September 25th, 2020

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, Fall has fallen on us with a vengeance, yes? It’s time for a hot cup of tea, curl up and catch up with us :).

Here is what you need to know:

  • Sabbath School: 10am  We are continuing our Mission Driven Church Class this week from 10-10:50am. It is important that our church family and community are involved as this is part of our agreement for our Church Revitalization Project with the Conference. Please join us in the Fireside Room after signing in by those double doors before 10am. We will have your workbook available each Sabbath so please don’t miss this exciting and important component of working together as a team! If you are unable to attend in person, please email the church office for more info.
  • Sabbath Service (Livestream AND In Person): 11am We will have a Sermon by Pastor Don titled “Recombobulate”. In a world that is spinning out of control. In a world experiencing the birth pangs associated with the soon return of Jesus, many seem to get all discombobulated and twisted out of sorts with fear and anxiety. In Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus, in speaking to his disciples, challenges them the WATCH. This in fact is the main point of the parables of Matthew 25. We should not be all discombobulated during this time. We should be focused, paying attention, telling others the good news, using our gifts to further the Kingdom, serving the marginalized. In a word we should “Recombobulate”.
    • Please join us in person (following COVID-19 protocols* we have marked off the pews with flowers to allow for seating to comply for social distancing. Please only sit in rows with flowers on them. Leave at least six feet between you and other groups that are not from your household) or via our livestream on YouTube or Facebook. Church Service Online!
  • Worship on Wednesdays: we are changing things up! We will be having a simple family dinner at 6pm**. Each family will have their own table. Masks will be worn except at the tables while eating. At 7pm, we will enter the sanctuary together and begin our prayer meeting. As a church we KNOW that prayer is our source of connection, power and passion! Please make it a priority to join us each week for this invaluable experience. Our Church Revitalization Project depends on our fervent prayers, getting into alignment with God’s will.

*If you are not feeling well, PLEASE STAY HOME. This includes any symptoms related to COVID-19. Attendees are to pre-screen themselves prior to arriving on location: No one with a temperature 100.4+ may attend the service. Individuals with a household member that has been diagnosed with COVID-19 may not attend the service. Masks are nowREQUIRED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE SERVICEper Governor Jay Inslee. Our Washington Conference has asked that we comply with these orders.

** Pending latest recommendations from Skagit County/Washington State

Upcoming

  • We have some dates for you to put on your calendar:
    • Oct. 1-31 Alter Your Family Altar with Praise to God www.washingtonconference.org/pray
    • Oct. – Women’s Ministries Movie Night TBA
    • Oct. 17 – Pie Contest/Auction starting with Vespers at 6pm
    • Oct. 31(tent.)  – Harvest Party with a game night
    • Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Potluck (pending pandemic logistics)
    • Dec. – Sock Exchange TBA
    • Dec. 18 (tent.) – Agape Feast
    • Dec. 19 – Christmas Brunch

After a long workday, I started my Friday commute home. For those who don’t really “get” the commute thing, basically it’s a distance you drive to and from your workplace, and in Southern California, this drive time could easily vary from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the day or time. On this particular day, I realized (too late!) that my commute would be a lot of stop and go, meaning that the amount of fuel in my gas tank might not be enough for the stretch I was on that did NOT have a gas station and I began talking to God about my situation. It was not unusual at that time to pretty much communicate with God when I needed something or made it to church that week. My stress grew as I putted along, envisioning how I might be able to salvage this situation. I felt led to turn on a road that coasted downhill to a small residential area and so I did. As I coasted, I became aware that I was out of gas and that once the road leveled out again my car would stop. Sure enough, it coasted to a stop and I just sat there for a minute, working up my nerve to go up to the only house nearby to ask the group of young adults outside if they had any spare gas I could have. I finally walked up the driveway to ask, but alas, they had none. One of them suggested that I ask the person that was still parked in the pickup truck I had coasted to a stop behind. At that point I was loathe to ask another stranger to help me out (I have issues with admitting that I’m in need), but I decided to just go for it. He was sitting there quietly when I walked up and asked him if he happened to have any gas he could give me. Then he said yes. Not only did he put gas in my tank, he also shared with me that he has been impressed to pull over at just that spot and wait. He didn’t know for what or whom. This is just one of countless ways that God had provided before I even knew that I would have the need. I never really struggled with knowing whether or not God was real and able to be called upon. I just hadn’t really had a dedicated and strong relationship with Him that I pursued all the time, regardless of my (perceived) needs. That day, God reminded me that He had prepared a way for my life, regardless of the mistakes or bad choices that seemed to send me “off course”. How many of us are in need of a reminder that God is at work, even when it may feel like He’s silent or “off duty”? I hope my story encourages you and reminds you to think of a time when God was ready for your need before you even knew you would have one.

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Remember, we are one Sabbath closer to Jesus coming! Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

Smiles,
Melissa Baskett
Admin Assistant
Mount Vernon SDA Church
360-416-0443
www.mountvernonsda.com