At Edgewood, we want to be good neighbors and show the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. That’s why we recently installed new fences along the south and east sides of our property.

A fence might seem like a simple building project, but for us, it represents something more. It’s an opportunity to care for the people who live and work around us and to be thoughtful about how our church property affects our neighbors.

We’re grateful for the generosity of our congregation in helping cover the cost of this project. Your giving made it possible for us to take this step toward being a better neighbor and caring for the community God has placed around us.

Sometimes, loving our neighbors looks like a big gesture. Other times, it looks like taking care of the things right outside our doors. We hope these new fences serve as a reminder that being a good neighbor is one more way we can put our faith into action.

Thank you for helping Edgewood be a church that loves God and loves people!

Fall is here in full swing at Edgewood. Last month I talked about finding areas for service here in the Body of Christ. Our group has been fully involved in serving locally and beyond.

In the past month members of the group prepared and served the Wednesday dinner with the theme of comfort food. Mac-n-cheese accompanied by ham and a green salad was served. In addition, we had a variety of desserts including vanilla ice cream for the brownies.

This group has had years of filling in the gap where needed at the church. If you come by during the week you might see Tom and Dick doing landscape and building maintenance. And as you drive by you can see the results of their hard work.

The Care Center Ministries led by Sharon serve each Sunday at one of two care centers with hymn singing followed by a short devotional. Several Edgewood seniors support Sharon with this.

You can see seniors serving as greeters each Sunday morning. Thank you for each of you who step forward to do your part.

We paused our series of women serving in the early church for a few special meetings in September. Pastor JJ led a spirited hymn sing where he also shared his testimony. A really great time.

Then our new Youth Pastor, Josh, shared his testimony and caught us up on where he sees this ministry going in the coming months. We all recognize the importance of youth ministry as we look back on our own families and how it meant so much in our lives and our children’s and grandchildren’s lives. We want to continue to hold Josh up in prayer as he gets started in this ministry.

For October we will be getting back into our series on the role of women in the early church. As always, we meet on Wednesday in the Student Center. If you have never come or it has been a while we want to invite you to bring your lunch and join us. We can promise 90 minutes of fellowship with some study and prayer time included.

Any questions? Just call or text Randy M or the church office.

Jesus calling James and John

Hello Edgewood family!

This is Pastor Josh, and I just want to reiterate how excited I am to be serving our families and youth with you all. Over this last week I got to share a little bit about why we do Youth Ministry. One of my first thoughts always goes to Judges 2:10
 "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel."

How easy was it for the relationship and faith in the family of God to slip away with just one generation! From the family of God walking through the red sea, being covered by God's presence in the day by cloud and warmed by fire in the night, being fed manna daily in the wilderness, to not knowing Him or what He had done for them. Yet while our diligence in sharing the Gospel and our faith with our children is crucial, Jesus shows us the next steps in cultivating faith for the next generation as well in Matthew 4:18

"One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind."

The age of all the 12 disciples Jesus called to follow him ranged from thirteen to their late twenties... Jesus doesn't shy away from calling youth to follow Him, equipping them to do ministry, and sending them out. The disciples with their faithful witness on Jesus changed their communities, the world, and history as we know it! Just what would our community look like if we shared the same trust in our youth to call them to follow Jesus, put the tools of ministry in their own hands, and sent them out to do the same?

Edmonds, Washington ·Part-time (with potential increasing hours based on church needs)
Estimated annual range: $25,000-$40,000 depending on experience
→ Apply Now

Location: Edmonds, Washington (in person) Schedule: includes Sunday services, rehearsal time, planning, and occasional special events

Compensation: $25K-$40K depending on experience and skill level.  Additional considerations: ministry-related expenses may be covered, flexible scheduling, opportunities for special event compensation, and potential for an expanded role over time.

Reports to: Senior Pastor (works alongside church staff and volunteer ministry teams)

Start Time: Position Open Now

Edgewood Church in Edmonds, Washington is seeking a Music Director to lead and develop a vibrant, Christ-centered music ministry. This role works closely with pastoral leadership to plan and lead worship that is biblically grounded, theologically sound, and engaging for the congregation.

If you're someone who loves the local church and wants to build a worship ministry the whole congregation can sing into, this is a place where your work will actually matter.

After your first 6 months, you'll have:

• Sunday worship running with consistent, sermon-aligned music and smooth service flow
• A trained, dependable team of vocalists and musicians rehearsing regularly
• Licensing, scheduling, and equipment care handled with clear systems
• Special services (Christmas, Easter, etc.) planned and ready well in advance

This role is for someone who:

• Has a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ
• Leads congregational worship with both musical skill and pastoral care
• Is organized, dependable, and self-motivated
• Builds teams well and communicates clearly
• Wants a long-term home in a local church

Edgewood Church is a Christ-centered, community-focused church in Edmonds, Washington. We care about biblical teaching and authentic, congregational worship — and we're building a music ministry that serves the whole church, week in and week out. You won't just be filling a role here. You'll be part of shaping how this actually works.

To apply, email both office@ebc-edmonds.org and rharris@ebc-edmonds.org. Please include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• (Optional) Video demonstrating musical or worship leadership

God clearly reveals himself through His creation. The beauty of God’s creation has always given me a glimpse into the character and personality of God. The hymn writer Thomas O. Chisholm expressed my sentiments beautifully in the second verse of the well known hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, a song I have sung since childhood.

“Summer and Winter and
Springtime and harvest.
Sun, moon and stars in
their courses above.
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and Love.”

Several years ago I was driving through the Oregon countryside on a crisp Autumn day. In the distance I could see several trees with colorful Autumn leaves. As I drove by them, the Fall colors were so vibrant that I had to pull over and take a few pictures. (see pic) I remember asking myself why I had never noticed them before. The only answer I could come up with was, I was so consumed by the stresses of life and ministry, that I had failed to recognize the beauty God had placed around me. I was so busy "serving" God that I forgot to enjoy the splendor of His creation. From that point on, I made a commitment to make these trees a regular part of my yearly "Fall experience."

The following year, I decided to drive by the trees once again to anticipate when they would return to their Fall splendor. As I pulled over to get a better view my heart began to sink. An entire row of trees had been trimmed down thirty feet, presumably as a result of a recent ice storm. There would be no majestic Fall display that year, nor for many years to come. At least not like the ones I had previously enjoyed.

God's message to me was clear. If I allow the weight of the world to consistently pull me down, I can be in danger of missing the beauty that God has placed around me today. He has promised to walk with me each step of the way, through wooded valleys and lofty mountaintops. If I will only take time to recognize His beauty in and around me, I can experience His peace, through both the smooth and rough terrain. For the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." Psalm 23:2

For more than 50 years, the building we call home has been a place where people have worshiped, prayed, learned, served, celebrated, and built lasting relationships. When our new sanctuary was completed in 1975, it represented an exciting new chapter for Edgewood. Generations of people have faithfully cared for this building, allowing it to continue serving our church family and our community.

But after more than five decades, some parts of the building were beginning to show their age, especially our men’s and women’s restrooms. They had become outdated and, quite honestly, weren't always the most welcoming spaces for those who walked through our doors.

That’s why we are completely gutting and remodeling both restrooms. This isn’t simply about making things look nicer. It’s about being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us and creating a building that is clean, welcoming, functional, and ready to serve people well.

When someone new visits Edgewood, we want them to see a church that values its history without being stuck in the past. We want our building to communicate that we care about the people who are here today and the generations who will walk through our doors tomorrow.

Because you give, we can do more than maintain a building. We can invest in the future of Edgewood and continue preparing a place where people can encounter God, connect with His people, and feel at home.

I woke up early in anticipation of a busy day. As I got ready and began driving to an appointment, I found myself already longing for the day to be over. Usually on my morning drives, I converse with God. But on this day, I didn’t have much to say. It seemed the weight of the world was on my shoulders, and God was doing nothing to alleviate my pain. The difficulties of life and the “unanswered prayers” had left me feeling that God was aloof and uncaring. Finally, I quietly said to God, “You are not on my side.”

Later that day, I felt compelled to open my Bible. I had been reading through the Psalms, and my particlar passage for the day was Psalms 124, which begins with these words.

”If the Lord had not been on our side…” Psalms‬ ‭124‬:‭1‬

I was ready to listen. As I got to verses 4-5, God revealed to me what would have happened had He NOT been on my side:

”The flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.“ Psalms 124:4-5.

God was clearly reminding me that He has been, and will always be my salvation, protection, and provision. The weight of the world is not on my shoulders, but squarely on the shoulders of Jesus, who gave His life on my behalf. As I read these final words below in Psalms 124:8, God’s peace began to return to my heart. He will always be my help in each and every storm, and will be faithful to safely deliver me home.

”Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.“ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭124‬:‭8‬ ‭

In Pastor Ronnie’s message this morning he talked about spending time with “your people.” Well, for we seniors at Edgewood Church, the Caleb Community is our people.  

This group has been meeting once a week for decades. The name changed 20 or so years ago but the idea was the same, a weekly meeting for the senior community of our church.

In that time some have graduated on to heaven but there are regulars who have been part of the group longer than I for sure.  

The format is to bring a brown bag lunch and couple that with a goodie someone else provides. This provides a chance to catch up with what is going on in each other’s lives. We then share a lesson which includes a video from RightNow Media and discuss that. We wrap up the 90 minutes sharing prayer requests and praying around our tables.

We have a couple of special events planned for September. On the 16th Ingrid will share her story about a ministry she is involved in. It will also mean asking her questions about her life and walk with God. Then on the 23rd Pastor JJ will lead us in a hymn sing. Our group does enjoy singing some of the hymns out of the hymnals stored in the cabinet.

We are currently going through a series in RightNow Media titled Women Leaders in the Early Church. This puts some depth on names that we often read right by. We anticipate being in this series through the end of November at our current rate.

If you have questions on the group or our study, you can call or text Randy M or the church office.

We would love to have you join us any Wednesday at noon in the Student Center.

A Time for Everything…

There is something about this time of year that reminds us life is always moving. Seasons change. Chapters close. New ones begin.

Summer is winding down. The blockbuster movies have had their run, and now college football Saturdays and NFL Sundays are back on the calendar. The long stretch of 80-degree days is giving way to crisp mornings and cool evenings. That Netflix series you've been binge-watching has finally reached its finale, and now there's a new show on Apple TV+ waiting to capture your attention.

Around our church campus, we're seeing endings and beginnings as well. Some of the trees that have stood on our property for years are now gone, but a new fence along the south side of our parking lot is shiny and new. While change isn't always easy, it often creates opportunities for something better, stronger, and more useful.

The same is true in our worship and study together. We've come to the conclusion of our journey through Hebrews—a book that has continually pointed us to the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. As grateful as we are for what we've learned, we're excited to begin a new series in Ecclesiastes. If Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is greater, Ecclesiastes asks one of life's most important questions: "What really lasts?" In a world chasing success, pleasure, and possessions, Ecclesiastes points us toward the only life that has lasting meaning—a life lived in reverence before God.

Perhaps the greatest transition we're experiencing isn't found in the weather, on the screen, or even in our sermon series. It's in the life of our church. For too long, many churches have accepted decline as inevitable. We believe God has something different in mind. We are praying, serving, inviting, and preparing—not simply to maintain what we've always known, but to reach people who have yet to discover the hope found in Jesus Christ. Every new family, every first-time guest, every baptism, every life transformed reminds us that God is still building His Church. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us there is "a time for every matter under heaven." This season is our time to embrace new opportunities while remaining faithful to the unchanging Gospel.

As one season ends and another begins, let's thank God for His faithfulness in yesterday's blessings while stepping confidently into tomorrow's possibilities. The leaves may change, the temperatures may fall, and our calendars may fill with new routines, but our mission remains the same: to know Christ and to make Him known.
Here's to new beginnings—and to the God who makes all things new.

In my senior year in college, I made a radical commitment of my life to Christ. Fresh with new vigor to do God’s will, I began to write Christian music. One day I was sitting in my room after experiencing a very difficult week. Not really understanding why God would allow such difficulties in my life, I began to express my feelings to God. As I opened up my Bible, I came across this verse:
 
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
 
I understood for the first time that God wanted to use these trials for my good. What followed next was the third Christian song I ever wrote, entitled “Bring ‘Em On.” This lighthearted song about why God allows trials in our lives became a regular in our band concerts in the early 1980’s. I share the lyrics hopefully as an encouragement, that God is at work each and every day to make us more like Jesus.

Bring 'Em On By Jeff Joyner
Verse 1
it’s so easy to complain
And say “Lord why no sunshine always rain?
Lord, these troubles have come to me today
Why am I treated this way?
But when the troubles haunt me no longer
I really seem to be so much stronger
These troubles were used to help
Now I can really see
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me.

Chorus
Bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on to me now
Bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on to me now
Bring those dreary troubles, and those fiery trials
For now I know for an absolute fact
They help me grow and keep me intact
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me

Jesus you have what I lack
You pick me up when I’m flat in my back
And I know my life is in your hands
For I know it’s for sure
None will come that I cannot endure
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me

Verse 2
It’s easy to want God’s sympathy
And say, Lord, please feel sorry for me
Why can’t things happen
Just like I think they should
After all Lord, I’ve really been so good
But when the troubles leave, I really feel ashamed
Because I see exactly why they came
They came to make me
More like the Savior, don’t you see?
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me

VBS 2026 at Edgewood Church… A Picture of Faith

Since Easter, we have been working our way through the book of Hebrews. Following the conclusion of VBS, we have now arrived at chapter 11, and it couldn't be better timing. As I prepare my sermon this week and read about the biblical characters in the "Hall of Faith," I can't help but think about what God has been doing at Edgewood over the last two years. VBS is the perfect snapshot of faith—especially this year at Edgewood.

While Edgewood has a wonderful history of rich and fruitful ministry, VBS had not taken place since 2019. I offer no judgment about that, especially since COVID was the initial catalyst for the pause. When something hasn't happened for a number of years, the person leading it hasn't done it for a couple of decades, the historical pool of volunteers isn't particularly robust, and we don't currently have a large number of kids, the obvious question is: How and why did we decide to bring VBS back to Edgewood in 2026?
The answer is faith.

Faith that God would show up in ways we couldn't yet see when we made the decision to move forward. And when I say "we," I mostly mean Kris Harris, since she was the one responsible for making the ultimate decision.

Would kids show up? We didn't know.
Would we even have enough volunteers? We didn't know.
Did we have enough time to pull it off? We didn't know.
How much would it cost us? We didn't know.
You get the picture.

Even though the answer to all of those questions was, "We don't know," we chose to take a step of faith—a step of faith in God for the sake of Edgewood and our community.
We cannot thank enough the people who raised their hands and said, "I'll do it." Without our church family stepping into the gap to help make this happen, it could have been a very difficult week. Instead, it was an amazing one.

This year at Edgewood, VBS averaged more than 50 kids each day. Numerous people stepped in to help, even if it was only for a day or two, while many others faithfully served all five days. By every measure, VBS was a tremendous success.

From the joy on our crew leaders' faces, to the smiles and giggles of the kids, to perhaps the best one-liner you could ever hear from an elementary-aged child at the end of the week:
"Before this week, I didn't know anything about Jesus!"
That's what faith looks like.

VBS was Edgewood's expression of faith in Jesus in 2026, and God honored that step of faith. Praise God!

How is God stirring your faith today?

As I write this month’s newsletter input, I don’t know what we will be studying next. The reason for that is you, the folks who attend our weekly meetings, will decide on Wednesday August 5. We will be reviewing the three candidates on Wednesday and decide together.  The three candidates from RightNow Media are: The Narrow Path, “How the Subversive Way of Jesus Satisfies our Souls”; Women Leaders in The Early Church, “The Often-Overlooked Stories of Women Leaders in the Early Church”; and The Book of Second Thessalonians, “A Steady Faith in Shaky Times”. I know by the time you get this on Wednesday we will be meeting and deciding. All three look like good studies.

We missed a couple of meetings last month as the church prepared for and staged Vacation Bible School. Kris Harris led an enthusiastic team of adults and young people. Children’s lives were blessed through this, our first VBS since Covid 19. Well done to all who participated. I have it on good report that the treats prepared this year were creative and top notch. A big push right at the end made it all come off.

I want to encourage anyone in the church who is available on Wednesdays at noon to give our group a try. I know after I first retired, I was reluctant to attend. What in the world do these old people do for 90 minutes every Wednesday anyway? Well, I got involved, thanks to Gary Stabbert, and found it to be a great time with old and new friends. We bring a brown bag lunch, eat together gathered around small tables, then watch a video lesson and discuss its application to our lives. We conclude by sharing prayer requests and a time of small group prayer. And if you already attend, invite a friend, we don’t bite or ask for credit card information.

If you have any questions, call or text me, Randy M, or contact the church office.  We won’t flood your mailbox with spam, I promise.

Fifteen years ago, Edgewood had the privilege of helping launch a Spanish-speaking ministry that would eventually become Iglesia Bautista Esperanza (IBE). What began as a small ministry has grown into a thriving church family committed to reaching the Spanish-speaking community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Like any shared ministry, there were seasons of growth, learning, and a few bumps in the road. Having two active congregations sharing one building required flexibility, patience, and a willingness to work together. Through it all, God remained faithful, and both churches were strengthened by the experience.

Two years ago, the leadership of IBE sensed that God was leading them into a new season. Together, they made the decision to become an independent church. While that meant a change in our relationship, it also represented exactly what we had hoped for from the very beginning—to see a healthy church equipped to stand on its own and continue making disciples.

God has continued to open doors.

Just six months ago, through a partnership with Converge Northwest, IBE was able to purchase the former Haller Lake Baptist Church building. Since then, their members have been pouring countless volunteer hours into remodeling and preparing the facility for ministry. It has been inspiring to watch their church family work together with such dedication and excitement as they transform the building into a place where people will hear the good news of Christ for years to come.

As they make this transition, Edgewood has been grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting them. Thanks to the generosity of our church family, and through a combination of two months of rent relief and a cash gift, we were able to bless them with more than $11,000 to help them during this exciting season of transition.

Your faithful giving is making a tangible difference. It is helping another gospel-centered church become firmly established and better equipped to reach its community.
Thank you for investing in God’s kingdom. The story of IBE is a reminder that church planting is about more than starting a ministry—it is about seeing healthy, independent churches grow, flourish, and multiply.

Please continue praying for Pastor Julio, the leadership team, and the entire IBE congregation as they complete the renovations, settle into their new facility, and continue sharing the hope of Jesus with their community.

We praise God for what He has done over the past fifteen years, and we look forward to seeing all that He will do in the years ahead.

Being a worship pastor for many years I have always had an affinity for Psalm 150. Although the author of this Psalm is unknown, there are some that conclude that there are similarities between this text and other Psalms that were authored by King David. We will never fully know on this side of heaven. What we do know is that we are strongly exhorted to praise God with an exuberant heart. Let’s look at the scripture:

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:1-6

Psalm 150 begins by simply telling us to Praise the Lord. The next sentence gives us a couple of examples of WHERE the praise of God resides, which is both in His sanctuary and His mighty heavens. Then it moves on to WHY we should praise Him. The answer to that is, because of His mighty deeds and excellent greatness!

The next few verses highlight some of the INSTRUMENTS we can use to praise Him. Interestingly enough, the author includes dancing as an expression of worship, along with the playing of the tambourine. Many interpret that Psalm 150 is only referring to loud, exuberant worship. But if you look at all the instruments listed you will see strings and harp, which are often used in more quiet expressions of worship.

Regardless of how we worship, the last phrase sums up WHO is called to praise the Lord. To answer this question, I will write again the conclusion to this “God breathed”, glorious Psalm.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

Remembering our Roots.

Have a wonderful 4th of July on this 250th Anniversary of the United States of America
 
It was September 7, 1774. Representatives from twelve colonies had gathered at Carpenters' Hall. They came from different colonies, denominations, and political viewpoints. There was even debate over whether they should begin with prayer because some delegates were Anglican while others were Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Quakers, and members of other traditions.

According to Adams, one delegate questioned whether they could pray together because of these denominational differences.

It was then that Samuel Adams stood and declared:
"He was no bigot and could hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue, who was at the same time a friend to his country."

The Congress then invited Rev. Jacob Duché, rector of Philadelphia's Christ Church, to lead them in prayer.

The delegates had asked him to lead them in prayer after reading from Psalm 35.

The following is the historic prayer, preserved in the Journals of the Continental Congress and in contemporaneous accounts:

O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings and Lord of lords, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all kingdoms, empires, and governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves upon Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee.

To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support which Thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause, and, if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of Thy unerring justice, sounding in their hearts that they may become sensible of the injustice they have done to Thy people, and be ashamed of their conduct.

Bless, we beseech Thee, all the people of this land from the highest to the lowest. Pour out upon them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Make them a holy people unto Thee. Strengthen the hands of our magistrates, and all others who are appointed to execute justice. Let righteousness run down our streets as a mighty stream and let judgment flow as the waters.

And finally, we commend to Thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions.

All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior. Amen.

By now you may have settled into your summer schedules and routines. We, as seniors, have years of experience doing just that. And, as a retiree, we can enjoy the permanent summer vacation. I do remember after high school and realizing that the good old summer-vacation-from-school tie was over and work was a year-round endeavor. But retiring in 2009 gave it back to me. So, the question for recent or long-term retirees is what are you doing with that time? What is your new daily routine now that you don’t have a commute and workday? Yes, there is time to read and do those things you put off for years. There is also time to try a new discipline or experience. Time to read through the Bible in a year? Time to try a new ministry experience? Time to serve God in a different ministry? We have been going through a video series that showed how individuals in the Bible finished their lives in service to God. Some were faithful and others were not. I would encourage you to use your remaining years in faithful and joyful service to God.

There are opportunities for service all around you here at Edgewood Church. Next in line is Vacation Bible School. Have you thought about volunteering to serve in that? Might be time to do just that. A chance for service and a time to connect with others for a week. In that respect we will not meet on Wednesday the 29th of July so that you can work in VBS that week.

Another avenue for service is Wednesday night family dinners. Kris can always use volunteers to prepare food, set up, and clean up. It is only one Wednesday a month, give it a try. If you are a man, give the Saturday morning Men’s Breakfast a try. Food is great and, coupled with fellowship and a lesson, a fruitful way to spend a couple of hours on one Saturday morning a month. Like to meet new people? How about volunteering to be a greeter on Sunday morning? Like to bake? Volunteer to bring treats to share before the Sunday morning service. Khyra can help you get started there. I can go on and on. Try something new.

We continue to meet on Wednesday at noon in the Student Center. Bring your brown-bag lunch and join us. After a time of eating our lunches, we enjoy a video lesson and time of prayer together. We wrap up by 1:30. If you have questions just call or text Randy M or the church office. Hope to see you there.

Have you ever stopped to wonder how the coffee, donuts, muffins, cookies, and other treats magically appear every Sunday morning? While it may seem like they simply show up, there is actually a wonderful group of people working behind the scenes to make it happen.

Every four months, an email goes out to a dedicated team of volunteers who have agreed to help provide treats for our Sunday morning fellowship time. They look over the calendar and sign up for one or two dates that fit their schedules. Some enjoy baking homemade goodies to share, while others purchase treats from a favorite bakery or grocery store.

What makes this ministry so special is that it is a simple but meaningful way for people to serve our church family. Because they give of their time/talent/treasure, we are all blessed on Sunday mornings! Their generosity helps create a warm and welcoming environment where conversations happen, friendships grow, and visitors feel at home.

The next time you enjoy a cup of coffee and a treat before or after the service, take a moment to thank those who quietly make it possible, Jenny, Julia, Erin, Donna, Dawn, Hannah, Sue, Eric, Marni, Terri, Myra, Jenni, Marilyn, Bri, and Anne We are grateful for each person who contributes to this ministry and helps make Sunday mornings a little sweeter for everyone.

If you have ever thought about getting involved in a simple but impactful ministry, we would love to add a few more names to our treats team. Signing up for just one or two Sundays every few months is a wonderful way to serve and bless our church family. Whether homemade or store-bought, every contribution is appreciated and enjoyed.

When I went into full time music ministry years ago, I quickly learned that I would have to rely totally on the Lord to fulfill the calling that He had given me. Several years ago this picture surfaced when I had some old slides converted to digital. I am in the white jacket surrounded by members of our music group with CRU back in the early 1980’s. When I saw this photo again, my mind was immediately flooded with memories from the past. I was able to connect right away with the thoughts and feelings I was experiencing during that time.

The picture was taken during one of our prayer times before a concert. We would regularly pray before our concerts, and being new in the group I would often feel inadequate to carry out the task before us. Many times I would cry out to God for strength, knowing that I had no strength of my own. After our times of prayer we would walk out on stage knowing we would have to trust in God solely to work in and through us for His glory. As time went by, I began to see that God desired to use these experiences to bring me to the end of myself, teaching me what it truly means to completely rely on Him.

Throughout the years, God has continually reinforced that same lesson over and over again. I have found that prayer is essential in every aspect of walking with Jesus. For in my weakness He is strong. As a result, I am convinced that He will faithfully provide everything I need to diligently follow Him in the days ahead. I can trust Him to be my strength in the midst of whatever circumstance I may encounter in this life.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

As I have mentioned before, we are in the midst of a study based on the call to “Finish Well.” This has led me to a book written by J. I. Packer, Finishing Our Course With Joy. It is a great book no matter your age but for we seniors it is especially important. In this book Packer calls us to be intentional in serving God throughout our lives. Yes, as we age that service may take a different form as our physical and mental capabilities change but we are to do what we are called to do with zeal. He then goes on to describe zeal in religion based on a description by J. C. Ryle from the late nineteenth century as “Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do his will, and to advance his glory in the world in every possible way.” He then goes on to say ..”He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, and that one thing is to please God.” Does that describe your life and service to God today? It is never too late to put your life and hope on that track, and I encourage you to do that today.

As I write this, we still have six more sessions of this study. If you have missed any you can catch up by going onto RightNow Media and bringing it up. If you don’t yet have access, contact the church office and the church can share that access with you. The church has a subscription we would love to share. Unlike other services (Netflix, Prime Video, etc ) this one is encouraged to be shared.

We continue to meet at noon in the Student Center every Wednesday. We are there every week and there’s room for you to join us. Bring your brown-bag lunch and spend 90 minutes with a like-minded group of seniors. If you have questions or concerns about our ministry, call or text Randy M or the church office.

By all accounts June is a great month of the year.  School gets out, summer starts, vacations begin to happen, camping gear is dusted off, marshmallows get bought and the sun is coming out on more of a regular basis.  

Personally I have always like June because it starts with my birthday, continues with my wedding anniversary, stretches out with Father’s Day and then by the time June is almost done July 4th weekend is right around the corner.  

Being that individuals and families are out and about during the summer months in the Pacific Northwest I wanted to circle back around to what I introduced last month in my blog.  And that is OUTREACH, the idea that our Christian lives are to be pointed outward.  As we go camping, fly somewhere for a vacation, and have BBQs, we will find ourselves in conversations with Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Colleagues, maybe some Enemies and possibly some Strangers (FRANCES).

In these conversations we will be discussing the things we care about, the things we are excited about and things we are looking forward to doing in the days and months to come. The list of different people you will likely encounter is your FRANCES list.  Your FRANCES list is comprised of those who you have decided ahead of time to pray for with the hope of “bless”-ing them.  

BLESS is also a word to remember.  Because this BLESS is an acronym that stands for how you are reaching out to people.  The “B” stands for BEGIN with prayer.  Pray for those in your sphere of influence who you can bless. “L” stands for LISTEN. Listen to their concerns, their story, and what their spiritual interest might be. “E” stands for EAT together. Build relationships over meals and/or beverages.  Food is everyone’s favorite. “S” stands for SERVE.  Care for them, some how some way.  Offer a ride, pay for a meal, lend them a hand. And the final “S” stands for SHARE. Share your story of Jesus changing your life and the eternal hope you now carry in your heart through everything you do.  

OUTREACH your FRANCES list, so you may BLESS those around you.

May God be with you.

Pastor Ronnie

Thai Village ended the year—and began the new one—with the excitement of moving into a brand-new facility! The timing even allowed my dad to attend the dedication ceremony during a previously planned visit, which made the celebration especially meaningful. This new space not only provides room for our current team but also opens doors to expand employment opportunities and explore new areas of craftsmanship. As we settle in, we are learning new rhythms while also seeking ways to build relationships with our neighbors and serve this new community well.

I (Anne) also recently returned from coaching a basketball tournament at Faith Academy in the Philippines, the culmination of our season. We were a young team, but the growth in their skills, confidence, and unity was truly special. Our team motto was “All In,” a reminder to give everything we have, both on and off the court. Alongside that, we reflected on Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” While wins and losses fade, our prayer is that the lessons learned—perseverance, teamwork, and faith—will shape these students for years to come.

This month, the seminary celebrated the graduation of a cohort in Bangkok, Thailand, consisting of 13 students. Over the past several months, I (Billy) had the privilege of mentoring one graduate through her capstone project, where she discipled young professionals in one of Southeast Asia’s largest cities. Together they explored how work itself can be an act of worship, equipping believers to live with integrity and reflect Christ’s love in their workplaces. Plans are already underway to begin a new cohort soon.

We miss you all deeply and remain incredibly grateful for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and support. Thank you for partnering with us in what God is doing here.

Billy & Anne

My years of sitting in the pew as a child, awarded me much more than learned skills on how to behave in church. Not only did I learn about my Savior, but the hymns we sang have now become etched in my memory. To this day, if I hear the music to an old hymn, I can on most occasions still remember the words.

Several years ago, after an extended time of ministry in the Portland, OR area, my wife Sherry and I decided to move back to Seattle. We stayed at a friend’s vacation home for a couple months while we looked for permanent housing. The little seaport town we were living in, had an old country church with a bell tower. Every hour the bells would chime, and at noon they would play an old hymn, which would echo throughout the city.

One day, as we were driving through town, Sherry asked me if I could hear the chimes playing in the distance. At first I couldn’t, but as we got closer to the church I knew I had to stop and sing along. For the song that was playing was a glorious reminder, not only of my childhood, but of a day that is coming soon when I will hear that joyous shout of acclamation.

“When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home
What joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And then proclaim
My God, How Great Thou Art!”

As you may recall from last month, we are going through a series on Wednesdays titled “Finishing Well.” In it the speaker uses different Bible characters to illustrate how they served, or did not serve, God in their later years. At this point in our lives, it is fair to ask ourselves are we living lives that honor and serve God or not?

An example this past week in my own life is a belt. A belt I probably spent too much money for a few years ago. It is made from Bison leather. Rugged and has many years of life left in it BUT it no longer served its purpose. I have been working to lose weight. And praise God I have lost some. But in the meantime, that belt, even on the smallest hole, no longer held up my trousers. So, what should I do? Leave it in my closet? Donate it? Throw it out? Instead, I decided it needed to change. I took it to the local shoe repairman and had it shortened by 2 inches. It now serves its purpose and I can again wear it.

Is there a change you need to make in your life and service to God because of changes in your physical or mental ability? If so, do you have the courage to ask God to show you the way and with the power of the Holy Spirit make that change? Don’t fret over things in the past. How will you live today? How will you serve God with the time you have left?

We continue to meet each Wednesday at noon in the Student Center. We would love to have you join us. We eat our brown-bag lunches then go into the lesson for that week followed by shared prayer time. We finish by 1:30.

If you have questions call or text Randy M or the church office.

Good morning, Edgewood family. It’s May!  We are past Easter, past the book of Luke, a few weeks into the book of Hebrews, we had Women’s Bruch last Saturday, we have Men’s Breakfast this Saturday, we have another Wednesday night family dinner coming up on the 27th and Summer is right around the corner.  In fact, the weather the last week or so has felt like summer hitting the upper 70’s.  Praise the Lord.  This is especially entering the time of year where “the heavens declare the glory of the Lord” around here in the Pacific Northwest.

So, what’s next?  Besides diving into the book of Hebrews, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, and probably some summer family excursions, Outreach is next! What does that mean? It means praying for people you encounter in everyday life who may not have the hope of the Lord and Jesus as their Savior.  It means looking for opportunities to connect with those people you are praying for and being a good listener.  It means building relationships for the glory of God.  It means getting out of our comfort zones and offering a prayer, and when appropriate giving a short testimony of your salvation story.  

I am so excited to be a part of Edgewood during this season of revitalization.  Because that means God is working and we are looking for God to work in our lives and in the lives of those around us.  Expectation of active kingdom living, starts with quiet prayer and intentional thinking about God’s plans and purposes.  So, in addition to your plans and purposes, those wonderful desires and passions God places inside of us that have to do with going to work/school, having fun in recreation, and resting our minds and bodies each night, let us put our thoughts on the things above that not only connect with our relationship with Jesus but how that impacts our relationship with others.  

To get everyone started here I give you, “FRANCES.” Frances is an acronym to remember who you are praying for.

Friends
Relatives
Acquaintances
Neighbors
Colleagues
Enemies
Strangers

Write down a name or two by each of those categories of people in your life that you will pray for, look for opportunities to connect, listen to, and share your testimony with.  This is a BAHG (Big Audacious Hairy Goal).  

May God be with you,

Pastor Ronnie

During my 8 years with the Music Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU), there was a song we recorded as part of a series of worship CD’s entitled “As You Really Are.” This song always spoke to me every time we would sing it. For it talked about the benefits of seeing and understanding the true character of God. The words are as follows:

As You Really Are
Show me Thy ways
Teach me Thy paths
Free me from all of my fears
Trusting in You
Is so easy to do
When I see You as You really are

So many times, we come before God without embracing who He really is. I can often approach God with a nonchalant attitude, instead of considering the very essence of His character. I have found that it is ALWAYS beneficial to reflect on the character and attributes of God, especially when it pertains to worship. Below is a list of some of the characteristics of God along with the related scripture references. I encourage you to reflect on one attribute per day for the next 10 days. I am convinced that when we take the time to focus on God’s character, we will be greatly impacted in our times of personal and corporate worship.

1. Eternal: Psalm 90:2; 102:25-27; Isaiah 57:15, Revelation 1:4.
2. Immutable, Unchangeable: James 1:17; Malachi 3:6; Psalm 33:11; Isaiah 46:9-10.
3. Omniscient, All Knowing: Psalm 147:5; Ezekiel 11:5; Acts 15:18; Matt. 10:30.
4. Omnipotent, All Powerful: Matt. 19:26; Jeremiah 32:17,27; Revelation 19:6.
5. Omnipresent, Everywhere Present: Psalm 139:7-10; Jeremiah 23:24; Matthew 6:6.
6. Just, Righteous: Genesis 18:25; Psalm 7:11; Psalm 96:13; 97:2
7. Holy: I Samuel 2:2; Psalm 99:9; Habakkuk 1:13; Revelation 15:4; Isaiah 6:1-5.
8. Truth: Titus 1:2; Numbers 23:19; I Samuel 15:29; John 1:14; 14:6.
9. Sovereign, Absolute: Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 11:36.
10. Love, Good: I John 4:8, 10; Ephesians 2: 7; John 3:16