Perhaps you’ve heard …
A pastor places his order at the pet store: "I need at least 50 mice, 2000 ants and as many of those little silverfish you can get." The clerk replies, "We can probably do that, but it might take some time. Mind if I ask why you are placing such an unusual order?" The pastor replies, "I've accepted a call to another church and the church council told me to leave the office the way I found it."
Thankfully, I’m not that pastor. But I have accepted a call to another congregation. I leave ECBC with mixed feelings. I will miss you all very much, especially the children.
I’m thankful to all of you who help with Kids Together and with the brief Kids Club program. You all have special gifts for ministry and caring with the children. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Who will take my place?
The late Cyril Homer, an Army Chaplain, was filling the pulpitfor a minister who was out of town. He stated, "No one can really take the placeof your pastor. In fact, I feel like a piece of cardboard used to temporarily replacea broken window pane."After the service, a little old lady approached him and said, "Brother Homer, you're not a piece of cardboard. You're a real pane!"
You will need to evaluate the situation at ECBC. I believe that the Children’s Minister position has merit. You all worked very hard to develop this ministry and also in the search process. I believe that it will be to your benefit to reevaluate your work in the light of my ministry with you. In many ways, I feel like I let you down, but I know that the Lord will bless all of us as we seek to do God’s will. ECBC has many gifted church members; I encourage all of you to do your part for the children’s ministry.
Can he go to another denomination?
A Baptist pastor approached one of his church leaders, "Brother Jones, I heard you became a Mennonite. It just doesn't seem like you. You have been a Baptistall your life!""Pastor," Mr. Jones responded, "I just learned that I have a month to live and I thought it would be better for them to lose one of theirs than for us to lose one of ours!"
Hopefully my logic is better than that. Baptists share some history and beliefs with our Mennonite cousins. In the end, God isn’t going to ask us if we were Baptists or Mennonite or Catholic for that matter, but rather if we fully put our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. In the meantime, we need to be where we feel God wants us to be.
For the past seven months, God wanted me to be with you. I trust my ministry with you was meaningful and that the Lord worked in our midst. I believe that God has better things in store for both of us. The main thing is for all of us to remain open to the Lord’s leading in our lives, and willing to trust God and not our own instincts.
You are welcome to visit the Maple Grove Mennonite Church. The meeting house is at 549 Swan Road, about ¾ of a mile north of Atglen and about 1.5 miles south of Route 30 (first right past Country Gardens). Sunday morning services begin at 10:30.
May our Lord lead you in God’s ways this week and always.
Pastor Steve
This Week’s Motto: Omne finis novo initio est (“Every ending is a new beginning”)
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
A Musing for April 10
Perhaps you’ve heard …
An IRS agent contacted the pastor to verify a church member’s contributions.
“Did Mr. Smith contribute $10,000 to the church?”
The pastor replied, “I’ll check into it, but I’m sure he will.”
If an IRS agent and a lawyer were both drowning and you could only save one of them, would you go to lunch or read the newspaper?
My dad taught me, there are two things in life you can’t avoid: paying taxes and death. We put a lot of worry and energy into trying to cheat both of them; perhaps we should concentrate on using our God given finances and our lives to help others.
Perhaps we need to have more faith at tax time. Some people were worried that Jesus was trying to avoid paying taxes (Matthew 17:24-27). Jesus had Peter go fishing and pay the tax with money he found inside a fish. In the Garden of Gethsemane, some feel that Jesus was trying to avoid death. He told God, “Not my will, but your will be done.” Jesus reminds his disciples to “Give to Caesar (the worldly government) what is Caesar’s, and to God (the heavenly government) what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:15-22)
KIDS TOGETHER
We had a good group at Kids Together this week. Sherry Snyder was our leader this week; some of the kids went home with a frog craft she helped the kids make. Francesca helped organize our Easter ducky ring toss game. Rob came to observe the music; he will help with the music in the future. We talked about Easter stuff. Eggs, baby chicks, flowers are symbols of Easter and are symbols of the new life we have in Christ.
This week Chrissy Casey and Dorothy Gardner will lead the Kids Together program. I will be thinking of you and praying for you from sunny (hopeful) and warm (unrealistically hopeful) Ocean City, NJ.
NURSERY
Our nursery is filling up on Sundays! It’s great to see so many babies – that’s a great way to grow a church! Thanks to Betsy McGeorge and Jill Jordan for providing nursery care last week. Flossie Rusbuldt and Danielle Burkett will be in the nursery next Sunday.
KIDS CLUB
Thank you for your contributions to the Kids Club ministry project. On Sunday morning we packed 11 boxes for soldiers serving in Iraq. The “We Care” boxes will be sent to Jane Arena’s nephew, Chris Foley, and Betsy McGeorge’s brother-in-law, Dan Scheidel. I thank Sherry Snyder and Dorothy Gardner for their help with Kids Club.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE’S ON VACATION?
I will be on a short vacation this weekend. Francesca gave “us” a weekend at Ocean City for Christmas. We call it a wellness weekend, a time to rest and be renewed.
Maybe you heard about the man who wasn’t feeling well …
He went to his doctor for a complete checkup. Afterward the doctor comes out with the results.
"I'm afraid I have some very bad news," the doctor says. "You're dying, and you don't have much time left."
"Oh, that's terrible!" says the man. "How long have I got?"
"Ten," the doctor says sadly.
"Ten?" the man asks. "Ten what? Months? Weeks? What?!"
"Nine, eight..."
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:26-27)
May you make the most of this week that God has given you.
Pastor Steve
This Week’s Motto: Vive ut vivas (“Live that you may live”)
An IRS agent contacted the pastor to verify a church member’s contributions.
“Did Mr. Smith contribute $10,000 to the church?”
The pastor replied, “I’ll check into it, but I’m sure he will.”
If an IRS agent and a lawyer were both drowning and you could only save one of them, would you go to lunch or read the newspaper?
My dad taught me, there are two things in life you can’t avoid: paying taxes and death. We put a lot of worry and energy into trying to cheat both of them; perhaps we should concentrate on using our God given finances and our lives to help others.
Perhaps we need to have more faith at tax time. Some people were worried that Jesus was trying to avoid paying taxes (Matthew 17:24-27). Jesus had Peter go fishing and pay the tax with money he found inside a fish. In the Garden of Gethsemane, some feel that Jesus was trying to avoid death. He told God, “Not my will, but your will be done.” Jesus reminds his disciples to “Give to Caesar (the worldly government) what is Caesar’s, and to God (the heavenly government) what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:15-22)
KIDS TOGETHER
We had a good group at Kids Together this week. Sherry Snyder was our leader this week; some of the kids went home with a frog craft she helped the kids make. Francesca helped organize our Easter ducky ring toss game. Rob came to observe the music; he will help with the music in the future. We talked about Easter stuff. Eggs, baby chicks, flowers are symbols of Easter and are symbols of the new life we have in Christ.
This week Chrissy Casey and Dorothy Gardner will lead the Kids Together program. I will be thinking of you and praying for you from sunny (hopeful) and warm (unrealistically hopeful) Ocean City, NJ.
NURSERY
Our nursery is filling up on Sundays! It’s great to see so many babies – that’s a great way to grow a church! Thanks to Betsy McGeorge and Jill Jordan for providing nursery care last week. Flossie Rusbuldt and Danielle Burkett will be in the nursery next Sunday.
KIDS CLUB
Thank you for your contributions to the Kids Club ministry project. On Sunday morning we packed 11 boxes for soldiers serving in Iraq. The “We Care” boxes will be sent to Jane Arena’s nephew, Chris Foley, and Betsy McGeorge’s brother-in-law, Dan Scheidel. I thank Sherry Snyder and Dorothy Gardner for their help with Kids Club.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE’S ON VACATION?
I will be on a short vacation this weekend. Francesca gave “us” a weekend at Ocean City for Christmas. We call it a wellness weekend, a time to rest and be renewed.
Maybe you heard about the man who wasn’t feeling well …
He went to his doctor for a complete checkup. Afterward the doctor comes out with the results.
"I'm afraid I have some very bad news," the doctor says. "You're dying, and you don't have much time left."
"Oh, that's terrible!" says the man. "How long have I got?"
"Ten," the doctor says sadly.
"Ten?" the man asks. "Ten what? Months? Weeks? What?!"
"Nine, eight..."
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:26-27)
May you make the most of this week that God has given you.
Pastor Steve
This Week’s Motto: Vive ut vivas (“Live that you may live”)
Thursday, April 5, 2007
A Musing for April 5
GOOD NEWS / BAD NEWS ….
Good news: finding Easter Eggs on Easter
Bad news: finding Easter Eggs at Christmas
I’m sure that disciples’ thoughts on “Good Friday” centered on “Bad News.” The unjust trial, abuse, and death of Jesus are a tremendous tragedy in the history of humanity. The good news is that Easter morning came! Jesus rose victorious from the dead; the horrors of humanity couldn’t keep him in the grave. That’s Good News!
The word Gospel comes from the Old English word “Godspell” which meant a good story. This was a translation of the Latin and Greek words (evangelion) for “Good News.” The Gospel is Good News! Jesus Rose from the Dead!
It was sad to announce my resignation on Sunday. The sad part is thinking about leaving all of you, especially the kids. Bad news. As a person of faith, I believe that God brings good news out of bad things. The Apostle Paul wrote, “We know that all things work together for good, for them who love God.” (Romans 8:28) This is good news and hope for the future.
Some have asked about my future plans. In May I will begin as pastor of the Maple Grove Mennonite Church near Atglen. Pray for me as I continue to pray for you.
GROWING IN OUR FAITH DURING LENT
Six weeks ago we planted our amaryllis bulb. We planted it with full faith that it would grow and bloom. We watered it and cared for it. Three weeks ago I almost gave up on the bulb. It showed no signs of growth; I didn’t believe it would grow. However, I didn’t know what was going on inside.
Then a small sprout of green appeared. There was hope. It would at least put out some leaves. It was alive!
Then it put out a stalk with a bud on the end. The bud is opening up and we should have a bloom for Easter Sunday! Good News!
Of course, the plant is an analogy of our spiritual growth. Those of us who have given our lives to Jesus are like the bulb planted in the soil. The church is responsible to care for the plant. Some of us don’t show any visible growth; but God knows what is going on inside. Some of us are growing, but we don’t know if and when the flowers will appear. Some of you are blooming beautifully!
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae,
“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.” (Colossians 1:6)
KIDS TOGETHER
We had a good group at Kids Together this week. I appreciated the help and leadership of Natalie and Ezria Heaps and Gwen Sill. This week Sherry Snyder will help lead the Kids Together program.
HAVE YOU NOTICED the “stained glass” pictures on the doors leading into the sanctuary? The Kids Together children made these during lent. They are symbols of Lent and Easter. The Bible proclaims the Easter message. Flowers, eggs, and butterflies are symbols of rebirth and new life. The crown of thorns and nails represent Jesus’ suffering. The cross is the symbol of Jesus sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
KIDS CLUB
Many people contributed to the Kids Club ministry project. Thanks! The boxes for soldiers serving in Iraq will be packed on Sunday morning. “We Care” boxes will be sent to Jane Arena’s nephew, Chris Foley, and Betsy McGeorge’s brother-in-law, Dan Scheidel. I thank Sherry Snyder and Dorothy Gardner for their help with Kids Club.
SEE YOU IN WORSHIP
Easter is a time when Church attendance tends to grow. The story is told about a man who was coming out of church on Easter Sunday. The pastor was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed the man by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"
My friend said, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."
Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service!"
May you have a good week in God’s service.
Pastor Steve
This Week’s Motto: Cresco per crucem (“I grow through the cross”)
Good news: finding Easter Eggs on Easter
Bad news: finding Easter Eggs at Christmas
I’m sure that disciples’ thoughts on “Good Friday” centered on “Bad News.” The unjust trial, abuse, and death of Jesus are a tremendous tragedy in the history of humanity. The good news is that Easter morning came! Jesus rose victorious from the dead; the horrors of humanity couldn’t keep him in the grave. That’s Good News!
The word Gospel comes from the Old English word “Godspell” which meant a good story. This was a translation of the Latin and Greek words (evangelion) for “Good News.” The Gospel is Good News! Jesus Rose from the Dead!
It was sad to announce my resignation on Sunday. The sad part is thinking about leaving all of you, especially the kids. Bad news. As a person of faith, I believe that God brings good news out of bad things. The Apostle Paul wrote, “We know that all things work together for good, for them who love God.” (Romans 8:28) This is good news and hope for the future.
Some have asked about my future plans. In May I will begin as pastor of the Maple Grove Mennonite Church near Atglen. Pray for me as I continue to pray for you.
GROWING IN OUR FAITH DURING LENT
Six weeks ago we planted our amaryllis bulb. We planted it with full faith that it would grow and bloom. We watered it and cared for it. Three weeks ago I almost gave up on the bulb. It showed no signs of growth; I didn’t believe it would grow. However, I didn’t know what was going on inside.
Then a small sprout of green appeared. There was hope. It would at least put out some leaves. It was alive!
Then it put out a stalk with a bud on the end. The bud is opening up and we should have a bloom for Easter Sunday! Good News!
Of course, the plant is an analogy of our spiritual growth. Those of us who have given our lives to Jesus are like the bulb planted in the soil. The church is responsible to care for the plant. Some of us don’t show any visible growth; but God knows what is going on inside. Some of us are growing, but we don’t know if and when the flowers will appear. Some of you are blooming beautifully!
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae,
“All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.” (Colossians 1:6)
KIDS TOGETHER
We had a good group at Kids Together this week. I appreciated the help and leadership of Natalie and Ezria Heaps and Gwen Sill. This week Sherry Snyder will help lead the Kids Together program.
HAVE YOU NOTICED the “stained glass” pictures on the doors leading into the sanctuary? The Kids Together children made these during lent. They are symbols of Lent and Easter. The Bible proclaims the Easter message. Flowers, eggs, and butterflies are symbols of rebirth and new life. The crown of thorns and nails represent Jesus’ suffering. The cross is the symbol of Jesus sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
KIDS CLUB
Many people contributed to the Kids Club ministry project. Thanks! The boxes for soldiers serving in Iraq will be packed on Sunday morning. “We Care” boxes will be sent to Jane Arena’s nephew, Chris Foley, and Betsy McGeorge’s brother-in-law, Dan Scheidel. I thank Sherry Snyder and Dorothy Gardner for their help with Kids Club.
SEE YOU IN WORSHIP
Easter is a time when Church attendance tends to grow. The story is told about a man who was coming out of church on Easter Sunday. The pastor was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed the man by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"
My friend said, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."
Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service!"
May you have a good week in God’s service.
Pastor Steve
This Week’s Motto: Cresco per crucem (“I grow through the cross”)
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