Dear Easter Family,
"In our end is our beginning." These words express our faith that in God we always have hope. The song called Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth begins: "In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise; Butterflies will soon be free."
2009 was hard for many people. The challenges ranged from personal financial struggles, to health issues, to the death of loved ones or the death of relationships, to crisis of faith and values. In many ways it was a hard year for many people. Others found renewed blessing and new beginnings in this past year. Babies were born, marriages solemnized, new careers begun.
In the middle of the darkest time of the year, the followers of Jesus deliberately celebrate the coming of the Son of God being born into the world. While it may appear that darkness prevails and has overcome light, hope and God, just the opposite is true. The light has come into the world. In the darkness, there is a dawn; in the silence, there is a new song.
That is the gospel. That is our hope. That is the promise of the resurrection applied to each of us every day. It is in that promise we can move beyond ourselves, our needs, our opinions to reach out in love and service to our fellow human beings, especially those in need. We can do what Jesus asked us to do.
One of the things that keeps surprising me on the one hand and not on the other is the generosity of the people of Easter Church. It is surprising because of all the challenges that so many face, we keep rising to the task of caring for our sisters and brothers close to home and far away. We give our time. We give our money. We give our prayer, attention and selves away. That of course is not surprising given the fact that we are Jesus people. We live with one foot in the heavenly realms and the other here on earth. We live in the world with the perspective and love of heaven. Of course we give and serve.
Your church is reaching out to those in need locally and globally. We are also reaching inward to help our youth grow in their faith and helping those who are hurting get through their pain. While being generous with those in need, I ask you to continue to be generous with your church (Easter) which is seeking to expand our investment in children, youth and family ministries as well as invite more people in the age range of 20's and 30's to connect with the church through Benediction (our newest worship service on Sunday evenings). Both of these efforts require additional financial support over what we received last year.
The Church Council is also exploring whether this is the right time to take the next step in the development of the Lake site and further the transitional relocation of ministry from the Hill to the Lake site. Several informational meetings have been held this past week. No information from those meetings is available to share at the time of this writing. We will keep you informed.
LENT begins on February 17 with Ash Wednesday. The mid week Lenten services on the five following Wednesdays will focus on themes from The Centered Life, a book by Jack Fortin. We will also be offering book study groups led by your pastors.
WINTER FUN FEST is scheduled for January 31. It's a fun way to play with others in the Easter family. Put it on your calendar.
GLOBAL MISSION EMPHASIS happens for three weeks in January lifting up our relationship with ministries in Guatemala and Tanzania. Thank you for your support.
And as always, I pray for the deepening of your faith life and of your compassion for others. In this is JOY. In this you will know what happiness is. It is found in relationships, not in things or events. It begins in our relationship with the One who made us and has saved us, God in Christ. And it continues in the relationships we share from day to day.
God's work has been put into our hands.
See you in church.
Peace and Love,
Pastor Jim
