Calvary United Methodist Church – Vestal, NY

This past week with the funeral of a beloved member of the church it caused me to reflect on the significance of Good Friday in contrast to the burial of a loved one. Death is that final frontier that we seek to avoid at all costs. We are forever searching and seeking after that which will forever keep us young and vibrant. But alas, death does come. And despite all that we do to stay safe death can come quickly and swiftly regardless of age, race, sex, and health. Death is an equal opportunity caller.

So what do we make of this day during Holy Week called Good Friday, what is good about death? Yet, when we explore and identify the person that was on the cross and the claims that He made, it causes us to stop and consider the meaning behind the death on a cross for us living in the world today.

As we stand at the grave site of a loved one, the words of the Apostle Paul come to life because of that which transpired over 2,000 years ago. “I passed on to you what was important and what had also been passed on to me, Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said” (I Corinthians 15:3-4).

For those in Christ death no longer has the final say for the Son of God went to Calvary for all of us, so all of us could enter into a living, eternal relationship with the very God that created and loves us. Although there is pain and sorrow on this side of heaven when a loved one passes, we are not living like those without hope for we know and serve a Risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

There are some days that seem like death has the upper hand in our world of constant wars and rumors of war and the violence that we heap upon one another. Thus again, we go to the fountain of comfort and hope, the Living Word of God, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

A blessed Easter,

    Pastor Eric

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” (Romans 6:5-8 NRSV).

We love adventure stories and the characters that bring them to life: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn or Captain Jack Sparrow, from Pirates of the Caribbean, Luke Skywalker, of Star Wars, and our brave gang in the trilogy, Lord of the Rings.  There are many, many others we could name and have some great discussions in their adventures and how they faced the obstacles to achieve their desired outcome.

The season of Lent could be described as a journey of adventure as we go through a range of spiritual disciplines and challenges to our heart, mind, and soul, in our walk with our Lord to the cross.  We have been told to deny our self, take up a cross, and follow a person who speaks of being beaten and having to die, but yet he also tells us that he will rise again in three days.

We are given words that we too will face persecution and hardship because of our commitment and obedience to one who calls himself “The Son of Man.”  So we humble ourselves in prayer and fasting and seeking forgiveness and renewal as we make our trek with this Suffering Servant, focused on completing the will of His Heavenly Father.

I think we enjoy various adventure stories for in them we wonder what we would do in that situation, how we would  react in the face of such danger.  For many, the cross is a place of danger.  Many have tried to go with Jesus toward Calvary, but finding the journey too hard, too painful, too high of a cost, they leave and decide to go it on their own never fully finding that missing piece to fill their heart and life.

Yes, going to Calvary is not for the faint or weak hearted. But surprisingly, for those that do complete the journey, they find in the death, life.  That by dying with Christ, we find our real and true life; for as we die with Christ, we also rise with Christ Jesus to New Life!

Right now each of us is living and participating in the greatest adventure of them all, the story of God’s plan of redemption for those created in His image.  We all have a part to play and God is using and working in each of us to fulfill our part for His purpose and glory.

I look forward to sharing in this epic adventure with all of you!

In Christ,

 Pastor Eric

For Christmas this year, I purchased the Wii Fit Plus. On the first day of use, I was told that I needed to lose a few pounds. It was hard to argue as my weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) were staring me in the face from my television screen. But I had nothing to fear, for the Wii Fit Plus had recommendations and exercises to assist me in losing weight and getting in better physical shape. I have set goals and have enjoyed the various exercises that the Will Fit Plus offers to help me reach my goals. Additionally, I have seen progress already in the weight department that has energized me to stay the course for the long haul.

 However,  it has been a combination of things that I am doing to assist in losing weight and getting in better shape. If I were to just depend on the Wii and not watch what I was eating or my fluid intake or taking other steps for better health, the Will would still be fun but it would not really be assisting in my getting fit. I need other sources to help me.

 Likewise in our spiritual walk we think that if we mange to go to worship at least a couple times a month that we are getting ourselves in good spiritual condition. When often the reality is that God is telling us we need a spiritual revival in our life. One of my pastors use to say that the worship service is like a “Fast-food restaurant,” just enough there to fill you up, but not enough to sustain you through the week. God desires to give you more than 1 hour on Sunday mornings, but the effort to be fed more from God has to come from us.  Just like turning on the Wii to exercise, we have to pick up our Bible to read during the week. We have to intentionally find time to sit and pray to God.

 God has given us the church to assist us in our growth as disciples of Christ.  So the worship is important, but so is the private devotion time and the opportunities that the church offers in Bible Study’s, Prayer Services, and other fellowship gatherings to foster relationships among each other and to encourage and assist each other in our journey of faith.

 Some of my best times of spiritual growth have been in small group gatherings where we discuss God and faith and life and really learn about each other and really start to see the hearts and gifts of those that we worship with every Sunday. Would you make it a goal this year to get involved in at least 1 bible study and be open to the opportunity to share and fellowship with your church family outside of worship and together may we assist each other in becoming spiritually fit in our relationship with the Lord.

 In Christ,

  Pastor Eric

I enjoy watching the “Holiday Classics” that come out this time of year. Though very few of them explicitly portray the true meaning of Christmas in the birth of Jesus, they do show us what life would be without the Incarnation in our world. Let’s take a look at three beloved Christmas shows: “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “A Christmas Carol”, and “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

One scene that always gets me in Rudolph is the “Island of Misfits Toys.” Those unwanted, discarded toys that hope every Christmas to be rescued from their misery and year after year, nothing. Until the year Santa finally came, thanks to Rudolph. How many times have we felt like Misfits wondering when and how we were going to be loved and accepted into our world? Good News: Emmanuel, God With Us, means that we are loved and accepted for who we are. We no longer need to feel like a misfit for our Creator is in our midst.

 Ebenezer Scrooge is almost an icon of American culture, howbeit, a fictional one at that. But there are a lot of people that walk around with the attitude and cold indifference that Ebenezer had. How many times do we hear someone called a “Scrooge” or a passer-by utter “Oh, ba-humbug” to any Christmas cheer? Sad to say, at times we may not have to look far to see Scrooge as this season can at times bring the Ebenezer out of all of us. However, in our midst is the very “Prince of Peace.” In our midst is the One who transforms hearts and lives, open the eyes of the blind and makes the deaf to hear. Even the eyes and hearts of people like Ebenezer Scrooge. Emmanuel is in our midst we will never be the same.

 George Bailey wished that he had never been born. Clarence, the angel assigned to George, gave George his wish; George Bailey was never born, never existed. Remember the scene when George went back into town only to find the town was no longer “Bedford Falls” but now called “Pottersville.” The town was sleazy and runned-down and no one knew who George was. George came to see what a rich, full life he had and how important his life and presence was to his family and friends and to the town he so wanted to leave. Yes, as George’s brother, Harry toasted, “To my brother, George Bailey, the richest man in the world.” Why? Because Harry knew what George had just discovered, George truly had a Wonderful Life!

 This Advent/Christmas season is the message to all misfits, all those with cold-hearts, and all of those feeling like bailing out, hear the words of the angels, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

 Rejoice! It is Good News! It is a Wonderful Life! God is With Us! Be blessed this Christmas season that God abides with you today and into the coming year!

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Pastor Eric

The turkey has been in the refrigerator thawing for almost a week now. Shelley is buying last minute items for the Thanksgiving meal we will be having at our house. One of Shelley’s friends will be coming over tomorrow and she and Shelley will be making pies through the morning hours. On Thanksgiving morning we will rise and get the turkey ready to roast in the roaster and get all the other fixin’s fixed so we can spend some quiet time enjoying family, rest, laughter, maybe a parade and football, not to mention digging into the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, squash, and all the other goodies coming across our table that day. We will have many reasons to give thanks this day!

It can be so easy to get caught up in the prep and the gathering and everything else that taking a few moments to stop and give thanks to God can get easily forgotten or pushed aside and rushed through to where it becomes no different then many meals that we eat throughout the year. But this day is supposed to be different. A day set aside to give thanks. For some people,giving thanks has no spiritual equation, but for those of us who accepted the call of invitation from God, we are called to give thanks. And really when we stop and think, why would we not want to give thanks for all the ways that God has blessed us throughout this past year! Let us be counted of those that seek to have a spirit of gratitude to God throughout the year for all the ways that God has blessed us. May you enjoy your thanksgiving meal and fellowship with family and friends and know and feel the rich abundant blessings of your Heavenly Father this day and every day!

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1 NKJV).

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful….And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:15, 17 NRSV).

Last week I joined my parents at Niko’s restaurant on Upper Court Street to have lunch with some folks from the Springville United Methodist Church. Springville is a small town in the Susquehanna County of Pa. My dad was there as Pastor for a number of years and it was at that church with many of these people that I received and started my call into ministry. I have so much gratitude for the wonderful people of Springville that encouraged me and gave me the resources and opportunity to grow and step out in my faith. The luncheon allowed me time once again to express my gratitude for helping me on the start of my spiritual journey. The people of Springville UMC will always hold a special place in my heart and I give thanks to God for them.

How about you? Who are the people and places that hold  a “special place in your heart?” When was the last time you let them know? When was the last time you thanked God for these people in your life?

Even in the midst of set-backs, and floods, we have so many reasons to have a grateful and generous spirit about us. Part of our daily communion with God is to thank Him for that which He has blessed and given to us.

If it has been a while since you just stopped to thank God for the blessings and people He has brought into your life, what a perfect time to start in this month where we stop and have a day of Thanksgiving. Why don’t you make it a point that every day until Thanksgiving you will think of at least 1 thing to give thanks to God for.  And to make it even more special, let those you are giving thanks to God for know how thankful you feel to have them in your life. I think you will find that the more you do this that you will have a hard time just stopping at 1 thing to give thanks for.

Oh, be blessed and be a blessing and know you are loved by God today, tomorrow, and forever! That is enough reason to give thanks everyday!

Grace and Peace,

 Pastor Eric

Greetings sisters and brothers in Christ!

I am sure for many of us words like “exhausted, tired, fatigued, weary…” are words that we are expressing and hearing others express as well. The work of cleaning up after a flood is tiring, hard, dirty work, made worse that the place getting cleaned up is your home or a home of a loved one, or a friend, or maybe where you work or your place of worship.

In times like this we look forward to opportunities to renew our spirit and strength. The prophet Isaiah knew something about renewing people’s strength and spirit. The people of Israel needed some words of renew and hope for their period of captivity, and the prophet Isaiah offered words of hope and renewal to the people of Israel.

“He gives power to the weak; and to those who have no might He increases their strength. Even the youths shall faint and grow weary. And the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40: 29-31 NKJV).

Tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m., please join us in worship as together we come and wait on the Lord who renews our strength and spirit and gives us grace and hope for the days ahead.

May God’s Abundant Blessings be yours today!

 Pastor Eric

Here are some ideas and suggestions that Shelley and I thought of as we have gone through the process of cleaning out a flooded basement and all that goes with that. The idea of this post is to show the many ways that we can aid in the recovery for the families and the workers. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. I am sure there are many items that we have not even thought of, but it can maybe serve as a jumping board to move us into action.

Bring food, water, snacks, to familes clearing out homes. A woman came by in last two days passing out ready-made sandwhiches and cold bottles of water.

 Have supplies on hand to give out as you pass houses (i.e., rubber gloves, masks, bleach, etc…).

The First Baptist Chuch of Johnson City has free cleaning supplies and clothes. Many people may not even be aware of this. Pass the word along.

Hand-out garbage bags.

Hand out cups of coffee/or buy big container of coffee from Dunkin Donuts.

Ask if they need any errands ran?

Pray for them and with them.

Pass out Bibles.

Find out of any open shelters/flood recovery centers in your area to tell others about.

Hand out disposable cameras so they can take pictures of their contaminated items.

Hand out gift cards (i.e. Wegmans, Wal-Mart, Hess, etc…)

Bring people pens & paper to write down items lost and other needed info.

Find out of any volunteer groups in your area to help out.

Bring plastic tubs to wash glass and table ware.

Find out where free health clinics are being held so others can get shots if needed.

Keep eyes and ears open to the needs around you.

Be a Light of Christ to someone today!

May the peace and love of God rule in your heart, soul, and mind today!

 Rev. Jensen

 What we call the beginning is often the end,
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from….
Every phrase and every sentence is an end
And a beginning.   —-T.S. Eliot

As summer ends, some new beginnings are occurring as daughters and sons leave home for Universities and Colleges across the state and country. Parents facing the reality of a child gone from the home, and the young adult’s are waking up to new realities of life away from home in the ending of one chapter and a whole new chapter beginning for parents and child.

Scripture portrays God as the author of beginnings:

“In the beginning God created…(Genesis 1.1).

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 21.6).

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new” (2 Corinthians 5.17).

God never ends something that He does not replace with something new, better, and more wonderful. Mainly, God is in the business of creating new relationships between Himself and us often accomplished through other people.

We here at Calvary United Methodist Church welcome students and anyone else looking for some fresh beginnings of encounters with the Living God! We would love to have you join us for Worship at 10:30 and join in the fellowship as together we discern the leading of God to new adventures and beginnings!

     Grace and Peace,
     Pastor Eric