Thursday, January 19, 2017

Tim's Tidings 01-22-16


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
 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment