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From the Pastor
"Throw one up...for another one"
by Joel Domingo, Executive Pastor
"Let your prayers unite with one heart and with one soul to
plead with God for your neighborhood."
Charles Spurgeon,
1861
This past Sunday's message about prayer really came to life
for me this past week, not just because it continued to remind me of the
importance of prayer, but also because it reminded me that what can sometimes
is called "serendipity" or "fortuitous," is really someone else
praying for you.
On Wednesday, I sat down and spoke with a woman named Kim
who moved to Seattle a little over ten years ago. Kim worked downtown and had a tug on her
heart to pray for Seattle, so she did.
As she continued to pray for Seattle, she felt that something was
telling her to pray specifically for one neighborhood and that there should be
a church there that would someday influence this city in a compelling way. New to Seattle, she did not know any
specifics about this neighborhood, only that she just knew to pray for it. The neighborhood that she prayed for was
Queen Anne, and the church that she felt would be a light to this city was All
Saints Church.
What is amazing is that at the time, All Saints Church didn't
exist and was just a dream in the hearts of a group of people. Nobody could have predicted that there would
be this place on Queen Anne that would influence the community for Jesus.
As soon as I heard that, I could not help but be just amazed
and thankful to Jesus for those that pray for some other person's benefit. There's a word that goes way back that
describes this: Intercession. It is basically
praying on behalf of someone else. Intercession
is praying with the real hope and real intent that God would step in and act
for the positive advancement of some specific other person. It is trusting that God will act, even if it is
not in the manner or timing we seek.
There is a story in the Bible about a guy named Nehemiah who
prayed to God to bring about the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem and the despair
of her people. As he took on their
concerns and brought them to God, the key motivation behind this type of faith
was compassion. He loved the people, the
culture, and having faith with a love like God's love, it moved him so much
that he dared to take prayers to God on their behalf. Undoubtedly, our prime example of an
intercessor is Jesus. He interceded in
prayer for God to bless and protect His followers. Even at the cross, He prayed, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do." Indeed, His whole life, His whole reason for
being born, was to be a living intercession, a giving of His life so that we
can have that abundant life found in Him.
As God's love is at work in you, you will be compelled to care
about others, and your love for them will lead you to take it to the ultimate source
of strength, healing, and love. I am
praying for you and will see you on Sunday!
Grace to you.
Pastor Joel |
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This Sunday...
Know Your Role
Colossians 3:18-4:1
 Ok, here we go! We are looking at some stuff that has caused a lot of dissension and tension inside and outside of the Church. These passages have been used to oppress and abuse people and this is not what they have been written or intended to do.
We are learning about roles in societies, husbands, wives, children, masters and slaves. Paul is talking poignantly, not abstractly. Here, he gives instruction on how to turn these roles in society toward Jesus. This might be more comfortable if the instruction was cut off at verse 17, abstraction might be easier?! We must also account for society as a whole and help those who may not be in these roles and use this as a teaching point for working this into our everyday relationships.
In our gatherings we do have the aforementioned, but we also have singles, divorcees, students and professionals. We are going to learn how to put on the "new clothes" and live out this life in Christ to one and all.
It is our union with Christ that brings us into a radical commitment to Jesus Christ. It brings us hope, because God cares about our everyday lives. We can recognize and celebrate that Jesus asks nothing of us that he has not already given himself.
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Just so you know...
Golf Tournament:
Our Annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for July 18th at Redmond Ridge and all are welcome to participate! The fee is $145 per golfer and includes green fees, cart, practice/range balls, continental breakfast and lunch afterwards. If you'd like to participate you can sign up at life@believedoubtseek.org
Summer Beach Party and Baptisms:
On August 30th we invite you to head to Golden Gardens Beach after our Sunday gatherings for our annual Beach Party and Baptisms! As we wtinessed this past Sunday, baptism is a very meaningful and powerful experience of leaving your old self behind, accepting Jesus' grace and starting again as a committed follower of Christ. We'll be baptizing people in the Puget Sound and then enjoying the afternoon together at the beach. If you would like someone to contact you about being baptized, please sign up at the concierge desk or send us an email to life@believedoubtseek.org
Children's Ministries:
The kids' team is excited to redecorate the kids' space over the next couple of months to make it fun and inviting. They are looking for help with planning the decor between now and July and are also recruiting help for implementation of the new decor plan on July 11th and 25th. If you'd like to help create an amazing kids' zone, please contact Sharlena Dressler at kids@believedoubtseek.org
Youth:
There is still room for more youth to participate in the Annual Youth Beach Retreat. If you know someone in 7th-12th grade that might enjoy spending a week on the Oregon Coast growing closer to Jesus, please pick up a registration packet for them from the concierge desk and get it back ASAP! The registration deadline has officially passed, but we want to make the retreat possible for as many young people as we can! Any questions can be directed to Jolie at: youth@believedoubtseek.org
Worship Team:
The Worship Team is looking for an electric guitarist. If you or someone you know would be interested in auditioning, please contact Scott Anderson atscott@believedoubtseek.org
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Help Wanted
Here are a couple of specific ways that you can serve at All Saints!
We are looking for anyone with web development skills in Ruby on Rails and content management systems. If you or anyone that you know would be interested in helping out please contact brian at: brian@believedoubtseek.org. Thanks.
The Custodial Team is looking for new team members to help with some light cleaning duties after the Sunday gatherings once or twice a month. The team also helps with our quarterly deep cleans and occasional event set up/clean up. If you'd like to help, please contact April at: custodial@believedoubtseek.org
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Happy Fathers Day!
All Saints would like to show appreciation to all of the dads out there. You guys do so much and we would like to treat you to a free espresso beverage at the Beanaddiction Cafe. Just head downstairs between 9:20 and 11am on Sunday morning to enjoy a drink of your choice!
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All Saints News is sent out regularly to the community to engage and inform people of all that takes place through All Saints Church. This and previous updates are available on the All Saints website.
If you have any ideas, submissions, or comments, please send them to life@believedoubtseek.org
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