Pastor's Message

May 2012 - by Rev. Christine Jaronski, Interim Minister

One of my favorite Offertory Prayers is one that I say almost every Sunday. "All good gifts around us come from you, O Lord. You have given us life and new life in Christ. As you have given us gifts, so we offer our gifts; that we may be gifts to one another, even as Jesus so taught and lived."

During this Easter season, and as we approach our Annual Meeting, it is time to ponder: How have we been given new life in Christ? In what way are we "Easter people?" Are we changed from who we were a year ago? How are we gifts to one another? How do we go forward as faithful followers of Jesus?

It is tempting to breathe a sigh of relief, and think that we've gotten through the church's major holiday, soon it will be summer, and now we can relax. But anyone who has a plot of grass to care for knows that SPring begins a time of both work and play. I tend to look at Spring through rose-colored glass - delighting in the birds, the daffodils, the turtles, and blue skies. But yesterday I had a reality check as I mowed the laun for the first time. I mucked out the area under my bird feeder, and I debated over where to move a shrub that was being crushed by my Rose of Sharon. There is still work to do.

So it is with our church. So it is with our souls. Let us be grateful for the gifts we have been given, and continue to work and preserve and enhance them. Let us rejoice in the promise of Easter, sharing our blessings and comitting ourselves to new life in Christ.

- Christine

January 2012 - by Rev. Christine Jaronski, Interim Minister

As we move from Christmas into the New Year, the church celebrates the dayknown as "Epiphany," January 6th, the Day of the Three Kings. In Mexico and South America, and most Spanish-speaking countries, this is a major holiday. It is the day that children receive their Christmas gifts, not from Santa Claus, but from the Three Kings, because it is the day that the kings brought their gifts to the Christ Child.

The word "epiphany" means a revelation. On January 6th it means the revelation of the divinity of Jesus to the Three Kings, but it can also mean a sudden moment of clarity - of understanding the essence or meaning of something. Do any of you watch the TV show "House" ? It is about an eccentric doctor whose job it is to diagnose rare diseases. Each week he and his team are presented with seemingly insoluble cases. They settle upon one answer, and find it is wrong. They find another angle, only to discover that also is wrong. After several false starts, there comes a moment when Dr. House is discussing something totally unrelated to the case, and suddenly gets a far-off look in his eyes. Within seconds he knows how to cure the disease. He's had an epiphany!

I think this happens in the lives of each one of us. We wreste with problems, struggle with decisions; try to find out way out of the conflicts. Sometimes the only thing to do is to live with the tension, and trust that God will give us a star to follow; and guiee us along the way. Like the Three Kings, may we be led to recognize the meaning of God's love for us, and may you New Year be filled with blessings!

- Christine

December 2011 - by Rev. Christine Jaronski, Interim Minister

My very favorite moment in this Christmas season filled with memorable moments is not the trip to pick out a tree, or putting up the lights and decorations, or baking special cookies, or listening to holiday music, or shopping for and wrapping presents. My favorite moment happens on Christmas Eve at church, when candles are lit, and the lights dim, and we all sing Silent Night together, with those beautiful words, "all is calm, all is bright."  It is a moment of peace and quiet joy.  But sometimes, those weeks and days leading up to Christmas can be frantic and stressful; and it would be nice to find a calmer, brighter way to enjoy our preparations. I want to share with you some words that might help. It’s to remind us that Christmas is all about LOVE.

L is for "Lower your expectations," Don’t expect to do everything, and don’t expect everything you do to be perfect. Help your children to lower their expectations - they are not going to get X-Box 360 or whatever the outrageously expensive toy of the moment is - and they’re still going to have fun and feel loved.

O stands for "Overindulge wisely." Holidays are traditionally a time for feasting, having parties, making special treats. But a little of this goes a long way. Decide which indulgences really make you happy, and cut back on the rest.

V is for "Value those you love." This is the time to really appreciate our loved ones, and we know that there are so many ways to show it that don’t involve spending money. Often it’s just spending time and doing things together - perhaps passing down a tradition to the next generation - going to see Christmas lights, or singing Christmas carols together.

E is for "Exercise." Most of us will say we don’t have time for exercise, but it’s often the best thing to relieve stress, burn off that cup of eggnog, and improve our overall health. I know I need encouragement to make time for exercise, but I’m always glad when I do.

So, see if any of these ideas work for you; and remember you can always take an hour off for church on Sunday morning, and we especially hope you’ll be there with us on Christmas Eve!