Uplook - September 14, 2024
Dear Seattle Saints,
Lori and I arrived home after a busy 10 days on the East Coast. We arrived in New York on Wednesday evening and settled in to the three hour time difference (actually small considering our sometimes international travel). On Thursday we had the opportunity to tour our Oceanside church building and spend a little time with their pastor. This church is some distance from our Brooklyn church (where the special meetings were held). There are several other churches in the New York City area including one in the Bronx and in Wharton, New Jersey. Over the weekend we were blessed to see saints from all of those churches plus others who traveled from East Bridgeport, Connecticut (Boston), Washington, DC, and Orlando, Florida.
The theme for the week centered around the church as God’s Temple in the world. Like Seattle, traveling for weeknight services is a challenge so the Thursday night crowd was small but there was a sweet spirit. Services continued on Friday night and Sunday morning with a seminar on Saturday morning on “Divine Calling” given by the Brooklyn pastor, Bro. Johnny Wyatt and me. For Sunday morning, Sis. Josephine McElveen, East Coast District Superintendent gave an ordination message in the middle of service where they recognized the long time ministerial efforts of Sis. Grace Duran. My sermon didn’t begin until after noon but all seemed to be happy to be together and open to God’s Word. A delightful salmon/chicken dinner followed along with some delightful fellowship.
We did have time for a little sightseeing since it was our first time in New York. We rode the NY Subway and visited the 911 Memorial which was quite touching. Another day we walked near Wall Street and Broadway as well as visiting Times Square and 30 Rockefeller Center one evening. We were able to take a cruise of the Hudson and East Rivers seeing such sights as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges as well as over 50% of the worlds skyscrapers which are all on Manhattan Island.
We took the opportunity of being on the East Coast to visit Lori’s older brother’s family whom we have not seen for over 4 years (including two great nephews we have never seen). We were also privileged to spend a night with our good friends Bro. Ron and Sis. Vanessa Gaddis whom we have not seen for over 5 years. We had a wonderful time in all of our travels but are thrilled to be home.
Speaking of home…here is a bit of an update or what I also often call Housekeeping Notes:
Guest Speaker - We will be blessed for tomorrow’s morning service to have a guest speaker. While in New York I learned that Bro. Sola Adesope, former Pullman pastor who is now our Superintendent General along with family will be in Seattle helping Sis. Florence get settled as she will soon begin her PhD program at University of Washington. Bro. Adesope will preach in the morning and we will be thrilled to have Sis. Florence as a part of our congregation for the next few years, Lord willing.
Choir Practice - Choir practices begin tomorrow at 3:15 pm in the sanctuary. Please pray for them as they prepare for special meetings and the upcoming Christmas season.
Soup & Study - This Wednesday night we will restart our monthly Soup and Study sessions. Food will be ready at 6:45 pm and the study part beginning at our normal 7 pm time.
Chehalis Special Meetings - We will recess next Sunday’s services in Seattle in order to support the special meetings in our Chehalis church. See the flyer in the narthex or check with me for details.
God bless. Looking forward to seeing you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Lori and I arrived home after a busy 10 days on the East Coast. We arrived in New York on Wednesday evening and settled in to the three hour time difference (actually small considering our sometimes international travel). On Thursday we had the opportunity to tour our Oceanside church building and spend a little time with their pastor. This church is some distance from our Brooklyn church (where the special meetings were held). There are several other churches in the New York City area including one in the Bronx and in Wharton, New Jersey. Over the weekend we were blessed to see saints from all of those churches plus others who traveled from East Bridgeport, Connecticut (Boston), Washington, DC, and Orlando, Florida.
The theme for the week centered around the church as God’s Temple in the world. Like Seattle, traveling for weeknight services is a challenge so the Thursday night crowd was small but there was a sweet spirit. Services continued on Friday night and Sunday morning with a seminar on Saturday morning on “Divine Calling” given by the Brooklyn pastor, Bro. Johnny Wyatt and me. For Sunday morning, Sis. Josephine McElveen, East Coast District Superintendent gave an ordination message in the middle of service where they recognized the long time ministerial efforts of Sis. Grace Duran. My sermon didn’t begin until after noon but all seemed to be happy to be together and open to God’s Word. A delightful salmon/chicken dinner followed along with some delightful fellowship.
We did have time for a little sightseeing since it was our first time in New York. We rode the NY Subway and visited the 911 Memorial which was quite touching. Another day we walked near Wall Street and Broadway as well as visiting Times Square and 30 Rockefeller Center one evening. We were able to take a cruise of the Hudson and East Rivers seeing such sights as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges as well as over 50% of the worlds skyscrapers which are all on Manhattan Island.
We took the opportunity of being on the East Coast to visit Lori’s older brother’s family whom we have not seen for over 4 years (including two great nephews we have never seen). We were also privileged to spend a night with our good friends Bro. Ron and Sis. Vanessa Gaddis whom we have not seen for over 5 years. We had a wonderful time in all of our travels but are thrilled to be home.
Speaking of home…here is a bit of an update or what I also often call Housekeeping Notes:
Guest Speaker - We will be blessed for tomorrow’s morning service to have a guest speaker. While in New York I learned that Bro. Sola Adesope, former Pullman pastor who is now our Superintendent General along with family will be in Seattle helping Sis. Florence get settled as she will soon begin her PhD program at University of Washington. Bro. Adesope will preach in the morning and we will be thrilled to have Sis. Florence as a part of our congregation for the next few years, Lord willing.
Choir Practice - Choir practices begin tomorrow at 3:15 pm in the sanctuary. Please pray for them as they prepare for special meetings and the upcoming Christmas season.
Soup & Study - This Wednesday night we will restart our monthly Soup and Study sessions. Food will be ready at 6:45 pm and the study part beginning at our normal 7 pm time.
Chehalis Special Meetings - We will recess next Sunday’s services in Seattle in order to support the special meetings in our Chehalis church. See the flyer in the narthex or check with me for details.
God bless. Looking forward to seeing you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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