January 11, 2015

As we begin 2015, we celebrate endings and new beginnings… even as we continue to grow as followers of Jesus. Today we bid farewell to Mrs. Tangela Copeland who resigned as church secretary and wedding coordinator effective January 16. Tangela has served well at Eastminster Presbyterian Church for eight years. She has a glowing countenance and disposition that brighten the days of many. Tangela is a key staff person in the many transitions the church has encountered over the last several years. As I look out over the river, I relate it to her ministry. She has been a steady force in stormy waters and calm. For who Tangela is and what Tangela has accomplished we are grateful! We will recognize Tangela at the end of worship and send her out with the prayers of the church as she pursues other opportunities. There will be time during our fellowship following worship to bid her farewell personally. Plans are being made for a smooth transition of duties, even as we bid Tangela farewell. In terms of new beginnings, today we begin a six-week sermon series entitled, “Practicing the Presence of God.” The title of this series comes from a book written by Brother Lawrence, a simple layman who desired to be a monk. Because he started out with little education, Brother Lawrence worked in the kitchens and cobbler shops of the monastery, becoming well known for his humble, prayerful and Spirit-filled approach to life. Such an approach to life, inviting God into every aspect of our existences, is appealing to many in the fast paced and complex world in which we live. Yet it is not unique. The book of James in the New Testament contains highly practical guidance for being “doers of the Word and not hearers only”—i.e. for practicing the presence of God. Over the next six weeks, we will look at the book of James and consider spiritual principles that help keep us in closer contact with God. This series will be instructive to those who are just starting their spiritual journeys and to those who are “down the road” a bit. Invite a friend. Sermon manuscripts will be available on the Information Station and on the website if you need to miss a week. I’m looking forward to “practicing the presence of God” together this year! See you in church, Tim

12/21/14

Back in the 1960s the Beatles wrote a Song, “Elinor Rigby.” The lyrics begin: Ah, look at all the lonely people Ah, look at all the lonely people Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been Lives in a dream Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door Who is it for? All the lonely people Where do they all come from? All the lonely people Where do they all belong? Loneliness is something we all experience in our lives. We part from a child or a loved one. We experience a lack in life. We move. We lose a close friend. Loneliness is different from solitude. One can feel lonely even in a crowd of people. Yet one can experience a richness and closeness to God and others in solitude. The Gospel of John is a declaration of God’s advent or coming so that we need never be lonely or feel forsaken. Today we read from John 3: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. In John 14 Jesus states: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you." In Matthew Jesus says, “Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” God has made us to be in relationship to God and one another. It is normal to feel lonely at times, but the truth is that we are never alone. God abides with us. This part of the wonder we celebrate at this time of year. One of the greatest cures for loneliness is to reach out and serve another human being. Who is it that you might reach out to today? Studies also state that joining a church and becoming involved lessens one’s loneliness. If you are without a church community, Eastminster is here for you. Members will be received at the conclusion of the service today. If you are here but not meaningfully involved with others, I am happy to speak with you about areas of service or simply to listen. As we journey through Christmas and into the New Year, I pray that God fills all our hearts and lives with love and richness, community and meaning. Blessings, Tim

November 16, 2014

This weekend we celebrate God’s graciousness as we dedicate our Estimates of Giving for 2015. It is a joy to return to the Lord a portion of what we have received for the work of Christ’s Kingdom! I look forward to celebrating that joy in worship and in fellowship after both services this weekend. There is much this week to remind me of joy. This week I have been reflecting on the Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. This is the story where a younger son asks for his inheritance early, which is a scandal in his society. He receives it from his Father and rushes off into a life of materialism and lavish, indulgent living. Once the funds are dried up and the party is over, he is humbled. He returns to the Father and before he can even ask for forgiveness, the Father runs to him and kisses him with compassion in his heart. Instead of being disciplined he is welcomed and honored. A party is planned. The older son gets jealous and the Father replies, “Son you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” I am joyous in that I see, as one of God’s children, what God has is mine. Yet even when I leave that secure place and run off on my own will, God welcomes me back. All heaven rejoices when that which is lost is found. In Simply Jesus N.T. Wright says, “The kingdom has come and is coming in Jesus. Jesus … is the link between heaven and earth.” In Jesus the sick are healed, the wanderers are welcomed, the lost are found. Wednesday I had the privilege to officiate with Pastor Ralph at the Service of Witness to the Resurrection of Joan Thomas. By the time you read this, two other saints, Doug Riddagh and Nathalie Clancy will have been commended to the Lord as well. A wedding will have taken place. In all the joy and in the sorrow, a loving Father welcomes us home, celebrates our faithfulness, and forgives our sin. This church and our faithfulness are part of God’s plan to bring the kingdom to full fruition. As we dedicate our giving and our “Estimates of Giving” today, may we rejoice that God has joyfully chosen us to be part of the kingdom. As we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, let’s remember that is God who chooses to use us together as Eastminster Presbyterian Church now. God will provide for all our needs… and God has a place prepared in the kingdom for us eternally. What a cause for deep joy! We are not lost… we are found. We are children of a compassionate God. Blessings, Tim

Nov. 9, 2014

God surprises us in many ways. As we go through the “Enriched” series we see that contrary to expectations of the times, God uses children to bless and enrich us. God gathers people from all races and countries around his Banquet Table to feast. God uses the unlikely such as the prostitute Rahab in God’s history of Salvation. And today’s text God uses a foreigner, a hated Samaritan to bring compassion, aid and abundant generosity to one who is wounded and left for dead. God surprises us in many ways. Back in our younger years, most adults would never have imagined being where we are and doing what we are doing now. Life has a way of working out in God’s time. The bumps and bruises make us stronger. The dead ends turn to streets of opportunity we would have never encountered if we rushed on our own. The people God puts along the road of life change us forever. God surprises us in many ways. As we return of our Estimates of Giving next weekend, I anticipate that God will surprise us with outpourings of generosity that will literally be life changing. Life changing for the giver in trusting the Lord. Life changing in the mission that ensues as Eastminster reaches out. God surprises us in many ways. I look forward to the journey ahead and to the Ice Cream “Sundae on Saturday” after worship on November 15 and the Celebration Brunch after worship on November 16. Please plan to stay for good food, fellowship and maybe a surprise or two! God surprises us in many ways. As I face the excitement of the surprises of life, I hold on to Proverbs 3:5-12: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. 9 Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11 My child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. 13Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, 14 for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. As we look at the story of the Good Samaritan today, know that our Bible on the Communion Table is turned to Proverbs 3… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This is great wisdom for the journey ahead! Blessings, Tim

November 2, 2014

November is a big month in the life of Eastminster. Today we remember. We remember those who we have loved and even lived with who have passed on to God before us. It is a deeply felt time for me as my father died this year. So did my beloved administrative assistant, Betsy Vosburgh. Several friends and members of churches I’ve served, including Eastminster, also have died. On another but very personal level, I lost a dog, Sunday, who was with us for 17 years. What I have learned is that God is there in all my losses and grief. So are Christian friends. God’s presence allows me to feel pain more deeply… and pain that is not without hope and even joy. Today we remember. I suppose that there is not a person in the congregation that does not have a special someone that they want to lift up to be remembered by God. There will be a time to do that in worship today. In the pastoral prayer after communion there will be a time in which you may lift up, aloud or silently, the names of those who you love and commend to God’s care. Today we remember. A host of the “saints” of our church who passed away in the last year will be remembered by the calling of their name and the toiling of a bell. This is a tradition here and an honorable one. Today we remember. And I ask you to remember this. As a community of faith, when one suffers we all suffer… and when one rejoices we all rejoice. Do not grieve alone. Share your burden with a pastor and a friend. Lift it up to the Lord. Talk to me or a Stephen Ministry Leader, if you want a Stephen Minister to walk with you through this time. Today we remember. Remember the Word of God has comfort. Hebrews 13, the chapter after our scripture today says this: “We can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Today we remember the “Saints” that lead the way for us. And as we remember, let’s remember to be faithful without ceasing to the Lord, the giver of life and the purchaser of life everlasting through Jesus Christ, His Son and the power of the Holy Spirit. May God’s Spirit fill us all with deep gratitude, even in grief and sorrow, and draw us closely together as… Today we remember. Blessings, Tim

October 26, 2014

Last week I attended the first four of our thirteen Stewardship Home Fellowship Gatherings. The most frequent comments are: “Thanks for sharing information so clearly,” “I enjoyed listening to others and sharing my thoughts” and “We should have more of these!” I sincerely hope you sign up today and attend one of the remaining nine gatherings if you have not done so yet. We will be a stronger church as a result! Stewardship is “wise management of all that God provides.” Some people categorize that which we manage as “3 T’s” … Time, Talent, and Treasure. God is the provider of life itself and all we enjoy as individuals and as a church. How we invest our time … how we use our talent… how we manage our material possessions matters to God. Jesus gives much instruction on stewardship in the Gospels. The theme of our sermon series, “Enriched” comes from how the early church lived out Jesus’ teachings. As the church grew in the gentile world, they had compassion on the church in Jerusalem which was struggling. The Apostle Paul helped collect and send an offering to the Jerusalem church. In II Corinthians 9 he writes: The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work….. 11 You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12 for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God…. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! May we too be “enriched in every way, to be generous in every way,” and in so doing, prompt thanksgiving to God. Blessings, Tim

October 5, 2014

Last Tuesday night about 40 “Elders” of our church gathered to discuss the future of the church and pray together. Elders, in a Presbyterian church, are ordained to be spiritual leaders. We are blessed to have excellent elders here! As we met I was reminded of our mission, which is: Led by the Holy Spirit, Eastminster exists to… Invite into Fellowship Equip for Service Reach out in Support And Serve our World for Jesus Christ It is exciting to see some ways in which our mission is being realized lately. People have been invited into fellowship through your efforts as led by the newly formed Outreach Committee. The Outreach Committee sponsored our fourth of July Celebration that hundreds form the community attended. They also sponsored the recent “Back to Church” Sunday and are providing an “Information Station” from which to be a friendly presence and allow visitors and members the opportunity to pick up church brochures, sermons and other information that helps orient on to the life of Eastminster. They also help sponsor the Discover Eastminster event which will occur next Sunday Morning at 8:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. You may register by the card in the bulletin today. Potlucks and after church fellowship over homemade cookies make it easy for us to get to know one another as well. Some ways we are being equipped to serve include the formation of the new Counterpoint Choir where youth grades 7-12 are spreading God’s word through song. Other ways include the three Sunday morning adult education classes that meet at 8:45, Children’s’ and youth fellowships, women’s circles and a new Parenting group. There are other traditional equipping opportunities such as the Brown Bag Bible Bunch… and new ones such as a morning Bible study are about to be launched. Reaching out in support is importantly as we enter the everyday world. Hopefully we all are learning and growing in our serving capacity. Yet we also have times that we need served. The Congregational Care Committee is a foundation for lots of support such as this. They are overseeing the revitalization of the Stephen Ministry which provides one to one care for persons in grief or crisis. The Dorcas Ministry provides support in the form of funeral receptions. His Hands is a group which visits regularly persons who need and desire contact. We also have a Samaritan Fund that helps persons in times of financial need. Finally, there are many ways we serve our world. We have recently doubled our feeding of homeless. We also recently engaged in a Seafarer’s Ministry and have adopted a cruises ship Freedom of the Seas. This summer we supplied students in our community and in El Salvador with school supplies and essentials for living that were desperately needed. There are many other ways we serve in mission and today you may learn about them in a Mission Fair following this service in the courtyard just outside the sanctuary. Please stay and enjoy some fellowship as together we fulfill the mission of Eastminster. I’m proud to be part of a church on the move that cares of people in ways that result in changed lives for Christ! Blessings, Tim