The Living Christ

I wish each and every one a blessed Easter!

If you have not been at Eastminster before… or have not been here for awhile… know that your presence is deeply appreciated!  Eastminster is in an “Easter Season” of its own—a time in which God is being experienced afresh and leading the church in exciting directions. 

So relax and enjoy worshipping God today.  Let the music and the Word, the sights, sounds and smells, bring you close to God, who loves you dearly and gave his Son that you might have Life.  Lift up prayers as we worship.  Praise God.  Thank God.  Ask God for help and guidance.  Give God your burdens.  Release your prayers and feel relief as the blessings flow.

My prayer this Easter is that we focus on the living Christ rather than the empty tomb.  May we proclaim Christ crucified and raised and alive by the power of the Holy Spirit.  May we live in assurance of Jesus’ promise:  “Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  May God’s Holy Spirit—God with us now-- roll the stone away from those “dark places” in our hearts and lives where hurts, wrongs, unforgiven sins, and resentments dwell.  May we surrender into loving, saving arms and come away stronger for having worshipped this day!

Welcome to worship.  I hope that this is an exciting day of a renewed spiritual journey for you and for Eastminster.  I’d love to get to know you and hear your story, so feel free to contact me or one of the other pastors as you desire.  God puts us together for a reason… let’s explore together.

Blessings,
Pastor Tim

321-608-8081
tmartin@epcfl.org

 

When the Going Gets Tough...

April 13, 2014 

Today is Palm Sunday… the day that Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on a donkey… he showed majesty and humility that day.  The crowds loved it.  They lined the streets.  They threw down their cloaks.  They waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  Then they fell away when the going got tough.

That’s a shame… and most mature Christians know why.  Most mature Christians know that it’s those “tough times” that make life meaningful in the end.  It’s the times we are stretched and nearly broken, bruised by life yet not beaten that give us character and substance.  Nearly no one wants to go through such times … but many make it to the other side and say, “I came away stronger!”

That’s my hope for us as a church and especially for our children and youth.  That, as the tough times come, we stand strong in Christ together.  That we support one another when we face the storms and stresses of the world.  That we encourage one another across the age groups.  That the senior members of our congregation in years, faith and life experiences look back and offer a hand up to the emerging generations.

Saturday our youth group, Eastminster Power and Light, kicked off a new season of ministry under the leadership of Julie Rogers-Martin and a dedicated group of advisors.  They will form a close Christian community within our embrace.

Following the Sunday 10 a.m. worship, the Youth Room will be dedicated to God’s glory and in the hope that our kids come through the tough times of life stronger and resilient in their faith.  In your worship guides today are colored cards where you may write your hopes and prayers for our youth.  Those who are able are asked to come to the Youth Room on the second floor of the Christian Ministry Center for a brief service of blessing following worship. There is an elevator just inside the door of the Center.  Those that are not able to come may leave your “Hopes and Prayers” cards in baskets as you leave.

As we journey through this week with Christ, let’s hang tough with him… remembering the suffering he endured as we gather together on Maundy Thursday (April 17) for music by harpist Angie Beemis at 6:30 p.m.  and a Service of Darkness at 7:00 p.m. … and as we gather for an Easter Vigil at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday April, 19 the night before Easter.  May these be the times of seasoning!

And may we celebrate the Light… Easter Day at 6:30 a.m. sunrise, 8:15 and 10:00 a.m.…. and even today as we kick off a new season of ministry with children and youth.  May our youth prove to be as resilient and strong as the adults who guide this church through times of challenge and joy.

Blessings,

What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

April 6, 2014 

Today’s scripture (Mark 10:46-52) takes place in the city of Jericho.  I imagine Jericho as being somewhat similar to our area here as Jericho is described in the Old Testament as the “City of Palm Trees.”  Jericho is a lush oasis like area where there is an abundance of water in a hot and dry land.

In the Old Testament Jericho is known from the story of “Joshua and the Battle of Jericho which secured the Israelite’s entrance into the Promised Land.  In the New Testament we know Jericho as the place where Zacchaeus lived and was changed by Jesus.  Finally we know of the road from Jericho up to Jerusalem as being a rocky, bandit infested way in which the parable of the Good Samaritan is set.

In today’s Scripture Jesus and the disciples are on a journey to Jerusalem in the last days  of Jesus life.  He is leaving Jericho followed by crowds when a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, calls out to him for mercy.

The crowd tells him, “Hush!” but Jesus asks him a question: “What do you want me to do  for you?”

If Jesus asked you, “What do you want me to do for you…?”  How would you answer?  Would you have a long “laundry list” of requests for yourself… almost like a list  for Santa Claus?  Would you, like Bartimaeus, pray for healing and health?  Would your prayers go out for a loved one?  For the disadvantaged for of the world?

If Jesus asked you, “What do you want me to do for you…?” How would you answer?

This is a good question to reflect upon as we go through this time leading to Easter.  We  will have ample opportunity to reflect and pray… not only on Sundays… but as we gather  for perhaps the holiest of nights on Thursday April 17 at 7 p.m. to observe a “Service of Darkness” with some of the most moving music of the year and again on Saturday April   19 at 6 p.m. for an Easter Vigil where we literally travel from communion, through the garden, to the fire where Peter betrayed Jesus and end at the foot of the Cross.  Consider making time for these events and personal time to reflect…

What do you want me to do for you?  … Listen for God’s answer… and

Then be sure to be present on Easter as we proclaim “What marvelous things God hath done!”