February 15, 2015

Can you believe that the season of Lent, the 40 days excluding Sundays before Easter, starts this Wednesday February 18? Eastminster Presbyterian Church will open its observation of Lent with an Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. on February 18. This is a time to reflect and worship. A time to ask God to forgive past wrongs and create in us “clean hearts and renewed and right spirits” as we live into the future. Persons who have attended know it can be very freeing, even healing. If you have not been before, I urge you to come. It is a sacred time, with beautiful music and a brief message. Those who desire receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads as an outer sign of God’s grace towards those who turn to Him. All receive a blessing. As I think of Lent and journeying toward Easter, the word “willingness” comes to mind. So often we think of Lent as a time to give up something as an act of denying ourselves and being open to God. We often focus on denial, which is indeed a spiritual discipline and a life skill. But to stop there and not be willing is spiritually short sighted. Being willing during Lent is to open ourselves up for God’s best in our lives. It is Jesus’ stance when he says, “Not my will but Yours be done.” Some of the more stubborn might at first pray “Lord make me willing to be willing.” Others might open each day with a prayer, “God I’m willing to be yours today.” Yet others might pray, “I’m willing to have that sin or resentment removed, so I can be more fully Yours.” In your bulletins today you will receive a flyer on our Interchurch Lenten Music, Worship and Luncheon Series. This series will run from Wednesday February 25- Wednesday April 1 and will feature some of the best preachers and musicians in our area. Plan to attend and invite friends. It will be an uplifting part of your day and week. Another special event will be a presentation on the Shroud of Turin by Ron Marshal at 6:45 p.m. on March 24. This has met with rave reviews in the past and Ron has new information. You will hear more in the future concerning ways we might grow during Lent and information of the “Masterpieces of the Gospel” sermon series that looks at Scriptures concerning Jesus’ last days through the lens of great art accompanied by great music from our choir. For now note that our main Lenten Communion will be at 7 p.m. on Good Friday, April 3, where Faure’s Requiem will be presented. A family-oriented Easter “Eggstravaganza” will be held the morning of April 4 as well as an evening Easter Vigil. Easter Sunrise service will be April 5 at 6:45 a.m. followed by Easter Services of praise at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. May we all observe a Holy Lent, drawing closer to our Lord of Love and Grace. Blessings, Tim

February 8, 2015

Lately we have had a lot of deaths in our church family and in the extended families of many members. It is a season of grief. At such times many of us wonder how we might respond appropriately when trying to convey our sympathies. As a result, during a recent Committee Night Worship, I asked those present to share what seems to work well when they are grieving and/or when they are comforting those in grief. Here are some of the responses: 1. Show how much you love them. Actions can speak louder than words. 2. Really listen to what the grieving person is trying to tell you. 3. Don’t be afraid to talk about the person who has died. 4. Relate stories, even the humorous ones. 5. Be a friend. Be present. 6. Send notes that the grieving can read when they are ready. 7. Make a phone call. 8. Invite the grieving to a lunch or dinner. It is hard to eat alone. 9. Give hugs. 10. Ask questions, share favorite memories. 11. Help the grieving keep busy. 12. Celebrate the legacy that the departed has left behind. 13. Tell about how that person has changed your life. 14. Celebrate anniversaries of the death of loved ones 15. Know that people grieve differently. Be attentive. 16. Don’t be afraid to cry. For those who grieve… know that grief is a natural response to loss. The grieving process takes time, yet there is no timetable to it. It takes what it takes… and part of what it takes is patience. Know that grief that is shared with others is more bearable. Draw upon the support of your church, turn to friends and family members, join a support group, talk to a pastor, Stephen Minister or a therapist. Some might feel like Job, who states, “My eye has grown dim from grief, and all my members are like a shadow” or Jeremiah who cries, “My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick.” Yet many, like David, persevere to affirm, “By you my sorrow is turned into dancing; you have taken away my clothing of grief, and given me robes of joy.” May God be present in all our losses, all our grief. May this church be a place of support to the grieving. May we feel deeply and empathetically together, “bearing one another’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ.” Blessings, Tim