“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

Ephesians 4:11-12

First I want to thank all of you who participated in our special meeting in February. We worked our way through a lot of items, and had good discussions and suggestions. It would be naïve to think that in all things we would be unanimous, but I hope than everyone felt that their opinion was heard and appreciated.

I know we spent a lot of time talking about buildings, property, and monetary gifts. Those are all important to our ministry here, and I’m so very thankful for all those who have supported this congregation with their gifts, as well as grateful to those who spent so many hours considering language about funds, particulars about property, and dreams for what we could do in the future.

At the same time I’m always concerned that we don’t think only in terms of buildings, budgets and property when we consider our ministry. Each one of us has been equipped by the Spirit with gifts for ministry, right here and now. We don’t need to wait for funds to be raised, or more space to be created. What makes ministry happen is the courage, energy, patience, love and compassion of God’s people in their day to day lives.

It doesn’t matter what your gift is. You might be good at teaching or construction, baking or leading Bible study, leading children’s games or planning budgets. Whatever you gift and interest is, bring it with you to the community of faith. We need all people and all their gifts. More than anything, we need each other in the body of Christ. When we gather for fellowship, worship, service, learning or whatever the occasion, Jesus promises to be in our midst, and the love he brings can bring joy, comfort, hope and meaning.

The matters of resolutions, investments, and eventual facilities are still important, but let’s be concerned with being the church all the while.

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

The time is fulfilled. Here Jesus begins his ministry of proclaiming the good news of a new kingdom. That is the message of these weeks of epiphany. Now is the time Jesus says. It was God’s time to act. Not that the conditions were particularly favorable, or that the people somehow deserved it more, but just that the time was now.

I think we need to recapture that spirit of ministry each day when we set out on our way. The time is now. The kingdom of God is at hand. These statements are as true in this year and this place as they have ever been. We don’t need to wait for more favorable circumstances. We don’t need to wait until someone else asks us to participate. We don’t even need to wait for anyone’s permission.

Each of us has received our commission: Go therefore and make disciples, teach, love one another, pray for one another, break bread with glad and generous hearts, rejoice together, comfort one another, serve the least as if they are Jesus himself, and the list goes on. There is never a lack of opportunities to be the church of Jesus Christ.

When does it all begin? Now. The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, rejoice, worship, work, love, serve, forgive, and always remember that the love of God in Jesus Christ is more certain than anything else in all creation. That’s the message of this season of the year. It is a time of new beginnings, the journey will be long, but this journey begins with the power of God’s Spirit, and moves through all of God’s people.

In Christ,

Pastor John Twiton

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all theyhad heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:20

A new year begins with the sights and sounds of our Christmas celebrations still vivid in our memories. And I think it would be most appropriate to model those shepherds. They went back to their flocks, back to work, back to the ‘real world’ but they weren’t the same. They went back ‘glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.’

We all have to return to more ‘normal’ routines as well, but don’t let the everyday noise drive out the wonder of the star, the angels and babe lying in the manger. Even now I treasure the sights and sounds we have shared. I loved the Sunday School program, and hearing the youngest children sing of the ‘Friendly Beasts’, the men’s choir sing “O Holy Night”, hearing the Christmas bells ring, I keep humming the tune to “My Deliverer” and reliving the sights and sounds of all God’s children coming together for that morning.

I always love the candlelight of Christmas Eve, and hearing the voices of the congregation unite in the familiar old carols. It’s always fun to see families gather, and share the joy of Christmas morning, and few days of break from the regular routines. But most of all there is that story of the Word made flesh. There is the announcement a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This Good News changes everything. Let’s resolve to begin this New Year glorifying and praising God, and living each day knowing that the one who comes as the light of the world, will always be more powerful than the darkness of this present age.

Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

I’m not sure what day I first noticed that one of our local FM stations was already doing all ‘Christmas’ music, but I know that it was a least three weeks before the season of Advent was set to begin. Then again, what passes as Christmas music has a lot more to do with meteorology than it does with a baby born in Bethlehem. The first three songs I heard were “Let it snow”, “Frosty the Snowman” and “White Christmas”. Now I enjoy those songs (although I’ll enjoy them a lot more when it is actually closer to December 25^th), but it always reminds me that we could easily miss the real power of Christmas music if we don’t listen to the words of some the great old and new carols. Listen to verses 3 & 4 of “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”:

…

And you, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

…

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever circling years
Shall come the time foretold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.

…

Here is message of hope and life for us. Take a moment this season to ‘rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.”

Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Sometimes I am struck by the different ways we talk about the church. In November we gather for our annual meeting, and by necessity, we speak of elections, budgets, and constitutional requirements. But that portion of being the church is only there to support our true purpose of sharing the blessings of Jesus’ love with a world in need. Our congregation’s mission statement claims that we are: “A family in faith, reaching out to share God’s love with all people.” This seems much closer to Paul’s description of ministry than elections, budgets and constitutions.

The business of the annual meeting is important, but we must never confuse the organizational necessities with the ministry imperatives. What Paul describes to the Thessalonians is a good description of what we should be doing. Notice that our ministry begins with compassion: “so deeply do we care for you”. That needs to be a hallmark of every gathering and every encounter we have with each other, and with every neighbor and newcomer who crosses our path. We need to be known as a people who care deeply about others. That means going out of our way to introduce ourselves, invite others to share in our worship, and include others in our fellowship. It means creating opportunities to gather, whether that be for worship, Bible Study, service in the community, or just to have fun together.

Then, as we share of ourselves, we also share the Good News of Jesus’ love. God has put us here for the purpose of sharing the blessings that we have first been given. We can reach out to bless. We can speak the words of forgiveness and compassion. We can hold up the needs of others in our prayers, and simply be a presence of God’s grace in a fearful world. Our ministry begins with Jesus, who said: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34b-35)

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION–SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23^RD ELC will be welcoming anyone interested in becoming members of ELC on Sunday, November 23^rd. New member orientation sessions will take place on three consecutive Wednesdays, November 5^th, 12^th, and 19^th, in the Fellowship Hall following the potluck supper. If you, or someone you know, is interested in pursuing membership, please contact Pastor John or the church office.