A little over a year ago I received a call from one of the elders at Emmanuel Bible Church in Seattle. The story at that time was pretty bleak. The church had run out of money in June and the doors had closed in July 2010. The pastoral staff was laid off and a small group of people continued to gather each Sunday morning, circling chairs in the Fellowship Hall to pray that God would bring about a new day at Emmanuel.

Fast-forward to this week. Our church is now filled with new faces on a daily basis. We have a ministry team of volunteers and interns who are working hard to plan and put in place a new array of community-serving and disciple-making opportunities. In our building the Kapka Cooperative School teaches neighborhood children, Mosaic Community Church plans worship services for their growing young faith community that worships each week at Queen Anne Community Center and Community Dinners leader team is planning to host groups from across the nation for training to replicate their unique model of providing the Eucharist to neighbors one night each week.

We are also hosting the local Montessori school in our gym, Seattle Academy is holding basketball practices onsite and two new groups inquired just this week about the possibility of using space in our building. In the days ahead we will also host a Seattle Public Utilities community meeting to discuss a water project on Phinney Ridge. We are increasingly learning to know our neighbors and our community.

Plans are being laid for telling the Jesus Story each Sunday morning as we gather to worship. We are committed to an ancient-future liturgy with young-at-heart music for people of all ages. I am grateful that God has provided the people, partnerships and financial resources to turn things around. I will be moving into the parsonage on 50th & Dayton in a few weeks. Karen and I are thrilled to be part of this Emmanuel story.
If these notes make you a little curious – drop us a line and we will make plans to grab a cup of coffee, give you a tour or our building as we describe our dreams for serving and shaping our community with the generosity of Yahweh…

randy phillips | teaching pastor