Sunday worship guide
We belong in community, so let’s connect!
Let us know you were here, any prayer support you could use, or what you would like to know more about as you consider exploring the gospel or connecting with our faith community.
Welcome to today’s worship gathering
Whether you’re just beginning to explore the claims of Jesus or are seasoned in your faith, we are glad you are here! We believe that Jesus makes a difference in all of life and that we are able to best experience that in community. As you’ll see today, we worship God through a variety of ways including studying the Bible, praying, singing, & more. We like to weave in and out of traditions like liturgical reading as well as contemporary and dynamic expressions of worship–all of which are meant to help us recall, reflect upon and respond to the good news of Jesus found throughout the story of redemption in Scripture.
Sermon Notes
“A Story For Us“
Luke 1:1-4 | 24 october 2021
Edmonds and Wallingford: Andrew Arthur, Lead Pastor
West Seattle: Mark Smith, West Seattle Expression Pastor
The Gospel of Luke is written to a “Theophilus” who was evidently insecure in his faith. He needed to be reassured that the story of Jesus that he heard was true and still powerful enough to bear the weight of his life. Although Luke dedicated this written story of Jesus to Theophilus, we’ll quickly see that it is a story for all of us– for we all struggle with various insecurities that can only be resolved as we repeatedly find ourselves in the story of Jesus. His story reassures us and renews our faith for our journey ahead.
SERMON OUTLINE
The story of Jesus is reasonable to believe.
-It contains an objective, historical dimension.
-It contains a subjective, personal dimension.
The story of Jesus reassures the insecure.
-To the morally insecure, Jesus says, “I forgive you.”
-To the socially insecure, Jesus says, “I accept you.”
-To the physically insecure, Jesus says, “I help you.”
-To the emotionally insecure, Jesus says, “I love you.”
The story of Jesus renews faith for the journey.
-Let’s be shaped by this story.
-Let’s be servants of this story.
Upcoming Opportunities & Next Steps
fill out a digital connect card
Want prayer support? Have questions about what you heard today in the sermon or call to action opportunities? Want to take the next steps in your faith or make The Hallows Church your home? Maybe you would you like to take it one step beyond Sunday by joining our Saturday e-newsletter filled with discipleship opportunities and resources (including a sneak peek at the sermon with primer questions to consider).
For any of these, please fill out a Digital Connect Card, and we will get back to you ASAP.
FALL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
This Friday, October 29, 2021 | 6-9 p.m. | Hosted at Wallingford Expression
Fellowship Friday: Costume Edition
Ages: 10-15 years (middle/high school)
Part of our vision is to help the youth in The Hallows feel more connected to one another and church mentors so they can go out during the week in their schools and neighborhoods with a strong foundation in Christ, better understanding and application of the Bible and gospel-centered friendships. So, plan for a Friday youth fellowship once every month or two starting this month with a costume party! Enjoy drinks, treats, appetizers, games and a costume contest. For more info or to RSVP your youth or you as an adult leader, email Jenny Kuester.
COAT DRIVE
Seattle is one of the main cities that Afghan refugees are resettling in and there is a great need for winter coats of ALL sizes (babies, kids and adult women and men). We can extend God’s loving hospitality by providing warmth for the sojourner among us! If you are able to provide GOOD-condition used or new coats of any size, please bring them to our Sunday Worship Gathering on 10/17 or 10/24 or contact Kim Arthur. If you are able to help collect and drive coats to the collection drop-off in Lynnwood, please also let Kim know.
MISSIONS FEST CONFERENCE
November 5-6 | Westgate Chapel in Edmonds
Missions Fest Seattle is a chance to learn more about what God is doing globally to build his Church and the ways in which we can participate in what He is doing with a variety of seminars and exhibitors, a Friday afternoon pastors’ workshop and a Friday Field Trip for private school students and homeschoolers, grades 4 – 12. Click here for more info.
connect with other men and women
Opportuntities to study the Bible and build friendships outside of Sunday:
Edmonds Women Book Study | Every other Tuesday | Reading Gentle and Lowly together (Free Book!) | Email womensmin@hallowschurch.org for more info.
West Seattle Women’s Philippians Bible Study | Once a month, Sunday 9-10 a.m., starting October 31!
Aspire West Seattle Men’s | Saturday, October 30, 8:00-9:30 a.m., in person in West Seattle. Topic: How to study the Bible.
Edmonds Men’s Thursday Hangouts | Every other week share a table and conversation with other men from the Hallows Edmonds Expression at a local establishment. For details, contact Pastor Jeff.
For more info or to register, go to our Calendar page.
MORNING PRAYER
November 6 | 8-9 a.m. | Wallingford Expression
Starting November 6th, we will have a member-led opportunity for intentional prayer for Seattle, the church, and each other the first Saturday of every month. Please reach out to Audrey Urbis or Emily Schutsky with any questions.
NEXT WEEK: Worship at all three expressions or via youtube!
Next week, you’re invited to worship in person at any of our Hallows Expressions! Edmonds at 9 a.m., Wallingford at 10:30 a.m. or West Seattle at 10:30 a.m. You may also join in via our livestream on YouTube if you are unable to be present.
Important Reminder: Per Washington’s mask mandate, we will be requiring mask-wearing at ALL Hallows Church indoor worship gatherings for those 5-years-old+. As always, please also be mindful if you’ve had a recent Covid exposure or are exhibiting any sickness. If so, please still worship with us but via YouTube for this Sunday.
Worship through Giving
Thank you for giving of your time, talents and treasures to support the ministry efforts of and through your Hallows community. If you would like to give financially, you can go to our Giving page.
More about Communion
Today you’ll have the opportunity to take communion during the gathering.
Communion is also known as the Lord’s Supper and is a symbolic act of worshipful obedience whereby followers of Christ eat bread and drink juice in rememberance of what Jesus did for us, how He did it and why it was necessary (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
If you have yet to put your trust in Jesus, you are encouraged to refrain from eating the bread and drinking the juice. You are encouraged, however, to use this time to pray or meditate upon what you have heard and seen today. May you earnestly approach God with your questions, struggles, doubt, sin and even consider asking Him to teach you who He is.
If you are beginning to believe in your need for salvation and want to put your trust in Jesus for your rescue and reconcilation with God, tell Him! Acknowledge that you are more weak and sinful than you previously believed but through Jesus you believe you are loved and accepted because He pays the debt, bears the punishment and offers forgiveness and new life to any who would repent and believe in Him–including you!
If this is a prayer you are earnestly praying today, share it with someone (like a Christian friend or a Hallows pastor) so that you can grow in your faith in community!