March 29, 2015

Today is Palm Sunday. It is a day we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and begin what is commonly referred to as “Holy Week” which extends from today through Easter. During this week we will celebrate baptisms and receive new members, continue our Wednesday Lenten Music, Worship and Lunch Series, commemorate Good Friday, hold a Saturday “Eggstravaganza” where the Good News of Jesus will be proclaimed, participate in an evening Eater Vigil, and Celebrate Easter beginning at Sunrise. We will also celebrate the life and bear witness to the resurrection of Harry Villhardt, husband of Terry and father of Susan Vallette, this Tuesday at 11 a.m. In one week the Good News of Jesus will be proclaimed meaningfully in many ways. It is a week that shapes our identity and community together. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem Palm Sunday people sold him short. They thought he would be an earthly leader of a revolt that would throw off the yoke of Roman domination. Little did anyone know, despite his teachings that Jesus was to lead a cosmic revolution that would overthrow sin and death and bring us close to the loving reign of God Almighty. It was just too huge for even his disciples to grasp. It’s huge for us today! As we baptize Jonah Earp on Palm Sunday we claim his participation in God’s love, life and redemption by an action of God, not us. We promise to nurture Jonah until the point that he claims Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We will do the same for Malakai Hausmann next Saturday as he is baptized during the Saturday Easter Vigil. The fulfillment of such promises result in the attention we give to ministry to children and youth. EPC’s efforts such as Sunday School, Children’s Church, choirs, youth group, VBS, youth camps and confirmation are led by faithful members that are engaging in ministry to nurture believers and so fulfill the promises we make at baptism. On Palm Sunday we welcome Ann Hearin, Sharon Bowman, Betsy Marvin, and Rick Schuette into membership of EPC. These new members claim Jesus as Lord and Savior. They renounce evil and claim dependence on the grace of God. They promise to be faithful members of this church, giving of their time, talents and treasure to further the mission of Christ. We promise to nurture and support these members in their journeys of faith, to comfort them when afflicted and strengthen them in all of life. Some new members are seasonal residents who will affiliate here and with another congregation. Such affiliation creates strong bonds of community wherever they may be. Having a church home, or homes, is a powerful statement of belonging to God and intending to serve and grow in concert with others. I highly encourage membership as a means of being faithful to God and to God’s mission. The next opportunity for membership at Eastminster will be a “Discover Eastminster” experience beginning at 8:45 and concluding at noon on Sunday April 19. I’d love to speak with those contemplating next steps of faith at any time! So, I look forward to this week and to the years ahead with all the comings and goings that are involved. Wistfully, we will say “so long till next year” to many wonderful seasonal residents. Your participation here has surely touched the lives of many! Make sure the church office has your contact information so we can keep up to date and encourage one another from afar. You are an important part of the fabric of faith God is weaving at EPC. At the same time we will seek to be faithful, strong and vibrant as led by the God’s Spirit this Holy Week and beyond. Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter all!