9:15 a.m. Education and Life Groups

Apprentice Group: Sunday school class led by Danny & Mary Liliness in Room 302 on the third floor at 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Life Group: This Life Group is led by several SFPC members and is presently working through the Gospel of Luke, along with a commentary by N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. The group meets in Room 306 on the third floor at 9:15. a.m.

9:30 a.m. Children and Youth

Youth Sunday School: Youth Room, Ground Floor, Southwest corner.

Children’s Sunday School: Room 311 on the third floor.

10:30 a.m. Worship in Chapel

We will start a 5-week sermon series from the Book of Acts. Wear something red to celebrate the Day of Pentecost.

11:45 a.m. Fellowship and lunch in the Whitworth Room

Five-Part Sermon Series

May 19         Acts 1: 1-11

May 26         Acts 1: 12-26

June 2          Acts 2: 1-13

June 9          Acts 2: 14-36

June 16        Acts 2: 37-47

June 8, 2:00 p.m

Seattle First Presbyterian Church

Join us as we celebrate the life of Rev. Murray Marshall and the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. The service will be held at Seattle First Presbyterian, with a reception following.

9:15 a.m. Education and Life Groups

Apprentice Group: Sunday school class led by Danny & Mary Liliness in Room 302 on the third floor at 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Life Group: This Life Group is led by several SFPC members and is presently working through the Gospel of Luke, along with a commentary by N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. The group meets in Room 306 on the third floor at 9:15. a.m.

9:30 a.m. Children and Youth

Youth Sunday School: Youth Room, Ground Floor, Southwest corner.

Children’s Sunday School: Room 311 on the third floor.

10:30 a.m. Worship in Chapel

We continue walking through the Gospel of Luke.

11:45 a.m. Fellowship and lunch in the Whitworth Room

Check out this email from WEI President Theresa Schulz!

Dear Friends,

You are receiving this special “early” email because you were such an important part of Sunday’s Walk for Water.

What a wonderful afternoon we had Sunday.  We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day for the Walk!  Thank you for playing such an important part in the event and engaging your family and friends in changing lives in such a meaningful way.    The feedback we’ve received has been very positive with people enjoying the new location, festive atmosphere, food, and music.  We’ve heard the signs along the walk route were a hit with walkers as well.

I want to extend a HUGE thank you to Gwen Rowland for her leadership, creativity, and hard work in making this, our 5^th Annual Walk for Water, a success.  Her commitment to the event was truly a blessing.  She couldn’t have done it though, without the support of Marilyn Kaino, Hannah Blomberg, and a host of very special volunteers.  Thank you to all!

I know you are anxious to hear the results of the Walk.  Here are our results to date…

FUNDS              

So far, walkers, sponsors and donors have contributed over $18,000 that will go directly to water tanks!   We expect this number to grow modestly as donations and sponsorships are still coming in.  Join us in celebrating the 12 families who, this month, will receive a giant 10,000 liter water tank!

FEET   

This year 233 people (466 feet) participated in the Walk for Water.  This is a 20% increase over last year!  Thanks to our Team Captains for being such a big part of all these feet walking for water!  Ten captains formed teams of six or more.  Thanks to Judy Runions, Kathi Bonallo, Judi Krabill, Sara Lussy, Sally Gee, Rachel Galbraith, Shelly Morse, Lisa West, Jeff Schulz, Marilyn Kaino, and Mike Wall for taking the challenge and building a team!  You’re not only changing lives in Kenya but you are sharing the opportunity to make a difference with your family and friends.  Congratulations

FIRSTS

We especially want to celebrate one of this year’s firsts: our Corporate/Family  Sponsors.

We are thankful to the six event sponsors that supported the Walk through financial or in-kind donations.  Their support under-wrote a large percentage of the cost of the event enabling us to send nearly all the walker, sponsor, and donor contributions to the work in the field.  We are grateful for their sponsorship of this event.

FUN & EDUCATION

The feedback we’ve received indicates that our walkers appreciated the fun, relaxed atmosphere, and time to spend with friends while participating in an event that is helping to change lives..  The marimba music, educational signs along the walk route, and treats (mandazi, samosas, and chai) were a favorite of many.  And of course, the sunshine and warm weather was one of the greatest blessings of the day.  We thank God for the beauty of the day!

FEEDBACK

We’ve begun to identify things that we will do again next year and yes, a few things that we won’t.  We’d appreciate your feedback as well.  What would you do again?  What would you improve upon?  What wouldn’t you do again?  Let us know!  Your input will be helpful in shaping next year’s walk and in building upon this year’s successes.  Thank you in advance for taking a moment to send your feedback and Please Do Not Reply All!

Thank you again for Walking for Water and Changing Lives!

Blessings,

Theresa

PS – Stay tuned.  Pictures will be posted on Facebook and the WEI website by Thursday and an email will be sent to all our walkers, sponsors, and donors tomorrow.

————————————————————————————————————–

Sunday, May 5th, 1:30 p.m. at Seward Park.

You can make a huge difference by joining WEI’s 5th Annual Walk for Water. Help raise the matching funds sent by Women’s Enterprises International for water tanks for women in Kenya!

Cost: $25 per adult, $15 per student

Register, sponsor a walker, or form a team at www.womensenterprises.org.

Questions? Call Gwen at (206) 624-4934.

Join us as we continue discovering Jesus through Greek eyes – they eyes of the Gospel writer Luke.

Luke’s purpose was clear, “to set down an orderly account of the events” of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ” based on eyewitness accounts. In a 21st century city like Seatte, where the Bible is often written off as a legend, Luke’s account reminds us that the story of Jesus is not based on fairy tales but well documented facts. Luke’s account also reminds us of just how radically this Jesus changes the lives of those who encounter him – Jews and Greeks alike. Come see Jesus through Greek eyes, the eyes of Luke, and see how he might transform your life.

Each Wednesday evening,  all are welcome to participate in Wednesday Life Group, led by Pastor Jeff Schulz, to dig more deeply into the text from the previous Sunday, apply it to life, and pray for one another. The Life Group meets Wednesday evening, 6:00 p.m., Room 302 on the 3rd floor.

January Sermon Texts:

Sunday, May 5: Luke 19

Sunday, May 12: Luke 24

9:15 a.m. Education and Life Groups

Apprentice Group: Sunday school class led by Danny & Mary Liliness in Room 302 on the third floor at 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Life Group: This Life Group is led by several SFPC members and is presently working through the Gospel of Luke, along with a commentary by N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. The group meets in Room 306 on the third floor at 9:15. a.m.

9:30 a.m. Children and Youth

Youth Sunday School: Youth Room, Ground Floor, Southwest corner.

Children’s Sunday School: Room 311 on the third floor.

10:30 a.m. Worship in Chapel

We continue walking through the Gospel of Luke and celebrate the sacrament of communion.

11:45 a.m. Fellowship and lunch in the Whitworth Room

9:15 a.m. Education and Life Group

Apprentice Group: Sunday school class led by Danny & Mary Liliness in Room 302 on the third floor at 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Life Group: This Life Group is led by several SFPC members and is presently working through the Gospel of Luke, along with a commentary by N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. The group meets in Room 306 on the third floor at 9:15. a.m.

9:30 a.m. Children and Youth

Youth Sunday School: Youth Room, Ground Floor, Southwest corner.

Children’s Sunday School: Room 311 on the third floor.

10:30 a.m. Worship in Chapel and Baptism

We continue walking through the Gospel of Luke and celebrate the sacrament of Baptism.

11:45 a.m. Membership Luncheon in the Whitworth Room

As Spring springs, we invite you to make your mark on our church campus.

We are blessed with a large campus with plenty of gardens – more than any one person can care for and cultivate.

So we invite you to adopt a garden! Your garden will be your space on our campus, to keep green and growing, by planting, pruning, and weeding. You can do it on your time in your way, in consultation with our church gardening “experts.”  Let’s join together in beautifying our campus for the sake of our neighborhood and the glory of the creator God.

You can find the garden “map” outside the chapel. Just choose your garden, fill in your name, and get started!

For more information, please contact Mansour Khajehpour at: mansour@firstpres.org or 206-624-0644.

Please join us in prayer for SFPC mission partners Rees and Sara and family (serving Christ in Central Asia) who will travel May 1 from their home in Central Asia  to Thailand for the birth of their third baby.  Please pray for safe travels, a safe and healthy labor and delivery, and rich family time as they welcome their newest family member!

9:15 a.m. Education and Life Groups

Apprentice Group: Sunday school class led by Danny & Mary Liliness in Room 302 on the third floor at 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Life Group: This Life Group is led by several SFPC members and is presently working through the Gospel of Luke, along with a commentary by N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. The group meets in Room 306 on the third floor at 9:15. a.m.

9:30 a.m. Children and Youth

Youth Sunday School: Youth Room, Ground Floor, Southwest corner.

Children’s Sunday School: Room 311 on the third floor.

10:30 a.m. Worship in Chapel

We continue walking through the Gospel of Luke.

11:45 a.m. Fellowship and Potluck in the Whitworth Room

2013 Officer Nomination Form

Instructions: Copy and paste this page into a word document, print and fill out the form and place in the box in the Chapel or front office. Or, copy and paste this page into the body of an email and send to the ONC moderator, Elder Kathy Ostrom, at theostroms2@comcast.net.

Deacons and Elders: A Brief Description

Each year our congregation elects men and women to the roles of elder and deacon. In brief, elders serve as lead disciple-makers and deacons as lead care-givers.

A brief description of the roles is provided below. More detailed descriptions of these roles is available from the Officer Nominating Committee (ONC).

Here is how the process works: The congregation makes recommendations to the Officer Nominating Committee(ONC). The ONC provides more detailed descriptions of the roles, interviews potential candidates and makes nominations to the congregation for election. The Session trains and examines officers elect, after which they are installed.

Officer Nomination Forms can be found in the Chapel and front office, or online at the following link 2013 Officer Nomination Form.

To make a nomination, fill out the form and place in the box in the Chapel or front office. Or, email your online form to the ONC moderator, Elder Kathy Ostrom at theostroms2@comcast.net.

For more information, contact Elder Kathy Ostrom at theostroms2@comcast.net (206-523-4589) or Pastor Jeff Schulz at jschulz@firstpres.org (206-624-0644).

Deacon: Lead Care-Giver

Deacons serve primarily as care-givers to people in need, including those who are sick, shut-in or ailing in some way. Deacons serve to welcome guests into the community of faith, and to stay in touch with all members of the congregation.

 

Elder: Lead Disciple-Maker

Elders serve primarily as lead disciple-makers, actively shepherding people into spiritual maturity and equipping others to fulfill our mission and covenant. They also are responsible for leading the church and its ministries. 

Come join Pastor Jeff after worship on Sunday, April 28th, for lunch and conversation, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.

Whether you are interested in becoming a member or just finding out more about the church, this is a great opportunity to meet some new people and find out more about what God is doing at Seattle First.

For more information, contact Pastor Jeff at jschulz@firstpres.org or 206-624-0644.

9:15 a.m. Education and Life Groups

Apprentice Group: Sunday school class led by Danny & Mary Liliness in Room 302 on the third floor at 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Life Group: This Life Group is led by several SFPC members and is presently working through the Gospel of Luke, along with a commentary by N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. The group meets in Room 306 on the third floor at 9:15. a.m.

9:30 a.m. Children and Youth

Youth Sunday School: Youth Room, Ground Floor, Southwest corner.

Children’s Sunday School: Room 311 on the third floor.

10:30 a.m. Worship in Chapel

We continue walking through the Gospel of Luke.

11:45 a.m. Fellowship and Potluck in the Whitworth Room

9:15 a.m. Education and Life Groups

Apprentice Group: Sunday school class led by Danny & Mary Liliness in Room 302 on the third floor at 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Life Group: This Life Group is led by several SFPC members and is presently working through the Gospel of Luke, along with a commentary by N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone. The group meets in Room 306 on the third floor at 9:15. a.m.

9:30 a.m. Children and Youth

Youth Sunday School: Youth Room, Ground Floor, Southwest corner.

Children’s Sunday School: Room 311 on the third floor.

10:30 a.m. Worship in Chapel

We continue walking through the Gospel of Luke.

11:45 a.m. Fellowship and Potluck in the Whitworth Room

Where: Seattle First Presbyterian Chyrch – Whitworth Room

When: Second Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

First Meeting: Friday, May 10

First Book: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet  by Jamie Ford

For questions, please call the church office (206)624-0644 or Laurinda (206)786-1124.

April 8-15

SFPC Hosts April 10

“Revive Seattle” is an exciting opportunity for Christians around Seattle to come together and share the Gospel with Seattle.

“Time to Revive” is a ministry based in Texas working in cities across the country to equip local churches for the Gospel. The “Time to Revive Team” has been working for months to prepare for Revive Seattle.

The week of April 8-15, over 100 people from Texas will join people in Seattle for a week of taking the Gospel to the streets of Seattle. Each day the Revive Seattle will be hosted by a church on one of the seven hills of Seattle.  On Wednesday, April 10, Seattle First will host. 

We invite you to consider helping us host the team, and also participating in the Revivie Seattle activites on Wednesday, and any other day of the week.

To find out more about Revive Seattle, please contact Pastors Jeff Schulz (jschulz@firstpres.org) or Mansour Khajehpour (mansour@firstpres.org) or call the church office at 206-624-0644.

For more details on the weekly and daily schedule of Revive Seattle, to register, dn to receive daily update, go to http://www.reviveseattle.org/

Main Locations:

 *The Seattle Center
**See Host Church List

Friday, March 29 , 2013

Reading: Luke 14:25-33

 “Expensive Mosaic”

Pastor Mansour Khajehpour

It does not matter how many times I travel to Istanbul, I always find a good reason to visit the magnificent, ancient Hagia Sophia Church, a church that was dedicated to the Logos, God’s Word.  Hagi Sophia basilica once was the largest Cathedral of the Orthodox Church and until 1935 carried the name “Mosque’ over its head. It aches my heart each time I visit this place I know there is a lesson for me.

In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. Constantinople became Istanbul and the basilica became a mosque. The bells, altar, and other symbols of Christianity were removed and the mosaics were plastered over.

When the Ottomans took over Constantinople, they made every effort to remove any signs of Christianity. The city became Istanbul and all churches became mosques, and this famous Cathedral became the Grand Mosque. All icons were destroyed and all the wall paintings were painted over. There I found a huge mosaic with Jesus at its center. The bottom part of this mosaic is badly deteriorated, but the rest carries a strong message.

Some centuries ago Christians left this at the emperor’s court, probably as another church decoration. For over 500 years this mosaic was hidden under plaster. These days the Turkish Tourism office is trying to restore it. To make this beautiful mosaic would have been very costly. To uncover and to restore this artwork is definitely costly as well. Visitors stop by it for different reasons, yet for me it had a very special message. As these small pieces of the mosaic are being uncovered I am being reminded of the sacrifice our sisters and brothers who have gone ahead of us have paid. This mosaic proclaims the same message: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (14:26-27)

Today’s Prayer:     Dear God, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You have given us life abundantly. Thank you for changing us to be the salt of the earth. Thank you for giving us your taste. Please give us creativity on finding new ways to offer you aroma, and your taste, the taste of your presence to the world around us without mixing your message with human ideologies and sinful culture. In Christ’s name, Amen!

 Reflection:

25 Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, ²⁶‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. ²⁷Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? ²⁹Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, ³⁰saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” ³¹Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³²If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. ³³So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.