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September 2026
Monthly Message Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA
Routine is a Spiritual Practice
We distributed our August Messenger publication one day after the fires started in Spokane. I finished my article earlier in the week, sent it off to Fred, and then quicklyforgot about it over the weekend with everything going on. And because we were still very much at the beginning of this disaster, I was somewhat surprised to find Fred in the church office putting the finishing touches on our monthly newsletter that Sunday morning. And yet, not surprised.
The life of the church continues, even when unexpected events shake our foundations, and that day our routines grounded us to God and to one another. Our routines, likesitting in our normal spot in the sanctuary and reading the Messenger reminded us that we were not alone.
Routines provide us with familiar touchpoints when the rug is pulled out from under us, and sometimes the simple act of doing laundry or making breakfast can give us a sense of normalcy and purpose.
Jesus had routines. He shared meals, took time away to pray, slept (sometimes in boats that were crashing against dangerous waves!) and paused to welcome little childrenonto his lap. And Jesus’ routines were interrupted by real needs and conversations. But he always returned to the basics: food, water, sleep and prayer.
One of the routines that I am excited to welcome back into my schedule is Thursday night choir practices. I get to sing, praise God, and fellowship with some really coolpeople. The rehearsals bring my week to an end in a special way, and I find I depend on them!
I wonder…what are the routines that keep you steady? What are the regular parts of your days or week that you rely on to orient you to what matters?
Take a few minutes this week to write down your routines, and give thanks for the gift of the ordinary.
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
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emmanuel presbyterian Church - Pastor's Message
Explore Emmanuel Presbyterian Church:
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August 2026
Monthly Message Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA
Fertile Soil
You will remember the saga of my front flower bed. Years of planting, years of those same plants dying, years of trying to amend and bring health to soil and failing. Well, Ihave an update, and wouldn’t you know it, it comes with a metaphor for our lives as people of faith.
This Spring, upon the recommendation from a friend and groundskeeping expert, we took the plunge and replaced the toxic soil with new, fertile soil. The plants are thriving. Ikeep expecting to look out the window and see threats of a shriveling leaf or wilted flower. Nope. They LOVE the fertile, healthy soil. No surprise.
It makes me think about how we can put up with unhealth for so long, unwilling to take an action that will till up fresh spiritual soil upon which God can do something new in our lives. Why do we do this? Why do we insist upon asking God to change something anddo nothing about making that change in our lives? Speaking from experience, I think it is because we become comfortable with what we know, and we stick with it even if it is keeping us from something better because the unknown is risky and less safe, or so weassume.
Summer is waning and a seasonal change is a great time to take stock of our hearts and habits. Is there a soil change that needs to happen in your life? What will make your soil more robust and healthier?
What is God inviting you to release?
- A grudge that inhibits true freedom and joy- A habit that you know makes you feel worse rather than better
What is God inviting you to add?
- Reading or listening to Scripture more often- Taking time to pause and listen rather than act and react
This is an encouragement for all of us, including me. Let’s take this to prayer, listen for God’s voice, and have the courage to act. And then, watch for what God does!
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
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JULY 2026
Monthly Message Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
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JULY 2026
Monthly Message Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
June 2026
Monthly Message
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA
Seasonal Rhythms and Ordinary Time
I love living in Spokane because we get to experience all four seasons and the transitions that mark beginnings and ends. The buds on the trees, the warmth of theevening sun, the colorful leaves, and the frosty mornings signal for us that something different is about to occur in nature.
We need these seasons for the health of our natural environment, and we also need seasonal shifts for bodies and souls – times that invite us into something new and open up a fresh perspective, or perhaps a needed period of longing and grief.
The people of God have followed seasonal rhythms from the beginning of creation when God placed boundaries around the elements and named times for night and day. Even God took a pause after everything was set, modeling for us necessary times of slowness and rest.
From Pentecost until Advent, the church marks the long liturgical season of Ordinary Time, named for the lack of holy days on the calendar. We may miss the excitement ofChristmas and Easter, but there is something to be said for the months of regular church life.
Most of our lives are lived in ordinary ways. Routines set in place for decades that keep us moving one day at a time, responsibilities managed, and daily activities and choresprovide trusted anchors that stabilize us during the out of ordinary days.
We need ordinary time just as much as we need times of festivity and lament. Spiritually, the ordinary times show us how to walk the steady, faithful walk of discipleship, strengthening our spirits for what comes next.
Let’s look for God at work in the ordinary, and hold on to those moments for encouragement and reminders of God’s faithfulness in the coming seasons.
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
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May 2026
Monthly Message from the pastor
The Spiritual Practice of Prayer
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
A question I often hear from people (and wrestle with myself) is “how exactly do I pray without ceasing?” Given the practical demands of life in our modern world, andassuming that most of us are not living in convents or monasteries, what does it mean to make every breath a prayer?
You probably have some answers of your own to share with me, and I would love to hear them! For me, some of the ways that I incorporate prayer in my life so that itpermeates rather than punctuates it, are centering prayer, breath prayer, and integrating an activity with prayer. As with any spiritual practice, we practice, which means we pray as people relying on God’s grace to always begin again.
I love this quote from Abbot John Chapman, who says “Pray as you can, do not pray as you cannot.” By simply turning our attention toward God, in whatever way works for us, we enter begin a conversation with our Creator, and that is prayer.
Centering Prayer – Centering prayer is nothing more than focusing on a word that brings you back to God, sitting in silence and stillness as you remember that you are loved by God in your being. You do not need to do anything to earn God’s love.
Breath Prayer – Pairing a word or simple phrase from scripture with breath reminds us that our very life comes from the God who created and sustains us. And, it regulates our nervous systems – win, win!
EX: (inhale) The Lord is my light (exhale) and my salvation (Psalm 27:1)
Activity Prayer – Pray while you are enjoying a hobby like quilting, crafting, woodworking, or even getting ready for the day. I love to pray while I walk. This is a great time to pray for others, cry out to God, or spend some time in gratitude.
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
april 2026
Monthly Message from the pastor
The Spiritual Practice of celebration
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
During the season of Easter, which lasts until Pentecost, we get to revel in the joy of Jesus’ resurrection, and after months of winter darkness followed by the penitentialseason of Lent, we are ready for something new.
Jesus’ resurrection promises us new life, both in the future and every day. We live a baptismal life that dies and rises with Jesus over and over again, as we become more like him through the power of the Spirit. This is worth celebrating.
Have you ever thought of celebration as a spiritual practice? Richard Foster, in his book The Celebration of Discipline, writes:
“Celebration brings joy into life, and joy makes us strong. Scripture tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).”
We need to remember what God has done and to rejoice! It is part of our story with God, and it is a way of shining the light of Christ into the world. And, as Foster suggests,it strengthens our souls.
In this season of Resurrection, try one of these celebration practices, or one of your own, and let us know how it goes!
1. Write down or name three things you are grateful for each day and say a prayer of thanksgiving.
2. Walk outside and take three big deep breaths. God is our Creator and the giver of all good things.
3. Celebrate someone else’s good news. It is right for our souls to notice how God is working in the lives of one another.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
March 2026
Monthly Message from the pastor
The Spiritual Practice of Reading Scripture
The Spiritual Practice of Reading Scripture Many of us have been reading our Bibles for a very long time. You don’t need me to tell you how to read it, or why it is important. However, in my experience, reading scripture can become something we just do because we ‘should’, set on the back burner for long seasons out of simple forgetfulness, or avoided due to complexities in our own stories. If you are looking for a way to start reading the Bible in a fresh way this Lent, I have two practical suggestions.
1. Reading with the Lectionary I preach almost entirely from the Lectionary, a three-year cycle of scripture texts that takes the church through most of the Bible. Consider following along with the Lectionary Gospels texts for the remainder of Lent:
March 8 – John 4:5-42 March 15 – John 9:1-41 March 22 – John 11:1-45 March 29 (Palm Sunday) – Matthew 26:15-27:66
As you read, pray for the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to know. Read slowly, noticing any questions that come up for you along the way.
2. Listening to the Word Sometimes it is nice to listen to the Bible. Pray As You Go is a resource I have used for years. Each day is a 10-15 min devotional, including lectionary texts, prayers, and music.
Here is the website: prayasyougo.orgIt is also an app you can access on your smart phone.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
1. Reading with the Lectionary I preach almost entirely from the Lectionary, a three-year cycle of scripture texts that takes the church through most of the Bible. Consider following along with the Lectionary Gospels texts for the remainder of Lent:
March 8 – John 4:5-42 March 15 – John 9:1-41 March 22 – John 11:1-45 March 29 (Palm Sunday) – Matthew 26:15-27:66
As you read, pray for the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to know. Read slowly, noticing any questions that come up for you along the way.
2. Listening to the Word Sometimes it is nice to listen to the Bible. Pray As You Go is a resource I have used for years. Each day is a 10-15 min devotional, including lectionary texts, prayers, and music.
Here is the website: prayasyougo.orgIt is also an app you can access on your smart phone.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
February 2026
Monthly Message from the pastor
The Spiritual Practice of Silence – A Lenten Invitation
- Henri Nouwen, priest and author, says that “Silence teaches us to speak.” When we make time to be still, not only in our bodies but with our mouths and ears, we assume a posture of humility and listening. We may hear the Spirit speak to us in new ways, and when we do speak, our words might come from a place of greater compassion, understanding and wisdom.
- Lent is coming. On Ash Wednesday we will mark our own mortality, joining the Great Cloud of Witnesses in proclaiming our need for Jesus. Lent is a season for recognizing our lack, and some might find it helpful to set a habit aside until Easter as a way of noticing God more in their lives.
- The world is chaotic and confusing, unavoidable noise that easily pulls us away from God’s way and God’s gentle voice. Last Sunday, the morning prayer group heard Psalm 46, where the psalmist cries out “Be still and know that I am God” in the midst of turmoil and despair. We may be tempted to wait for stillness until everything is made right. God teaches us a different way: “Be still in the mess, and you will hear my voice. I will make wars cease and I will be your refuge.”
- I invite all of us to make space for silence this Lent. Begin by coming to one of the events listed below or plan some silence on your own calendar. I suggest once a day for
- 3-5 min to start. Don’t worry if your mind wanders. It will. Recall the name of Jesus and return to stillness, praying as you feel led by the Spirit.
- Be still and know that God is God. In our silence we adopt a posture of trust in this promise.
- Lenten Events at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church:
- *Ash Wednesday Service – Feb 18, 6:30 pm
- *Lenten Silent Prayer - Thursdays at noon
- With Pastor Alyssa on the chancel
- *Thursday Feb 5, Sam Geyer will lead prayer
- *Thurs Feb 12 Sam Geyer will lead Prayer
- Join as you are able!
- Jesus is with us!
- Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
january 2026
Monthly Message from the pastor
A Different Pace for the New Year
- We are still in the season of Christmas as I write this article, but even before we reach Epiphany, our inboxes and news feeds will be telling us it is time to start making our New Year’s Resolutions. There is a rush toward starting over and putting Christmas in the rearview mirror, rather than settling into the slow gift of Christmas’ 12 days. These in-between days give us time to pause and reflect, to celebrate and rest.
- God intended us to slow down and rest, seasonally, as well as regularly. As the world runs toward the next goal, I wonder what it looks like for us in the church to have a
- steadier pace to our lives? How might we “turn our eyes upon Jesus” as the old hymn says?
- Is there something you like to do, or are drawn to do, in your life that grounds you in the love of Christ? Reading the Bible and prayer are typical answers, and I will always
- encourage those as your pastor! And, God has given us unique gifts and desires and ways of experiencing God’s nearness. Could one of these regular practices invite you
- into God’s presence?
- *Working in the garden
- *Quilting
- *Walking
- *Reading
- *Silence
- *Community
- *Creating
- *Singing
- Take some time as the New Year begins to make your own list. Maybe, instead of a big resolution, you find a small practice that already brings you joy and reminds you of how God has made you and longs to be with you.
- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
- Jesus is with us!
- Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
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December 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
in the bleak midwinter...
- We sometimes wonder what to do if the weather becomes too cold, the lights go out in the church, or the ice on the roads prevents our cars from travelling safely. As a reminder to our community during these winter months, please review our policy for opening or not opening the church during inclement weather and other events.
- *Each congregant has been assigned to a Shepherd (3 persons who each have a group of congregants they are responsible for)
- *We all assume the church is open every Sunday morning, unless we hear from our Shepherd
- *We are all free to come to church, as long as we feel safe to do so – ex. If the snow/ice is too bad at your house to go out – don’t go – don’t worry about the church being open or not – just be safe.
- *Pastor (Alyssa) and Chair of the Mind committee (Lorelee) will, when possible, make their way to the church and determine if the immediate neighborhood is too difficult to access.
- *When the Pastor or Mind committee chair cannot get to church they will rely upon the local members (Fred and Lance) to let them know how bad the conditions are in the neighborhood.
- *If it is not safe or reasonable (power out etc.) for worship to happen the Pastor will call the Shepherds who will call their flock to let them know. We want these calls to be made at or about 9 am on the impacted Sunday morning.
- Jesus is with us!
- Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
November 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
Giving thanks for the church
- On October 26 we received six new members at Emmanuel! We baptized one, renewed the baptisms of others, remembered our own baptisms, and welcomed our new members into this community.
- These celebrations provide us an opportunity to rejoice in the work God is doing in our local congregation, and to recognize that we belong to the big “C” Church, of which
- Jesus is the head. This Church is filled with too many denominations and traditions to count, which can lead to disagreements and frustration, but also represents the great diversity that exists amongst the people of God.
- I love Emmanuel and the way God is on the move in our people and building, and I love the Church, Christ’s Body in the world. I love it because it is beautiful and messy, just
- like us here at Emmanuel, and its many branches affords more people the opportunity to meet Jesus.
- I am proud to be Presbyterian, but before I am Presbyterian, I am a follower of Jesus. Before I am a pastor, I am a follower of Jesus. Following Jesus is what unites us as Christians.
- We get to give thanks for our local church and honor that Jesus is up to something in other congregations as well. Both can be true! This month, when Thanksgiving is on our minds and hearts, perhaps we take some time to give thanks for one another in this church as well as for our siblings in different streams of the Church.
- Jesus is with us!
- Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
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october 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
busy & blessed
- “And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” – Isaiah 30:21
- As I write this article, I can hear children’s voices on the playground from the preschool, the Quilters are meeting downstairs, Foundation Church staff are having their weekly meeting in the Fellowship Hall, and the Main Office is bustling with activity. I love it!
- You may notice that our building seems busier during the week, and that things are getting moved around – and you would be right! Perhaps you have contributed to the Stage and Upper Room clean-ups or the general shifting of items to make space for Foundation Church as well as future users of our wonderful spaces in this precious building that we get to steward. Thank you to all who are working tirelessly to make these spaces available and ready for regular use.
- This month, Foundation Church will begin meeting for worship on Sunday mornings in the Fellowship Hall. Much planning has gone into making sure this new arrangement goes smoothly. And we all know that as much as we plan and discuss, there will still be
- matters that require adjustment along the way, and I am confident that we can meet them with grace and hospitality.
- We are indeed a busy congregation, but busy in all the right ways. People are gathering for meaningful activities, enjoying great spaces, and the Kingdom work of God is
- happening on the corner of Chelan and Cannon. What a joy and privilege to be blessed in such diverse ways.
- May Jesus be honored in all we do.
- Jesus is with us!
- Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
september 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
Walking with God and Doing New Things!
- “And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” – Isaiah 30:21
- So much is happening at Emmanuel right now! In service and connection to the community, we faithfully maintain our mission giving to Our Place and Audubon. Longtime groups like the ON Bible Study, Men’s Breakfast, Quilters, Choir, Committee Meetings continue to meet and bring opportunities for fellowship in Christ, and our tenant relationship with The Co-Op reminds us that we have always been a church willing to share space.
- In addition to all of this, we are also embarking on:
- Commencing Ezra 3 Grant work with our Fellowship Hall and Stage update
- Small Group Bible Study on Thursday at 11 a.m. (a year or so in, but let’s count it as ‘new’!)
- Dwellers Bible Study on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.
- Renting to Foundation Church
- Reaching our Boiler Goal and watching the installation process!
Each of these items are a result of listening for the voice of God, whether it was your Session discerning a next right step or someone in the congregation answering a nudge from the Holy Spirit. As we move into the Fall, keep up your faithful listening! The Holy Spirit is among us, leading us and helping us in all things.
When I read this verse from Isaiah, I am reminded that God loves to instruct us and will tell us what to do at each juncture. So, if we are wondering what to do about the door by the front office, or when to say yes to a potential renter, we get to ask God for wisdom, and God will show us the way.
I am continually grateful for your listening hearts, faithful prayers, and willingness to ‘do’ when the Spirit says ‘go.’ Let’s keep walking in God’s way at Emmanuel.
Jesus is with us!Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
august 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
Finding Your Center in Christ: A Spiritual Practice
Come, occupy my silent place and make Thy dwelling there. More grace is wrought in quietness than any is aware.” – John Oxenham
Studies show that when we pause for even just seven seconds, we reset our nervous systems and feel more grounded in our body. Jesus has been teaching us this all along. We see him get away to pray when chaos and anxiety swirl around him.
Jesus knew the importance of what many call Centering Prayer, a way of sitting with God to rediscover a who we are in Christ so that we may live as Spirit-ed people, operating from a center of peace rather than reactivity.
Take 10 – 20 min this week to try the following prayer practice, remembering once again that your center is in Christ.
1. Write down every concern or thought that is keeping your mind busy. Set that list to the side, trusting God with all that worries you.
2. Find a place to sit or walk quietly, without distraction. If you are sitting, feel your feet on the floor. If you are walking, notice the weight of your feet as you take each step. Begin to breathe deeply and remember that God is your Creator who loves you. If a thought comes to mind, acknowledge it and let it be.
3. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Be still for a while and enjoy not being in charge of what happens next. Christ holds all things together, even you.Rest in this centering prayer as long as you need.
4. Take another deep breath, thank God for this space, and continue on in your day. Thank you all for your ongoing support of the ministry at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Jesus is with us! Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
2. Find a place to sit or walk quietly, without distraction. If you are sitting, feel your feet on the floor. If you are walking, notice the weight of your feet as you take each step. Begin to breathe deeply and remember that God is your Creator who loves you. If a thought comes to mind, acknowledge it and let it be.
3. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Be still for a while and enjoy not being in charge of what happens next. Christ holds all things together, even you.Rest in this centering prayer as long as you need.
4. Take another deep breath, thank God for this space, and continue on in your day. Thank you all for your ongoing support of the ministry at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Jesus is with us! Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
July 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
An Ezra 3 Update
We have passed the one-year mark of Emmanuel’s participation in the Ezra 3 Project with our Presbytery. It’s been a year of exploration, discernment, listening, trial and error as we seek to understand the best way to equip our building to partner with our community in historic and new ways.
Last month, the Design Team combined with our Transition Team to continue our work, and we began meeting with our assigned Ezra Coach, Ben Robinson. Ben is helping us to define the project we want to focus on with our grant money, as well as highlighteddetails we need to keep in view as we move forward.
The team will soon complete our grant application, having discerned that making some updates, but not major building renovations at this time, to our Fellowship Hall space will best support the partnership and enjoyment of our community, including our longtimeanchor tenant, the Northwest Parent Preschool Co-Op. We are gathering bids and ideas. Please share your thoughts with us!
Friends, in all of this one thing remains true: Emmanuel is a church, first and foremost about bringing glory to Jesus Christ as a place of worship and service to our community.We will not lose sight of that, and we look forward to sharing our beautiful building with more groups in the future.
Thank you all for your ongoing support of the ministry at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
The Spirit is at work!
Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
June 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
Connected & Creative: The Presbytery Visits Emmanuel
On May 1, we opened our doors to 90 guests from our Presbytery and the National Office of the PC (USA) for our quarterly Summit meeting. Emmanuel was chosen tohost because of our involvement with the Ezra 3 Project, a highlight of the day as speakers shared about how God invites us to steward our buildings for God’s kingdomwork.
We worshipped, heard engaging presentations, enjoyed catching up with one another, and did the business of the Presbytery. Della Stevens served as our commissioner,which she has done for many years. So many people commented on the beauty and hospitality of our building as well as our people. I’m grateful to Pam Rossing, Florence Young, Paula McClure, Leola Huffman, Fred Cousins, Lorelee Bauer and Jill Walters for making the day go smoothly!
As we packed our spaces to maximum capacity, joy and energy filled the rooms. We connected with one another over worship, stories, challenges and hope. We alsocelebrated the creative work of the Holy Spirit among our churches, Emmanuel being a prime example.
God is relational and creative. We see this throughout Scripture, and it is our privilege to join God in this holy way of being in the world. As Jesus followers at Emmanuel, we are doing this and should be very encouraged!
Thank you all for your ongoing support of the ministry at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
The Spirit is at work!
Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
May 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
Ezra 3 Update & The Boiler Capital Campaign
For a small church, we have a lot going on! I want to first update you on our Ezra 3 Project. On Tuesday, April 22, the Design Team met with the other churches for our finalin-person gathering in Spirit Lake, ID. We shared with one another about our progress and identified concrete next steps. At Emmanuel, we know that we want to make ourFellowship Hall and Stage available for community use. This will involve some updates! To receive grant money, we need to form some solid partnerships within our community, some of which are already in process, like our long-time relationship with the Co-Op. Please be in prayer as we continue to do this work, and if you have a partner idea, let us know!
Second, we are kicking off our Boiler Capital Campaign on Sunday May 11! You may donate by check, or by following the QR Code on this page to give online. We are alsoasking that you help us gather addresses for friends or alumni of Emmanuel who would appreciate hearing about our campaign. Please provide names and addresses to Lorelee Bauer or directly to the Office before May 11.
Thank you all for your ongoing support of the ministry at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
The Spirit is at work!
Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
Scan the QR Code above with your phone camera to donate online to our Capital Campaign for the new boiler!
april 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
Spring Has Sprung and We Need a Boiler!
We worship a God who brings new life! As we see signs of Spring in our yards and the church courtyard, Jesus’ resurrection feels tangible, and we look forward to celebrating together on Easter morning.
We also worship a God who cares about our souls as well as the brick-and-mortar parts of our lives, like our beloved Emmanuel building. As many of you know, our boiler needs a resurrection in the form of a brand-new model which will cost us a total of $75,000. Through the generosity of church members and the gift we received from our Westminster friends in January, we already have $45,000!
In the coming weeks, you will receive information about our Boiler Capital Campaign. We invite you to prayerfully give and to consider others in our larger community whowould appreciate hearing about our mission and current need. If you have someone to add to our mailing list, please reach out to the church office with a name and address.
Friends, I am so grateful for this church. You continue to face challenges with creativity, generosity and energy. Let’s keep trusting in our Resurrection God together!
Jesus is with us!
Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
March 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
- Lenten Postures
This week the church begins the Season of Lent, the six weeks leading up t the great celebration of Easter morning. On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes, reminding us of our mortality and deep need for Jesus Christ. This is a time for practicing our faith in a particular way. Some might choose to pause a habit for this time, while others might add a spiritual practice to their daily or weekly rhythms. Many do neither, but for all of us, we can adopt certain postures for this season. Would you join me in these three intentional practices?
Prayer - Spend time with Jesus in prayer. Listen to his voice and the leading of his spirit. What is God showing you during these weeks? Silence is prayer, too. Sit or take a walk around your neighborhood and simply be with God.
Penitence - Confess your sins and receive freedom from the grace of Jesus. This isn't about walking around feeling guilty all the time, but it is important for us to name our limitations and mistakes. Awareness of our deep need draws us to Christ.
Petition - Cry out to God with your needs, intercede for the needs of others and the world. Lament is a faithful part of our spiritual life, seeking help from the God of justice and compassion.
"Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning...Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful..."
-Joel 2:12, 13
Jesus is with us!
Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
fEBRUARY 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
- Daily Trust & Long Term Plans
This is my article from January, the one I neglected to get into last month’s Messenger. The reflection remains true, even as we approach February.
I have a problem with buying too many planners. I love to make lists and see tasks ticked off one by one, and somehow, I think that if I just have a better or more beautiful planner then those lists will get accomplished more efficiently. Probably not true, but I will still buy a planner if it looks lovely to me, because why not? In January, many set goals and made lists, hopeful that a new year will bring new opportunities, and new motivation to engage in those opportunities. Long-range planning is good, but so is daily faithfulness, which seems so often to be scripture’s invitation to us as Christians. We pray every Sunday, “Give us this day our daily bread.” In doing so, we trust that Jesus will provide what we need each day. Notice that Jesus doesn’t stockpile bread on the shelf for us to grab at whim. We must look to him and ask for regular nourishment. An invitation for me, and perhaps for you too, is to ask Jesus to order my daily steps. The big planning tasks will still happen, for me and for us as a congregation, but our faithfulness in daily seeking the leading of the Spirit will build a foundation for the larger jobs God asks us to complete. Let’s trust Jesus together in 2025. He is and will be good! Jesus is with us! Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
I have a problem with buying too many planners. I love to make lists and see tasks ticked off one by one, and somehow, I think that if I just have a better or more beautiful planner then those lists will get accomplished more efficiently. Probably not true, but I will still buy a planner if it looks lovely to me, because why not? In January, many set goals and made lists, hopeful that a new year will bring new opportunities, and new motivation to engage in those opportunities. Long-range planning is good, but so is daily faithfulness, which seems so often to be scripture’s invitation to us as Christians. We pray every Sunday, “Give us this day our daily bread.” In doing so, we trust that Jesus will provide what we need each day. Notice that Jesus doesn’t stockpile bread on the shelf for us to grab at whim. We must look to him and ask for regular nourishment. An invitation for me, and perhaps for you too, is to ask Jesus to order my daily steps. The big planning tasks will still happen, for me and for us as a congregation, but our faithfulness in daily seeking the leading of the Spirit will build a foundation for the larger jobs God asks us to complete. Let’s trust Jesus together in 2025. He is and will be good! Jesus is with us! Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
January 2025
Monthly Message from the pastor
- Thoughts for a New Year
As I write this article on Thursday morning, December 21, Advent is soaring by and next to me is a posit-it note with all of my tasks: • Christmas Eve (morning and evening) services• New Year’s Eve morning service• Pastoral care phone calls • And this Messenger Article. December is a busy month for churches, and sometimes that can feel overwhelming, but today I give thanks because the flutter of activity means that something is happening here at Emmanuel. The Spirit is at work in our midst.One of the exciting ways God is on the move right now is with the provision of Christ Our King Church renting space from us and making use of this beautiful building that God lets us steward. We welcome this faith community into our space and pray for and with them as they settle in and find their rhythms here. Let us keep looking for ways to show hospitality to our siblings in Christ as Christ our King. The New Year is upon us, and I’m excited to see what God will do in our community.
Jesus is with us,
Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
December 2024
Monthly Message from the pastor
- Ezra 3 Updates and an Advent Blessing
Thanks for participating in the Mission Possible game on Nov 10! We had such a fun time getting creative about how to meet the growing needs of the aging population. The Design Team noticed how much energy you all have around this idea, probably because it hits so close to home for our community, and we have been dreaming about the possibility of a resource center for seniors operating out of our facility. This could be in addition to making our fellowship hall and stage available to dance, theatre or community forum groups. However, we are taking this next month to research what such a resource center would require and with whom we could partner to make it happen.
You will hear more about this from Lorelee Bauer on December 22 in a Sunday morning announcement, and we plan to have a congregational conversation after church during committee meetings on January 12. We are eager to hear your input and feedback!
I look forward to gathering on Sundays this month as we mark the Advent season, a time of waiting, longing and hoping. In each new season, we have fresh opportunities to watch for the Holy Spirit at work in our midst. Be watching to see what you notice!
Jesus is with us,
Rev. Dr. Alyssa Bell
November 2024
Monthly Message from the pastor
- Ezra 3 Update: Connection, Ideas and Next Steps
On Tuesday, Oct 22, the Emmanuel Design Team met with the other church cohorts (Lidgerwood, Spirit Lake, Korean Presbyterian and Reardon). We began at the Korean Presbyterian Church and moved in the afternoon to Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church. We toured these two church buildings, hearing stories of history and God’s faithfulness, and shared about what the Spirit is bringing up for us as we start to seriously consider an idea to propose for the grant. These connections are so lifegiving, especially as we notice similar themes, hopes and struggles in our small (but mighty) congregations.
Stage & Fellowship Hall IdeaWe have identified the Stage and Fellowship Hall as spaces to explore with our grant money. Could we clean up and update the stage to provide a practice space for a dance or theatre group? Might the Fellowship Hall offer community space for forums, meetings or conferences? I’m sure you have more ideas to add, and we welcome your thoughts! So, what happens next?Next Steps1. Read the Partners for Sacred Places report (copies in the Fellowship Hall) to see how community members see our property and its potential. 2. Come to Mission Possible after church on Nov 10, a game that helps us imagine possibilities and gets our creative juices flowing. 3. Pray! The Spirit is among us and is eager to guide our community in this process.
Stage & Fellowship Hall IdeaWe have identified the Stage and Fellowship Hall as spaces to explore with our grant money. Could we clean up and update the stage to provide a practice space for a dance or theatre group? Might the Fellowship Hall offer community space for forums, meetings or conferences? I’m sure you have more ideas to add, and we welcome your thoughts! So, what happens next?Next Steps1. Read the Partners for Sacred Places report (copies in the Fellowship Hall) to see how community members see our property and its potential. 2. Come to Mission Possible after church on Nov 10, a game that helps us imagine possibilities and gets our creative juices flowing. 3. Pray! The Spirit is among us and is eager to guide our community in this process.
october 2024
Monthly Message from the pastor
- Ezra 3 Update:
- What is OUR faithfulness in this neighborhood?
- Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes says that “Healthy boundaries allow us to meet our own needs while being in relationship with other people” (Sacred Self-Care, 90). This is also true for organizations and institutions, like the
- local church. Part of our Ezra 3 discernment process is identifying who we are and who we are not.
- Emmanuel is a community that cares deeply about and for its beautiful building, values traditional and authentic worship, and has a long-standing reputation for serving the community in creative, dependable ways.
- Emmanuel is not a church with limitless resources, nor is it a community that can meet all the needs that surround our property. These boundaries are important for us to name as we consider how to walk in OUR faithfulness and not in someone else’s.
- This month, Dana Dabek from Partners for Sacred Places toured our building and hosted a conversation with a handful of neighborhood leaders about the needs in our community and the unique ways in which our space
- could meet some of those needs (with proper boundaries in mind). We wondered together about a community gathering space for local businesses or theatre groups.
- What ideas do you have?
- What is Emmanuel’s faithfulness in this neighborhood?
- Write your ideas down on the “Ezra 3 Parking Lot” poster in the Fellowship Hall.
September 2024
Monthly Message from the pastor
- My Messenger articles for the next several months will be updates on what our Design Team is discovering from the Ezra 3 Project. Please reach out if you have questions! We want to keep everyone in the loop as we move forward. Through our I-Spy and Storytelling events, along with interviews with longtime neighborhood leaders and residents, we have discovered shared observations and experiences. People value outreach and long for effective ways to improve the loves and business of people in this community. Emmanuel is seen as an essential, long-standing presence in this "mini-city" neighborhood that shares boundaries with West Central, Audubon and Emerson Garfield. Community members desire to increase connection with other churches as well as with businesses. While we are still in process, two categories came up often in our conversations. I've listed them below with the reasons why we are excited about exploring them further.
- 1. Outreach to small businesses/organizations
- • Safer neighborhood
- • Improved quality of life
- • Presence & Storytelling
- 2. Building Use - Shared Space
- • We are already doing this, and it is bearing fruit
- • Extra revenue
- • Relationships
- • Affirms the history and work of those who have gone before (as shared in our storytelling event). we are here because of what they have done. It is our responsibility to continue the mission of EPC.
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August 2024
Monthly Message from the pastor
- We all have decisions to make, some simple and others layered with complexity and confusion. As Christians, we do not discern next steps in a vacuum. We have the
- presence of the Holy Spirit as well as our siblings in Christ to help light the way before us.
- The prophet Jeremiah spoke these words from God to the Israelites during a time of
- distress, words that apply to us as well:
- “Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient
- paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it and find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah
- 6:16).
- When facing a hard choice, look and ask for the good way. Pay attention to where Jesus’ goodness is leading, pray for the Spirit to show you the way, read the scriptures,
- and ask for wisdom from trusted Christian friends.
- Then, walk in the good way. Make a move in the direction that God revealed, trusting in the Spirit’s power and guidance to sustain you.
- Faithful discernment will lead you to peace, so now you can find rest. With the decision
- made, settle into the place God prepared.
July 2024
Monthly Message from the pastor
- We have occupied the corner of Chelan and Cannon for 115 years. I wonder what the neighborhood was like back in 1909. While we only have bits and pieces of historical record to give us clues about what life was like around here when the charter members of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church broke ground over a century ago, we can learn a lot about what is outside our doors today by simply walking around and observing our community.
- As Part of the Ezra 3 Cohort journey, we are invited to do just that! The Design Team invites you to join us as we take a stroll around our streets, noticing and engaging in some conversation with our neighbors. We plan to gather before church on Sunday, July 21st at 9:30 a.m. We will then walk around in smaller groups, take some notes, and come back together to share what we have discovered. I will host one group that remains at the church building, for those who prefer not to walk.
- As it so happens, July 21st is also our Annual Sundae Sunday! So...replenish your energy from the neighborhood walk with delicious ice cream!
June 2024
Monthly Message from the pastor
- Creation Stations Youth Fair
- Despite the Fall-like weather this past week, summer is approaching! We all remember what it was like as a kid to look forward to long days in the
- sun without the responsibility of school. And…kids need activities to fill these long days.
- This year, we are offering an event on June 27 from 4-7 pm, where kids (with an accompanying adult) can participate in a variety of activities like
- crafts, games and planting at booths hosted by local organizations that we love and trust.
- What can you do to help?
- We will need volunteers to help set up and take down tables and chairs, help with food, and be present to welcome neighbor friends. Watch for sign-ups soon.
- In the coming weeks, you will receive a flyer that you are invited to distribute to kids and parents that you know would LOVE to come join in the fun!
- PRAY! God is on the move in our church and surrounding neighborhood. You can participate by praying for the Spirit to lead us well and for kids to experience Jesus’ wide-open love for them.