Religious Non-Profit Organization 501(c)3November 2014

MINISTRIES NORTHWEST

425-361-7953www.renewalminnw.org

NEWSLETTERENEWALR

9 AM - Noon2nd Saturday of Every MonthWill resume January 10, 2015

Please join us for our Advent Prayer RetreatSaturday, December 13, 20149 AM to 12:30 PMPeace & Spirituality Center, Bellevue, WACost: $50 - Includes Snacks & MaterialsFacilitators: Rev. Denise Easter & Rev. Dianna Kunce

“Follow Me!” by Nancy AndersonUPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

FOR PRAYER

Second SaturdayPrayer

I was tired of waiting. I was sure that I was called by God to the ministry but a number of churches out there hadn’t realized that yet. The longer I waited the more stress I felt and the less peace. For several years I had known of Renewal Ministries’ Five-Month Ignatian Prayer Retreat. Each year, however, something always “prevented” me from

participating. When this retreat was publicized near the end of 2013, the Spirit moved in me and I found myself sending in a check to reserve my spot. Maybe, finally, I would experience some peace. At the start of the retreat, I struggled to accept how much the Lord wanted to give me. As I learned to receive, how-ever, I was overwhelmingly blessed. With each of the retreat’s five movements, I learned something new about God and about myself.

For example, I learned that my main purpose in life is to receive God’s deep love for me. Another revolutionary concept that began to penetrate my heart and mind was that I was to follow Jesus—not suggest things for him to do, not second-guess what he wanted me to do, not be his advance-person in the next town, just follow. That’s what the disciples did! They hung out with Jesus, shared his life, and absorbed his teaching. As I read through the Gospel of John during the retreat, I saw Jesus preaching, teaching, healing the sick, and casting out demons. It was only in response to Jesus asking them to participate in what he was already doing, that the disciples responded with action. That certainly took away a lot of my anxiety about the future. It became real to me that Jesus is at work in the world now and my main responsibility is to cooperate when he asks me to participate! As I drew closer to Jesus throughout the retreat, my prayer times became daily. It was not difficult to make time to talk with and listen to the one who loves me! While my life (still) isn’t perfect, I have a deep sense of peace—even others have noticed. I know that I am the recipient of God’s love for me. My purpose in life is to be in relationship with Jesus and to follow Him wherever He goes.

The Season of Advent has deep meaning for all people! It is a time when we consider mystery and reality that God is present with us and is relational. During this season, we contemplate a “human story” about a “holy family” who captures our imaginations with the mysterious reality of God’s entrance into the world as both human and divine. We wonder, “What was it really like for Mary and Joseph to receive this high calling?” “What was their human experience?” “ What enabled them to say “yes” to God; to respond in faith and trust to such a risky and costly endeavor?” You are invited to come away from the “busyness” of the Christmas season and join us at our annual Advent Prayer Retreat. Give yourself the gift of slowing down and entering into the sacred journey of Mary and Joseph; to invite the Spirit of Christ to make their story come alive for you like never before! At this retreat we will get up close and personal with Joseph and ponder three things: First, Joseph’s human dilemma and how God met him while in the throes of it. Second, Joseph’s astonishment by his encounter with God and the way forward God revealed. And third, Joseph’s courage to take a bold risk with God. Come! Be inspired and refreshed in God’s presence!

Visit our website www.renewalminnw.org to register, RSVP and learn about other events!

Advent Prayer Retreat“A Human Story – About a Holy Family”

“…now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But when Christ appears, we shall be like

him, for we shall see him as he is.” – (I John 3:2)

“The Holy Family with a Lamb” by Raphael Sanzio

Advent Prayer Retreat

December 13, 2014———

9AM – 1PMPeace & Spirituality Center

Bellevue

5-Month Guided Prayer Retreat 2015

This retreat can help change everything about how you

relate to God! Read about other participants, their experiences, and details about the retreat on the reverse side. Early-Bird Registration is available. Sign up before January 1st to get a discounted rate.

“The Breath that Changed the World– Daily Advent Devotions & Prayers”

by Rev. Dr. Paul Strawn is available! Download your complimentary week one at

www.renewalminnw.org

November 2014

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Payable to: Renewal Ministries NorthwestPO BOX 458Mukilteo, WA 98275——————————425-361-7953renewalministries@live.comwww.renewalminnw.org

A confirmation letter with directions will be sent.

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City/State/Zip/Postal Code: _____________________________________________

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Fred Meyer is donating $2.5 million per year to non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, based on where their customers tell them to give. Here’s how the program works:

Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Renewal Ministries Northwest at www.fredmeyer.com/community rewards. You can search for us by our name or by our non-profit number #81900. Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping Renewal Ministries NW earn a donation! You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today.

If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store.

You can help Renewal Ministries Northwest

earn donations just by shopping with your Fred

Meyer Rewards Card!

Hear what people are saying about the 5-Month Guided Prayer Retreat!

“ [The 5-Month Guided Prayer Retreat] has helped me to go deeper in my relationship with Jesus – deeper into His love, deeper in my desire to live all for Him and His sake. It has also caused me to feel more “secure” in Him and the pace that brings while also challenging me in how I live that out day to day.” – Marian Leone-Lambert

“ My awareness of God’s overwhelming love and trust in His faithfulness has definitely grown. I am learning to lay aside my expectations and wishes, seeking only what Jesus wants for me.” – Arden Snyder

“ This retreat has given me concrete ways in which to make my prayer life real, powerful and something I can do every day . . . most importantly, it has helped me realize that I am just beginning to scratch the surface in knowing God through prayer – it makes me desire more of him.” – Megan Vetter

What are the Spiritual Exercises? The Spiritual Exercises are an invitation to renew and deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer and meditation on Scripture. The Exercises are not intellectual exercises – teaching a set of theological propositions, but rather a series of prayerful meditations on Scripture that help us to clarify and deepen our devotion to Jesus Christ.

What is the commitment like? In addition to the monthly retreat, there is a commitment to a daily time of prayer. You are provided with guided prayer exercises to aide you in your daily times of meditation and prayer.

Cost includes retreat materials and snacks. $50 deposit due at time of registration, 1/2 of balance on first day of retreat, final payment in March. (Payment plans & Scholarships available upon request.)

For more testimonies and stories of renewal – visit www.renewalminnw.org

“and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

— John 10:4

A 5-Month Guided Prayer RetreatThis retreat can help change everything about how you relate to God!Facilitated by: Reverend Denise Easter, MDiv, MSW Reverend Dianna Kunce, MDiv, MSWReverend Dr. Bob SlaterLocation: St Mary on-the-Lake in BellevueCost: Early-Bird Registration (before January 1, 2015) $325General Registration $375Married Couples $600Retreat Alumni $275(NPSP Clergy may apply to COM forscholarship funds)

For Information and Registration:Visit our website at www.renewalminnw.org or call 425-361-7953.

Dates and Times:Saturday January 24, 2014* 9 AM - 4 PM Saturday February 28, 2014 9 AM - 1 PMSaturday March 28, 2014 9 AM - 1 PM Saturday April 25, 2014 9 AM - 1 PMSaturday May 30, 2014 9 AM - 1 PMSaturday June 27, 2014** 9 AM - 2 PM* – Lunch included** – Optional wrap-up session

Retreat Registration Formq Advent Prayer Retreat: December 13th. Enclosed is my payment of $50.q 5-Month Guided Prayer Retreat 2015: $325 (Early– before Jan. 1st); $375 (General); $600 (Married); $275 (Alumni)q Enclosed is my $50 deposit to reserve my place.q I am paying in full.