord’s Supper together. On Sunday, January 2nd, at 1 PM  we will gather via Zoom for home communion together. We will have a special solo by Jerry Goodman 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. 
 
Bible Study Our bible studies meet on Tuesdays at 10 AM on Zoom, and Sundays after worship. Leadership will rotate among the participants of the group. You are welcome to join us whenever it works in your schedule.
 
21 Day Racial Justice Challenge Our next “next steps” meeting will be Wednesday, January 26th at 7 PM via Zoom. Join us to learn and grow in love and empathy, as well as actively reach out and create lasting change in our community.


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​From the Desk of Pastor Rob

12/1/2021

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Dear Fellow Travelers,
 
Advent! Here we come! It is great to celebrate this Advent together in community. Choir has restarted, with strict COVID protocols, to make a joyful noise in this season. We hung the greens. The Advent wreath candles are lit. There’s a new light in the darkness. The Christ child is coming! I am continuously amazed that God came among us as a defenseless newborn baby in a manger, at his young mother’s breast, fully sharing humanity with us in every way. Let us renew our hearts and minds in rebirth as we celebrate the coming of Christ once again.
 
Bible Studies are in full swing. You can join us in person on Sundays after worship and Tuesdays at 10 AM on Zoom. We are using N.T. Wright’s “Romans for Everyone.” You can join anytime because each study stands on its own. This will continue until Lent. For Lent and until Easter, I am preparing a study on our Presbyterian theology and heritage for everyone, including those who will consider membership.
 
We just completed Stewardship season with flying colors. I am so grateful for your support of church and its mission. God has truly blessed us. We are planning to reach out in new ways in 2022. There are literally thousands of people in our city who want what we have: a loving community. Let’s find ways to welcome them, so that some of them will find their way to our community. Through our prayer, our worship, our strong mission, and mostly our love, they will know who we are.

We continue to offer an alternative worship option via email and YouTube. Please contact the office to get on the email list.
On December 5, Rev. Dave Hackett will join us with another inspiring message.
On December 12, I will preach “Again I will Say Rejoice!” John the Baptist cries out with amazing clarity while we anticipate the coming of Christ.
On December 19, I will preach on Mary in “The Mighty One has Done Great Things for Me.” She tells us “he has scattered the proud and brought down the powerful from their thrones.”
On Christmas Eve, we will have a service reading the Christmas story, beautiful music and carols, and candlelight.
On December 26, we celebrate Christmas in worship. In “Young Jesus,” the twelve days of Christmas remind us that Jesus had a whole life before his ministry started at age 30.
 
You are an amazing and blessed community of believers. It is a privilege to serve with you. I wish you all every grace for Advent and Christmas!
 
With the Peace of our God,
Pastor Rob
 




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WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS

12/1/2021

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The Women’s Association meeting was held on November 10, 2021, as a luncheon meeting in the Friendship Hall with 6 women attending.  Secretary Ruth R sent the minutes from the October meeting which stated that we collected $63 in the Birthday offering which was sent to 3 mission projects:  1) Garden Gate Center in Des Moines, Iowa, a Christian organization that provides safe housing and other services for sexually exploited women and their children; 2) a much needed gymnasium roof for Memorial Drive Ministries, Inc. in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and 3) Nkhoma Mission Hospital in Malawi for a new gynecology and obstetrics operating room.
 
A letter from our mission partner Jan G in Sweden was read telling of her gradual slow recovery from a chronic fatigue type illness which she has been suffering from for the past year.  She shared some stress management tips and mentioned an online course based on a book called Across the Street and Around the World, about global fieldwork which has been helpful to her.  She has started working again and is easing back into work.
 
Rochelle H also sent an update from her family in Richland, Wa.  Rochelle has been able to work with one of her masters students getting his thesis finalized to finish his Mzuzu University degree about sanitation and hygiene facilities at 121 remote health clinics in Northern Malawi.  She asked for prayers for Patrick to get his thesis finalized.  She and Tyler are still sheltering in place awaiting their return to Malawi.  Their daughter, Mphatso, turned 8 on November 15 and is attending a local school where she requested prayers for her amazing 3rd grade teacher and classmates.  Prayers were also requested for Malawi where currently only 5% of the population has received a COVID-19 vaccine. They continue to need and appreciate our support.
 
Ruth R, Mission Chairman, reported she has applied to Pregnancy Resource requesting a name and details about a Christmas family for our congregation. We will start collecting money for gift cards for the family, which will probably be a mother and at least 2 children. Money can be sent to the church office in envelopes marked “For Christmas Family.”

​A delicious lunch was provided by Mary C. Cards were sent to Billy Joe R, who had a fall and needed stitches; Anne B, daughter of Mabel S, who passed away; and Margaret K, whose sister is ill.
 
Next month’s meeting will be on December 8th and will be a salad luncheon and Christmas program at our church.
 
Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, moderator

 

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​MISSION NEWS

12/1/2021

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Support 7 sent a thank you note for our gift of $75 for the critical work our local fire departments do in Snohomish County answering 911 calls. They are grateful to us for our continued support. . They ask for our prayers of protection for  their chaplains and volunteers who work 24/7, as first responders answering victims of trauma in a moment of darkness. They also ask for our prayers for the many hurting hearts in our community, as we are seeing a rise in deaths by suicide and COVID. They provide a high standard of pre-hospital emergency care, entirely through the generosity of donations. For more information or donations, visit their website at: mediconefoundation.org.
 
Pregnancy Resource has provided us with a Christmas family consisting of a mother and 2 children: a boy age 7 and a girl age 9. Pregnancy Resource is a Christian organization that provides counseling, classes, material help and other support to pregnant women and mothers to help them keep their babies and young children. Our church is collecting donations to buy gift cards for this family, with donations due by December 5th. Monetary donations can be sent to the church office in envelopes marked “For Christmas Family.”
 
As food for thought, the latest Mission Report asks us to help eradicate systemic poverty by acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor. In Matthew 25, we are called on to serve with and for “the least important ones” by recognizing Christ’s urgent call to be a church of action, where God’s love, justice and mercy shine forth and are contagious. 
 
Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, Mission elder


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OUTREACH NEWS

12/1/2021

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Hanging of the Greens took place on Sunday, November 21st, at the church, with coffee and cookies served to the volunteers who stayed after church. We had an enjoyable time together. Come and see how beautiful the church looks with our Christmas decorations!
 
This week’s bible study was canceled, but we will resume the week of November 28th.
Our current bible study on Romans will continue until Lent, according to Pastor Rob.
 
Jean G will lead the Tuesday morning bible study starting with Chapter 8 in our study guide. The same bible study will be held Sunday morning at church.
 
Last week, we studied Romans 6:1-23, about the book of Exodus, telling the story of how the children of Israel, who were enslaved in Egypt.  God sent Moses to guide them through the Red Sea to Mt Sinai, where they left behind their life of slavery. God then gave Moses the Ten Commandments, which is the law. Being aware of the law gave us another obstacle, in that we are now conscious of sin and our need for forgiveness.
 
Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, moderator.


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​Christmas Eve Service!

12/1/2021

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7:30pm on December 24
Join us for a candlelight service of Christmas carols and readings. We will have a brief homily and light the white Christ candle! Invite the family to come along and get into the Christmas Eve Spirit!


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