Blog Posts - Edmonds Presbyterian Church

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS

11/25/2024

Five women met on November 13 at the church, held a short meeting and had a delicious lunch of Pizza, salad, and pumpkin pie. We always enjoy having a time together to discuss our plans for the church and our mission.

Ruth R has contacted the Everett YWCA making arrangements for us to adopt a Christmas family. Our planned program of Kimberly MacArthur from Washington Federal Bank speaking on bank fraud is postponed until our December meeting.

Our December meeting will be at the church on December 11 and will be a salad luncheon when each of us brings a salad to share with the group. All women are invited to come and bring a friend.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

11/25/2024

Continuing activities include:
· Refreshments in the Friendship Hall every Sunday following worship.
· Game Night on the 2nd Saturday of each month when those attending bring games to share and have refreshments
· Crafternoon on the 3rd Sunday of each month following worship when we each bring our own craft to work on
Margaret S

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

10/29/2024

Dear Fellow Travelers,

Now that we have settled into our fall routines, we are doing the steady work of ministry at Edmonds. We are an open and affirming church that is a beacon of hope in our community. Whenever I encounter people who use our property and when I talk to people online, this message comes through loud and clear. You will receive a Stewardship letter in the coming weeks. Please take a look and prayerfully consider your support for 2025.

Bible Study on 2 Corinthians continues until November 17th. On December 1st after Thanksgiving we will do a four week study on the Names of Jesus for Advent. 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 would like to download the study guide, please click the link on our website home page, www.epc-pcusa.org .

Games Night on the 2nd Saturday of each month continues. The next one is November 9th at 7 PM. Crafternoon is a great success. We will have it again on the 3rd Sunday after worship on October 17th. 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 11:30 or Noon, depending on whether it is at Pancake Haus or at the church.

Please tell your friends and family about our Online Streaming Worship. We are averaging about 30 views per week and would love to see it grow! Please go to the www.epc-pcusa.org website for the latest links.

This is what I am planning for worship in November.

Sunday, November 3rd. In “Love the Stranger” we will see how Ruth followed her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem. Ruth was a foreigner, and she was treated with dignity as the Bible commands. It’s a clear message for us to also treat people who are different than us with dignity and respect.

Sunday, November 10th. The story of Ruth continues as she meets and grows close to Boaz. “Gleaning in the Sheaves” is about the deep love that grows between people as they share favor and trust. By seeing these ancient people in their world as real people, we can see what love meant to them.

Sunday, November 17th. In one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible, David’s mother Hannah was given God’s favor in double measure. In “Hannah’s Double Portion” we see how God’s mercy is given unexpectedly.

Sunday, November 24th. This is Christ the King Sunday, the last week before Advent begins. The story of Jesus standing before Pilate tells us so much about power. In “My Kingdom is Not from Here,” we learn the source of Jesus’s power.

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

MISSION NEWS

10/29/2024

The pre-school is now operating after a summer break. Little voices are heard as the children enjoy their activities. It is good to have the children, staff and parents here in the building. The pre-school rent also benefits us. Nine-tenths of the rent money goes to the building fund to help with expenses and one-tenth (a tithe) goes to mission. Lahai Health, Lynnwood and Renewal Ministries each received $195 from the first two month’s rent. (Lahai Health also provides service in King County.)

LAHAI HEALTH, LYNNWOOD, provides medical treatment, dental work, and mental health counselling for low-income people. No one who comes to the clinic is left without help. Doctors, nurses, dentists, and mental health counsellors volunteer their time because of their love for God and for their clients.

Lahai Health is a Christ-centered organization that seeks to treat the whole person, physically, mentally and spiritually.

RENEWAL MINISTRIES NORTHWEST has helped strengthen the faith of many Christians and helped them grow in their spiritual lives. Retreats are held throughout the year, emphasizing prayer and drawing closer to God. They emphasize the teachings of Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th century Christian leader who taught that nothing is more life fulfilling and renewing than walking closely with Jesus Christ. Their contact phone number is: 425- 361- 7953. Their website is: http://renewalminnw.org.

WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY provides a well-rounded college education, including academics, community service, social activities, sports, and spiritual growth. Whitworth has received high rankings from various groups who rank western schools. Students get help in planning career choices to help them have successful careers after graduation. Whitworth University received the $100 mission allocation for October.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY: The Women’s Association voted to sponsor a family for Christmas again this year with the congregation’s help. We asked for a mother and two children. Our family will come from the Everett YWCA-Pathways Holiday giving program.

TOILETRIES FOR LOCAL GROUPS: We decided to ask for travel-sized toiletries for local groups this year instead of white socks for Operation Nightwatch. As we get older it is harder for people to drive to Seattle to deliver the socks. Jim Nickle did deliver some socks that had not been delivered from previous donations.

CHRISTMAS JOY: Our Christmas Joy gifts will be given in December. Three readers will tell how people have been helped by past offerings. Retired and present pastors, their families and other church workers receive help from 50% of the offering. The other 50% supports students of color who attend Presbyterian-related schools.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

10/29/2024

Adult Bible Study Starts Advent Study on December 1
The Adult Bible Study Group will be wrapping up its study of 2 Corinthians on November 17 and 19. The following Sunday will be a break from study, and Bible Study will reconvene on December 1, the first Sunday of Advent with Walter Brueggemann’s “Names for the Messiah.” This study will last through the four Sundays of Advent (or the Tuesdays after, if you are with the Tuesday morning Bible Study).

This study focuses on the names of the Messiah spelled out in Isaiah 9:6, a passage made famous in Handel’s Messiah: Wonderful Counselor (Handel put a comma between these two, but there is none), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. We will study each of these names of the Messiah separately during the Sundays of Advent.

Once Advent is finished, we will start a study of the catechisms, creeds and confessions recognized by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in the new year. Bible Study is available through Zoom on either Sunday or Tuesday. The Sunday group is both in person and by Zoom and the Tuesday study is by Zoom. If you are interested in attending either class, reach out to the office for the Zoom information or talk to Eileen O or Pastor Rob.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

10/29/2024

We very much appreciate all the help from the congregation in assisting with hosting the funeral service for long-time member Mary Chiddix. It was wonderful to see so many people attending that extra chairs were brought in. The family appreciated having a friendly place to visit and exchange memories over refreshments following the service.

Game night was enjoyed by all who attended on Saturday evening October 12th. Our next game night will be on November 9, again at 7PM.

Crafternoon will be held following church service on October 20. All who enjoy crafts are encouraged to bring the craft they are working on and socialize . A church wide potluck lunch was served following services on October 13 when we all enjoyed dishes and desserts brought by other people We look forward to more in the future.

Margaret S, Elder

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

10/29/2024

Our October meeting was held as a lunch at the Pancake Haus in Edmonds and the people who attended enjoyed the opportunity to socialize. Our November meeting will be at the church at 11:30am and we have invited Kimberly MacArthur from Washington Federal Bank to give a presentation on how to avoid fraud. Lunch will be provided.

   Some items to be discussed are:
     Adoption of a Christmas Family
     December meeting agenda
     Treasurer position
     Planning activities for next spring

All women are invited to join us, you do not have to be a church member to attend and we are happy to have you bring a friend. Men are also invited to join us for lunch and to hear the speaker.
Margaret S, Liaison for women’s association elder

From the Desk of Pastor Rob

9/25/2024

Dear Fellow Travelers,

We are in full swing for Fall! Our Bible Study has resumed. The preschool has started. Our new pianist Daniel has started playing for us regularly. And our new roof has withstood two major rain events without a leak! Thank you so much for all your support!

Bible Study on 2 Corinthians has resumed. Both the Sunday (11:30 AM in the Library and also on Zoom!) and Tuesday (10 AM on Zoom) groups really enjoyed the new material. Log in information is on the back of this newsletter. If you would like to download the study guide, please click the link on our website home page, www.epc-pcusa.org

Games Night on the 2nd Saturday of each month continues. The next one is October 12th at 7 PM. Crafternoon is a great success. We will have it again on the 3rd Sunday after worship on October 20th. 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 11:30 or Noon, depending on whether it is at Pancake Haus or at the church.

Please tell your friends and family about our Online Streaming Worship. We are averaging about 30 views per week and would love to see it grow! Please go to the www.epc-pcusa.org website for the latest links.

This is what I am planning for worship in October.

Sunday, October 6th. In “The Devil Made Me Do It” I will show the array of evil beings in the Bible. Only later in church history did these coalesce into our images of Satan. It is important to understand this history when you encounter evil in the world.

Sunday, October 13th. The story of the Rich Man asking Jesus what he needs to do to achieve eternal life is one of most perplexing in the gospels. “Then Come and Follow Me” is how salvation is not about doing something but putting your trust in Jesus. Jesus flung the gate wide open.

Sunday, October 20th. In Job 38 and Psalm 104 we get “Caught Up in a Whirlwind.” The sweeping images of God’s glory can be disorienting. But instead of trying to understand and control everything, it is better to enjoy the thrilling ride of life.

Sunday, October 27th. One of the greatest challenges of modern Christianity is the idea of “Prosperity Gospel” and it is everywhere in our American culture. In this sermon I will cover the history of it and how we can avoid its traps while enjoying the goodness of God blessings.

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

MISSION NEWS

9/25/2024

Vision House works faithfully every day to improve the lives of people who are facing homeless do to sudden financial emergencies. Sometimes unexpected job loss, medical emergencies, death of a spouse, or other financial needs can leave a family unable to pay rent. Vision House will help these families so they don’t become homeless.

Vision House provides furnished apartments for people ready to move out of shelters and getting ready to support themselves. Bedding, pots and pans, dishes, and cleaning supplies make each apartment ready for immediate use. Counseling, help in getting job training or other education, and assistance in finding employment make transitioning from homelessness easier. Child care for children of parents who are taking job training classes or furthering their education makes it easier for them to prepare for permanent employment. Some help is available for families with special needs children.

Families leaving Vision House for independent living are given bedding, cleaning supplies, dishes and other household items needed to start out on their own.
Vision House’s mission is to follow Jesus in working with the poor and homeless to promote positive transformation of their lives. Vision House will receive the $100 allocation for September.

WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

9/25/2024

Our September meeting was held in the Friendship Hall at Edmonds Presbyterian Church. Minutes from our June meeting were read and approved. Acting Treasurer Margaret S reported all thirteen mission recipients received $65 from the mission fund after a total of $800 in donations was donated to our mission fund, totaling $845.00. Several Thank-you notes have been received in response

Mission Chairman Ruth R reports Operation Nightwatch no longer does a sock drive in October, even though they still very much appreciate contributions of new white socks all year round. They also need contributions of small toiletries, snack items, coffee and cocoa. She suggests we could do a onetime money collection for them to let them know they still have our support.

We voted to again sponsor a Christmas family, probably composed of a parent and 2 children. Ruth will contact the YWCA to select a family in October. A delicious casserole made by Jean G, a salad and dessert were served for lunch.

We received the sad news that long-time member Mary Chiddix passed away this morning. A condolence card was signed and sent to her family. The family plans a funeral service on October 4th, with viewing at 9AM and the service at 11 AM. There will be a reception in the Friendship Hall following the service. We also plan to send a condolence card to the family of Don Hollingsworth, also a long time member who was very active in the life of this church.

The October meeting will be a luncheon at the Pancake Haus in Edmonds at 11:30 am on October 9.
November meeting will be at the church at 11:30 am November 9 and we plan to have a speaker.
Respectfully submitted by Margaret S, Moderator