PRAYER MATTERS
Isaiah 7.14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.
Advent, a season of waiting. A season to prepare. Each year around this time I say I’m going to take things slow. Enjoy the holidays, take more moments to reflect, to enjoy what the season of Advent has to offer.
Waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Waiting for time with family and friends. Perhaps, an extended time off work. Waiting for peace in a disruptive home, or healing from a painful diagnosis. Waiting to hear someone tell us, “You are not alone. You are loved, seen, heard, appreciated…”
The rush of the Holiday season can easily take over our thoughts and actions. Jesus is encouraging us to take more moments to stop, soak in His grace…reflect. Christmas is indeed about all of the things mentioned above and so many more. Advent is busy, yes, but we have a choice to slow down, even if only for a few moments and celebrate Christ.
As I write this, I am starting to think about how I will be intentional this season in spending more quiet time with the Lord. Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy – He has much to share with each of us. I look forward to hearing how you are receiving His gifts this year. (And sharing those gifts, too!)
See you Sunday,
Ericka
Isaiah 7.14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.
Advent, a season of waiting. A season to prepare. Each year around this time I say I’m going to take things slow. Enjoy the holidays, take more moments to reflect, to enjoy what the season of Advent has to offer.
Waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Waiting for time with family and friends. Perhaps, an extended time off work. Waiting for peace in a disruptive home, or healing from a painful diagnosis. Waiting to hear someone tell us, “You are not alone. You are loved, seen, heard, appreciated…”
The rush of the Holiday season can easily take over our thoughts and actions. Jesus is encouraging us to take more moments to stop, soak in His grace…reflect. Christmas is indeed about all of the things mentioned above and so many more. Advent is busy, yes, but we have a choice to slow down, even if only for a few moments and celebrate Christ.
As I write this, I am starting to think about how I will be intentional this season in spending more quiet time with the Lord. Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy – He has much to share with each of us. I look forward to hearing how you are receiving His gifts this year. (And sharing those gifts, too!)
See you Sunday,
Ericka
from the week of November 24
Praises
- Praise God, we are thrilled with the results of G’s recent implant.
- It was so special to see the blessings and baptism to welcome little ones into God's family.
- We are grateful for our church friends who brought us Thanksgiving lunch and fellowship.
- Praise God for the children's baptism and blessings. They are our future!
- Thank You God for everything!
- We give thanks for the crew who put on the Thanksgiving Potluck, the dishwashers, food servers, and all that helped!
- Praise the Lord, we have moved into our new home!
- Praise Jesus! J is beginning to regain strength and walk again after his 2nd back surgery. His body, heart & soul are being healed. God is so faithful!
- Thank You, God for sending crises to teach us of Your faithfulness.
- Thank You, Lord, for family.
- Such a special service and so many hands & hearts at work for this beautiful day!
- Wonderful celebration of blessing and baptism. Lord, bless these families as they grown in Your love.
- Thanks, God, for our creative team who decorated the church!
- I am blessed with family and friends who love even in tough times.
Prayers
- Please pray our local and national leaders will grow in their understanding of mercy and compassion.
- Healing for J’s father and comfort for his family.
- Pray for resolution of my insomnia issue. It's debilitating.
- Pray for safe travels to the west side and back over the Thanksgiving weekend.
- Prayer for spiritual maturity and community for our family in raising children.
- Pray for B and L who are moving to Spokane and hope they find a good place to live.
- Prayers that our daughter will get the right medical testing and wise decisions from doctors.
- Father God, bring healing to K, protection for her unborn child, and wisdom in their plans.
- Please pray for wisdom and patience as we navigate increasing challenges.
- Pray for my sister who is having a stress test Tuesday to help determine the source of her chest pain.
- Prayers for my sister D who is on vacation – that they are having fun and are safe.
- Lord, we ask for good travel weather and to bless our time with family over the holidays.
- May God bless D, R, B, and A.
- Praying for SO – correctly diagnose and heal her, Father.
- We pray for God’s will to be known to our youth.
- We pray for God’s will to be known to our local, state, and national leaders.
- Praying for M and family as she navigates her treatments.
- Pray for all who are traveling this winter.
- Healing prayer for my cousin D suffering with cancer.
- Prayers for P’s appointment in Seattle regarding artery blockage. Lord, bring into light what is in the dark.
- Abundance of comfort for W as he lives in an uncertain time.
- Prayers for my sister-in-law M who fell and broke her orbital bone and a mass was discovered in her brain.
- Continued prayer for L’s healing.
- Prayers for T’s surgery – he is in so much pain!
- My friend’s son D has cancer and is not doing well. May God’s will be done. Thank you.
- Prayers for A and A who are traveling and have so much to do before they take off. Prayers specifically for A to not have any falls, injuries, and for God to protect them both on their trip.
- God bless T.
- A blessing over G & C, and M & L. May they feel the Lord’s love in a special and unique way today.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH OFFICERS:
ELDERS: Doug Bernd, Aaron Dalan, Michele Elledge, Ana Lucas-Garcia, Larry Hasen, Shane Merrill, Joe Park, Robin Stuber, and Dennis Whitcher. (New in January: John Adkison, Bruce Drollinger, Eric Gustafson, Janet Krieger, Todd Lincoln, and Rich Millet)
DEACONS: Brian and Stephanie Ahlgren, Patty Arkills, Jeanne Breeding, Todd and Terri Buchanan, Janet Doty, Dave Geho, Edith Figueroa-Gonzalez, Larry Handy, Todd Hunziker, Cal Jansen, Randy & Robbie Johnson, Ginger McIlvanie, Jean McKitrick, Jim & Marilyn Noel, Deb Russell, Jean Schiewe, Becky St. John, Peggy Steere, Bruce Whitmore, and Diane Williams. (New in January: Siegie Daniel, Nancy Gustafson, Kathy Mathison, Matt Miles, Mike Ojanen, and Dorothy Stotz)
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Cathy Campbell, Janet Doty, Carla Kupp, Linda Mathews, and Ellen Bartelli. (New in January: Keith Mathews)
ELDERS: Doug Bernd, Aaron Dalan, Michele Elledge, Ana Lucas-Garcia, Larry Hasen, Shane Merrill, Joe Park, Robin Stuber, and Dennis Whitcher. (New in January: John Adkison, Bruce Drollinger, Eric Gustafson, Janet Krieger, Todd Lincoln, and Rich Millet)
DEACONS: Brian and Stephanie Ahlgren, Patty Arkills, Jeanne Breeding, Todd and Terri Buchanan, Janet Doty, Dave Geho, Edith Figueroa-Gonzalez, Larry Handy, Todd Hunziker, Cal Jansen, Randy & Robbie Johnson, Ginger McIlvanie, Jean McKitrick, Jim & Marilyn Noel, Deb Russell, Jean Schiewe, Becky St. John, Peggy Steere, Bruce Whitmore, and Diane Williams. (New in January: Siegie Daniel, Nancy Gustafson, Kathy Mathison, Matt Miles, Mike Ojanen, and Dorothy Stotz)
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Cathy Campbell, Janet Doty, Carla Kupp, Linda Mathews, and Ellen Bartelli. (New in January: Keith Mathews)
1 Corinthians 15.57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”