“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Where can we find more encouraging words than the above promise written in the Letter to the Hebrews? When we consider the person of Jesus Christ, and think on the stability He offers the believer, we find special meaning in the scripture mentioned. The worship moments of an Easter season only add to the significance of this promise.

Christmas introduces us to the Savior of the world, and so becomes a special time of worship, yet, left as a baby our Lord would not be known in His fulness. The worship of a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday remind us the pain suffered as Jesus gave His life on our behalf. Easter offers us the joy of His Resurrection and the promise of our one day meeting Him face to face. In the meantime, He continues to bless us with His love, healing power, and His forgiving grace received through believing and trusting in His many promises.

We are indeed fortunate to understand that our Savior and Lord never changes. His character remains always the same, loving, caring, encouraging us, and promising forever to be with us. How can we do anything less than acknowledge Him as our Savior, our Lord and our God? All praise to His wonderful name!

May you know the joy of His great love,

Pastor Tom

“The act of offering something to a deity…or the forfeiture of something highly valued as an idea, object, or friendship, for the sake of someone or something considered to have a greater value or claim.”

We can understand, then, why the Lenten season suggests the consideration of sacrifice as an expression of appreciation for our Lord and God. Of course, when we consider sacrifice, we are apt to think of it in terms of the Old Testament way of honoring God, the animal sacrifice that took place at the altar. However, a true way of sacrifice for the Christian is suggested in Psalm 116: “I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving,” declares the psalmist.” And in Hebrews 13:15, we are reminded, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,” that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Lent allows us opportunity to engage in these ways of sacrifice. with Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. I hope that you will take advantage of the privilege of participating in these services. And, lest we forget, may we seek at all times to be as Paul said, “…a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…” in all our living.

Without doubt, this would please our God, and offer great evidence of our dedication and love for Him, and lead us to the joy of an Easter Sunday!

In our Savior’s name,

Pastor Tom

What else do you plan to do to make this Season meaningful in your life? What is your idea of what Lent is all about? Some Christians give something up as a reminder of our Lord’s suffering. Others feel it is better to add something like good deeds or perhaps a conscious determination to walk closer with our God. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. James 4:8. As one of our favorite hymns puts it:

Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,
nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

Whatever works best for you, do it!

As you climb the stairway at Bangor Theological Seminary, there is a clock upon which is inscribed these words of Paul, the apostle: “Brethren, the time is short.” 1 Corinthians 7:29)

Now, this is no attempt to prophesy the coming of the end of the world, but Paul did remind us that, “…This world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31) Day by day, we see change taking place that causes us concern. The stability that many of us once felt now seems to be lacking. People, it appears, are often overcome by despair and discouragement as never before, and yet unable to identify its source.

Genesis 3:19 speaks words suggested by an Ash Wednesday service, “…for to dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” These words were spoken to Adam after he had disobeyed God. We are not different than Adam and Eve. They needed forgiveness, and so do we. True life is in Jesus Christ, and in Christ alone. He offers both mercy and abundant life, therefore, we need to draw close to Him in worship and obedience. The season of Lent is a good time to consider and live out this adventure.

In the Master’s Name,

Pastor Tom

Dear Lord,
Let this be a year
that moves us
one step closer
to each other.

Let this be a year
that brings us
understanding in our hearts.

Let this be a year
that fills us
with a yearning,
burning feeling
for peace with one another
and a oneness, Lord, with you.

© 1996 by Guildeposts, Carmel, NY

At times I, too, find myself needing to hear that word of God as offered by another believer. On such occasions, God often blesses me with a word of hope or encouragement similar to those that follow. From a Christian friend: “News From Psalm 37″ –

“Commit thy way unto the Lord” and He will being it to pass. When we pray and believe, we must commit that for which we have prayed to the Lord. We must leave it totally in His hands. Spiritual forces cannot work while earthly forces are active. If we are pulling and tugging on one end of our problem, how can we expect God to be able to do anything from His end?

“Rest in the Lord…” wait patiently for Him. The key to resting in the Lord while waiting for an answer to our needs is patience. God has promised that when we pray and believe ..it shall be done. His promise brings His presence and His presence His power. God knows our needs better than we do. We cannot rest in Him if we are trying to work out our own solutions. If we are His..our problems and needs are also His. Rest in Him, let Him do His work!

“Stand still…” and see the salvation of the Lord (Exodus 14:13). We are not directed to lay down and die in the midst of trouble. When we are in the place where it seems we have no way out…where we cannot back up, or go forward, we are to stand uprightly, ready for action, waiting patiently for God’s command to go forward. He will make a way and give us the victory!

I appreciate those times when I am lifted up from weariness by the word of the Lord as reminded by a friend. As we enter the New Year, may you find such nourishment for your anxious moments and times of trouble. Claim for yourself that Victory that is found in the person of Jesus Christ!

In the Master’s Name,

Pastor Tom

In my many years of ministry, I cannot recall a time when the needs of God’s people have been greater, the spirit of frustration more pronounced, and the evidence of dependency on Him of a more critical nature. While the world seeks peace in Iraq, Israel, the middle east, and other places, the hearts of all too many people cry out as did Jeremiah, the prophet, “There is no peace.”

This, of course, is meant in a more personal way. The peace that the individual person seeks after is quietness of heart, of mind, and of spirit and this is not easily found in the turmoil of the day. People faced with physical ailments, marital difficulties, growing children, job insecurity and a whole list of other concerns can easily suffer from what historians have identified as a “loss-of-nerve.”

Having said these things, am I just another preacher seeking an audience through which to air my views? I hope not! This blessed season calls all of us to think in terms of a special kind of love. My deep concern is to see people become the recipients of the love of the Lord, and of the “…peace of God that passes all understanding.” (Philippians 4:27) By the same token, it is my desire that God’s glory be revealed, and that the Lord Jesus Christ be honored in all lives as He so richly deserves.

Are you a seeker after peace? Have you given your heart and your life over to the care of God, and acknowledged Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? Trust Him in all things, and listen for His voice, “…My peace I give to you…” (John l4:27). This is His promise to who will believe. May you know the peace of Christ,and enjoy a blessed Advent and Christmas season.

Love in the Master’ Name,

Pastor Tom

Joint Thanksgiving Service: Once again a joint Thanksgiving service involving Unionville, Clarksville, Jerusalem, Onesquethaw and Westerlo Churches is being planned. It will be held at Onesquethaw Church at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 22nd. There’s always a special blessing just in being there, and the food pantry benefits from the offering. Don’t miss it!

There is a beautiful hymn that begins with the words: “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.” We have sung it many times, and have felt its drawing power on our lives. Here is a word of a similar nature called “The Grail Prayer.”

I give You my hands to do Your work
I give You my feet to go Your way
I give You my eyes to see as You do
I give You my tongue to speak Your words
I give You my mind that You may think in me
Above all, I give You my heart that You may
love the Father through me and all mankind.
I give You my whole self that You may grow in
me so that, it is You, Lord Jesus, who lives,
and works, and prays in me.

Does not the above prayer offer us a way of honoring and praising our Lord? Is this not a way of thanksgiving? Can our life have a greater purpose than allowing Him to have His way with each of us that we might be His instruments serving Him, and making ourselves available to others in need?

Of course, we realize the difficulty of giving as this prayer suggests. Even here, we are compelled to call upon our Lord and the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission as His disciples and servants. But we do not lose heart; our God is a mighty God, and when we are led by His Spirit, we can accomplish that which is beyond the power of the natural person.

Do not underestimate Christ’s touch upon your life; He is not wasting His time! He is a Lord of action, and He calls to Himself a people of action. Will you again read the above prayer, and let it be your prayer for this Thanksgiving season?

With you in His service,

Pastor Tom

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

I have heard and spoken this charge of our Lord many times over the years. The concept of love is given much attention in holy scripture, but such action among Christians is not always to be seen. However, when it does occur, it is something that one is not apt to forget. I know, because my family and I have recently been the recipients of such a blessing.

My heart goes out with gratitude and love to the many people who shared in our grief at the time of the death of my precious wife, Pauline. Our church family, as well as others did much to prove the comfort of love in our time of grief.

The service of worship, the words of the Rev. David Corlett, the music, the solo, the song of the choir, along with the many people who were in attendance brought forth the joy that the hour should know. The reception that followed, so elegantly offered was the climax of a day of love. All praise to our Lord and our God!

Pastor Tom & Family