Blog Posts - Edmonds Presbyterian Church

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

12/29/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is an abbreviated New Years version of the Caller.
Advent and Christmas was an absolute joy at Edmonds! The choir filled the sanctuary. Nicole, Brian, Allie, and Sarah enhanced our services with their beautiful voices. We cooperated with Maplewood and Terrace View for Christmas services. And we added 7 new members on Christmas Day! What an exciting time to be at Edmonds!

We are resuming our study of the Sermon on the Mount using Amy-Jill Levine’s “Toward the Kingdom of Heaven.” Please join us after worship or at 10AM Tuesday over Zoom.

We worked out all the bugs in our Online Streaming Worship. Please go to the www.epc-pcusa.org website for the latest links.

This is what I am planning for worship in January.

Sunday, January 1st. I will preach about the joy of Psalm 148 in “All the Lord Has Done.” I will teach you the proper way to say Hallelujah הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ in Hebrew. We will also experience the joy of Neil Diamond’s music, especially “Holly Holy.”

Sunday, January 8th. This is Baptism of the Lord Sunday. John the Baptist asks Jesus “And You Come to Me?” These words tell us so much about the relationship between John and Jesus. Baptism is a time for turning around, metanoia in Greek. Will the church turn around in time for a new generation?

Sunday, January 15th. I will take you on “A Corinthian Tour.” The geography of Corinth in Greece played a pivotal role in the formation of the New Testament. The reason we study the letters to the Corinthians so often is because this rich and vibrant ancient city tells us so much about being a Christian today.

Sunday, January 22nd. We will have a guest reader preach “The Cross is Foolishness.” This is the iconic phrase of 1 Corinthians 1:18 that highlights the craziness of Jesus’s mission in the face of skepticism. Jesus’s journey to the north country is a precursor to Paul’s journeys to the gentiles.

Sunday, January 29th. Charity Sandstrom will lead worship and give an inspiring message. Charity just joined Edmond Presbyterian Church in membership. She is an ordained Quaker minister of 15 years. She is working on steps to be ordained in the PC(USA). Thanks be to God for Charity in our midst!

It is a joy to be with you in the new year. I am so excited to start a new year of ministry together!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rob

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

11/30/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Advent is here! Christmas is right around the corner! I can hardly believe that this is my second Advent with you. We have certainly had a very busy year with lots of activity. This year Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. We will have a very special service filled with music, readings, and we will bring in several new church members!

The Choir has been very busy practicing for Advent. Practices are on most Wednesdays, at 7 PM. We have practices planned for Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14. The choir will be offering music during worship all season. All are welcome!

Bible Study continues! I love how you take the Bible seriously, and how you see the humanity and humor in the Bible. We are using Amy-Jill Levine’s “Toward the Kingdom of Heaven.” Please join us after Sunday Worship in-person or Tuesdays at 10AM for Zoom Bible Study.

We are active on social media: Facebook (@EdmondsPres), Instagram (@EdmondsPresbyterianChurch), or TikTok (@realbiblerob). Look on our website www.epc-pcusa.org for links. If you know anyone who could benefit from my messages, please encourage them to follow us!

We added a streaming worship option. Please see your Saturday morning email for the weekly link. Share this with family and friends who would like to worship online.

Here’s the plan for worship services in Advent and Christmas:
December 4, I will preach “The Lamb of God.” This is the 2nd Sunday in Advent when we light the Peace Candle. Throughout history there has been so little peace. How do we claim the peace that Jesus, the Christ child promises?

December 11, We will have a service of Lessons and Carols, filled with Bible readings and Christmas Carols. We will light the Joy Candle. The message will be “Complicated Joy.”

December 18, In “The Necessary Virgin” I will share the amazing bravery of Mary. Mary gave of herself to be the mother of Jesus. Does it matter that she was a virgin? Maybe not the way that you think. We need to know more about why Mary said “Yes!” to God.

December 24, Christmas Eve. We are cooperating with Maplewood Presbyterian, 19523 84th Ave. W, Edmonds to attend their Christmas Eve service at 3PM. I plan to be there. I hope you will join me!

December 25, Christmas Day! The Maplewood folks will join us for worship. I will preach “Jesus for Everyone.” The service will be filled with music, prayer, joy, and new members!

I am so excited about all of the great things happening with our church!
With the Peace of our God,
Pastor Rob

OUTREACH

11/30/2022

This month we thank choir director Kathy M for the beautiful choir music she put together for Kathryn Goren’s Memorial Service held on November 6 here at Edmonds Presbyterian Church. It was wonderful seeing so many old friends attend and take part in the singing of many old and new songs that were a lovely tribute to Kathryn who loved and supported our church so much.
The choir will continue to perform through December this year with a special program planned for December 11. If you love music and like to sing please consider joining our choir and lending your voice to praising our Lord.
Margaret S, EPC Outreach Elder

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

11/30/2022

Nine women attended the November women’s association meeting held in the friendship hall at the church. Luncheon was a Souper Meal consisting of everyone bringing a can of soup and mixing it together and served with hot rolls followed by a delicious desert of chocolate cake and ice cream provided by Kathy M.
We voted to give $300 to the church for building maintenance for the present. Treasurer Kathy M will send a check now and we can add to that amount when it is needed.
Mission chairman Ruth R reports she has contacted Pregnancy Resource about a mother with 2 children for us to adopt as a Christmas Family. This year we plan to give them gift cards totaling over $500 for Christmas dinner and gifts for each family member. With gift cards we can be sure each family member receives exactly the gift they want and need. We asked the entire congregation to join us in helping purchase the gift cards, and we thank everyone very much.
Our program for the meeting was Linda Paz from Matthew House in Monroe who told of their mission to assist and support families of prison inmates in providing food, a place to stay while visiting, clothing for those who need it, and counseling for anyone with a need. New reports of their activities are posted on the bulletin board in the friendship hall.
The December meeting will again be held in the church on December 14 and will be a salad luncheon with the officers assisting. We are planning a program which will include a Christmas story and singing of Christmas carols. All women are invited to come and encouraged to bring a friend.
Margaret S, Women’s Association Moderator

MISSIONS

11/30/2022

With the cold weather coming upon us, we need to think of the many people who are homeless, without warm clothing or electricity to keep warm. Giving to the food bank, the traditional volunteer agencies such as Gospel Mission and Salvation Army and other volunteer agencies who help those in need helps save lives and provide comfort to those who need it. So check your coat closets for outgrown coats and sweaters and check your shelves for nonperishable food items that you can give to those who are cold and hungry.
Many new charities have sprung up in the last few years, not all of which are legitimately helping those with the greatest need, so it is important to have our charitable contributions sent through a proven agency. The Presbyterian Mission is monitored and approved by the church and we can be sure any funds raised by them will reach those truly in need and will be much appreciated and used by those on the receiving end.
Margaret S, Mission Elder

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

10/27/2022

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Welcome to Fall and to lead up to Advent! We are on the verge of something new. A new church year and a new era in our church. I am so excited that we have several new members coming in. We have some building projects and a thriving Bible Study.

We simplified our Mission Statement to “We are a community where people stretch and grow in Christ.” It is something we can all easily memorize, and it contains a strong statement of purpose. We are a community. We welcome people to join us. We stretch our hearts and intellects in the Holy Spirit. And we grow in Christ.

This is stewardship season when we will ask you to make your pledge for 2023. You will be hearing from several elders about the work of our church in coming weeks. As we lean into the end of 2022, we are running tight on cash for several reasons. Your session has taken several actions to economize. We will also ask you to catch up with your 2022 pledges and consider reaching a little further in your giving so that we can end the year in the black. We have an amazing, important, and vital ministry. Pray for our church and for your support.

We will start choir again in November leading up to Advent. We are already making plans for the Christmas program, including Christmas Eve and a rare Christmas Day service in cooperation with Maplewood Presbyterian. I can’t wait to tell you more about it in the coming weeks!

This is what I am planning for worship in November.
Sunday, November 6th. I will preach “Why Build a New Church?” about the return of the exiles from Babylon and the command of God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. We are rebuilding our church and we are focusing on the most important mission we have for our community and neighbors.

Sunday, November 13th. Larry Y will lead worship using the sermon, “New Heavens and a New Earth.” The Thessalonians were worried that Jesus had not come yet. They were awaiting the promise in Isaiah. What they didn’t know was that Christ is with us now and always.

Sunday, November 20th. For Christ the King Sunday, I will preach “Jesus Remember Me.” This is the cry of the thief next to Jesus at the crucifixion, and Jesus promises a meeting in paradise. Jesus’ presence in our lives is the greatest gift of all time. God is present even in the toughest times. This is the true Kingdom of Heaven.

Sunday, November 27th. Advent is here! I will preach about Isaiah’s words “In the Days to Come.” This is the threshold of a new year and a new era in our church. Come join me in celebrating a new beginning!

It is a joy to be with you in this time. You are a gift to me and all those around you.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Rob

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS

10/27/2022

Seven women (5 Association members and 2 guests) attended a luncheon at the Pancake Haus in Edmonds to enjoy casual talk and planning for the rest of this year. Treasurer Kathy M reported $600 was collected and disbursed at $50 apiece to each of our 13 mission charities. We still have $1,395.37 in the bank to use for church related expenses.

Mission chairman Ruth R requests permission to again sponsor a Christian family consisting of a mother and 2 children and ask the entire congregation to assist us in raising money to buy gift cards for them.

October is Sock-it-to me month when we collect new white socks for Operation Nightwatch to distribute to the homeless along with prayers, limited sheltering, meals, and friendly companionship. A box will be placed near the church entrance for sock collection.

Kathryn Goren’s memorial service was postponed in October and is again scheduled for November 6, 2022 at 3 pm. The choir plans to sing and the women’s association will assist with set-up and clean-up help as well as providing snack foods and drinks and help serve.

Prayer partners were revealed and a carnation given to each participating member, then a drawing was held for this year’s prayer partner.

November meeting will again be at the church on November 9 at 11:30 am. The lunch will be a Souper Meeting with each participant bringing a can of soup which we will combine into a combination Harvest meal with rolls and cookies added. A program with a speaker is being planned.

December meeting will be a Christmas Party at the church with details next month.

Margaret S, Women’s Association Moderator

MISSION NEWS

10/27/2022

In August our allotment of $2,300 for mission was sent out and divided among 9 recipients. Several thank-you notes have been received in return along with news of how the funds are being used.

Our missionary to Sweden, Jan G joined the September Women’s Association meeting via Zoom (special thanks to Linda R for setting up zoom for us). Jan told us of her current activities of taking a class from the book Across the Street and Around the World, which focuses on and helping communicate with newcomers to the country, especially Muslims. The book is in English and is being translated into Swedish. Otherwise, Jan is continuing her duties of assisting the minister of a church and helping individual families learn about Christianity.

Our next Special Offering is Christmas Joy which will be collected in November and December. These gifts make it possible for students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. Fifty percent of our gifts provide assistance for current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs. “If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.”

Margaret S, Mission Elder

EDUCATION NEWS

10/27/2022

Bible Study resumed after summer vacation and is held at 2 times during the week, either on Sundays following church service, or at 10 am Tuesday mornings via Zoom. Our study continues in the book Toward the Kingdom of Heaven by Amy-Jill Levine.

The study center on the Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew chapters 5-7 with practical advice on how to incorporate the bible teaching into our everyday lives. It answers such questions as how to get along with people we disagree with and how tradition is tied in with present policies of our church. The study lessons are led by volunteers taking turns each week with a lively discussion on every topic.

Pastor Rob is giving classes on how to join the church. Please contact him if you are interested in taking the class.

Margaret S, Education Elder

OUTREACH NEWS

10/27/2022

October is pastor appreciation month, and we are all thankful to have Pastor Rob and his wife, Carol as part of our church. Pastor Rob has been busy sharing the church’s message through Tik-Tok and Facebook so all can see and find us, and is currently giving membership classes to those who want to join. Please join us in thanking God for sending us our massager who brings us the Word from the bible and inspires us with encouragement to follow that Word.

Margaret S, Outreach Elder