February 21, 2016

Who is Jesus … To You?

Over many years of life, one question has remained central:  “Who is Jesus?”

There is not a time I remember when I did not know of Jesus or of God’s love for me.  I was raised in a Christian home.  My father was a pastor and my mother the daughter of a pastor.  Both my parents were very thoughtful Christians.  They taught our family and their congregations to consider who Jesus is prayerfully, from the witness of Scripture, from the witness of the Holy Spirit working in our lives and in the life of the communities in which we worshipped and served.

My answer to the question, “Who is Jesus?” has changed over time.  I always felt comfortable having the “Sunday School” Jesus, graphically pictured as the Good Shepherd, looking over me.  I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior when I was 11 years old after a powerful experience of God’s Spirit conferred during a youth musical.  The Jesus I understood at this age was rather moralistic.  Jesus would not want me to cheat or argue while playing “Foursqare” at recess, so I didn’t.  By the time I was fourteen, I hid from this Jesus as I knew my life could never live up to God’s perfect standards.  Guilt drove me further and further away from Christian practice, but like Jonah, I could not escape the presence of God.  At about 17, I got in some trouble early in the morning on a Sunday.  I ran home, hid under my covers, and prayed, “God, I know I haven’t followed you, but if you can help me out of this jam…”  I got in trouble still but there was a distinct presence of Christ during the ordeal and I knew that God answered my prayer, even when I didn’t deserve it.  In other words, I experienced God’s grace, God unconditional love.  This didn’t instantaneously “convert” me to right living, but it was powerful and unforgettable.  Jesus was and is a present help in times of trouble.

During college my life tanked for awhile.  I became depressed and quit going to work and school. I stayed in my dorm and wrote poetry and felt sorry for myself.  I become angry and I even envisioned myself kicking and hitting the foot of a being that represented Christ.  I wanted Jesus to leave me alone.  What I felt flowing down from a face I could not fully see was love.  Everlasting Love.  I surrendered to that love that I knew would never go away.  Again, I wish I could say my life changed immediately, but the reality is that I am still surrendering … and taking my life back… and surrendering again.  Yet the Jesus I understand today is rich, satisfying, complex.  To me, Jesus is a Shepherd, Healer, and Comforter.  He is Lord of my life, my Savior, who has moral claims on my behavior, yet is gracious and accepting. Jesus frees me from the ultimate consequences of sin and desires my growth, as I surrender and we take steps together on the journey of life.

Who is Jesus … to You?  I can’t wait to hear your story … and perhaps tell you more of mine!

Blessings,

Tim

 

 

 

 

January 10

Happy New Year! 

For many the start of a new year gives pause.  We look back at the events of the past with longing and/or relief.  We look ahead at the fresh canvas of days hoped for, events to be lived, and challenges to be embraced.

As I think of transitioning from one year to the next, the image of the “three kings” that visited Jesus gives me pause.  These men journeyed a long way because they were led by conviction, hope, and faith.  They offered gifts to a babe born to peasants, and they “departed by another way.”

I wonder … how were these men changed by this encounter with God, this journey of faith, this meeting with Jesus?  When they “departed by another way” does this signal more than a direction taken back home? 

Today in worship we transition from a study of the promise of a Savior found in Isaiah which was so artfully presented in Word, song, dance, and even painting in Advent, to the reality of Jesus Christ as found in the Gospel of Mark.

We will encounter Jesus fully grown, calling disciples, teaching, preaching, healing, performing miracles and calling all to experience God with freshness.  I hope that as we worship in this New Year each of us opens our hearts and lives to the best that God desires.  For some it will necessitate laying old ideas, fears, doubts, and hurts at the feet of Jesus even as the “three kings” laid gifts of their former lives at Jesus’ feet.  For others encountering God anew will necessitate journeying in new directions as God leads this year … embracing new habits, believing with renewed hope, seeing through eyes of faith, serving God and God’s people in the power of the Spirit.

My prayer is that you will read the Gospel of Mark and other Scripture daily this year and devote time to daily prayer… talking prayer and listening prayer.  My prayer is that God heals your hurts and fills your souls with goodness, mercy, grace and love that overflow like a mighty river and you journey on a step at a time in faith! 

Like the “three kings” God has us on a journey.  The only difference is we don’t worship at a cradle alone … we worship and serve the risen Lord!  Like the “three kings” may we look above to find direction and travel together into a future God eagerly desires for us to embrace!

Blessings,
Tim

November 8

James 1:17 exclaims:  “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”  Isn’t that an awesome word from Scripture?  God is a giver of “good and perfect gifts!”

One gift that can be overlooked is the gift of community.  God put us together at Eastminster to invite, equip, reach out and serve our world for Jesus Christ.  Living in community is not easy.  Yet as we rejoice and respond to God together … amazing things happen.  This year is an example in so many ways!  If you did not receive a brochure in the mail outlining some of them, please pick one up at the Information Station on the way out from church.

Our Scripture today is from I Peter 4.  It gives encouragement to a community that wants to grow close to God.  It calls us to pray together, be disciplined, maintain constant love, be hospitable, all without complaining.  It commands: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received” (I Peter 4:10)

Each of us has received gifts for use in service, and God will provide strength for service so that Christ will be glorified.  Many, many members past and present have generously offered gifts of service to God—gifts of time such as listening to others, learning, worshiping, caring, maintaining our buildings and grounds, nurturing our families—gifts of talents such as teaching, leading, encouraging, exhorting, evangelizing, praising, undergirding—gifts of generosity such as tithing, sharing special offerings, meeting spiritual and physical needs.  I believe that God has made them greater together than they would be separately.  I believe Christ is glorified through Eastminster Presbyterian Church! 

We are on the right track when we “show it”—when we “serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”   As we approach Consecration Sunday next week, be in prayer for Christ to be glorified as we worship together, offer our “estimates of giving” together, and share a meal together in celebration of God’s generosity.

 

October 25

Whether a first-time guest, returning seasonal resident, or regular worshiper, welcome to Kirkin’ O’ th’ Tartans.  Today is a day where we appreciate our heritage and also look into the future with hope.  The Hebrews used to “tell time” by looking backwards and recounting God’s faithfulness and then looking ahead reassured that God’s love, grace and provision would be with them in the future.

Likewise, we have much to rejoice about today.  I hope that there will be time for you to reflect and make a mental or written list of the blessings for which you rejoice and respond by giving God thanks.  Many of us here today are facing future challenges, and we like the Hebrews, can benefit by “telling time” by looking back at God’s grace before looking ahead.  Then we go forward, knowing God will comfort and guide.  Also know that you have a staff and rich community of faith here at Eastminster to depend upon.

One of the best ways to know what’s going on at Eastminster and contribute your input to its future is to attend a Stewardship Home Gathering.   These Home Gatherings are designed for visitors and members alike.  They are a time to meet other people and share in rejoicing; hear about the church’s mission, programs, ministries and finances; and to shape Eastminster’s future by sharing hopes and concerns.  These Gatherings are free. No money will be solicited.  You may register for a gathering in your using the bulletin insert, email Nancy Sorensen at nsorensen@epcfl.or, or by calling the church office (321) 723-8371.

I hope to see you at one of the Home Gatherings, get to know you better, and hear more about your hopes and concerns for the future.

Blessings,

Tim

 

 

 

October 18

Today is “Children’s Sabbath,” and we are blessed to have children and youth assist in worship.  It is also the start of an emphasis on stewardship, which is the care we exercise over all God has given us. 

As I think of the blessings of children and youth and think of Eastminster’s call to be good stewards of all God has given us, I am delighted that there is an obvious care for children and youth here!

I think of the joy the congregation has in sponsoring the Eastminster preschool, in staffing a high quality nursery, in refurbishing the children’s area so growing numbers of kids in the community such as two new girl scout troops and a young persons’ Alcoholics Anonymous can use our facilities, as well as our church choirs, Sunday School, children’s church and youth groups.  I think of the joy of Mrs. June’s group of kids that led worship for over 100 kids daily in Vacation Bible School.  I think of the youth who were cared for by loving adult and parent advisors during a recent lock in, where yet other adults taught them to praise God in new ways.  I think of the many people who provide dinners for the youth and snacks for the kids’ choirs and make special offerings that our ministry to kids may flourish.  There is an obvious care for children and youth here.  This is good stewardship.

Today the kids give back.  We will see how one family practices stewardship over three generations, including the testimony of a five year old, Jonah, who was baptized here.  We will be led in worship by the children’s choir, even as they practice hard to present their best for Eastminster at their Christmas musical.  Our offertory prayer will be led by a Logan, a boy who like King David, “gets God,” even at a very young age.  Three teens, Jenna, Tyler and Ethan will read our scripture.  Please pray for our youth as they have many trials, even at early ages, yet God sees them through.  Especially pray for Taylor, a seventeen year old in our youth group, whose mother died this week.  May God comfort, guide and support her and her family!

I look forward to sharing more about Eastminster’s ministry with you in the Stewardship Home Gatherings which start this afternoon… and listening to your stories!   Please sign up for one of the Home Gatherings using the insert found in your bulletin or by stopping by a table in the courtyard as you exit.

Today we receive new members and recognize those members who have joined during 2015 with a special reception in Fellowship Hall following Sunday morning worship.  If you confess Jesus as Lord and desire to join Eastminster, you are invited to meet at the front of the church following worship.  All other folks are urged to attend the New Member Reception immediately following the benediction.  An added delight is you will be able to welcome Chris Ford as our Kitchen Manager and meet his daughter, Olivia.  Chris is a Godsend to this congregation and will help ensure consistent excellence in the fellowship life of our community!  As we are good stewards, exercising care and rejoicing in God’s blessings, let’s not forget that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17)

Blessings,

Tim

Rejoice and Respond

There are many reasons to rejoice at Eastminster as we move toward the fall.  We rejoice that Eastminster celebrates a rich life of worship and music. We rejoice that we nurture growing numbers of persons of all ages in mission, fellowship and education.  We rejoice that we minister to persons in life crisis whether it be at birth, youth and young adulthood, in “prime time,” or in times of loss and grief.  What a privilege!

God blesses us richly, even as scripture says “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).  And God calls us not only to rejoice but to continue to respond to Jesus Christ so that all may know him and make him known.

“Rejoice and Respond” is the theme for this year’s emphasis on Stewardship—the time we prepare to offer to God our time, talents and treasure to further the mission of Jesus Christ through Eastminster Presbyterian Church. 

As we focus on doing our parts to ensure God’s ministry through Eastminster will be glorifying and effective, Eastminster’s Stewardship Team challenges all of us to be regular in prayer.  As we pray, God will respond with power.  We are in a period of revitalization, and the basic “fuel” for the fire of revival is prayer.  Please pray!

Second, every visitor, regular worshipper, and member is urged to sign up for one “Home Group” today using the insert in your bulletin, going to the information table outside the sanctuary, or contacting the church office.  Beginning next Sunday there will be sixteen “Home Groups” that will meet in members’ home for ninety minutes where leaders will convey the state of the church as we head into 2016.  These gatherings will have time for fellowship and refreshment, for information sharing, for conversation and listening to the perceived “hopes and concerns” of the body as we move forward.  There will be no requests for money.

Finally, we pray that every worshipper, member and friend of the church will respond generously as we together offer a portion of what we receive to God.  The generosity of the church has been outstanding historically, and last year was no exception.  Yet, we are experiencing a season when we are relying on the reserves of the church provided by generous persons in the past to minister in the present.  Now we are at a point where members of EPC are giving more and the church is spending less than in previous years.  We have the chance, with God’s help and everyone’s generosity, to “move into the black.”  We are turning a corner.  This is huge! 

Elder Dick Dunn will give an update of our progress financially through the first three quarters of the year this weekend.  At Home Group gathering your sense of God’s call for the future will help inform the church’s direction.  Then, on November 15 Eastminster will unite in a Consecration Sunday where we will worship, offer our Estimates of Giving—good faith estimates of what God leads us to offer the church to support it financially, and we will celebrate with a church-wide Celebration Lunch.

Please be in prayer for our mutual ministry, attend a Home Group, rejoice in the Lord, and prepare to respond generously and cheerfully as the Lord leads.

Blessings,

Your Stewardship Team:  Sunny Rudloff, Chairperson, Barbara Allen, Dick Dunn,  Pete Lazaredes, June Leech, Chappie Maxwell, Bill McCaslin, Susan Wailes, Michelle Toms, Tim Rogers-Martin.  Ian Falconer and Walt Fredrickson, advisors

 

 

October 4

We celebrate World Communion Weekend. This weekend over 2 billion Christians from around the world will celebrate communion as act of unity in Christ. That’s over 25% of the world’s population! As we gather around the table today, plan to “rejoice and respond.” Make a mental list of those things for which you rejoice. Offer them to God as “thank you” prayers. In the quietness of the moments, as the bread and cup are shared, ask God how God would have you respond to the blessings you receive. We will be looking at the dynamic of “rejoice and respond” over the next several weeks. In the fall season, traditionally associated with harvest, Eastminster emphasizes the practice of good stewardship as returning to the Lord a portion of what we have received for the promotion of Christ’s mission in the world. First, we will rejoice as we meet in home groups and get to know one another and discern God’s will for Eastminster’s ministry in the years ahead. In your bulletin today is a flyer listing 16 home groups. Every worshipper is asked to pick one to attend a 90 minute gathering to enjoy simple refreshments, share, be informed, and help shape the ministry path of the church. This is a time to celebrate and be informed about Eastminster’s direction. No one will be asked for money at any of these events. You may sign up by returning the flyer in the offering plate, using the sign up table outside the sanctuary, or signing up online. Second, we will look at the theme of rejoicing and responding in scripture in relation to Children (October 17-18), Heritage (October 25, Kirkin’ o’ th’ Tartans), Worship (Nov. 1) and Mission (Nov.7- 8). During this time the financial needs and ministry opportunities of the church during 2016 will be highlighted. Third, on November 14-15 we will celebrate “Consecration Sunday” and return during worship our Estimates of Giving for 2016. Estimates of Giving are good will statements by worshippers of what they will give to God through the church during 2016. This helps Eastminster’s leaders plan well. We will celebrate in good Presbyterian fashion with good food and fellowship over this weekend. Finally on November 21-22 we will give thanks to God in traditional and contemporary services of worship. Stay posted for more details concerning all the above. Know that I rejoice here in my ministry with you. It is a high honor to be selected as your installed pastor last Sunday. Your affirmation is awesome, and I respond with my pledge to serve you well in dependence as God’s Spirit gifts and guides. I am convinced that although we have a long road ahead of us, God will be faithful and God’s blessings bountiful as we “rejoice and respond” together! Blessings, Tim