04-02-17

Tim’s Tidings

 

As I imagine traveling down the dusty roads with Jesus, listening to his teaching, witnessing his healing, being baffled by his sayings that he must suffer, die and in three days rise again, I believe I would feel confused, ambivalent, even lost.  And perhaps that’s the point… to experience incompleteness apart from God, inability to be meaningfully whole despite my intelligence, connections and resources.

 

Just before Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, when he was 17 miles away in the ancient city of Jericho, he encountered Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, who was both lost and curious, so much so that he climbed a tree just to get a better look at Jesus.  Jesus formed a relationship with him, ate with him, and changed him.  Zacchaeus become generous, he made amends to those he harmed, and Jesus welcomed him into God’s family.  To Zacchaeus, to those “sinners” in his house, and to us all, he says, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).  Zacchaeus saw through the eyes of faith and was “found” by God.  He was saved from “lostness,” from the pain of separation from God.  He was made whole.

 

In our scripture text today, the outcome is not so good for the rich man who ignored others.  Being rich in that society, he would have been viewed as being blessed by God.  But in the end he was in agony, and the judgment was that he had his chance.  The Scriptures showed the way to be generous and forgiving, and he ignored them.  Even as the gates of his house and the walls of his heart separated him from others, so now he lived in separation, even agony.

 

I was speaking with a mature Christian after Wednesday Bible Study and the conclusion was these teachings are baffling.  It’s easy to feel “lost” in it all.  Perhaps the best response is that of the disciples.  As Jesus is finishing these teachings, the stunned disciples simply say, “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).  May their prayer be ours, “Lord, increase our faith.  Find us and make us whole.”

  

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

03-26-17

Tim’s Tidings

The Rev. Ralph Bronkema will be preaching this Sunday.  Ralph has a long history with Eastminster Presbyterian Church.  As a soon to be retiring Air Force Chaplain in 1986, a hospital call to visit a young boy put Ralph and then pastor of Eastminster, Roy McCormick, in the same room.  Roy and Ralph had good chemistry and Roy asked Ralph to be on staff at Eastminster upon his retirement from the chaplaincy.  Ralph agreed and served as an interim pastor for three years, the maximum allowed.  Ralph then went to serve a church in the Midwest for several years only to be called back to Eastminster.  For many years now, Ralph has served with distinction as the Visitation Pastor here.

 

One of the enduring vignettes of Ralph’s ministry is his care for his first wife, Louise.  After Louise had a stroke, Ralph lovingly cared for her through her years of illness in a way that many members hold up as a “gold standard” example of “compassion in action.”  Later, Ralph became reacquainted with Annette, the widow of his seminary roommate, to whom he is now happily married.  God’s goodness to them in times of grief and joy is a heartwarming story of faithfulness and God’s provision.

 

Currently Ralph visits hospitals and the homebound twice per week.  He teaches the Brown Bag Bible Bunch every Wednesday at noon.  Ralph also officiates at funerals and sends condolence booklets and letters to those who are grieving.  He helps with our Stephen Ministry in training situations, assists in worship, and sings in the choir with his wife, Annette, who is an active partner in ministry with him.  Ralph and Annette are seasonal residents who spend their summers in Michigan and travel to visit relatives and friends.

 

Last fall, as the staff formed goals for the coming year, Ralph indicated that he would like Eastminster to find a replacement for him as Visitation Pastor as his “bucket list” was growing.  Eastminster’s Personnel and Administration Team reviewed the Visitation Pastor description and sent a revised version to Session which approved it.  We know we can’t replace Ralph, but we can certainly appreciate his faithful ministry and strive to continue his legacy of loving pastoral care, insightful teaching and faithfulness to God and Christ’s Church.

 

Thank you Ralph and Annette for your ministry at Eastminster and your example as a Christian couple!  We are inspired by your presence and witness!

 

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

 

 

03-19-17

Tim’s Tidings

For the next three Wednesday nights at 5:45 p.m. Eastminster will have Lenten Soup, Salad and Study events.  Last week 57 people attended an excellent meal and enjoyed great fellowship.  Participants had a great time, and I expect many more will enjoy these times together.  Personally, I enjoyed meeting people around the table, singing some of the great hymns of the church, and studying the Gospel of Luke together.  I enjoy teaching too!  I also was gratified that we got out before sunset, as this event is timed for those who need to get home before dark to be able to do so.  The bonus is that those who linger may enjoy a beautiful sunset over the river!  Hope to see you on one or more of these Wednesdays!

 

Last Wednesday, we looked at what many consider Jesus’ mission statement.  In Luke 19:10 he says, “I came to seek and save the lost.”  Today’s scripture gives a glimpse of what that mission looks like as many people go out into the world and gather God’s children (us) to enjoy a banquet together.

Eastminster’s Mission Statement is:

Eastminster joyously ministers

as a vital, growing congregation

of passionate followers of Jesus

extending our reach as a missional church

to transform our greater community.

 

One of the ways we will “extend our reach as a missional church” is a new initiative called Compassion in Action (CIA).  Being a “missional church” involves praying for God to show us where God’s heart breaks for others and joining God there in service.  Many do this naturally as we live with “hearts open to others.”  Compassion in Action (CIA) offers us ways to do that together.  Compassion in Action is volunteers sharing their gifts of time and talent to serve God in teams to meet needs in our community.  People of similar interests will gather to reach out to senior adults, kids, poor, and others who have need in groups of 5-8.

 

Today an Interest and Talent Survey for our larger church will be distributed.  The Interest and Talent Survey will help members and friends find places of meaningful involvement in ways that bring you life and energy and that glorify God.  If you are interested in learning more about Compassion in Action (CIA), I urge you to check that box on the Time and Talent Survey.  Of course, there are scores of other ways to serve in a church Eastminster’s size.  One or more are right for you and for me.  The Bible says that we are the body of Christ, that there are a variety of gifts given to us, a variety of ways to serve, and that we all serve the same Lord in ways that bring life to the body and light to the world.  May we fulfill our mission well in the name of Jesus!

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

03-05-17

Today is the first Sunday in Lent.  Lent is the period of forty days, not counting Sundays, before Easter.  This forty day period mirrors the time Jesus was in the desert praying and fasting while being tempted to rely on other power and provision than God’s Spirit and God’s Word.

 

For us today, Lent is a time to for our “Spiritual GPS” to be redirected where it has gotten off track from the direction of God’s will for our lives and our church.  Where we have sinned we “repent” which literally means turn around.  Where we are lost in worry, doubt, anxiety and fear, we “come home” to a loving and welcoming God.  Where we are lax in studying God’s Word and abiding with God in prayer, we create space for more of God and less of “us” in our inner and outer lives.

 

In the March newsletter I give some suggestions for practicing a Holy Lent.  Another rich source of ideas is the article “Forty Things to Give Up for Lent” found at https://www.greaterthings.today/40-things-to-give-up-for-lent-the-list/.  Some people find it helpful to go without things that they normally enjoy to bring them closer to Christ and Christ’s sufferings on our behalf.  Others add a discipline to draw them closer to God and God’s will. 

 

There are three special events here at EPC that I encourage you to consider adding to bring you closer to God and one another:

1.      Beginning Wednesday March 15 at 5:45 p.m. there will four Wednesday “Soup, Salad and Study” evenings.  Enjoy good food, fellowship and a study of the Gospel of Luke.  I will lead the Bible study in a way that will help “flesh out” what we learn during worship.  Daylight Savings time begins March 12 (“Spring Forward”) so you will be able to get home before dark.

2.      Beginning Sunday March 19 at 9:00 a.m. there will be four Sunday times of Music and Meditation.  This is a time to be still and be inspired by excellent music and to learn a spiritual discipline each week.  This period of Music and Meditation will be followed by fellowship in the courtyard and Traditional Worship at 10:30 a.m. (note time change).  Worshippers may attend one or both of these times of praise.

3.      On Saturday March 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. there will be a Spiritual Retreat in the Prayer Chapel behind the Sanctuary.  This retreat is led by EPC’s Spiritual Formation Team.  I plan on attending for my benefit and hope you consider it too. 

May these forty days of Lent be a time of great growth for you and for Eastminster.  God is alive here, and I pray that we remove or rebuke anything that would try to separate us from living in right relationship with God.  If you would like counsel during this season don’t hesitate to contact one of your Pastors or Elders.  Our contact information is on the back of your worship guide. May God Guide You and EPC this Season!

 

Blessings,

Pastor Tim