Uplook - August 26, 2023
Good afternoon,
It is hard to believe this is already the last Saturday of August. The summer seems to have flown by although I am becoming aware that my perception of time is governed or at least tempered by my own age. When I consider my children and more specifically my grandchildren it does not seem time seems to be moving as quickly for them. Of course this is simply a perception as time is moving at the same rate for all on the earth. (Of course if you want to consider space travel in which extreme speeds or changing gravitation may actually shift the flow of time (time dilation)… that is a discussion for another time😊) The Bible suggests we are given a specific time frame within which to live when the Psalmist declares:
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, Yet is their strength labour and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10
As humans we often are concerned and even preoccupied with how much time we have. We worry about sufficient time to complete projects and complain we just don’t have enough time to do all that we need to do. And yet, time just continues to march on. The Lord declared our focus should be on His kingdom and how we use each day, dispensing with excess anxiety over the future.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33–34
The Apostle Paul reminded the New Testament churches in Corinth of Gods promised grace and help even in the toughest of days/seasons declaring its’ availability to all and then rehearsing how grace was extended to him personally.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
My prayer for you as this summer season is drawing to a close and we look forward to the months of autumn which are ahead is that each day will be lived in the knowledge and comfort that the Lord who loves us has gone on ahead and conquered life’s greatest enemy which is death. We can live each day knowing that come what may we are offered grace and strength. Consider these words of Jeremiah:
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Lamentations 3:21–25
Housekeeping/Scheduling notes
I will take this opportunity to give you an idea of the church schedule for the next couple of months. Of course it is always dynamic and changing but it will at least give you a place to start and a challenge to pray. It will be a busy time but thank the Lord we are able to gather together to worship and to support those from near and far.
August 27 - Sunday School Teachers Meeting – 4 pm in the Church Sanctuary
September 3 – Labor Day weekend - No Evening Service (Sunday school/ Morning worship only)
September 8-10 – Chehalis Special Meetings – See the posted flyer in the Narthex. No Sunday Evening Service so those who desire may attend the services in Chehalis.
September 30/October 1 – Seattle Special Meetings – Guest speakers: Rev. Pierre Hancock from Los Angeles and Bro. Seyi Akinrotimi from Pullman. More information on how you can help will be forthcoming.
October 6-8 – Portland Special Meetings - See information as it is posted in the Narthex.
October 18 (Wednesday) – 7 PM Wedding Reception/devotional for Bro. Yoshiki & Sis. Rei Ohno who will be visiting in Seattle after their wedding on October 14.
October 21 (Saturday) – 8:30 AM Ladies Donut Devotional - A time for fellowship for the ladies in our congregation. More information to follow.
God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
It is hard to believe this is already the last Saturday of August. The summer seems to have flown by although I am becoming aware that my perception of time is governed or at least tempered by my own age. When I consider my children and more specifically my grandchildren it does not seem time seems to be moving as quickly for them. Of course this is simply a perception as time is moving at the same rate for all on the earth. (Of course if you want to consider space travel in which extreme speeds or changing gravitation may actually shift the flow of time (time dilation)… that is a discussion for another time😊) The Bible suggests we are given a specific time frame within which to live when the Psalmist declares:
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, Yet is their strength labour and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10
As humans we often are concerned and even preoccupied with how much time we have. We worry about sufficient time to complete projects and complain we just don’t have enough time to do all that we need to do. And yet, time just continues to march on. The Lord declared our focus should be on His kingdom and how we use each day, dispensing with excess anxiety over the future.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33–34
The Apostle Paul reminded the New Testament churches in Corinth of Gods promised grace and help even in the toughest of days/seasons declaring its’ availability to all and then rehearsing how grace was extended to him personally.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
My prayer for you as this summer season is drawing to a close and we look forward to the months of autumn which are ahead is that each day will be lived in the knowledge and comfort that the Lord who loves us has gone on ahead and conquered life’s greatest enemy which is death. We can live each day knowing that come what may we are offered grace and strength. Consider these words of Jeremiah:
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Lamentations 3:21–25
Housekeeping/Scheduling notes
I will take this opportunity to give you an idea of the church schedule for the next couple of months. Of course it is always dynamic and changing but it will at least give you a place to start and a challenge to pray. It will be a busy time but thank the Lord we are able to gather together to worship and to support those from near and far.
August 27 - Sunday School Teachers Meeting – 4 pm in the Church Sanctuary
September 3 – Labor Day weekend - No Evening Service (Sunday school/ Morning worship only)
September 8-10 – Chehalis Special Meetings – See the posted flyer in the Narthex. No Sunday Evening Service so those who desire may attend the services in Chehalis.
September 30/October 1 – Seattle Special Meetings – Guest speakers: Rev. Pierre Hancock from Los Angeles and Bro. Seyi Akinrotimi from Pullman. More information on how you can help will be forthcoming.
October 6-8 – Portland Special Meetings - See information as it is posted in the Narthex.
October 18 (Wednesday) – 7 PM Wedding Reception/devotional for Bro. Yoshiki & Sis. Rei Ohno who will be visiting in Seattle after their wedding on October 14.
October 21 (Saturday) – 8:30 AM Ladies Donut Devotional - A time for fellowship for the ladies in our congregation. More information to follow.
God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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