Serving Through the Food Bank

When Jesus saw hungry people, he fed them. That's what we want to do, too.

Both the Whitestone and Ellisforde congregations have supported the Tonasket Food Bank for many years, both by donations of food and money, and by helping to staff the food bank during designated months of the year. In July you'll find folks from Whitestone there distributing the various food items. In August and October it will be folks from Ellisforde behind the counter.

These are some of the people from Ellisforde who helped this month.

 Pat Pyper and Connie Verbeck

Leona Longanecker

Debbie Roberts

Rob Thompson

We're glad that in this simple way we can make the works of Jesus come alive by continuing to do that work.

Newsline, August 22, 2012

Follow this link to the Church of the Brethren Newsline for August 22nd. Newsline comes out every two weeks with news of the denomination. Go to http://www.brethren.org/Newsline to sign up to receive this service by email.

The Alleluia Benediction

These are the folks gathered for worship last Sunday at Ellisforde...

And at Whitestone.

Both congregations close worship with a Fellowship Circle while we sing the Alleluia Benediction:

Go in peace now, God is with you.

And Christ Jesus, through the Spirit

Will enfold you and uphold you,

And provide you with God's blessings.

Alleluia, alleluia,

Alleluia, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia,

Alleluia...

And on the last Alleluia we raise our hands.

We invite you to come and join us!

Lost Lake Worship and Baptism, July 29, 2012

Almost 40 persons from both congregations were at Lost Lake on July 29. The day was beautiful, and the lakeside setting reminded us of the kinds of places Jesus taught the crowds that gathered around him. In fact, Jesus "gave the sermon" that morning, as we read portions of the Sermon on the Mount.

We sang and worshiped and shared. We even gave our offerings. John Verbeck had brought two smallish plates for the collection, and when Ernie Bolz, who was wearing a big hat, saw them he said, "Here! Use my hat!" It turned out to be one of the better offerings we've received recently. Maybe that's because it was easy to feel grateful to a God who created and sustains the beautiful world that surrounded us.

Photos by Ernie Bolz

It was a special morning for another reason, too. We baptized Israel Gomez, Noelia Gomez, and Amaan Curnal. Here they are taking their baptismal vows before we all headed down to the lakeshore.

What a joy it was to welcome them into the Body of Christ and our shared journey as disciples of Jesus!

Afterward there was good food, and time for relaxed conversation in the shade of the big pines, or venturing out into the lake. We hope you can join us next year!

Photos by Jim Yaussy Albright