All Categories - Edmonds Presbyterian Church

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

8/30/2023

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Fall is coming. The shadows are getting longer and the nights are getting cooler. And the leaves will change soon. Things are changing at Edmonds too. Our music program will be changing as Gina has retired. The Edmonds Coop Preschool will soon grace our halls with little voices. And there is new life in our midst.

After a summer in Revelation, we are beginning our Acts bible study. 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.

We will worship outdoors at Nancy Becker’s house on September 10th. She will provide a light lunch after worship.

Men’s Group is happening 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 September.

Sunday, September 3rd. The Bible is filled with stories of tribal strife and warfare. God’s Law was given to provide people order and unity instead of division. In “A Safe Place” I will show that God’s place is carve out safe places for justice and mercy. Our church is an intentionally safe place for all who come here. We are taking actions to make that a reality.

Sunday, September 10th. We are meeting at Nancy’s house for outdoor worship. Maps and directions will be posted at church. “Written on Their Hearts” is about the beautiful freedom giving verses in Romans 2. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it in equality and equanimity. Instead of a systematic theology of control, Romans is about freeing all people with the grace of Jesus.

Sunday, September 17th. In “Think Bigger” I will talk about the amazing 14th chapter of Romans. The message of fairness and common decency comes through so strongly. Jesus tells the parable of the corrupt slave to show that the law of decency and good order is already known to us. While there are many voices trying to separate us and confuse us, being decent and non-judgmental toward our neighbor is doing God’s work.

Sunday, September 24th. “Speak Up for Yourself” explores the value of complaining to God. We tend to look at the Israelites as ungrateful, but really they are just being like children. Would we act any different in the same circumstances? Paul, writing to the Philippians from prison, is an example of joyful endurance. We should speak up and ask for help, but also find solace in endurance.

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

MISSION NEWS

8/30/2023

The July Parking Sale earned $200 for missions. The Edmonds Food Bank located in the Methodist Church received $66. The Toy Store, a bicycle repair ministry that repairs bicycles for children who need them is operated by the Methodist Church but uses our church property for their operations. The Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace received $66, and $68 was given to Vision House to help with their ministry of helping people transition from homelessness to living on their own.

Opening Blind Prison Ministry received $109.20 from mission distribution money to help with the ministry to inmates at the Monroe Prison. Currently Rev. “Rip” Van Winkle is working with inmates at the Special Offenders Unit which is made up of prisoners with more than one mental illness. A quote from one of Rev. Rip’s newsletters says, “Jesus came to befriend sinners and to ultimately save them. Angels announced his birth to shepherds whom the Pharisees considered unclean since they took care of sheep on the Sabbath. Jesus always loves us and God never tires of giving us second chances. Thank you for your support that allows me to offer God’s second chances to inmates.”

WOMENS ASSOCIATION NEWS

8/30/2023

Summer was way too short, but now it is time to begin our fall program. Our September 13 meeting will be held at EPC in the friendship hall at 11:30 AM. All our meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesdays of the month until next summer. We have requested a speaker from Support 7 to provide our program.

Our treasurer, Kathy M, has collected our mission offerings and dispersed $75 to each of the 13 mission projects we support. In this time of unemployment and inflation they surely need all we can send them. We received many letters from the recipients of these funds thanking us for our continued support. We plan to share these letters with you at our September meeting.

Don’t forget that October is Sock-It-To-Me month when we collect new white socks for distribution to those in need for Operation Nightwatch our longtime friend, Rick Reynolds has retired, but his co-worker Frank DiGirolamo is continuing as executive director and continuing their street ministry and providing overnight shelter for the homeless. Frank tells us they now have a shelter bus which has been needing repairs so they really appreciate our contributions.

Our October meeting will be an informal lunch at the Pancake Haus in downtown Edmonds. All women including women from other churches are welcome to attend our meetings and feel free to invite a visitor.

Looking forward to seeing you all this fall.
Margaret S, Moderator

Bible Study on Acts Begins September 3rd

8/30/2023

Our Bible Study will use Scot McKnight's "Acts: Participating Together in God's Mission." Dr. McKnight is a well-known New Testament scholar from Northern Seminary. His book on Revelation provided much of the background reading for our Revelation sermon series this summer. His approach is very well-balanced between scholarship and accessibility. You will be pleased to see that there are about 5 questions at the end of each chapter to help guide our discussion. The questions and the book are easier to use than the NT Wright book we used on Romans in 2021, and his discussions are as illuminating as our Amy Jill Levine book on the Sermon on the Mount earlier this year. The book contains 39 lessons which will easily last until next summer. I am so excited to get started! Free copies are available on the back table at church. You can also get it on Kindle. We will start after worship on Sunday, September 3rd and Tuesday, September 5th, at 10 AM on zoom. Contact the office or Pastor Rob if you have any questions.

August 30th, 2023

8/30/2023

Wanted! Worship Music Director

8/30/2023

Supporting Sunday worship with keyboard or other instrument accompaniment
· Select Hymns (Glory to God hymnal) and Praise Music block
· Coordinate Soloists and Song Leaders
· Occasional Choir and Special Service Accompaniment
· About 2 hours per week performance, About 3 hours per week administration
· $150 - $175 per week depending on duties and experience, Special services additional.
Application Process:
To apply, please send your resume and any relevant audio or video recordings of your musical performances to
pastorepc@frontier.com and loutenia70@gmail.com.

We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how you can help us create uplifting and
spiritually meaningful worship experiences at Edmonds Presbyterian Church.

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

7/27/2023

Dear Fellow Travelers,

There is a great sense of new life in the church. The Yard Sale was a great success. Games Night has been a lot of fun. Our neighbors have been super helpful making our grounds look beautiful. Our partnership with the Edmonds Toyshop bike ministry was a big success. And we have a preschool interested in partnering with us. It’s an exciting time and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Our series on Revelation continues with sermons on Hell and Heaven. I’ve really loved hearing your feedback. Bible Study will continue to meet after worship for a sermon discussion. In September, we will start our regular Bible Study on Acts.

Men’s Group is happening all summer at 9 AM on Saturday Mornings. We share in music, bible study, and discussion. Women’s Association is also continuing this summer on the 2nd Wednesday of the month with lunch.

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 August.

Sunday, August 6th. Rev. Laurel Underwood will return to us for a Sunday to lead worship. She will give an inspiring message and administer monthly Communion.

Sunday, August 13th. My series on Revelation enters the homestretch with “To Hell with Hell.” Revelation 20 talks about the fiery pit and the defeat of Satan. I will review the history of Hell, where it comes from in scripture and how it was made into the dogma we know. I stole the title from Amy Jill Levine who wrote on where our concepts of Hell, both biblical and non-biblical, comes from.

Sunday, August 20th. In “Heaven That’s Worth it” I will speak about the troubling end of Revelation, in chapters 21 and 22. It seems like Heaven, but are we sure that’s the kind of Heaven we really want? When we look at the beautiful story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers and the imagery of Psalm 133, we get an image of Heaven that is more accessible and enduring.

Sunday, August 27th. “Renewing of Your Minds” will look closely at the important verse of Roman 12:2. It is a great statement of inclusion and reconciling the Jewish and Gentile churches in Rome. The leadership styles of Peter and Moses show us how they brought together very different people by opening up and renewing their minds.
It is a joy to serve God with you! I look forward to worshiping with you in August!

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rob

MISSION NEWS

7/27/2023

JEAN KIM FOUNDATION FOR THE HOMELESS EDUCATION
People who are homeless or are in danger of being homeless can receive help for education or apprentice job training from the Jean Kim Foundation for the homeless Education. Supplies, books and tools will be given to students who need them. Students and people who want to be students can receive counseling and mentoring to help them succeed in college.   The foundation does not provide scholarships, but will help eligible students and prospective students find scholarships and grants to pay for their education.

The Hygiene Center in Lynnwood is open Monday through Saturday for showers and counseling. Students can spend time there for help and mentoring. People who are homeless can find it difficult to settle into a class and study routine, but case managers and counselors will work hard with the students to help them do well with their studies. A college degree opens the door for better salary, providing a way out of poverty.

Some tiny houses are available for students. Each unit is heated, has a microwave, small refrigerator, sink and toilet. A community building has shared cooking space, food pantry and showers.

People who need mental health services can receive help, including referrals to agencies offering intensive help. Some homeless people need help with mental health services in order to be successful in college or job training. Students who are ready to hold a job will have help in applying for a job.

Reverend Jean Kim strongly believed in the worth of each individual and would work hard to help each student succeed. It is a joy for the Foundation when one of their students graduates from college or gets a job through the apprenticeship program.

Jean Kim was born in North Korea. She escaped to South Korea with family members at age eleven. She experienced homeless there herself for a while. She was able to go to school and the family situation improved. Jean and her husband, two sons and their daughter came to the United States in 1970. Jean and her husband suffered the pain of their oldest son’s death when he was a teen-ager.

In 1987 Jean was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister by the North Puget Sound Presbytery. (Now known as the Northwest Coast Presbytery.) She established the Church of Mary Magdalene as a church and day center for homeless women. Mary’s Place, which offers many services for homeless people, including 7 family shelters, grew from Jean’s ministry at the Church of Mary Magdalene. Jean is the founder or co-founder of 14 mission agencies for homeless people. Her work has touched many lives, lifting people from despair to live a stable and financially improved life, including salvation through Jesus Christ.   Jean liked to dress in purple clothes, and called herself, “the pastor in purple.” Purple is the color for lent and advent, seasons of preparing for the joyous hope of Easter and Christmas. Though Jean has now gone to her heavenly home, her ministry continues through faithful workers in the missions she worked tirelessly to start and grow.

“The Jean Kim Foundation for the Homeless Education” receives support from the church mission funds.

“Mary’s Place” receives an annual check from the Women’s Association Mission Offering.

Some of the material in this article was taken from the book, “Hope in the Color Purple” by the Rev. Jean Kim
Mission Elder, Ruth R

June 28th, 2023

6/28/2023

Game Night

6/28/2023