March 27, 2016

Welcome to worship with Eastminster on Easter morning!  A special welcome goes out to those who are visiting for the first time or returning to worship after an absence.  May you find joy, hospitality, faith and love as you encounter the risen Lord and relate with God’s community here.

Eastminster exists to glorify God, to know God more deeply and to serve God in the world.  Our mission statement is “Led by the Holy Spirit, Eastminster exists to invite into Fellowship, Equip for Service, Reach out in Support and Serve our World for Jesus Christ.”  It is our expectation that the web of caring relationships will continue to grow as new visitors, friends and members bring life to this community and to the world.  Let me know how Eastminster might enrich life with you.  Welcome again!

Easter is the most important day of the year.  It is a day when life conquers death, love overcomes fear, and faith grows from doubt.  The event of Jesus’ resurrection opens the pathway to God now and forever.  That event, two thousand years ago, is still being worked out in history.

The early visitors to Jesus’ tomb and his disciples were fearful and doubtful.  Many of us have been or are the same way.  We are in good company.  God’s love flows to us in different times and seasons.  That’s why community is important.  When we gather together, we remember together and we grow together… all in God’s design.

Amidst doubt and fear the question, “What if what they say is true?” arose.  It is a legitimate question.  If Jesus is God’s Son and the resurrection a validation of his divinity, what does that mean for my life?  Your life? Our lives together?

There are a lot of barriers to coming to Jesus Christ and a lot of power unleashed when the barriers are broken.  The women encountered a physical barrier that first Easter morning.  Mark 16:3 says “They asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb?’”  As we look at life, there are large “stones” ahead of us too.  Stones of health issues, job/financial security, social inequality, safety, mental stability, relationships, meaning and purpose in life.  We see that a Power much greater than the women rolled the stone away on Easter.  In the coming weeks, your pastors will be preaching on “Overcoming Barriers by the Power of the Holy Spirit.”  We will observe how God is a “stone mover,” a barrier breaker, a leader into New Life.  I hope everyone here today comes back next week, perhaps with a friend or family member facing a barrier who needs some hope, courage, inspiration, and a supportive community as it is faced and overcome.

He is Risen.  He is Risen Indeed!  Because He lives, we claim life, love and the faith that it all works out in the end.  That’s the Truth!

Blessings,

 Tim

March 20

Sunday 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 receive new members, continue our Wednesday Lenten Music, Meditation and Lunch Series, commemorate Good Friday, hold a Saturday “Eggstravaganza” where the Good News of Jesus will be proclaimed, participate in a Saturday evening “Easter at EPiC” Worship Event, and Celebrate Easter beginning at Sunrise.   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.  Check the announcements for details and service times.

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 that Jesus came to 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!  Today and through this week we will learn from the Gospel of Mark.  I urge you to read Mark 11-16 as part of your Holy Week devotions.  One chapter a day will prepare you for Easter.

Many thanks are in order for those who have prepared for this time.  Thanks to Nancy Marshall, Sharon Bowman and the many volunteers who prepared, served and cleaned up Lenten Lunches,  thanks to Nancy Fowler and the Worship Committee for the beautiful decorations throughout this season, thanks to Stuart Ballantyne for bringing his animals for the petting zoo and the Palm Sunday Parade, thanks to Mary Warnick for handcrafting gifts for all children who attend on Easter,  thanks to the Facilities Committee and their volunteers for sprucing up our grounds,  thanks to the choirs for preparing special music that will bring us closer to God, thanks the Children, Youth and Family Ministries Team for planning this Saturday’s Eggstravaganza among many other activities, thanks to the Mission Team for allowing us to participate in the habitat build and other projects during this season, thanks to the Outreach committee for advertising the many activities.

We are ready to celebrate a great week!  I encourage you to invite friends, neighbors and acquaintances to celebrate Holy Week at Eastminster.  Of special interest to adults is the 7 p.m. Good Friday presentation of the “Seven Last Words of Christ.”  There will be orchestration and full choirs bringing the musical message as well as communion and candlelighting to physically draw us to remembrance of Christ and loved ones.  For inviting young families I suggest the Saturday Easter Eggstravaganza which meets in the sanctuary at 10 a.m.  Invite all to Easter!  Sunrise service will be outdoors overlooking the Indian River Lagoon at 6:45 a.m.  Classic Easter worship will be at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m.  If both times are good for you and your friends, may I suggest coming at 8:45 to help balance parking and attendance?

May All have a Blessed Holy Week!

Tim

March 13

Today we continue our series on the Gospel of Mark with the account of the “widow’s offering” which takes place in the Jerusalem Temple in the area of the treasury.  Jesus uses this account to contrast the rich who give out of their wealth and the widow, who is literally “all in” giving everything out of her “poverty.”

The concept of giving out of our “poverty” is especially important in the season of Lent.  It is a season when we realize, along with centuries of those chosen by God, that God desires we offer all we have and are including:

·         Our sins and shortcomings,

·         Our feelings of anxiety and unworthiness,

·         Our hurts as well as our hopes.

The reason, as we will see in the next several weeks, is that God gives “wealth” at our areas of need:

·         Forgiveness and completeness,

·         Peace and worth,

·         Healing and a future.

Eastminster is indeed a generous church when we offer up to God not only our time, talent and treasure, but also the poverty of our souls which only Christ can make whole.

It’s two weeks until Easter.  Take time to pray daily, offering God all you have… good, bad and ugly.  Be silent in listening prayer.  Read the Gospel of Mark one more time before Easter preparing for all of God’s good gifts to you.  The account of Holy Week begins in Mark 11 with Palm Sunday, which we celebrate next week with a processional. 

May this be a time of renewal and transformation… in the places of our lives and church where we need it the most!

See you in Church,
Tim