Greetings from Pastor Rob 8-28-26

Hey there, Saints.

I went to yet another meeting this week about the Spokane Area Church’s response to our recent fires… and it was worth it. I got an update on the progress they’ve made in just a couple weeks of being on the ground: a website up and running (uicgs.org), a local board overseeing efforts, a disaster assistance center set up, a list secured of all the homes that burned to be checked against IDs of people coming for help, people assigned a person to shepherd them thru the lengthy process plus Bibles handed out and prayer offered. A 501C3 is on the way. People are being trained to help with crisis intervention, shepherding or simply to man a call center. The statement of faith of United in Crisis is very similar to Samaritan’s Purse… and these two work together when in the same location. I’m pretty impressed with this outfit. I think it’s essential to have this up and running, particularly for the future. Many of you will remember the fires in October of 1991. In 2008, there was the Valley View fire. In 2016, the Beacon Hill, etc, fire. In 2023, the Oregon and Gray fires. Just this past June, the Upriver fire and now the Spokane Complex fire. Hundreds of homes have been lost. Preparing for fire disaster relief here is like prepping for hurricanes in Florida: you don’t want them to come, but you’d better be ready. Plus, I found out that if a big earthquake hits the west side, the staging area for relief is Fairchild AFB and Spokane. This is an opportunity to reach out in the name of Jesus. Pray about how you might be involved: as a shepherd, helping just one family; or as one fielding calls, or providing crisis intervention (cleaning up, helping offering support and prayer). Pray God has his way with this!

BTW, Donny P is our new lead for the sound booth. We know some have been frustrated with sound issues. We’re working on it! Let us know if you can’t hear adequately (there are new devices available) OR if you’re hearing too much. 

What’s Goin’ On…

*If you have any written and signed nominations for deacon or elder, they’re due in 2 weeks on September 13. 

*September 13, KidZone’s new video-aided curriculum launches! Wanna be a part? See Jayne K.

*Wednesday, Sept 16, the Women’s Bible Study on Revelation at church commences, 9:30 to 11:30am.

*Saturday, September 26, we’ll have a Discovery Class, the first step toward possible membership, OR just to find out what we believe and how we operate. 10am to noon in the fellowship hall.

*Home groups should be cranking up in September and October. More info coming soon. 

*October 24 is the fall Craft Fair. If you’d like to be a vendor, pick up an application form on the racks in the foyer.

This Sunday…

We’ll have all the usual suspects: worship, prayer and a message from the last half of 1 Corinthians 12. Paul uses the word ‘body’ 17 or 18 times in that section. It’s primarily about how the church is like our own flesh and blood bodies. So true! Come on down.

See you Sunday?

Pastor Rob

p.s. Musings, men’s edition: “It’s not a dad bod, it’s a father figure."