Thursday, March 8, 2018

03-11-18


Today in your bulletin you will find a “Time and Talent Inventory.” This inventory will help Eastminster use a broader swath of the time and talents of the congregation.  There will be a designated time to fill it out during worship today and submit them as an offering to God.  This neither commits one to serve nor limits one’s service.  It helps identify gifts and, with God’s help, align Eastminster to minister out of the competencies and passions Eastminster is blessed with.

 

Also, today you will receive a “Prayer Square” as you enter worship.  These Prayer Squares are hand knitted by Eastminster members and friends.  They are meant to connect receivers with the love and care of God and community.  You may keep these for yourself or pass them on to a person in need.  For more information about this ministry you may contact Joan Falconer or the church office.  During and after church each service there are times of personal prayer with others.  On Saturday nights there is a prayer station during communion for one to go for blessing or to pray for others.  On Sunday mornings there are people available in the chapel for prayer.  Scripture says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them (Matthew 18:20).

 

As we approach Easter there will be many special occasions to worship and to receive spiritual care. One event I want to get on your calendars now is the Good Friday Musical “Hope in the Shadows” on Friday March 30 at 7 p.m.  This is a highlight of our musical offerings and will be a moving experience worthy of bringing friends and acquaintances.  The sanctuary will be full, so come early for good seats.  Other events of Holy Week are listed in your bulletin announcements.  Please attend as often as you can as we move through this poignant season.

 

Also note that Easter morning we will have three worship services at 6:45, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.  Eastminster’s 6:45 Sunrise Service will be held in the Breezeway outside the Sanctuary.  It will be a colorful, wonderful time to affirm that death is not final, that even as a seed dies and falls into the ground, it produces fruit.  So even, the resurrection brings the fruit of new life to light.  At 8:30 and 10:30 there will be identical services with instrumental accompaniment as we proclaim “He is Risen!”  “He is Risen Indeed!”  Worshippers are encouraged to bring flowers to all services to “Flower the Cross.”

 

May God bless, heal, and nurture you during this time.  If you have need for prayer, encouragement or counsel please contact one of the pastors or the church office.  I leave you with this thought that captures the season for me: “When you are in a dark place, you sometimes feel you have been buried.  Perhaps you have been planted.  Bloom.”

Blessings,
Pastor Tim
 

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