Mid-week Update--June 21, 2017

Outdoor Worship This Sunday
Ø Musician Matt Patrick and his band!
Ø A beautiful, not-too-hot St. Paul morning!
Ø The story of Hagar and Ishmael from Genesis 21!
Ø A newly repaired outdoor stage!
Ø Ice Cream and Popsicles!
All this and more at our outdoor worship service on Sunday, June 25, at 10am in the EPC back yard. We have chairs at church, or else bring some chairs or blankets to sit on. This will not only be meaningful and fun—it is also a great opportunity to invite a neighbor or friend to join you for a memorable worship experience in God’s greatest sanctuary.

EPC Youth at Lake Como TODAY
There is a free EPC Youth Event today, June 21, from 3pm-5pm at the Lake Como Dockside at the Wheel Fun kayak and paddleboat rental place. Even if you didn’t sign up earlier, come and hang out with us by the lake!!

Outdoor Worship Flyers to Share
Attached to this email are flyers that can be printed and distributed to your friends, neighborhoods, workplaces, etc. These are flyers inviting the community to our three outdoor worship services this summer:
• Sunday, June 25 – Guest musician Matt Patrick and his band will lead us in an outdoor service of inspiring singing. FOLLOWED BY ICE CREAM!
• Sunday, August 6 – Outdoor worship and Pet Blessing. Bring your critter friends to a short blessing ceremony at 10:00. Stay for the whole service if you want!
• Sunday, September 3 – Outdoor worship and communion. Start off your fall on the right foot and stay for the potluck lunch afterward.

Centering Prayer on Tuesdays at 3pm
This summer, there is a Centering Prayer Meditation meeting happening every Tuesday (except July 4) in the sanctuary. It is an open, 12-step friendly group for all people! Please consider joining us, even if you are new to the experience. We had ten people yesterday (!) and new folks are always welcome. Contact Pastor Julie (pastorjulie@epchurch.org) with any questions.

Outdoor Reflection Space
Last week we told you about Connie and Julie’s visit to the Christos reflection garden and nature paths. After that visit, Pastor Julie was connected to the man who designed the space at Christos, Gordy Rosine. Yesterday, Julie and I met with Gordy get his thoughts about similar pathways in the EPC backyard. Gordy was absolutely enchanted by our forested space and very much wants to help us think about next steps to beautify and design our backyard for spiritual and healing walkways, with seating or gardens or whatever we want. We plan to have another meeting with Gordy in a few weeks and invite whoever wants to be involved from the EPC community.
Relatedly, Pastor Julie had serandipitous conversations with three of our neighbors—HPHS principal Tucker, Ivan from the Montessori Preschool, and neighbor Dave Bush—about this idea, and all three were also super excited and volunteered to help make it happen.
We don’t know exactly what will emerge yet, but there seems to be some renewed energy around thinking in new ways about our back yard space. Whatever we do, we want to use this delightful gift of land for the good of our community and church and the glory of God!

Next Bible Study—June 26
Our next Bible Study will be next Monday, June 26, at 6:30pm at the home of the Eggerts (1868 Simpson, Falcon Hgts 55113). The texts are Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, and Matthew 10:40-42. All are welcome and a light dinner will be served!

AA Memorial Service at EPC on Thursday
Our service for Peter Farley will be tomorrow, June 22, at 6pm. Several folks have volunteered to bring food and help set up—Thank you! Peter had a large library and his books and movies are now free for taking in the EPC narthex, if you stop by.

Outreach & Growth Conversation - tonight
Anyone who interested in the growth and outreach of our congregation can meet this evening at 6:15pm at Nelson’s Ice Cream (Snelling just N of Randolph). After the meeting, several of us plan to deliver summer worship flyers to the church neighborhood.

Final Thoughts: God Keeps God’s Promises
In Genesis 21, Hagar and Ishmael get sent into the wilderness to die. The reason for this tragedy is because of Sarah’s jealousy and spite. God uses that jealousy and spite, because nothing can stop God’s promises. In the story, Abraham is upset and afraid. God uses Abraham’s upset-ness and fear because nothing can stop God’s promises. Hagar and Ishmael go into the wilderness and run out of water. They are desperate and dying and torn apart by grief. What happens to them? By now you should know. Or come on Sunday to find out!

May the water of God’s love rain down on your dry and hurting places. Pastor Phil