Blog Posts - Edmonds Presbyterian Church

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

6/26/2025

Dear Fellow Travelers,
I’m excited by the new life in our congregation. We’ve had many visitors and we have a new baby on the way. People respond when you treat them warmly and with intelligence. I am so grateful how you are bringing the love of God to everyone who visits us. This is how church is done well.

Bible Study is on summer holiday. Instead, we are having sermon discussions after worship. Please join us! We are planning to study James starting on September 7 . Stay tuned for details.

Games Night on the 2 Saturday of each month continues. The next one is July 12 at 7 PM. Men’s Group is very active. They meet at 9 AM on Saturday Mornings.

This is what I am planning for worship in in July.

Sunday, July 6 Our Jeremiah series continues. “Truth Speaks to Power” highlights the most important chapter in the Bible about prophesy: Jeremiah 28. How do you know a true prophet verses a false prophet? False prophesy tells powerful people exactly what they want to hear regardless of the truth. The intentions may be good. The prophet may be earnest, but truth matters.

Sunday, July 13 . Remember the heartwarming TV series “The Waltons” from the 1970s? It told stories of endurance and family love during the Great Depression. It was fictional but it had biographical relevance to bring comfort during a disorienting time. Jeremiah 30 marks a big shift of tone. Chapters 30-33 are called “The Book of Comfort” and it contains some of the most iconic themes of Jeremiah. Its rich poetry brings healing in times of trouble.

Sunday, July 20 . The Book of Comfort continues with the most amazing reframing of God’s covenantal relationship with the people of Israel and Judah. God says that He will make a new covenant with the people. Instead of living solely by the book, The “Law Written on Our Hearts” will be the New Covenant. This was written over 500 years before Jesus. I will show how this about the timeless witness of Christ rather than a replacement of the covenants of the Hebrew Bible.

Sunday, July 27 . Anyone who has made pottery on a wheel knows how hard it is to do and how many mistakes it takes to learn how to do it right. In the “Potter’s Vessel” about Jeremiah 18, God uses this metaphor about reshaping the people after their tragic downfall. There are many stories in scripture about God changing His mind and trying new things. This show that God works with people rather than over them. It is this humility that makes our God so accessible and intimate.

It is a joy to serve God with you! I look forward to worshipping with you in July!

Grace and Peace, Pastor Rob

Mission News

6/26/2025

OPERATION NIGHTWATCH: The owner of the “Cheaper by the Day” store gave an enormous box of socks to provide new socks for many homeless people. Some socks were contributed by members of our congregation as well. A generous gift of $95 cash was also donated by our congregation. Some toiletries were taken from the donation box for them, too. Julie R and Margaret Stook everything to Operation Nightwatch. Julie said the lady who accepted the donations was amazed and very appreciative.

OPENING BLIND EYES: The “Opening Blind Eyes” Prison Ministry at the Monroe Prison will receive the $130 pre-school tithe, plus a $20 private donation, making a total gift of $150. Rev. “Rip” Van Winkle visits individually with men who want visits, and teaches Bible classes for interested inmates.

MIDDLE EAST PARTNERS: Kathy Giske from University Presbyterian Church oversees this ministry to provide spiritual help to Christians in Iran and in refugee camps in Greece and Germany. Kathy leads a group of Volunteers each year to help refugees strengthen their faith in Christ.

Women’s Association

6/26/2025

A salad luncheon and lively discussion of our mission projects was enjoyed by seven women at the Friendship Hall of the church on Wednesday, June 11. Mission chairman Ruth R read off a list of our 11 mission recipients and gave a summary of the activities of each. Jan Griffiths has retired in Sweden and no longer needs our support. Mathew House that supported the Monroe prison families is also now closed. Contributions of $730 to the mission fund were collected by acting treasurer Margaret S, who will distribute the funds. This should enable us to send $70 to each of our mission recipients Cheaper-By-The-Day store in Lynnwood contributed a box of new socks to Operation Nightwatch which Julie R and Margaret S delivered along with a collection of toiletries. The entire church took up a collection of $95 which is also being sent to them. Anyone wishing to contribute to the mission fund may do so by sending a check to Edmonds Presbyterian Church with a note designating that it is for the Women’s Association Mission Fund during the next 2 weeks. US Bank where we have had an account for several years has now begun to charge us a service fee. Since we need to make every penny count we plan to move our account to Washington Federal Bank in Edmonds during the summer. Linda R and Julie R volunteered to be additional check signers for the account along with Margaret S. Our next meeting will be at the church on September 10. Best wishes to everyone to have a safe and happy summer.

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

5/29/2025

Dear Fellow Travelers,

Summer is here and we have many things planned. I will preach a series of sermons on Jeremiah through August. It will take some effort, but if you understand Jeremiah and where it sits in the Bible, you have a good understanding of the message and context of the whole Old Testament. Please take the journey with me. I promise that you will be enriched with a new understanding of the scriptures. Also, watch out for a “baby sprinkle” on June 29th. It will be great fun!

Bible Study is about C.S. Lewis’s “Reflections on the Psalms. Join us Sundays (11:30 AM in the Library and also on Zoom!) and Tuesdays (10 AM on Zoom) through June 22nd. Log in information is on the back of this newsletter. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of the book and the leader guides in the sanctuary or online. Starting in July we will have weekly sermon discussions after worship

Games Night on the 2nd Saturday of each month continues. The next one is June14th at 7 PM. Men’s Group is very active. They meet at 9 AM on Saturday Mornings. Women’s Association meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11:30AM either at Pancake Haus or at the church.

This is what I am planning for worship in June.
Sunday, June 1st. King Josiah was the most important king you may not know much about. In “Introducing Jeremiah” I will show how Jeremiah’s relationship with King Josiah set the stage for nearly half of the whole Old Testament.

Sunday, June 8th. This is Pentecost Sunday! The Holy Spirit is our constant companion and guide. The people lost their way and needed to see how this hurt God. Described as “The Wild Vine” their faithlessness needed to be told in stark terms. God’s purpose and goals were revealed by Jeremiah.

Sunday, June 15th. “Peace, Peace, When There is No Peace” is a good description of the world have lived in for generations. Jeremiah lived in similar times. We are called to not be conformed to this age, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ.

Sunday, June 22nd. "There is a balm in Gilead" is an African American spiritual from the early 19th century. With a strange name and reference, it was a great comfort. In a time of so much hopelessness, the hope of healing in the Lord brings comfort like nothing else. It is about the hope for freedom. In “No Balm in Gilead” I show how Jeremiah’s hard truth-telling gives us the hope for a better future.

Sunday, June 29th. Rev. David Hackett will preach an inspiring message. We will take a little break from Jeremiah but continue again July.

It is a joy to serve God with you! I look forward to worshipping with you in June!

Grace and Peace, Pastor Rob

Mission News

5/29/2025

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: Our congregation gave a very generous amount of $699.75 to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. People who really need some assistance will benefit from this offering which helps in a lot of situations.

OPERATION NIGHTWATCH: We will have a special offering for Operation Nightwatch on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th. There will be a basket in the back of the sanctuary for cash donations. Donations clearly marked for Operation Nightwatch will also be accepted on June 15th in the regular offering plate. Julie R said the owner of the “Cheaper by the Day” store has a big box of socks for Operation Nightwatch. Julie is willing to deliver the socks, so if you would prefer to donate socks, that is alright, too. Operation Nightwatch prefers white socks that are at least mid-calf high. We can also give them some of the toiletries that have been donated.

The JEAN KIM FOUNDATION FOR THE HOMELESS EDUCATION will receive the $130 tithe from the pre-school rent, plus a $20 private donation to make a total of $150.Homeless students receive help finding grants to help pay tuition. The Jean Kim Foundation will pay for books and other necessary supplies. There is a day center in Lynnwood where students can take a shower, get toiletries, have a place to study, get snacks and a light lunch and some counseling.
The MENAUL SCHOOL in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will receive the $100 annual gift. Students from 6th through 12th grade receive an education designed to provide growth in mind, body and soul. Some students are international, and most live at the school. Most students go on to college after graduation, prepared for a life-long love of learning and ethical leadership.

Adult Education

5/29/2025

The Adult Bible Study of C.S. Lewis' "Reflections on the Psalms", will continue through Sunday June 22, with the Tuesday Bible Study ending the Tuesday before that. For the summer, we will have informal post sermon discussions with Pastor Rob, but regular Bible Study will resume on September 7, where we will begin studying the book of James. The material for that study will be available in August.

Congregational Life Event

5/29/2025

Sunday, June 29, 2025
Baby "Sprinkle" for Amy and Mike – After Worship
Let’s come together to celebrate Amy and Mike as they prepare to welcome their second child, baby Joseph, expected to arrive in late July!
We're hosting a Baby Sprinkle—a lighthearted gathering to "sprinkle" them with love and support as they grow their family.
How You Can Help "Sprinkle" Them:

Diapers (Costco preferred)
Gift cards for baby supplies
Baby clothes and toys for Joseph
Vegetarian-friendly meals (prepared frozen or meal vouchers for after Joseph arrives)
Babysitting vouchers for Olivia – Help may be needed when labor begins or after Joseph is born. Taking Olivia out to the park or a fun activity is also a great way to support!

Details:

Light refreshments will be served.
Please bring all gifts unwrapped – let’s keep it eco-friendly!

Mark your calendar!

Women’s Association

5/29/2025

Our May meeting was held in the friendship hall at the church with seven people attending including Steven Lee from Habitat for Humanities. Lunch was served by Ruth R and Margaret S with dessert of peach pie and ice cream. Mission chairman Ruth R read a short summary of our 11 mission projects with an explanation of their activities. Steven L then informed us of the most recent activities of Habitat for Humanities in Snohomish County and described the screening process for selecting recipients of the houses they build or remodel. The family receiving the house must be stable and able to afford a low cost mortgage and upkeep on the house, which in today’s market requires an annual income of close to $200,000. The family must help with the work being done on the house even though there is also much volunteer labor and technical advice also contributed.

Our next meeting will be at the church on June 11 at 11:30 AM and will be a salad luncheon with each member bringing a salad. At that time we plan to collect contributions for our mission projects. Our goal is to raise over $600 which will be divided among the recipients. All women are invited to attend and to bring a guest. This will be the last meeting before September when we will elect new officers and reveal Prayer Partners.

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

4/30/2025

Dear Fellow Travelers,

Easter is here. Talking about resurrection is literally uplifting. It gives us new hope and the promise of new life! Resurrection happens every day. Jesus is risen indeed! We experienced several wonderful services with our sister churches in the area. We had beautiful music and new members on Easter Sunday at Edmonds. Easter continues through May. As the rises in the sky, let this be our new hope fo renewal.

Bible Study is about C.S. Lewis’s “Reflections on the Psalms. Join us Sundays (11:30 AM in the Library and also on Zoom!) and Tuesdays (10 AM on Zoom). Log in information is on the back of this newsletter. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of the book and the leader guides in the sanctuary or online.

Games Night on the 2nd Saturday of each month continues. The next one is April 10th at 7 PM. Men’s Group is very active. They meet at 9 AM on Saturday Mornings. Women’s Association meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11:30AM either at Pancake Haus or at the church.

This is what I am planning for worship in May.
Sunday, May 4th. Jesus told Peter “Feed My Lambs” in three different ways after he had risen. The disciples were stunned and they returned to fishing again. When Jesus came to lakeshore, they caught 153 LARGE fish. I will explain why this was an act of civil disobedience and encouragement.

Sunday, May 11th. People were getting inpatient with Jesus’s constant parable stories. In “Tell Us Plainly!” I will describe how Jesus’s words of mercy were hard for them to hear. Storytelling was Jesus’s main way to share the simple truths that the people weren’t prepared to hear. This is a very important message for us today as well. Can we see what is right in front of us?

Sunday, May 18th. “Love One Another!” Jesus says this over and over. John wrote the words of love more than any disciple. It is a radical love. Yet it is always the people who withhold the love. How do we love even the people we hate? How do we love so radically that we can’t help doing it?

Sunday, April 25th. Do you feel paralyzed with worry and grief? Are you struck? Jesus told the sick man at the pool, “Stand Up and Walk!” After 38 years of being hopelessly stuck were over in an instant. Jesus chose to help the sick, blind, and lame on the Sabbath. He chose mercy over the rules. Are you willing to break the rules of religion in favor of loving people?

It is a joy to serve God with you! I look forward to worshipping with you in May!

Grace and Peace, Pastor Rob

Mission News

4/30/2025

EASTER BASKETS FOR CONCERN FOR NEIGHBORS FOOD BANK: 200 Easter baskets were given to grateful families at the food bank. Many people made these baskets possible, and everyone’s contribution is appreciated. Each basket contained a stuffed animal, a scripture coloring book, candy, and grass. It was a pleasure to see the happy faces and hear their words of appreciation as we handed out the baskets and wished each person a “Happy Easter.”

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: Our congregation has given a generous amount of $699.75 to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. This offering will provide much needed help for people in our country and many other countries as well. People who are hungry, needing disaster assistance and facing injustice and help with disabilities will all benefit from this offering.

OPERATION NIGHTWATCH SPECIAL OFFERING: Each fall for many years we collected white socks for Operation Nightwatch. We did not do that last year as we decided to give them a special offering instead. This offering will be given on Pentecost Sunday. There will be a basket in the back of the church for donations.

Julie R said the owner of the “Cheaper by the Day” store has some socks for us which she is willing to deliver to “Operation Nightwatch.” If you prefer to give socks instead of a monetary gift that is alright, too.

Operation Nightwatch provides a hot dinner for homeless people, calls shelters to find them a place for the night, and gives waterproof blankets to people who have to sleep outside. They provide socks and clothing as needed. Operation Nightwatch has a women’s overnight shelter. The women can leave belongings there during the day if they want to. Senior apartments provide safe, clean and comfortable living spaces for 20 seniors. Snacks and toiletries are also provided.

EAGLE WINGS DISABILITY MINISTRIES: will receive the pre-school tithe of$130 plus a private donation of $20 to make a total of $150. Eagle Wings had a day retreat recently at our church and really enjoyed their day here. We received a very appreciative e-mail thanking us for our hospitality.

UNDERGROUND MINISTRIES: The Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church founded “Underground Ministries to build relationships with prisoners about to be released from the Monroe Prison. Newly released prisoners receive help finding housing and employment as well as spiritual and social support. Underground Coffee Company provides training for former prisoners who want to work for the coffee company. A portion of the money from coffee sales goes to support the “Underground Ministries.”