Tim’s Tidings
One of the greatest gifts of Christmas is to experience the
peace and presence of God. We all need that!
When the angels appear to announce Jesus’ birth, the first
response is fear, for God is awesome and God’s glory is great. Yet the message which comes is about “good
tidings of great joy.” The message is
about God entering a troubled world and troubled lives and calming the waters
of our souls. The message is about
salvation.
As you hear and read Scripture and reflect upon your lives
this Christmas, it is my hope that you experience the glory, the hope, the
wonder, the majesty, the mystery and the brilliance of Christmas. I hope you glimpse inside of an all too real
squalid stable and know that if God’s hope, peace, love, joy and salvation can
enter such a place, it can definitely enter our hearts, lives and world today.
As we worship in word and song, may that peace enter
in. That peace of knowing that God has
the world in God’s hands, that the loose ends will be tied up, that even in the
turbulence of our times, “joy comes in the morning” and in the end, love wins.
One of the greatest gifts we have from God are each
other. I am truly grateful to God for
you, and grateful for the way Eastminster ministers to one another and to the wider
world. Eastminster’s pastors, elders,
and care teams are here for you in the season and beyond, even as there are
countless acts of love and grace passed on by members which knit bonds of love
on a daily basis.
If your heart longs for a church home, I’d love to speak
with you. As importantly, I pray you experience God’s presence, peace
and assurance as we worship, live and serve. Our praise teams and choirs have
prepared special music for the season.
Even as David’s harp music calmed the soul of King Saul, it is my hope
that our worship brings peace and an abiding presence to yours today, on
Christmas Eve, and in the days ahead.
Many persons have prepared for worship and lead us in worship. Thank you!
May God’s love shine through what you do, shape who you are, and inspire
all to be the people God intends us to be at worship, work and play.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Tim
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