THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25th

“He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him"
Luke 17:11-19

When we get what we need, we are ready to move on. After all, life is short; we have a lot of things to do. But after others received what they wanted, and quickly moved on, a lone Samaritan Leper in this gospel story responded differently.

Why was this profound encounter between Jesus and the healed Samaritan preserved in Luke's record?

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• November 25 - GIFT OF GIVING; Luke 17:11-19
• December 2 - ALL AGES ADVENT 1
• December 9 - ADVENT 2 w/Harbor Church 
• December 16 - ADVENT 3

ALSO

• December 21 - CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND SOLSTICE FUN 7PM
• December 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE NATIVITY PAGEANT 7PM
• December 23 & 30 - REST

THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2018

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.... Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings."
Romans 16:1-16

Romans. One of those New Testament epistles full of theology explaining the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

But then, at the end of the letter, is chapter sixteen; the most exhaustive list of personal names found in any of the Apostle Paul's letters. It begins with a commendation of Pheobe, the Deacon Paul sent to deliver his letter. By name, he then greets and commends several believers in Rome, along with the churches who meet in their homes. This section ends with an entreaty for these leaders and communities to embrace one another, and to receive encouragement from churches farther away.

What do we get from chapter sixteen? Why are these people specifically addressed? What is this embrace all about?

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• November 11 - MISSION EMBRACE - Romans 16:1-16
• November 18 - MASQUERADE, ROCK OR SAND - Matt 7:15-29
• November 25 - WELCOME PASTOR CHRIS FULKERSON 
• December 2 - ALL AGES ADVENT 1

THIS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!
FALL BACK!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14

At some point along the way, you may have said something along the lines of, "Well, everyonewas doing it!" You were trying to justify regrettable actions, or convince someone of your reasons. In response, you may have had something said to you along these lines: "Well, if everyone was [insert ridiculous activity], would you do that too?"

With Jesus, there seems to be a related warning here near the end of the Sermon on the Mount.

What is it with us and our tendency to follow the crowd?
Is finding the narrow gate a matter of discernment, or is it a matter trust?

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• November 4 - NARROW GATE - Matt 7:13-14

• November 11 - MASQUERADE - Matt 7:15-23 

• November 18 - ROCK OR SAND - Matt 7:24-29 

• November 25 - WELCOME PASTOR CHRIS FULKERSON

THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
Matthew 7:7-12

Pretty soon, kids will be KNOCKING on doors of neighbors and strangers, ASKING for, and SEEKING, sweet treats to eat. Once upon a time, those who withheld treats could expect wrathful youth to pull some kind of prank outside their door. The real TRICK many parents dread, though, is the potential danger lurking on the inside of that door. As our fear of the unknown meets our imagination, we second guess knocking on anyone's door.

Is there some related fear in us, when it comes to asking ASKING, SEEKING, and KNOCKING on God's door? Why does Jesus need to assuage our concerns? What kind of TRICK do we imagine God will play upon us? Do we believe Jesus? Can we trust God?

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• October 21 - NO TRICKS - Matt 7:7-12 
• October 28 - NARROW GATE - Matt 7:13-14
• November 4 - MASQUERADE - Matt 7:15-23 
• November 11 - ROCK OR SAND - Matt 7:24-29

THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

5th SUNDAY = SERVE TOGETHER

"...she has poured perfume on my feet.Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown."
Luke 7:45-47

"Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet."
Luke 15:21-23

"...he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet..."
John 13:4-6

Feet are important in the Kingdom of God. Therefore, SOCKS will by harvested and gathered tomorrow from Emmaus Road, Harbor Church, and any friends and neighbors who join the effort. The staff of New Horizons will be equipped to demonstrate love in a tangible way. Youth who dwell and traverse the cold, wet streets of our city will be a little healthier. We get to participate. Gospel declared, Gospel demonstrated.

Not too late to sign up here!

ORDER OF EVENTS

10:30AM
Welcome Exec. Director Rob Stewart from New Horizons for five minute overview; we pray for Mr. Stewart, New Horizons, homeless youth, and move on to....

POTLUCK

PROJECTS

Interior

• Cafe lights in Worship Hall
• Desk removal
• Clean kitchens
• Clean/sort nursery: get rid of stuff
• Organize boiler room: tools, cleaning supplies
• Organize Christmas Decorations: sort/store/prep

Exterior

• Ramp door closing mechanism
• Insulate edges of doors
• Tree thinning, shrubs. Need yard waste bags
• Repair front rail. New brackets, paint
• Pressure wash concrete/brick retaining walls and walks
• Upgrade/fix picnic bench out front
• Find matching red paint for exterior touchups

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• September 30 - FIFTH SUNDAY - PACKS, PROJECTS, POTLUCK - socks/supplies for New Horizons; sign-up here
• October 7 - DO NOT JUDGE - Matt 7:1-5; COMMUNION
• October 14 - NO PEARLS FOR PIGS - Matt 7:6
• October 21 - ASK, SEEK, KNOCK; NO SNAKES - Matt 7:7-12

THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
see Joshua 24:14-16

Israel had reached the Promised Land and old Joshua was about to die. He gathered the tribes at Shechem and called the leaders to a meeting. It was time for everyone to speak their mind about the future; would they stick with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, or go their own way, perhaps to follow the gods of their neighbors? Old Joshua new better than to try and speak for Israel, but he could speak for himself, AND, apparently, his household.

We often view community as a group made up of individuals. That is true. But communities - churches - are made up of individuals who often belong to households, too. When we speak in church, we often address the whole congregation, or each individual. There is a time and place, though, to also address households. Much of our coming and going and dwelling is at the level of our household. At the beginning of another busy fall season, it is especially important to recognize that healthy churches are made of up healthy individuals who are part of healthy households.

Let us talk about this tomorrow, as we host an ALL AGES STORYTELLER worship gathering, including a prayer for our students and teachers returning to school.



NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• September 9 - BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSING - Joshua 24:14-16 ALL AGES

• September 16 - TWO MASTERS - Matt 6:19-24

• September 23 - SEEK FIRST - Matt 6:25-34

• September 30 - FIFTH SUNDAY - PACKS, PROJECTS, POTLUCK - socks/supplies for New Horizons

THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2018

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets,
to be honored by others."

see Matthew 6:1-4

Who has trumpets? 

While few of us have had the honor of a brass band salute (in a synagogue, no less), we do have other means by which we broadcast our generosity. We have social media. We have plaques. We have ceremonies. While there is ample room to encourage one another, even publicly, Jesus is getting at something core to our human nature - phony generosity, as opposed to giving from a place of love.

When you give, who sees your gift?
Who sees your heart, and your motive?
We know who.
But we forget.

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• August 19 - LOVE GIVES LOVINGLY - Matt 6:1-4
• August 26 - THE FORGIVEN PRAY - Matt 6:5-15
• September 2 - HUNGER & THIRST - Matt 6:16-18; Communion
• September 9 - BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSING - Joshua 24:14-16 ALL AGES

THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2018

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Matthew 5:33-48

Really? What does that look like? 

By the time you read that quotation, Jesus has already offered several specifics; he casts a vision of how God's values are truly lived out among us. Matthew's Sermon on the Mount reveals this LAW OF LOVE by which Jesus' followers live. As we already noted from the previous section, none of us achieve this perfection. But in the mystery of God's grace and power, the Lord loves us, calls us, and empowers us. We walk closely with him; we learn to walk alongside each other, our neighbor, even our enemy, in a new way. This Sunday, we receive three more examples.

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• August 12 - AGAIN....LAWS OF LOVE - Matt 5:33-48
• August 19 - LOVE GIVES LOVINGLY - Matt 6:1-4
• August 26 - THE FORGIVEN PRAY - Matt 6:5-15
• September 2 - HUNGER & THIRST - Matt 6:16-18; Communion

THIS SUNDAY - AUGUST 5, 2018

"You have heard that it was said...but I tell you..."
Matthew 5:21-32

How do murderers and adulterers surpass the Pharisees in their fulfillment of the Law? 

Jesus gives some specifics. As Matthew's Sermon on the Mount continues, one might sum up this section by calling it the LAW OF LOVE. Jesus reveals the heart of the God's commands. Everyone, even the Pharisees, have fallen short. None of us are left out of being called to a repentance that leads to life. Ready?

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• August 5 - LAWS OF LOVE - Matt 5:21-32; Confession, Communion
• August 12 - AGAIN....LAWS OF LOVE - Matt 5:33-48
• August 19 - LOVE GIVES LOVINGLY - Matt 6:1-4
• August 26 - THE FORGIVEN PRAY - Matt 6:5-15

THIS SUNDAY - JULY 29th

"But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you."
Luke 11:41

FIFTH SUNDAYS are devoted to SERVING TOGETHER. That is what we have planned for this coming Sunday: PACKS FOR PEOPLE and PROJECTS around the building and grounds of the church we share with each other, with the community members who come during the week, and the neighbors who live next door.

Shouldyou do this? Shouldyou offer time and money to support those (Aurora Commons), meeting needs of the poor and marginalized on our streets? Yes, of course.

But "should" is a pretty superficial way of looking at it. When it comes to being generous, we who follow Christ believe God has given abundantly to us; we give to others out of hisprovision. It is not enough to declare we "should" give; it is more truthful to say we "get" to give. As we mature in our understanding, this is the deeper truth we embrace. Together, we have opportunities THIS SUNDAY to take part in the ministry of God's abundance and hospitality.


This Sunday - July 29th - we have TWO service opportunities organized: PACKS and PROJECTS.

1. PACKS for PEOPLE! This is our regular (and HIGHLY appreciated by Aurora Commons), assembly line project. Use this link to view the list of wanted supplies and also to signup. 
2. PROJECTS around BUILDING & GROUNDS! Our charming facility needs some attention, inside and out. This is not just for our sake, but also for those who use our building during the week, and those who live nearby. Our Building & Grounds Team, led by Biff and Sean, will guide the landscaping and cleaning projects. Please bring tools: work & gardening gloves, hand pruners, cutters, trowels, hedge trimmers, pole saws, hand saws, rakes, and shovels....if you have those things. :-) 

One last suggestion: INVITE FRIENDS!

THIS SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2018

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law...unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:17-20

The LAW.

We see and hear that word, and immediately what comes to mind is, "Obey, or else!" And what is this GREATER RIGHTEOUSNESS biz? After launching the Sermon on the Mount so gently, with Beatitudes, and encouraging pronouncements about being salt and light, are we now experiencing a bait and switch move? Must Jesus lay down the law to really get things going? Or has Matthew, the storyteller, twisted Jesus into a familiar religious authoritarian type?

The answer to our religious fears and confusion comes in the person:  CHRIST, the interpreter and fulfiller of the LAW.
We learn how the RIGHTEOUSNESS is fulfilled, and in a GREATER way than we expect. It is mirrored in the lives of his followers.

In the final analyses, the LAW OF LOVE is not something we have to do; it is something we get to do.



NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• July 22 - THE LAW Matthew 5:17-20; Intercession, Supplication

• July 29 - 5th SUNDAYS = SERVICE; Packs and Projects

• August 5 - LAWS OF LOVE Matthew 5:21-32; Confession, Communion

• August 12 - AGAIN....LAWS OF LOVE Matthew 5:33-48; Prayers of Gratitude

THIS SUNDAY - JULY 8th

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 
Matthew 5:3-12 


"Beatitudes". 

I once thought this referred to Christlike attitudes I was supposed to emulate; descriptions of people I was supposed to be like. It is not that simple. First of all, "beatitude" doesn't directly pertain to "attitude" (which has two letter "t's" anyway). Secondly, and of more significance, I now understand these words at the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount are more revelatory of God's attitude toward us and the values of his kingdom. The implications are radical; they contradict and countermand the aims of all other empires, they scandalize the pride of lesser kings, and they force us to reinterpret dominant narratives of winners and losers. 

Ultimately, the "Beatitudes" do shape the thoughts and lives of Jesus' followers, too. They shape my attitude, when I am ready to absorb what Jesus' is saying. 

Are you ready? 


NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS 

• July 8 - WHO IS BLESSED? Matt 5:3-12; Prayers of Gratitude
• July 15 - SALT & LIGHT Matt 5:13-16; Contemplative Prayer
• July 22 - THE LAW Matt 5:17-48; Intercession, Supplication
• July 29 - FIFTH SUNDAY of SERVICE; Packs and Projects

THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 23rd 2018

CELEBRATE WITH
SHORELINE CHURCH
TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Sunday the 24th, Pastor Likkel will join other interim pastors and leaders to welcome and install Shoreline Church's new pastor. 

In lieu of a service in Maple Leaf, Emmaus Road is invited to attend and share in the celebration of this milestone.

Time: 10AM
Address: 14555 25th NE Shoreline WA 98155  

THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 17

"You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm...But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
 You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven."
Hebrews 12:18,22-23 

Awe. It happens to us in the grandure of mountains, oceans, forests, or in the presence of tiny, beautiful flower pedals, or fluffy kittens (awww). It feels good, somehow "deep". Scientists confirm our instincts; being in awe is healthy, even necessary, as part of the human experience. We need our "nature fix". 

People of faith have expressed awe in contemplation of the cosmos, too (e.g., Psalm 8). For us, it inspires a posture of worship before our Creator. We need our "super-nature" fix.

Does contemplation of Christ inspire awe?
The cross, the resurrection, the promise of eternal life, and the grace behind it all?

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

• June17 - ELDERS' TIN DOG STORY; plus SUPER-NATURE FIX  Hebrews 12:1-3,18-29;Contemplative Prayer
• June 24 - Emmaus Road visits Shoreline CRC
• July 1 - Confession, Communion
• July 8 - Prayers of Gratitude

THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018

"Where are the other nine?"

Luke 17:11-19

Jesus asks a good question. I wish I could say I would have been THE one who stands out as an example in this story - the Samaritan Leper-  and not part of the "other nine". Honestly, though, I am not always grounded in gratitude before the Lord. But gratitude is an essential element of our reason for hope.


What did the Samaritan Leper know that we do not always know?




NEXT FOUR SERVICES

• June 10 - RETURN OF SAMARITAN LEPER Luke 17:11-19; Gratitude; Harbor making lunch for Emmaus!
• June17 - ELDERS' TIN DOG STORY; plus SUPER-NATURE FIX  Hebrews 12:1-3,18-29; Contemplative Prayer
• June 24 - Emmaus Road visits Shoreline CRC
• July 1 - Confession, Communion

THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 3rd 2018

"You cannot serve both God and money.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink..."
Matthew 6:23-25

We live in a GOLD RUSH town. The urge to seek our share of some supposedly attainable fortune is strong. It is commonly shared, blessed, and celebrated.

There is, of course, a shadow side to every gold rush. 

There is material poverty for the losers, 

and spiritual poverty for the "winners".
But we have reason for hope: the BREAD and CUP. 

Jesus warns us followers to resist the urge, to turn away from contemporary versions of the ancient idols of gold and silver. He offers us freedom from worry about wealth, or worry about LACK of wealth, even down to liberating us from the details of worrying about our daily bread. That is because he provides a BREAD and CUP that cannot be manufactured, nor mined.
It is ours to receive; it is ours to share. 

  How do we share this BREAD and CUP in a GOLD RUSH town?



On first Sundays, we include time for Prayers of Confession and the Sacrament of Communion

NEXT FOUR SERVICES

• June 3 - BREAD & CUP IN GOLDRUSH TOWN Matthew 6:23-25; Confession, Communion
• June 10 - RETURN OF SAMARITAN LEPER Luke 17:11-19; Gratitude; Harbor making lunch for Emmaus!
• June17 - ELDERS' TIN DOG STORY; plus SUPER-NATURE FIX  Hebrews 12:1-3,18-29; Contemplative Prayer
• June 24 - Emmaus Road visits Shoreline CRC

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018

"Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have."
1 Peter 3:15-16

REASON FOR HOPE. This is what we have to offer.

"Religion - Not so much." We know how our neighbors feel, by and large.
Have you read Ron Judd's humorous Newcomers' Guide to Seattle?
Or the recent article about how Washingtonians are less religious than ever?

It is no wonder, then, that we have trouble describing our church or our faith in this town. We often do not know where to begin when people ask.

BUT WE HAVE REASON
FOR HOPE.
This is the basis of our following Christ, and of our joining together in fellowship and sustaining community.








 How good are you at giving the "reason for the hope that you have"?

Pastor Betsy Turnbull will be speaking from 1 Peter 3:15-16tomorrow.
Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at the ways we can help each other understand and articulate our reason for hope. It is a team effort.

WE ALSO WELCOME our friends from HARBOR CHURCH,
launching their first 9AM service in the Basement Rec Room tomorrow!

NEXT FOUR SERVICES

• May 13 - REASON FOR HOPE 1 Peter 3:15-16; Prayers of Gratitude
• May 20 - PENTECOST, ALL AGES
• May 27 - IDENTITY THEFT Colossians 3:11; Intercession, Supplication
• June 3 - Confession, Communion 

* June 24 - Emmaus Road visits Shoreline CRC

THIS SUNDAY MAY 6, 2018

"See to it that the light within you is not darkness."
Luke 11:33-36 

SEEING IN THE DARK. This is a gift, Jesus' followers are given, but also a skill we are commanded to cultivate. To some, "seeing in the dark" may suggest military grade night vision goggles. When Jesus speaks to his disciples, though, he is talking about vision in a different kind of darkness, and a different kind of light.

On first Sundays, we offer Prayers of Confession as we come to the Table of Communion.

ALSO,
we welcome HARBOR CHURCH to join us at 10:30AM,
this Sunday, a week prior to the launch of 9AM services
in the Basement Rec Room!

NEXT FOUR SERVICES

• May 6 - SEEING IN THE DARK Luke 11:33-36; Confession, Communion
• May 13 - REASON TO SHARE HOPE 1 Peter 3:15-16; Prayers of Gratitude
• May 20 - PENTECOST, ALL AGES
• May 27 - Intercession, Supplication 

* June 24 - Emmaus Road visits Shoreline CRC

THIS SUNDAY APRIL 29

"Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to me....'"
John 20:1-18


This Sunday, we consider LETTING GO OF JESUS. Weird. Of course there will be more to the story than what this topic/title may suggest. Click on the link above; learn more about the context of this profound exchange between Jesus and one of his most loyal followers.

NEXT FOUR SERVICES

• April 29 - LET GO OF JESUS(?!) - John 20:1-18
• May 6 - EASTER 5 - Confession, Communion
• May 13 - EASTER 6
• May 20 - PENTECOST, ALL AGES

* June 24 - Emmaus Road visits Shoreline CRC

THIS SUNDAY APRIL 15

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice." Psalm 112:4-5

Tomorrow we have an opportunity to share in being "generous and [lending] freely" as we devote our gathering to hands on service of neighbor and community. We will assemble supplies for our partner ministry, Aurora Commons, to distribute to unsheltered neighbors.  Usually, this happens on fifth Sundays (like April 29), but for personnel and logistical reasons, it made sense to push this up a few weeks in Emmaus Road's schedule.

Please look here to see what supplies are needed.

NEXT FOUR SERVICES

• April 15 - AURORA COMMONS PROJECT - signup here
• April 22 - EASTER 3
• April 29 - EASTER 4
• May 6 - EASTER 5