Tim’s Tidings
What a beautiful and poignant Season this
is!
Last
week’s children’s musical, “Tale of Three Trees,” gave the message that in the
midst of the whirlwind we call life, there is a divine thread of purpose that
runs through and connects us to Christ.
Three trees had big dreams that were fulfilled in ways far different
than they imagined yet beautifully and providentially by God. One tree became the manger for Jesus, one
tree became a fishing boat in which he calmed the storm and brought peace, and
one tree became a cross and pointed to God’s love even in the darkest of
times. This play reminds me that God
does answer our prayers, many times differently and so much more profoundly
that we could ever imagine. Praise God!
Today we reenact the celebration of Jesus
entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Trees
are involved here too. Palm branches were cut to welcome Jesus as they hoped
and prayed for a King who would free the Jews from Roman occupation. God answered the Jew’s prayers differently as
well. The Palm branches were waved not
for a military hero riding into town on a large stallion, but for a servant who
humbly rode on a donkey, fully prepared to give his life, not just for the
Jews, but for all humanity.
On Maundy Thursday, which we celebrate this
Thursday at 5:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, Jesus showed his servanthood by
washing the disciple’s feet and commanding them to love one another. Here he instituted the type of servant
leadership that has changed the world.
We will commemorate this event by having a foot or hand washing liturgy
and communion. All are encouraged to
come to this special time together.
It was
after this event that Jesus prayed for God to “take this cup from me,” to come
up with another plan for his life, yet he remained steadfast to God praying, “Not
my will but yours be done.” On Good
Friday, this Friday March 30, our vocal and bell choirs and guest
instrumentalists will bring the musical, “Hope in the Shadows,” at 7 p.m. This
is a “Tenebrae” service where the dimming of lights and choral and instrumental
music create the feeling that something great and significant is
happening. The journey of going from light to darkness to a glimmer of
hope is the thread that holds this service together. No one has ever
experienced Eastminster's sanctuary in the way we will experience it on
Good Friday. Come early for a good
seat!
On Holy
Saturday, there will be an Easter Vigil at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall that
takes us from indoor worship to outdoor vignettes of Jesus praying in the
Garden of Gethsemane and Peter denying Jesus in the courtyard of the High
Priest. Then we move back indoors for a wonderful close of
Holy Week and preparation for Easter morn.
On Easter
morning worshippers will gather outside in Eastminster's breezeway overlooking
the beautiful Indian River Lagoon to celebrate the resurrection at
the 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Worship. There will be a band and a cross
which will be "flowered" as worshippers bring in flowers from their
homes to decorate it through the morning. At 8:30 and 10:30
a.m. brass and strings will accompany our 35-member choir leading all in
great music. An inspirational message will be proclaimed, and the church
will shout out hope for God's love to prevail now and forever.
It is this
hope of eternal life that is the center of John’s message. Life is abundantly different now and forever
as we place our trust in God and follow Jesus.
May our church ever be vigilant to this privilege!
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
