Tim’s Tidings
Happy
67th Birthday Eastminster! It
is exciting to be part of a church old enough to retire that still has lots of
“gas in the tank.” Like a human,
Eastminster has gone through a lot in its 67 years. It was born, grew quickly into adolescence,
reproduced in founding other worshipping communities like Palm Bay Presbyterian
locally and mission outposts abroad, and matured through the ups and downs in
its life. That Eastminster is healthy
and vital today is a source of praise!
The
first members drove across a rickety wooden bridge from Melbourne to get
here. The bridge was coated with
chemicals that could catch on fire when a car backfired, so it had to have
buckets of water along the shoulder so motorists could put out the fire and
save the bridge!
Yet
on January 22, 1950 Eastminster was dedicated and led Indialantic into the
modern era. The building we now know as
Melvin Hall, named after our founding pastor, was the first air conditioned
building on the island. As such, it
quickly became the hub of community life during the week as well as on Sundays.
There
are many stories to be told about the life of Eastminster and the faith of its
members. They are best told first hand.
Therefore, I will ask several long time members to give brief vignettes
about their experiences in the coming weeks.
Suffice it to say God has been faithful and there are many “wonders to
proclaim!”
We
look back and praise God for God’s faithfulness. We also look forward into a future filled
with hope. Today, we install the Rev.
Kristy Ray as our Associate pastor.
Kristy is faithful, talented, creative, kind, selfless and called to
serve with us as we seek to know and do God’s will. We are blessed to have Kristy and Director of
Music Ministries, Robert McBride, join our staff at this time as our
congregation moves forward with faith in God and confidence that God will
supply every need.
We
are moving forward purposefully. Last
Tuesday the session adopted a strategic plan, “Vision 2025: Into the Future with Hope.” This plan is based on the recent
congregational survey, prayer, and discernment led by a Steering Team of
capable members. As a rolling plan,
there is much to be added as God gives insight, yet it keeps the question,
“What would God have us be and do as a church on our 75th Birthday?”
in front of us. Elder Jack Rowley will
give a synopsis of this plan on February 5.
The
cornerstone of our original building is a quote from Isaiah 56:7. It reads, “My house shall be called a house
of prayer for all people.” May we always
be led by the Holy Spirit, glorify God, and show our love of Christ and others
in worship, word and deed. May God’s
Spirit “melt us, mold us, fill us, use us” just like it has in the past as we
worship today and in the future.
Happy 67th Birthday
Eastminster! You’ve got lots of gas in
the tank!
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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