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This past Sunday, we honored the memory of those lost to gun violence over the last few weeks in our country. We do this to remember that they are not statistics -- they are people created in the image of God and beloved by God. We never want to become numb to gun violence since it grieves God. Like we pray every week, we long for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. For resources on countering gun violence, our partners at the Christian Community Development Association have a variety of prayers and advocacy steps here: ccda.org/rgv/
Happy first Sunday of Advent! This is the season of 4 weeks before Christmas that we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ's birth at Christmas, and remember that we are still waiting for Jesus to return and make the world right. This week's theme is HOPE. You can explore this theme with a labyrinth walk - click here for a guide from Pastor Van: bit.ly/3Ug0voK, including instructions for finding a labyrinth near you, prayer prompts, and a scripture for this week's theme:
"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:20-22 NIV
You can also reflect this Advent with a daily devotional - click here for a link to download: bit.ly/3EEc9UB
We're also giving this season toward our Compassion Fund which goes directly to rent/utility payments to help neighbors stay in their homes in the midst of financial stress. You can give online at our regular giving page, just choose "Advent giving": bit.ly/2VVzKdL.
Let's lean into this Advent season ready to see how God may surprise us even in the midst of a familiar celebration...
What a great day for a labyrinth walk! Come prepare for the start of advent and reflect on this first weeks theme of Hope with Pastor Van, at the Rainier Beach Community Center plaza, right on the corner of Rainier Ave S & S Henderson St. Stop by anytime between now and noon, and tomorrow at church we’ll also have instructions to do your own labyrinth walk later. Hope to see you there!
Looking forward to this, thank you Pastor Van for thoughtfully planning an advent journey for us
oh shoot I missed this. Glad to try another time.
Pastor Van is wonderful!
Great idea!
Some sad news to share: Pastor Phil Brooks, who was lead pastor at Rainier Avenue Church from 1970 to 1974, passed away on Thanksgiving morning at the age of 85. Pastor Phil had an influence not just on RAC, but on many other pastors in the Free Methodist denomination. We mourn his passing along with his family, but also celebrate that he is in the presence of Jesus!
I knew him from North Cascade Christian Fellowship; such a kind and loving man. Thank you for sharing this.
He married us 8/29/75. Well done thy goid and faithful servant!
Get ready for Advent this Saturday with a labyrinth walk focused on hope, led by Pastor Van! Meet at the Rainier Beach Community Center Plaza, rain or shine -- stop by to walk the labyrinth and connect with others any time 10am-noon. This is a great way to focus and reflect getting ready for this meaningful but sometimes hectic season. Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you at Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving morning! 9-10:30am at the Upper Genessee Playfield!
Thanks to Pastor John Jairo Leal for preaching this past Sunday, and for the rest of the Impact Latin America team sharing throughout the service! We are so excited about the multiplication of God's peace in Latin America through the thousands of workers and lay leaders involved in this ministry. And, what a blessing for Pastor John Jairo's message to resonate so much with our understanding of spirituality and justice -- God's dream includes a just world for everyone, creation restored to God's original glory, and the earth filled with the knowledge of God! You can hear the update and Pastor John Jairo's sermon from this past Sunday by clicking here: youtu.be/FAK2ABgzX_8?t=2414, and you can also learn more at their website: impactlatinamerica.org/.
Advent begins 11/27! This year Pastor Van Manivanh is organizing weekly Advent spiritual formation events that go along with each week's Advent theme. The first event THIS SATURDAY is a labyrinth walk focused on the theme of Hope - you can join Van rain or shine for this labyrinth walk 11/26, 9am-noon at the Plaza at Rainier Beach Community Center. Take this chance to get ready for Advent -- we'll also have instructions that you can pick up on Sunday to do your own labyrinth walk during the week if that works better for you. Stay tuned for details on each week's Advent in Motion practice!
Good morning, church! We are looking forward to gather this morning at 10am -- you'll get to hear about work happening in Latin America through our partners Impact Latin America, and Pastor John Jairo who we heard from last year will be back with us to share today's message, "God has a dream/Dios tiene un sueño" - thanks also to Pastor Delia also who will be translating the message! If you're participating online today, here's the link open at 9:50am: youtu.be/FAK2ABgzX_8. Hope to see you soon!
Church family, our giving has been a lot more variable over the last few years with pandemic disruptions, and we know that it continues to be a hard time financially for many. This year so far church income is behind budget for this point in the year. As you prayerfully consider what God is leading you to tithe or give, we want to make sure you know the ways you can give to ministry at RAC:
--Give online - click here to make an online gift (you can give once or schedule a recurring gift) rainieravenuechurch.ccbchurch.com/goto/giving
--Mail a gift to the church office, 4517 S Juneau St, Seattle WA 98118. You can also use your bank's bill pay feature to have them send your check for you.
--Drop off a gift in the offering box on Sunday, in the back of the sanctuary near the lobby doors. Or, you can also drop off gifts midweek in the secure mailbox on the office porch (the house right across the parking strip from the church, 4517 S Juneau St.)
If you have questions about giving, please reach out to Darlene Ndirangu, or contact the church office, 206-722-5616/info@rainieravenuechurch.org. Thank you for your generosity and obedience in sharing out of what God has provided!