Called to Gather and to Go

Jesus said: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus calls us to gather and to go.

We come to God for renewal. We gather to worship God and in prayer, praise and celebration of the sacraments to be renewed for the journey of life. Why? Because we all carry burdens. God is the source of all that is good and giving thanks to God gives us perspective and fuels our perseverance. God is the source that makes us new each and every day.

To be renewed is also why we gather together in community with fellow travelers in faith. I recently met with long time members of the church who have not felt ready to return to in-person worship—they join worship each Sunday online. They shared how much they miss seeing and being with the people of our church. So many of us share this feeling—the fellowship of the church is a blessing from God. The times we eat together, laugh together, sing together, study the Bible together—this is being the church together—and it is medicine for the soul.

The leaders of this church- myself, Session, and Deacons—continue to intentionally seek ways to keep our community connected even as the Coronavirus, contentious social dynamics, political division, and economic tensions all pull at us. Big gatherings are not scheduled this Fall—but smaller get-togethers are possible. Our Bell Choir is ringing—using the sanctuary’s space to facilitate a safe environment. Our Chancel Choir is wearing their specialized masks. It’s a sign of their commitment to making a joyful noise to the Lord in a safe and responsible way. I lead a time of prayer in the sanctuary each Wednesday and look forward to a bagged lunch time of fellowship on the first Wednesday of each month. The Deacons are meeting and planning ways to help “gather” and connect us. And they are continuing to reach out to their care-partners.

But Christ not only calls us to gather. Jesus was sent to us so we would know the grace of God. And we are sent to go out into the world to do as he commanded. Jesus was clear when he said: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (John 13:34) We are committed to being a downtown church showing God’s love to our neighbors. This Fall, our Mission Team is guiding us with a clear mission-theme: Joining Hands to End Hunger. Our newly commissioned Blessing Box is a way we can serve our neighbors in a safe and sustainable way during this on-going time of social distancing. We will continue to work with our Mission partners in Easton - Safe Harbor, ProJeCt, Meals on Wheels- but with renewed commitment. Serving our neighbors is not a burden or obligation. Following Jesus in service fills our hearts with love, hope, peace and joy.

In whatever ways you can, know that you are invited to gather with your church and to go and serve your neighbors. As we gather and as we go to serve in love-- God is with us.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Stefanie Muntzel

We are in this together

Together means God is with us and that we are connected by God’s grace. As a church we are a community of people who pledge to serve our neighbors and care for one another, together.

This past year it has been hard to connect. And we are expecting the coming year to be one of more twists and turns - will booster shots be required, when will kids be able to be vaccinated, will new variants develop? Staying connected in prayer and purpose is our goal.

I am going through the directory and calling all households to pray with you and for you.

Our Blessing Box will be dedicated at the end of the worship service on Sunday, September 19. Any Eagle Scouts who wish to come in uniform are welcome to do so—as the Blessing Box was constructed as an Eagle Scout project. Come learn how you can offer food to neighbors.

“Join Hands to End Hunger” is our mission theme for the coming year. The Mission Team has created a menu of hands-on-ministry actions, some new - some ongoing, which our entire congregation can participate in together.

Mid-week Meditation is a time for small groups to meet safely to pray together. This will happen with social distancing in our sanctuary. If coming to worship in person is not an option for you on Sundays and you do not feel worshipful watching worship online, this is a devotional time for you. This begins on September 22.

Brown Bag Lunch is a time of fellowship for members and friends of the church to join Pastor Stefanie on the first Wednesday of each month, starting October 6, from noon to 1pm.

I invite you to recommit yourself to being the church by offering your gifts, talents, and treasures to support the ministry of the church and by participating in some way of re-connecting with this church community this Fall. The choir is looking for a way to come together to make music. We are exploring ways to form mini prayer groups (prayer pods) of folks who will pledge to pray for each other and will call one another regularly. There is interest in transforming one Sunday a month into children and youth Sunday. Your re- commitment to our mission and ministry will propel this church into the future AND make it a place where more people can come to know the love of God.

I look forward to partnering with you in the coming season.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Stefanie Muntzel

Extending God's Grace

I want to be a gracious person because I am blown away by God’s grace. God’s grace is love generously and unconditionally given to us. Jesus shows us how God’s love overcomes all things, even death itself.

Grace is not just a theological concept to me or just something which I study from the Bible. God’s daily grace in my life sustains me. My spiritual wrongs, aka sins, are real. I am wasteful. I could be a better steward of creation (for example). But God doesn’t withhold blessings from me because of my wrong doing. God does not withhold love. I am not what I achieve, or do or don’t do. I am loved. Period.

Have you felt that sense of just brimming with gratitude because of God’s awesome love? All I want to do when that grace takes hold of me is respond in kind. This is the transformative power of grace-it changes me and you into a conduit for the continued sharing of that grace.

Extending God’s grace to other people is still, however, not easy for most of us. Some Christians think that being nice or avoiding disagreements is the way of Jesus. This leads people to hold onto resentments or talk behind people’s backs. Grace never shrinks from the light of day. Others might think that embracing God’s grace means keeping things positive and happy. This can make our loving-kindness flimsy and superficial. Grace inspired by God is courageous.

Jesus is our model of grace. Jesus loved unconditionally. Any look at scripture reveals that Jesus spoke with others about hard things. Jesus called people out for being judgmental and unjust. Jesus showed us that being in loving relationships with people is anything but easy. Grace takes self-awareness and effort. Love is hard work. I suppose being gracious takes a lot of humility on our part as well, because grace demands we see each other as equally loved by God. As Christ followers, we don’t require a person to earn humane and kind treatment. Jesus respected the fundamental value of all people and thus, so should we.

June is a month when the LGBTQ+ community celebrates its ‘pride’. Pride in this sense is not vanity but a celebration of authentic self-love. Because I proclaim the unconditional love of God is real, I celebrate wholeheartedly that God loves lesbian women, gay men, bi-sexual persons, transgendered people, and all the folks who identify as part of the *Queer community. (*Queer is a term reclaimed in order to counter its past negative uses). Our church family includes individuals who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Not making assumptions about who people love or what pronouns they use is one way we are gracious with one another. This is God’s love in action-not just extended for a month but always.

I don’t think there has been one moment in history when being gracious has NOT been important. But right now, as we navigate a time of shifting expectations and heightened divisions coming out of a global pandemic, being gracious with each other is truly needed. Our love should be active and expansively shared.

So what might it look like if we double the dose of grace we extend to others (and to ourselves) as we move into this summer? Might we choose kinder words when we speak with each other? Might we choose to be curious rather than judgmental, compassionate rather than condescending, generous rather than defensive? Might we let our whole hearts fill with gratitude as we consider the goodness of God and the depths of God’s grace? I’ll try. Won’t you join me?

Peace,

Pastor Stefanie

ALL THINGS NEW

All around us Spring reminds us that life renews itself. Yes, it is not that long ago that we saw some frosty mornings and sprinklings of snowflakes, but daffodils, tulips, forsythia and cherry blossoms tell us winter is behind us. As “Easter” people, we followers of Jesus embrace God’s ever life-giving and renewing power. God is always standing ready to offer us what we need to thrive and grow in new and renewed ways.

In many ways, life here in the building of First Presbyterian Church of Easton feels like we are a caterpillar coming out of a cocoon. After a season of being in “lock-down”, we are slowly unfurling our wings. I have heard community members share that they cried tears of joy and relief when they received their vaccination. I have seen two church members fully vaccinated (and masked) hug as they stood out in the church parking lot. I have heard grandparents joyfully tell that they have seen and held their little ones-after a long season of separation. This first Sunday in May, we “re-opened” for in-person worship. It is not exactly as it was, but it is a new beginning. We have made smart choices to keep one another and ourselves healthy by keeping apart-this is one way we live out Christ’s pro-active love. But now we are moving to a new phase. This new season will not be like any other. I invite you to wonder with me: What is God going to do in our midst, now? How will we respond to the Spirit’s prompting?

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

While there was nothing good about the loss of life in the pandemic, much heartache in a time of racial justice renewal and of social division, we can learn from the past 14 months. We now know, in a way we did not before, that we can innovate and adapt as a church community. And as we longed for certain aspects of church life, we have been reminded of what we truly value. (Music!!!) And so as we “come back” we have the opportunity to do a re-set of sorts. What can we leave behind as something from the past which does not fit into who we are as a church today? What was missing in our ministry over the past year—that you wish to put effort to bringing ‘back to life’. How can we refocus ourselves on our calling, our mission, our ministry and shall that purpose with new friends and partners? I ask you to consider the gift of the season of which we are in... the season of Easter. You personally may have had some realizations about who you are and what “gives you life” over the past months. As we, the church, come together again let us find clarity and renewed commitment as followers of the Risen Christ.
- Pastor Stefanie

COVID19 Update

Our church has had to be nimble and adaptive as we faced each week of this crisis, as information about and response to COVID19 has been ever changing. And yet throughout this uncertain time, your leaders have made each decision regarding worship and building use in an informed and prayerful manner—with the greatest concern being weighted to guard the health and well-being of our congregants and our neighbors. Not for one moment has this church closed.

As reports indicate that our county may be moved into the less restrictive “yellow phase” in June, we are diligently working on plans for what worship and ministry in the next several weeks and months. We know that we will have worship on-line only in the month of June. In June you will receive a survey asking for your perspective on in person gatherings. This is one of many pieces of information and recommendations the Session will use to make further decisions. We are not able to hold a congregational meeting this June. Officers currently serving have agreed to extend their terms until September.

Currently our building and office remain closed to the public and congregation. I am in the office on Wednesdays. And our administrator, Kim Price, is in the office on Fridays. Messages on email and phone, as well as the mail, are being checked regularly. We are upgrading our worship sound system and applying for grant money to purchase additional equipment. Online worship will continue even when in-person options are available. We have learned to do some new things during this crisis and those learnings which enrich our ministry will continue.

Please be prepared. There will not (soon) be a return to how things were. We already are bracing for the reality that we will not be able to sing together for some time. But we will adapt-- we will worship God with joyful hearts even if with quieter voices. We are already lamenting the necessity to keep our distance, even when we meet “in-person”. But we will adapt-- we may hug less, but our care for each other and our neighbors will not diminish. God’s love for us has not changed and so we joyfully will move into our future with hope and faith.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Stefanie

More than a Building

Dear First Presbyterian Church of Easton,

I know for sure how empty our building has been. Today I went into the Millheim Conference Room and walked through… a spider’s web. I laughed with surprise.

Currently only our treasurer and myself come in to the office, each on a separate day of the week.  Susan Mackay has been so dutiful in her treasurer’s responsibilities- ensuring your donations are deposited and of course, paying the church bills. Many of you may not know that Kim Price our office administrator has not worked for us since March. Due to concerns regarding her health, she has stayed carefully quarantined. (Though we very much hope to have her back soon.)  On Sunday only a crew of no more than four are in our sanctuary. And only occasionally will one of our property co-chairs be on the grounds. Yes, the church building has been empty.  

But how many of you remember the Sunday School or VBS song you once learned which started with the following words: “the church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people!”?  Remember that the early “church” did not have buildings. 

The early “converts” to the faith were said to have “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2
Many were still were active in their Jewish faith and thus in Temple life, but much of what those disciples did together took place in homes and out in the community. 

I have no idea what Jesus would have thought of Facebook or Zoom- two kinds of on-line platforms we are using to keep in touch during stay-at-home orders. I know some days I wish I had the patience of Jesus as I try to navigate the technological challenges we face as we try to be the church-out-in-the-world. I thank you as a congregation for rising to the challenge of logging onto Facebook to see our live-streamed worship or for learning how to get on a video-conference Zoom meetings. Sometimes it is frustrating.

While we will once again fill our building- most likely in small stages- we surely have been fully launched into the digital age. We see the numbers of people we can reach by using technology. Before today’s new “converts” to the faith meet us in our sanctuary, they most likely will first meet our church on Facebook or Instagram. Teams have discovered that we can meet from our homes- especially if weather or children’s bedtimes are an issue. Church life as we know it will be different when we reemerge after COVID19.

As we await what those days ahead, know that what makes First Presbyterian Church of Easton a special ‘place’ will not change. For this church is more than our building (which is lovely); this church is a resilient group of people. 

Be witnesses to God’s love by sharing kindness and compassion anywhere and everywhere you can.

Be Well.

Peace,

Pastor Stefanie

Staying Connected

As I write to you, I cannot believe it is (almost) May. It has been quite a while since I have seen many of you in person. And yet, even under the strange circumstance brought about by COVID-19, we at First Presbyterian Church of Easton are being the Body of Christ.

We have been worshiping together. I see many of you log onto our Facebook page for our livestream worship. I see how many are watching our worship from our website. This Sunday we will again have communion. We are gathering. Our choir “meets” (online) each Wednesday night for some fellowship. Our book club is even meeting over a video conference this month. And each Thursday night, I am leading an online Bible study. Also, as Christ call us, we are continuing to serve our neighbors. We are delivering meals to Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter. Many of you are offering your time to serve others through “Meals On Wheels”. Our Deacons are staying in touch with our special care members and offering them support through prayers, cards and calls. And our leadership is making plans for the future. Embracing an adaptable attitude, our Session is discerning where God is leading us as we strategize about what the next few weeks and months will look like.

We will come together again. It will be with careful measures put in place. When that times comes, I will rejoice in seeing your face. Until then, know that God is with you each day. Prayers for your health and patience.

We Are The Church

These are unusual and uncertain times. We are all learning new levels of patience and adaptability during this crisis, both personally and as followers of Christ. What is also true in these strange times is that God is faithful. With attentiveness to the moving of the Spirit, we will be creative in remaining a people who worship, who grow in faith, and who serve our God and neighbors.

Our faith in Jesus Christ demands that we love our neighbors by not gathering in-person right now. Therefore, Session voted to comply with official recommendations for churches and suspend in-person worship in our building for all of April. We will continue to adjust as circumstances unfold. Considering guidance from our denominational leaders, the Session also authorized the celebration of communion this coming Palm Sunday, April 5th. Likewise, we will have a time of worship online at 6:30PM on Maundy Thursday, though we will not celebrate communion at that time.

While we wish we could gather with a joyful music and flowers in our sanctuary for Easter, we will mark the day as best we can in our homes. We will worship online and acknowledge the power of Resurrection Hope. Our flower orders are on hold. When we can meet again in person,we will celebrate!!! And we will proclaim, as the song sung often by our church tells us, every morning is Easter morning!

GUIDE FOR ONLINE WORSHIP AND AT-HOME COMMUNION

HOW TO JOIN WORSHIP ONLINE
There are two join-from-home options for the Sunday morning worship services:
• Facebook Livestreaming at 10:30 AM
1. Go to the FPCE Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EastonFPC/
2. Look for Live Video. If you don't see a Live Video, click “Videos” on the left-hand menu.
3. Note, if you want to view the service at a later point, other than Live, it will be saved under VIDEOS.

• Website, Video of that Sunday Morning Service posted by Noon:
1. Visit the page on our church website: https://eastonfpc.org/online-worship

AT-HOME COMMUNION
1. Before you join online worship, find a space to comfortably focus on worship. This may include your own table. Using what you have at home, assemble common elements of bread (pita, rye, cracker, sourdough, etc.) and liquid in a cup (wine, juice, water).
2. Join online worship (see above)
3. The Communion liturgy will be that which is used by our congregation when we normally celebrate communion. Follow along here.

Coming Clean in Lent

Lent is a forty-day period before Easter which is inspired by Christ’s forty days in the wilderness. This was a time during which Jesus prepared for his ministry of teaching, healing, and giving his life on the cross. During this season, Christ’s followers seek to reorient our lives in the pattern of Jesus. We prepare ourselves to be open to the mystery and joy of Easter.

The focus of this season is on the repentance of sins. Sometimes we humans make mistakes- we lock our keys in our car. Mistakes are not sins. Sins are actions which push a wedge between us and God. Sins hurt others and they weigh on our souls. Lent becomes a time of empowerment, when we Christians look at ourselves with humility and come in prayer to confess to God. We need not be ashamed, because we are not our sins. God made us and loves us. We tell God we are sorry and seek to change our ways because we know that God will forgive us. We know confession is good for our soul.

In Psalm 51, the writer of this poem/prayer asks God to “create in me a clean heart”. The washing away of sins is a metaphor which is used throughout scripture. Anyone who has taken a needed shower knows the relief of being washed clean. This is the gift of Lent- it’s a time to come clean with ourselves and with God.

This Lent, I am asking our community here at First Presbyterian Church of Easton to consider the metaphor of coming clean in concrete ways. We know we have not been good stewards of the Earth. We pollute God’s creation. We waste natural resources. God gave humans enough resources for us all to have life: not just to survive but to live abundantly and fully. But we who claim to honor our Creator, do not use our gifts of intelligence and of compassion to find reasonable ways that no one be hungry or thirsty. We need to come clean before God, and look at how the Christian community can show the world our respect for God’s creation.

Today we know that we must reduce our use of plastic which unlike natural resources does not biodegrade. Not enough of plastic can be recycled, so we can do things like opt for plastic which has already been recycled and we can opt for plastic which we can reuse, rather than use once. In our church coffee hour, we will be exploring how to reduce our waste by having a “mug” counter where washable coffee cups are available. The idea is that individuals will either bring in their own reusable coffee container and bring it home or use (and wash) the mugs we provide. We do NOT want deacons and deacon helpers to get stuck washing mugs.

Won’t you join me in coming clean this Lent?

• Forget giving up chocolate in Lent: give up buying anything plastic until Easter.
• Save water and fossil fuels by committing to giving up meat one day a week: Friday or Meatless Mondays.
• Install a programmable thermostat or lower your thermostat at least 2 degrees to save energy. For each degree lowered, you save 5% on your home heating costs.
• Pet waste hurts your watershed when it’s washed into storm drains, streams, and other water. It’s one kind of pollution that can be easily cleaned up.
• Plan to stock Easter baskets with Fair Trade* chocolate and other goodies. Use Fair Trade* coffee and tea, like our Deacons are doing this Lent in coffee hour.

Your pastor,
Stefanie

* Fair Trade goods like coffee, chocolate and sugar are made according to a set of standards that encourages environmental sustainability, as well as ensuring that the people involved in production were treated and compensated fairly. Learn more at fairtradecertified.org

Gift of the Church

Dear Friends,

My son is currently taking a psychology class. While driving home from somewhere, he shared something he learned in that class: “Mom, did you know that people who practice religion are healthier and live longer than others?”

I am familiar with studies that have been done on mental health and longevity in people of faith. That afternoon we talked about all the gifts of being in a church community—the support and encouragement I have seen church members give each other when we are having difficult times, the fun we have when marking important joyful occasions like birthdays and holy days, and the positive impact of serving others with and through a church. I also told him how much prayer and the wisdom of God’s Word help me when I am feeling stressed out or over-whelmed. It does a mother’s heart (and a pastor’s heart) good to see a young person recognize the positives of being active in one’s faith community.

As we gather in the coming month to give thanks for all our blessings, I encourage you to keep in mind the gift of “the church”. In a time when there is so much to worry about related to so many areas of our lives (the environment, politics, economics, and health), what a joy it is to come to a place of refuge and sanctuary where we can be renewed and revived by God’s grace! I certainly give thanks for the opportunity to serve as your pastor and to continue to grow together as God calls us into a fruitful future!

Your pastor,
Stefanie

The Frozen Chosen

“Frozen Chosen” is a nickname I have heard given to Presbyterians.

The “chosen” part may come from the fact that Presbyterians are associated with concept of Pre-destination. I could write a whole newsletter on the history and varying thoughts around this teaching about faith and salvation. But let’s just say that I have known zero Presbyterians today who are overly concerned with the idea of Predestination. What our tradition has always held is the belief that God is the source of all things—even our faith. In that sense God chooses us before we choose God. But even our founding Theologian John Calvin would rush to tell us that we cannot know the will and wisdom of God, so how and to whom exactly God offers faith is a mystery. We trust God’s goodness in the process of giving faith, grace and salvation justly and generously.

But I wanted to focus on the “frozen” part of the nickname Frozen Chosen. Let me give it to you straight: Presbyterians have a reputation for being stiff and reserved. We aren’t known for our joy. This is especially true of the perspective on our worship style. In other words, we aren’t thought of as having a lot of “Spirit”.

So, I had to laugh when recently I spoke to someone who grew up in a non-Presbyterian church. She wanted me to know about the first Presbyterian worship service she had just attended. She was in “culture shock” when she entered the sanctuary and saw everyone chatting and greeting each other. In her home church people sat quietly until the service started. A person sitting in front of my friend had recently had a death in the family and she said: “Everyone was coming up to him and giving him hugs and offering to bring him food”. Then during the passing of the peace, she didn’t know what to do when people left their pews to welcome her, AND someone asked her if they could offer her a hug! So much for stiff and reserved!

Scripture tells us that God’s Spirit is active among us today. The life and energy of the Spirit of God is truly at work in our congregation here in Easton. The warmth we feel and show for each other and for new faces, reflects God’s Spirit. Our love of all kinds of music in worship, reflects God’s Spirit. Our active commitment to Mission and Community engagement—this is God’s Spirit stirring through our faith. God’s Spirit moves in many different ways and differently among different people. Some people feel God’s Spirit in quiet reflective moments and other when they raise their hands and shout “Alleluia”. And there is a lot of room for the Spirit to joyful move us in many different ways. The warmth of God’s Spirit is undeniable in our church. I look forward to marking Pentecost with you on June 9th, when new officers will be installed, a new member welcomed and a dove kite will fly over the congregation (guided by Luke) to remind us that the Spirit is with us, now and always.

Easter People in a Broken World

Why did Jesus come into this world? Why did he rise from death to new life?

God sent his Beloved into this world so that we might know life in all its fullness. The Prince of Peace defeated death so that we would know without doubt that God’s intention is for goodness to triumph over sin and death.

I pray that the Easter’s promise gives you personal peace. If God would go to such lengths with Jesus, to show God’s love, there is no challenge or hardship or heart break which you should fear. God is with you. God is offering you a path to abundant life, now and after death. Trust in the hope which Easter reveals to you.

But Easter isn’t just for you and me. You and I are called to be Easter people in service to this world—Easter gives us a purpose in this life. We are to be the hands, voice, feet and heart of the Living Christ. This hurting and still broken world needs healthy, whole human beings whose faith compels them to stand up for what is good and right. Sure, we are far from perfect. But God works through imperfect people through-out scripture and through-out history.

Over the past few months, attackers have targeted places of worship around the world. In California a gunman opened fire on Chabad Poway synagogue on the last day of Passover, one of the holiest holidays in the Jewish calendar. The person wielding terror in this horrible act of violence also was involved in a fire at a nearby Mosque. His family attended a Presbyterian Church (though not our same denomination). This breaks my heart. This violence followed a series of bombings on Christian churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday; mass shootings at New Zealand mosques last month; and a shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh six months ago.

Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offer us these words: “As Christians, we are called to renew our own commitment to Him who is The Prince of Peace, and to demonstrate His love toward all of God’s children, regardless of their commitment to other faiths or to none. Let us all renew our response to Him, seeking peace and justice for all, and demonstrating vigilance against every sign of prejudice and potential violence against others.” 

Let us seek to be God’s Easter people.

Your Pastor,
Stefanie

Hope of the World

At Christmas one of my favorite songs is “Born in the Night, Mary’s Child”. It is a lyrical song

which reminds us that the Christ Child was not just a child, as he is the embodiment of God’s

grace. But Jesus was also simply a child, a child whose mother loved him so.

Born in the night, Mary’s child, a long way from your home:

coming in need, Mary’s child, in a borrowed room.

Clear shining light, Mary’s child, your face lights up our way:

light of the world, Mary’s child, dawn on our darkened day.

Truth of our life, Mary’s child, you tell us God is good:

prove it is true, Mary’s child. Go to your cross of wood.

Hope of the world, Mary’s child, you’re coming soon to reign:

king of the earth, Mary’s child, walk in our streets again.

As we approach the celebration of Easter, we are reminded of the difficult path which Jesus

walked as a human being. He was a person who sat with sinners and outcasts. He was a truth

teller. For what he taught about God and how he questioned human hierarchies of love- he was

scorned. Ultimately the human powers that be, took his life. And his mother had to watch him

suffer and die. There is nothing good about this. But there is some comfort in knowing that

God in Jesus knew human struggle and even the sting of death itself.

The good news we cling to in the midst of our human struggles is that this was not the end of the

story, not for Mary’s child and not for all of humankind. In the path of this unique man, we

come to know the depth of God’s love. Love itself overcame the grip of sin and death. We can

trust that the strength of this Holy Love is offered to us. So we look to the journey of Jesus in

this season of Lent, we look with sadness and repentance but also with hope.

The Ballad of Mary’s Son

It was in the Spring/ The Passover had come.

There was feasting in the streets and joy.

But an awful thing/ Happened in the Spring –

Men who knew not what they did/ Killed Mary’s Boy.

He was Mary’s Son,/ And the Son of God was He –

Sent to bring the whole world joy.

There were some who could not hear,

And some were filled with fear –

So they built a cross/ For Mary’s Boy.
1954, LANGSTON HUGHES

Your pastor,

Stefanie

Lent

Did you know that Easter Sunday can occur as early as March 22 and as late as April 25? This is because Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs following the spring equinox. Easter this year falls on April 21st. We at FPCE set aside time on Wednesday, March 6th, to share a meal and worship together. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, the season of preparation before Easter.

The word “Lent” comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." According to the publication Christianity Today, Lent is one of the oldest Christian holy day observances: “Like all Christian holy days and holidays, Lent has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same: self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Early church father Irenaus of Lyons (c.130-c.200) wrote of such a season in the earliest days of the church, but back then it lasted only two or three days”. In 325 CE, when the Council of Nicaea set the date for Easter, it likewise discussed a 40-day season of fasting for new Christian converts to prepare for Baptism on Easter. And soon after that historic Council met, the fast of Lent began to be practiced church wide.

You will not see the word Lent in the Bible. You will not find Jesus telling his followers to pray or fast …or give up chocolate for 40 days. Many in the Reformed tradition, which includes Presbyterians, historically excluded the Catholic practices of Lent because it is not mandated in scripture. This is why many people in our church did not grow up with services on Ash Wednesday and certainly many did not experience putting ashes on our heads on Ash Wednesday.

But what we and many other Christians model our Lenten practices on are the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. We see how Jesus endured temptation and prepared himself for his public ministry. During his 40 days, Jesus fasted and prayed. And so I invite you to understand the season of Lent as an important time to do what Jesus did, to take concrete steps to spiritually prepare yourself for your on-going journey to embrace the good news of Easter.

Your pastor,
Stefanie

LENTEN PRACTICE – Rev. Stefanie Muntzel invites you to explore with her the topic of spiritual disciplines through a time of Bible study, discussion and “practice”. Please join her on Thursdays, March 14th and 28th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. March 14th will focus on the spiritual discipline of meditation. We will gather at the church in the Millheim Conference Room.

What is Love?

I suppose I will wade into the territory of poets and ask the question:

What is Love?

One could argue there are different kinds of love, for example, romantic love or familial love. But even with that in mind, folks today use the term very liberally. People are quick to say: I “love” broccoli; or I “love” Schnauzer dogs; or I love ______(you fill in the blank). But we also say earnestly that we love our family and our country. Love is not just a feeling of attraction or affection. Certainly, the bond and sense of connection I have for my son is not “just” a feeling.

Love is something real, a state of relationship as much as a feeling. As people of faith, we proclaim that God loves us. Does God love us like we love coffee or like we love our family? In the book of 1 John you will find the words: “God is love. Anyone who lives faithfully in love also lives faithfully in God, and God lives in them. . . We love because God has first loved us.” I believe God’s love to be the unending, unbreakable love which transcends and surpasses all the fleeting and hard won ways humans love. I may not be able to define what love is, but I know it. I recognize love because I have been loved. My parents introduced me to love. Dear friends help me to trust love. My husband partners with me on sustaining love. And as a child and even as an awkward teen I also knew love from the community of people I called “my Church”. Love is a powerful and mysterious gift and surely it comes from God.

When you walk into the local grocery or drug store this month you will see the telltale signs that Valentine’s Day is coming. There will be red hearts and cupids all over- if they aren’t already. While some may condemn this commercialized, Hallmark holiday, I’m ok with it. I welcome any chance for the world to look to love, in any form, just a little bit more. I welcome everyone saying “I love you” to people who matter to us. There are worse things.

Love is life affirming. Love is energizing. Love is dynamic and catching. This month won’t you join me in wondering about love; won’t you join me in trying to nurture love- love of self, love of neighbor, love for community and… love of God.

“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13: 1-2

Your pastor,
Stefanie

Let's Chat

Dear FPCE Friends and Members,

In 2019 I am making a resolution to visit with each of you. If you could, would you help me make this goal a reality? I’d love to meet with you in downtown Easton for coffee or come to your home for a cup of tea or lemonade. In January, I will begin to take my calendar to Fellowship Hour to schedule these “chats”. Then I’ll be reaching out to make sure everyone who is willing is scheduled.

I look forward to getting to know you all (even better) in this my second year in ministry with you.

Your Pastor,
Stefanie

The Color of Christmas

What are the colors of Christmas? Red and green, you might think. Why then, do we at the First Presbyterian Church of Easton decorate our sanctuary with purple in December?

The use of colors to differentiate “seasons” in a church year became a common practice in the Western (European) church in about the fourth century. The Reformation movement lifted up a great deal of criticism against many practices and teachings of the Church, including critique of the distracting ornate décor of worship spaces. Protestant churches which were born from the Reformation not only embraced certain Bible based teachings (grace, not works) but the new churches also sought a more simplified worship style.

Of course this reforming of worship happened in differing degrees; Lutherans emerged from the Reformation following a “liturgical” calendar and using colors to represent certain celebrations. But for Reformed churches (including Presbyterian) embellishments in the worship space were purged. But then during the 20th century, the ecumenical movement prompted the rediscovery of ancient Christian ritual. The feeling was that maybe we had thrown the baby out with all the bath water- some art and ritual could actually help us focus on God. Seasonal colors once again were used to help us focus on certain Biblical stories and about who God is to us.

So, why purple in December? Purple is used during our seasons of preparation: Advent and Lent. During the four Sundays before Christmas, which we call the season of Advent, we dedicate ourselves for the preparation of our hearts and minds for welcoming Christ. Purple is the traditional color of royalty. In ancient Rome, Adventus was a technical term for the ‘glorious entry’ of the King into the capital city. This often happened when the birthday of the royal leader was commemorated. The early followers of Jesus heard him preach about the contrast between the worldly empire of Rome and the heavenly kingdom of God. Jesus was the representative of God’s peaceable kingdom on earth. So we still use purple to remind us of the coming of the kingdom of God and the coming of our God and King, Jesus Christ, into the world.

Red can, traditionally, only be found on one Sunday during the liturgical year: Pentecost, where the church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early church as tongues of fire. During most of the church year, which is commonly called "ordinary time", the color that you will see in the sanctuary is green. (Ordinary, related to ordinal or numbered.) Because green is associated with life, the use of green during the times when there are no big festivals or holidays reminds us that God is present among us, breathing life into us and into our church during ordinary times. We use white any time we are celebrating days that emphasize the divinity of Christ-- including on Christmas itself. Also, since white has come to symbolize holiness, it is also often used for the celebration of both baptism and communion.

In this season of Advent take notice of colors and the meaning we have attached to them. What do those colors tell us about who Jesus is? As your pastor, I will be asking you to think about the sacredness and stillness of blackness in a season of flashing bulbs and beeping screens as we wait for the coming of Christ. Also, please notice that we will have new paraments, fabrics with color, in our sanctuary. May the colors and symbols of these small, simple pieces of art help you in your worship.

Grace and peace,
Stefanie

Harvest

I no longer have a garden. I have some herbs and patio tomatoes all up on my deck away from the deer that think anything that grows out in my yard is for them. If it weren’t for farmer’s markets and farm stands, I would forget this is a season of harvest. But it is.

The leaves on the trees haven’t quite turned to their beautiful Autumn colors. Trees are still full of green leaves - some are just brushed with a bit of gold. The days haven’t grown too dark, but the last few nights were cool enough for a comfy sweatshirt. It’s a sweet spot between trees growing and sleeping, between long days and long nights. These in-between times are holy times to take stock of life and to celebrate the gifts of Harvest.

Harvest is a season of plenty, abundance, fullness. Scripture is filled with themes about harvest times. Jesus called God, the Lord of the Harvest (Matthew 9:38). The riches and abundance of God’s blessings to us are both material and spiritual. When we take the time to look at our harvest—all the ways which God supports and sustains us—how can we not feel blessed?

Here at First Presbyterian Church of Easton, each of us individually can be confident in the generosity of the Lord of the Harvest.

Walt Whitman offers a “Carol of Harvest” in his famous Leaves of Grass.

Loud, O my throat, and clear, O soul!

The season of thanks, and the voice of full-yielding;

The chant of joy and power for boundless fertility.

Times of Harvest remind us that God provides—not without our hard work and input—but God provides. So often today people live from a place and a perspective of scarcity and/or fear. Instead, I invite you to adopt a harvest mentality for your living. Look with joy and thanksgiving at your life now and as you think about your life in the future – you can trust in the Lord of the Harvest. You are enough. You can expect and hope for good times and good things in your future. This is what a harvest mentality is about.

Of course, having a bountiful harvest means great opportunities for feasting!! As always, part of the way we celebrate God’s generosity here at FPCE is with food and fellowship. I so am looking forward to our Kenyan Dinner on October 13th when I can feast with you. This year we intend to direct some of the bounty of this event not only to support this church but to share with neighbors in Kenya. Look out for more information about this in the future.

May you enjoy the changing of seasons and take every chance to give praise to God for the many gifts of life.

Your Pastor,

Stefanie