August 24, 2014- Transistions

This weekend is one of transitions at EPC as we welcome new members, thank elders who have served their terms faithfully, ordain and install a new class of elders, and celebrate the ministry of the Rev. Jennifer McGee. It is a joy and an honor to receive new members. New members being introduced include David Arnold, John Frankenburger, and Margarette Roberts. David is a resident of Cocoa Beach. He is employed as a musician at Walt Disney World and is already singing in our Chancel Choir. David is transferring from Riverside Presbyterian Church, where his father was the director of music for over 40 years! John is worships primarily at EPC’s contemporary worship service, EPiC. John is very knowledgeable about music and plays several instruments. He also is adept at managing sound. John comes by letter of transfer from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Melbourne. Margarette is married to Ronald (“Ronnie”). She is a retired registered nurse. Margarette’s hobbies include stamping, sewing, working out, volunteering at the hospital, and at Daily Bread with other EPC members. She is joining by letter of transfer from Three Chopt Presbyterian Church in Richmond. Ronnie is Catholic and attends here as well. They have one son, Ron, who is in the Air Force. Elders who have faithfully served their terms include Cindy Earp (Children, Youth and Family Ministry), Nancy Fowler (Worship), Linda Hollington (Children, Youth and Family Ministry), and Jim Short (Facilities). These elders helped start a “new chapter” in the life of EPC and serve faithfully. Cindy Earp will continue serving as she has agreed to fill an unexpired term on session. We are grateful for their dedication to the Lord through this church! Thank you!!! Elders to be ordained/installed this weekend include Steve Adams (Facilities), Don Dawson (Outreach and Communication), Karen Delos Santos (Children, Youth and Family Ministry), and Nancy Marshall (Congregational Care). They were elected by the congregation in May, went through a period of training and were examined by our session to get to this point. Their talents and energy will greatly benefit our ministry in the days and years to come! Welcome!!! Today we celebrate the ministry of Pastor Jennifer McGee. Jennifer began at Eastminster as a youth. Later, she attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta and has served in a variety of positions in ministry beyond EPC as well as here. Jennifer blesses the lives of many in our congregation, and has many gifts including preaching, teaching and pastoral care. She is one of the finest colleagues in ministry with whom I’ve had the privilege of serving. We will recognize Jennifer after 10 a.m. Sunday worship with a reception. On August 30 Jennifer will be recognized at Epic worship. She will preach on both August 30 and 31. Jennifer, may God bless you richly and continue to use you in comforting and changing lives for the glory of God!!!

August 17, 2014

I’ve missed you! Two weeks away is a long time… but it has been fun, productive and refreshing. I spent one week at Columbia Theological Seminary worshipping and reading by day, fellowshipping with friends at meals, and helping sons pack up for graduate school by night. I was able to accomplish my reading goals and look forward to preaching and teaching on the person and mission of Christ this fall. Julie joined me in Atlanta and we then went on vacation visiting friends in Birmingham and Sarasota, and being with family in New Orleans and Pensacola. We also had a nice day at the Saint Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts. It has taken me a week to lose the weight gained enjoying the cuisine along the way! Speaking of food… thanks to all who made the potluck with the Eastminster Presbyterian Church and the Preschool such a great success! About 150 people were fed and there was great fellowship. Thanks to Director Elizabeth DesChenes, Kitchen Coordinator Becky Rowley and Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry Julie Rogers-Martin for such fine coordination of efforts to make the evening a success! Today we bless the backpacks (and children and teachers) of those returning to school! We will also pray for the recipients of the 50 backpacks you contributed to kids in need through Master’s Workshop. Missions Elder Sunny Rudloff reports that the backpacks were well received with prayers of praise for the givers! Praise God for your extravagant generosity! Please pray for our staff and session as we go into retreat this Saturday. We will be firming up plans for the coming year, looking at our stewardship and mission emphases, and welcoming a new class of elders. Our elders elect are Steve Adams, Don Dawson, Karen Delos Santos, and Nancy Marshall. The elders that will be rotating off session with highest thanks for service to Christ and the church are Nancy Fowler, Linda Hollington and Jim Short. Cindy Earp has agreed to continue for one more year. For that we are grateful! Elders will be ordained and installed next Saturday and Sunday at our services of worship. Plan to be present on August 24 at 10 a.m. for Pastor Jen’s Farewell. See the bulletin announcements for details on signing a gift for Jen and an opportunity to contribute to a love offering. Jen will also be bid farewell on August 30 at the 6 p.m. EPiC worship if you cannot be present on the 24th. We are so blessed by her ministry here and the legacy of care she leaves! May all of you have a wonderful start of the new season. May we glorify God in all we do and say! Blessings, Tim

"Be still and know I am God." Psalm 46:10

July 27, 2014

The more I read the Psalms… the more I appreciate David.

David sought to live with integrity.  He sought to be accountable to God.  For example Psalm 26 starts:

Vindicate me, O Lord,

for I have walked in my integrity,

 and I have trusted in the Lord without

wavering.

Prove me, O Lord, and try me;

test my heart and mind.

For your steadfast love is before my eyes,

And I walk in faithfulness to you.

 

Being open to God allows David to grow and serve well.

 

Reflecting on the Psalms allows us to grow and serve well too.  I hope you are continuing in your reading and reflection.  Over the years, when I work with leaders and we pray, listening for God’s Word, what is often heard is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”  What an affirmation of God’s protection and power… that as we quiet our lives and put them before the Lord, God will be present!  Sometimes that’s all we need to know to journey forth from fear to faith… from chaos to peace.

 

Another  leader that benefitted from Psalms, is Martin Luther, a guiding light in the Protestant Reformation.   Luther was assailed by critics as he promoted reforms based on scripture, faith, and direct connection with God through Jesus Christ.  In the midst of grief and chaos, Luther wrote many hymns.  Perhaps one of his most famous is based upon Psalm 46 which we examine today.  It is title is “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  I commend verse 2 to you for comfort and confidence today:

 

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God’s own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus it is He.

Lord Sabaoth His name,

And he must win the battle.

 

God may we present ourselves to you, be still and know you are God, and from that experience be serve as you lead, knowing the battle has already been won.

 

Blessings,

Tim

July 13, 2014

Tim’s Tidings

“This is the Day the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”  So goes the call of the Psalmist as God’s people gathered for worship in the time of David.  Today we still gather to praise God, and we have many reasons for rejoicing.

In that light, as part of our offering today, there are yellow stars or “bright spots” inserted in your bulletin.  You are encouraged to write a joy or thanksgiving you have in your life on the “bright spot” and put it in the offering plate along with your offering.  Your bright spot might relate to the ministry of Eastminster Presbyterian Church.  It might be a member or staff person who shows compassion, a Bible study or program that enriches you, the feeling you receive being on the grounds, the beauty of music and worship, a mission outreach we have.  Your “bright spot” might be a family member or friend who has been there for you and shown you love.  God might be the bright spot in your life as God has sustained you.  Pick one “bright spot” today and offer it to God.  We will collect the bright spots and post them in the Christian Ministry Center, creating a wall of joy.

One way God is using this church is in reaching out to children and youth.  Today we will receive a report from Steve and Tamara Correll on mission work done in El Salvador with the Compassion International children which a good number of members of EPC support.  We also welcome back the youth who went to the Montreat Youth Conference and the Fruitland Park Music Conference last week.  They will be sharing some of their experiences next week.  Finally, note that there are just a couple of weeks left in our collection of school supplies for Master’s Workshop.  The deadline is Monday July 28.

In every year there are bright spots and challenges.  This year is no exception for Eastminster. Your session has called a Congregational Meeting at 11 a.m. next Sunday July 20 to present a mid-year review of our ministries.   All members and interested guests are encouraged to attend this meeting, which will last about 30 minutes.  The Congregational Meeting will provide a snapshot of our giving, outreach, educational and worship ministries.  Our goal is to move forward together in revival and revitalization with honesty, transparency and love.  It is a joy to me to be on this journey together!

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

July 6

Tim’s Tidings

As you read this we will have finished a very full week!  My view of summer is that it is “opportunity time” rather than down time.  We take a break from some of the usual things we do… yet we also do things we couldn’t during the other seasons of the year.

Last Sunday our church commissioned youth to go to the Montreat Youth Conference and to the Leesburg Choir Camp.  They are there now, and they will have a full week of growth.  A recent survey of ministers revealed that fully 40% of them were influenced in their calls to Christian service at events such as these.  Please remain in prayer for Christ to transform our youth and their leaders… and in turn influence our faith and the spiritual life of our church as they return.

Wednesday night your Session held a Congregational Forum to report on and discuss recent actions of the General Assembly.  There were about 70 members in attendance… all who offered prayer and encouragement as we wrestle with being faithful in an age of change.  It was affirmed that what will not change is:

1.       The Lordship of Jesus Christ—he is Lord and head of the church … our one foundation.

2.       The Authority of Scripture as guide to the Christian life.  It’s through Scripture, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, that we know God in Christ and grow best.

3.       Belief in God, Father, Son, and Spirit as expressed in the Apostles Creed and other Creeds contained in the Book of Confessions.

4.       Belief that God is the judge not us, but we are to prayerfully seek to live righteous lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture.

5.       The fact that our church has the ability to determine the ways in which this church is used, who our officer’s are, and how we invest our human and financial resources in the ministry of God.

Flyers on the key actions of General Assembly are available at pcusa.org.  White sheets on the issues of marriage and divestment researched and written by our Clerk of Session, Jack Rowley, are available on the information table.  These are reliable guides to understand issues and to share with friends who may be misinformed by less reliable reporting.

Finally, thanks to the many who worked to make the Fourth of July a key outreach for Eastminster.  We were able to show hospitality and love to hundreds of people in the community through wonderful music by a 60 member choir led by Kyle Jones, a 40 member band led by Stacie Cleveland, and ice cream, water and use of restrooms provided by our church and generous individuals.  We also passed out newly created church brochures made by our Outreach Team to those in attendance.  Thanks to Steve and Anne Adams, Nancy Fowler, and Bill McCaslin for serving as leaders of large teams, and to Sexton Art Paddock and the rest of our staff for being patient and helpful through the many events this week. 

Great ministry church!

Tim

Electing Elders & Discovering Eastminster

May 18, 2014

Today the Session of our church has called a Congregational Meeting for the election of Ruling Elders to lead and govern our church.  In Presbyterian governance, our leaders are elected by the active members of the congregation. 

Presbyterians have a Constitution that has two parts. Part I is the Book of Confessions.  It illuminates what we believe, while making clear that the Bible is the chief authority for faith and life.  Part II is The Book of Order. The Book of Order outlines our governance.  This is what it says about ruling elders:

As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching elders (pastors), exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session.

The Nominating Committee (which is elected by the congregation) will place into nomination five persons to be elected as elders, one for a two year term and four for three year terms. All active members of our congregation will be allowed to discuss and vote to elect elders.  Pray for the Holy Spirit not only in the election, but also in the service of our elders… and all of us(!) as we seek to be a faithful church that pleases God by what it does and says.

Please note that EPC will hold a “Discover Eastminster Day” from 8:45 a.m. until noon on June 8.  This will be a time to meet our elders and to learn more about Presbyterian churches and specifically about the life and ministry of Eastminster.  It is open to all persons— non-members and members.  Non members will have an option of joining Eastminster at the conclusion of Discover Eastminster. You may sign up by tearing off the form in the announcements and placing it in the offering plate or submitting it to the church office.  I hope to see you there!

 

 

A Mother's Perspective

Today’s ‘Tim’s Tidings’ is a humorous but poignant blog by Jennifer Koppelman Hutt.  It gives a Mother’s perspective of parenting, motherhood, and the passing of generations.  Thank you God for good Mothers!

I'm not sure when it happened for the first time, but lately, I'd say two mornings a week and some evenings, too, I announce to my teenage son and preteen daughter, "I quit!"

I'm not referring to my employment... Oh no, I love that! I am referring to being their mother, which I also love. But some days, weeks, nights and months they make me crazy and make me want to run away to ANYWHERE!

And I know I'm not alone in this feeling. In fact, earlier today, my sister called and suggested we run away for Mother's Day (she's got three teenagers)!

We love our babies. A lot. Both my sister and I would shrivel up and die were the unthinkable to happen. Bleh. I'm nauseated just by that last sentence.

But no one can rile us up more than our kids. No one can bring us to the brink of rage and right back to love like our kids.

No one can make us want to pull both our hair out and theirs like our kids.

And isn't this the great omission of mommyhood?! Mixed with that incredible joy, laughter and undying love can also exist intense anger and intolerance. Oh and crippling anxiety over the well-being of the babies. Though they slept through the night at the end of year one, I didn't sleep through the night until my kids were 10 and 12!

And that adage "You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child..." is so true -- but compound that by adding "and you'll be blaming yourself for any discomfort that child is having..."

My sister can suggest we run away for a day. And I can talk her off the ledge while she does the same for me because our mother isn't here anymore. She died almost four years ago, and Mother's Day has an entirely different meaning and feeling for us now.

When we lose our mother, we lose our anchor, our judge, our jury, our best friend, our mentor, our mommy. And certain days, like her birthday and Mother's Day, highlight that absence just a little too much for me to bear.

Still, we will embrace Mother's Day as we should -- for our children. I've let them know in advance I'd like cupcakes and a new iPod with a speaker dock. Oh, and I'd like no fighting, no screaming, early bedtime and no complaints.

At least I'm guaranteed to get an iPod.