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Listen to last week’s sermon on Psalm 124 HERE |
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A Few Thoughts from Synod:
I am grateful for the opportunity to travel to Grand Rapids and attend Synod this last week. Though we are close to the Dutch enclave of Lynden, the Pacific Northwest is kind of the frontier fringe of the CRC as a denomination, so it was a pretty unique experience to be in a room with hundreds of other CRC elders, deacons and pastors from around the country. It is a great reminder of our connection to the larger universal church. And that perhaps was my top take away from my time there.Nothing has made me more grateful for the mission of the local church as the experience of being at Synod. While the work of Synod, both the practical business and the equipping of churches to do the work of the Holy Spirit is important, it often feels removed from what we are doing in Greenwood (or any of the other thousands of neighborhoods across the country where there is CRC). What I hope for our community of Sanctuary is that no matter what a given Synod does or decides in any given year, we might remain a space that is safe and welcoming to newcomers, and that invests in and challenges members in a way that–as it says in Ephesians 4–builds up the Body of Christ.
In terms of particular business, here are a few snapshots:
- There were three big reports delivered to Synod this year. A report on persecution of Christians around the globe, a report on the Doctrine of Discovery (related to mission work done by the church among indigenous peoples), and a report on Pastoral Guidance for Same-Sex Marriage. Synod received these reports and took various actions related to them.
- Synod formed a new Study Task Force to examine questions of human sexuality from a Biblical perspective. The task force will report back to Synod in 5 years.
- Synod received an overture to add the Belhar Confession as a fourth confession of the CRC. The recommendation was made for next year’s Synod to move the Belhar into the category of a “Contemporary Testimony”, similar to Our World Belongs to God.
- Synod voted against a requested raise in Ministry Shares (the funds requested by the denomination from each local church). The Board of Trustees is studying a variety of options for restructuring in response to overtures from Classes and shifting financial realities faced by many denominations.
- Synod adopted new, stronger safe church policies.
- Synod approved two new Calvin Seminary professors and a new Editor for The Banner.
Detailed news and articles can be found on the CRC website at https://www.crcna.org/synod. If you would like to know more of the particulars of my experience, the actual business we worked on, and my personal thoughts on what it means, email me and we can talk more. A week of 8am – 9pm meetings is a bit much to condense into a newsletter.
-Jonathan Assink |
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| A Peek at Children’s Ministry
Here is a look at what the kid’s are learning this Sunday- June 19:
Preschool: Jesus Calls the Disciples
Kindergarten/1st: Jacob and Easu
2nd-6th Grade: Jesus Goes Back to Heaven |
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| Upcoming Events
Greenwood Car Show
The Greenwood car show is this Saturday, June 25! Sanctuary is running the kid’s zone and we need volunteers to help run the Bouncy House, Tattoo Tent, and to help out at the Green Bean. |
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| A sign-up sheet has been passed around the next few Sundays but talk to Reba or Steve for more information. |
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Finance Committee
The Finance Committee has an open position. Interested parties can contact Jeremy Schertzinger by July 15th.Racquetball
Racquetball anyone? Several people have already expressed interest. We are looking at Saturday Morning at Magnusson Park. Send Bob Jackson an email if you’re interested. |
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Sanctuary Camping Trip
Friday – Sunday, July 15-17
Deception Pass Campground
Limited space still available.
Contact Joey DeYoung for more information! |
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Community Groups
Community groups are on break until the week of July 11. Want to join a group next quarter? Sign up HERE or on the back of the communication card Sunday morning!
Monday group (Greenlake), 615-745pm Email the leader
Wednesday group (N. Greenwood), 6-730pm Email the leader
Thursday group (Lake City Way), 630-745pm (soup on at 6) Email the leader
Every other Sunday: Women’s small group, 6pm in member homes
(contact Mary Vincent for more information) |
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Financial Update
| Cumulative June Offering |
$16,462 |
| Budgeted Monthly Offering |
$17,325 |
| As of June 1, 2016 |
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| Fiscal YTD Resources |
$234,241 |
| Fiscal YTD Expenses |
$219,430 |
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For more information:
- Check out worship Sunday mornings, 10am at Taproot Theatre and visit our Website.
- See what’s happening on our Facebook page.
- Come see us 7 days a week at the Green Bean Coffee House and join us for community hours, Saturdays 9-11am.
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| To share prayer requests with staff members and the prayer team, email pray@sanctuarycrc.org |
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