Weekly Uplook - September 3
Dear Seattle Saints,
Happy Labor Day weekend. Traditionally this weekend marks the practical “end” of summer and entrance into the fall season with school staring. Fortunately, we should have another month or two of reasonably good weather and sunshine to enjoy as we move toward fall and winter. The wise writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us of the “season for everything” and we certainly will be experiencing some of these highs and lows even in the next week.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away;” … Ecclesiastes 3: 1-6
In case you have not already heard, our dear Sis. Marie Garrison passed away yesterday morning. She is now with the Lord in a place with perfect peace and joy and without any suffering. Please pray for her family during this difficult time for them. She has three daughters and one son along with their spouses and children. Sis. Marie’s family is planning a “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, September 10 to be held at Bethany Community Church. I will pass on specifics of time and location when I receive them. This is a time to weep and to mourn…not for Sis. Marie for she has made the goal she has been striving for, but for those of us who remain and will greatly miss her joyous loving heart and willing service in our midst.
At the other end of the spectrum of times and seasons, we rejoice at the recent marriage (In Nigeria) of Sis. Oyindamola (Dami) Ajayi and Bro. Ebenezer (Ebi) Elesemoyo. Sis. Dami (“Mrs. E😊”) has returned to Seattle and she and her new husband are patiently and prayerfully working on an educational visa for him to join her here. Please pray for God’s perfect timing. We felt it proper to celebrate with Sis. Dami and her Seattle family and are planning a Wedding celebration luncheon after church next Sunday, September 11. Food will be provided and you may bring cards or gifts at your discretion. This of course is a time of joy and yet anticipation of when Bro. Ebenezer will be able to move here.
Both of these “seasons” within our congregation bring a wide range of feelings and emotions but we rejoice that as those who serve God together we find the writers words to be very true,
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. ” Ecclesiastes 3:11
It is our prayer that each of us will experience the comforting presence of the Lord in times of loss and the spirit of rejoicing in times of celebration and joy. Life has both of them and God has promised redemption of them all because of what Jesus accomplished through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. May we embrace these afresh in whatever season of life we find ourselves.
God bless you all,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Happy Labor Day weekend. Traditionally this weekend marks the practical “end” of summer and entrance into the fall season with school staring. Fortunately, we should have another month or two of reasonably good weather and sunshine to enjoy as we move toward fall and winter. The wise writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us of the “season for everything” and we certainly will be experiencing some of these highs and lows even in the next week.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away;” … Ecclesiastes 3: 1-6
In case you have not already heard, our dear Sis. Marie Garrison passed away yesterday morning. She is now with the Lord in a place with perfect peace and joy and without any suffering. Please pray for her family during this difficult time for them. She has three daughters and one son along with their spouses and children. Sis. Marie’s family is planning a “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, September 10 to be held at Bethany Community Church. I will pass on specifics of time and location when I receive them. This is a time to weep and to mourn…not for Sis. Marie for she has made the goal she has been striving for, but for those of us who remain and will greatly miss her joyous loving heart and willing service in our midst.
At the other end of the spectrum of times and seasons, we rejoice at the recent marriage (In Nigeria) of Sis. Oyindamola (Dami) Ajayi and Bro. Ebenezer (Ebi) Elesemoyo. Sis. Dami (“Mrs. E😊”) has returned to Seattle and she and her new husband are patiently and prayerfully working on an educational visa for him to join her here. Please pray for God’s perfect timing. We felt it proper to celebrate with Sis. Dami and her Seattle family and are planning a Wedding celebration luncheon after church next Sunday, September 11. Food will be provided and you may bring cards or gifts at your discretion. This of course is a time of joy and yet anticipation of when Bro. Ebenezer will be able to move here.
Both of these “seasons” within our congregation bring a wide range of feelings and emotions but we rejoice that as those who serve God together we find the writers words to be very true,
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. ” Ecclesiastes 3:11
It is our prayer that each of us will experience the comforting presence of the Lord in times of loss and the spirit of rejoicing in times of celebration and joy. Life has both of them and God has promised redemption of them all because of what Jesus accomplished through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. May we embrace these afresh in whatever season of life we find ourselves.
God bless you all,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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