Weekly News from WCUMC-8/11/2013

Sharing the transforming love of Jesus, across the street and around the world.

Parables of Jesus Series

"The Prodigal Son”

Luke 15:11-32

This week, Gaila Palo shared a message on "The Parable of the Prodigal Son". We all know this story of an impetuous younger son who asks for his inheritance and then wastes it, only to recognize the error of his ways and returns home asking only to be a hired hand. His father not only welcomes him back, he celebrates his return. His older brother reacts angrily that his father has never celebrated his devotion so why celebrate the return of a son that deserted his family and wasted his inheritance. The father's reaction and reply are the heart of the story "we had to celebrate because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found".

In the dictionary, the word "prodigal" can mean extravagant or lavish, but it can also mean unexpected. And many parts of this parable contain prodigal actions and reactions.

There is the prodigal (extravagant) request for early inheritance, which would not only benefit the younger son, but also place additional hardships on other members of the family and staff that relied on the land for their food and shelter. Jesus knew this story would touch a nerve with an audience that could relate to the need to rely on the land for survival.

There is the prodigal (extravagant) irresponsibility of the younger son, who wasted his wealth through extravagant living and was forced to work at a pig farm. This is another dramatic touch that only heightened his audience's disdain for the son who has become the lowest of the low.

The surprise is the prodigal (extravagant and unexpected) mercy and grace shown by the father who not only accepted his son but celebrated his return. It is important to note that the father was "moved with compassion" while he was still a long way off, and "ran to him, hugged him and kissed him".

The extravagant grace of the father is the primary message in this parable, but his reaction and rationale to the older son is also important to remember. The father tells his older son that "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive".

Gaila's understanding and presentation of this parable also underscores an important point about balancing grace with justice. We are often confused when justice does not seem to be equal, but it is not our place to ensure justice. God expects us to offer grace and forgiveness, because that is what he does for us. More than we know. More than we deserve.

Next week's parable:

August 18th - Gary Carlson - The Pharisee & Tax Collector

Remember that while Pastor Rick is on sabbatical, pastoral duties are being covered by qualified staff members on a rotating basis. Please call the church office at (425)483-5252 if you need pastoral assistance.

THIS WEEK AT WCUMC

Sunday - 8/11

Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room

Monday - 8/12

Talk Time, 6:00 PM, Crossfire Room

Tuesday - 8/13

Sewing Group (Beading Class, Part 2), 6:30 PM, Memorial Room

MST Meeting, 7:00 PM, Memorial Room

Wednesday - 8/14

Prison Ministry meets in Church parking lot at 5:40 PM

Thursday - 8/15

Friday - 8/16 Saturday - 8/17

Sunday - 8/18

The Open Door Class "How Christianity Changed the World". 9:00 AM, Room 11

Nursery Care is available in the Children’s Wing during worship

10:30 AM Worship Service

Tweeners Class for 5th-8th graders, 11:00 AM, Memorial Room

Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room

A Letter from Daniel Foster,

Puget Sound District Superintendent

Last Sunday, our Staff-Parish Relations Chairperson, Deni Johnson, announced that our much-loved Children's Pastor, Rev. Lindsey Eklund, has been appointed to serve as pastor at Monroe United Methodist Church. We were asked to share the letter below:

Pastor Lindsey became a welcome addition to our staff in January of 2008. She married Scott Eklund in May of 2009, and both of them have been a blessing to our church body. We will have a time to honor and express our love and appreciation for them during our August 25 worship service.

DeAnna Ankrum, a member of our congregation, has been hired as our

interim children's pastor. We pray for God's continued blessing on our children's ministry and on the Eklunds as they take on a new charge.

Children's Ministry Day Camps

MEGA SPORTS CAMP

August 19-23 (Grades preK4 - 6)

Plan to join us after the service on Sept. 8 to kick off the fall church season.

Sunday, September 8 - Cook-out and Ice Cream Social Make this Sunday a good time to "reconnect" with friends and ministry leaders. We will grill hot dogs and sausages in the area adjacent to The Gathering Place and have an ice cream bar for the young and the "young-at-heart".

Monday, September 9 - Men of Integrity

All men are invited to join our Bible Study and discussion group on Mondays at 7:00 PM in the Memorial Room.

Tuesday, September 10 - Women's Bible Fellowship

Meets Tuesday mornings, 9:20 - 11:45 AM. Topic: Philippians, a study by Kay Smith. Sign up in the church foyer. Childcare available on request. Book cost: $8.00.

Wed., September 11 - Wednesday Women's Bible Study

Meets Wednesday mornings, 10 - 11:30 AM. Study: "Forever Touched: Significant Women in Jesus' Life". Sign up in the church foyer. Childcare available on request. Book cost: $7.00.

The Woodinville Storehouse Food Bank serves our community by serving practical needs, building relationships, and joining people in prayer. A weekly donation shopping list of needed items in always shown in our church bulletin and in this newsletter.

OUR STOCKS CONTINUE TO BE VERY LOW.

PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING TO THE FOOD BANK TODAY!

This Week's Needs:

Spaghetti Sauce

Mac and Cheese

Peanut Butter

Rice

Hamburger Helper

Thank you for your continued support.

www.woodinvillestorehouse.org

Partner Fundraiser

On Friday, August 16 & Saturday, August 17, there will be a "Rally Round 4 Ultra Sound" at Fort Steilacom Park in Lakewood. This event will benefit 4US.org, a partner of CareNet, which funds ultrasound machines for pregnancy centers. Six different events will take place over two days: a 5K run, concert, motorcycle ride, cycling, half-marathon, and the Sound & Light Conference. The event is designed for the whole family. Check out the information table in the foyer for more info.

Do you like to sing?

The Choir wants you.

The choir will hold its firs fall practice on Wednesday, September 11, from 7:15 - 8:30 PM.

Would you consider making an impact in the life of a student?

We are looking for help with the youth ministry to pour the love of Jesus

Christ into the lives of students aged 10-16. The latest Barna Study indicates that nearly half (43%) of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior do so before the age of 13. Almost two out of three (64%) of born-again Christians made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday.

You can help in many ways:

Chaperon retreats

Mentor student leaders

Lead weekly Crossfire events - play games, eat together, share the Gospel

Pray for our students

Teach "tweeners' Sunday School once a month

Contact Youth Director Kim Knudsvig for more info. 206-794-6871, or crossfirelife@gmail.com.

Financial Snapshot

General Fund

Income, week ending 8/4/13 $ 13,739

Income, weekly average, year-to-date $ 9,967

Expenses, weekly average, year-to-date $ 10,041

Weekly average budgeted expenses $ 10,413

Faith Promise Monthly Support

Total Faith Promise Pledges $ 90,342

Faith Promise beginning balance $ 21,016

Received to date $ 58,093

Disbursed to date $ 74,125

Prayer Chain Requests

Prayer Chain requests call Barbara Clark 425-483-3885. After 6:00 PM call Mary Harvey at 425-827-2883 or call the church at 425-483-5252 during office hours.

We hope to see you in church this Sunday and God Bless.

Have a great week!

This newsletter is published by Woodinville Community United Methodist Church for our members, friends and all who love Jesus. Our vision is "To Share the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ Across the Street and Around the World". If you are looking for a church home with loving, devoted followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we invite you to attend our Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 each Sunday. We are located at 17110 140th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072. Learn more at www.wcumc.org.