My dear friends, we are entering one of the most significant weeks of the Christian year, Holy Week. This past Sunday we began the week with the celebration of Palm Sunday, marking that moment when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem triumphantly and the people welcomed him with joy and celebration. However, I reminded worshipers that not far behind were perhaps those same people now shouting with anger, “Crucify him!”
Many, many years ago my wife and I used to sing a duet, “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked”. I want to invite you not to sing, but to imagine living out the title of that beautiful song.
Therefore, I am going to list for you all of the accounts from each of the four gospels of the passion of our Lord. I would encourage you to pick at least one gospel or more and read each day some of the full account of that story. I begin each gospel listing with the account of the triumphal entry and I end with the burial in the borrowed tomb.

 

Pastor Nik

One of the scripture passages that prayer triad groups have had to study and pray over comes from that significant moment when Jesus asks his disciples who people are saying that he is. You can find this in the sixteenth chapter of Matthew beginning with verse 13. They quickly respond to his question, “Some say you are John the Baptist; others say Elijah; while still others say, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
Jesus follows this with a second question, “What about you?” “Who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Jesus replies, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church….”
Simon Peter’s response is a response of faith that becomes the foundation of the church, not only then, but more importantly, today. Simon’s very name took on a deeper meaning at that moment. You see, Peter, comes from the Greek word, petros, which is translated rock.
As we move forward, consider how you, too, can be that rock of faith that helps to focus our lives together upon the church that God calls us to become.

Pastor Nik

 

I was recently reminded that being a Christian and truly following Jesus as Lord and Savior can be a risky business. First of all, we step out in blind faith to accept and trust what we cannot see and to believe only what we can honestly experience. As the days grow longer and hopefully warmer, we will begin to see the evidence of God’s amazing creation breaking forth. Flowers will gradually begin to poke their heads through the ground and soon break into blossom. Buds will form on tree branches to be followed by leaves. Insects will be buzzing about and the birds will joyfully sing.
So, where is the risk? Within the Christian community, there are all kinds of relationships. Some are quite friendly while others may give the impression of tension and suspicion. I can trust my Lord, but can I trust my sister or brother or mother or father or child close to me?
Whenever I hear people speak of their church family, I cringe just a bit. For I know that not all families demonstrate the foundations of love we might expect.
Putting all of this aside, I want you to think about the reward of following Jesus and the many ways in which that can enrich your life. Yes, there may be risks, but I firmly believe that the rewards far outweigh the risks.
Join me in rejoicing in the awakening that comes with springtime and the hope that we are given to celebrate as we approach the resurrection of our Lord and Savior

 

Pastor Nik

 

At our Ash Wednesday Worship nearly two weeks ago, I briefly described some spiritual disciplines that are a part of our Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Allow me to expand upon what I introduced.
Psalm 51 became our foundational scripture for the evening. A portion of this Psalm is shared now:
“1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgement. 5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. 6 You desire truth in the inward being;* therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”
To be in that place where God seeks for us to be requires what I have called a form of spring-cleaning. God’s abundant forgiveness and grace is unending as we open ourselves for Him to mold us as a potter molds a piece of clay or as an artist paints a gorgeous painting.
Let us truly open ourselves to God’s enfolding love and blessing.

 

Pastor Nik

 

For several weeks many of you have been participating in some prayer triads.

As I stated on the Sunday that I introduced these triads the sole purpose is for

members of the congregation to join together in small fellowship groups, to study

designated passages of scripture, to pray together, and then to discern what

direction God is calling for First Christian to move.

I have received a number of reports that many of you are having an

enjoyable time and discovering significant insights that God is revealing to your

heart and to your spirit. I know that some of the triads are just three people while

others involve as many as five to eight people. When we reach the end of that triad

time, I will look forward to your reports.

I deeply regret that my wife and I were not able to join with so many of you

for a special Valentine’s dinner followed by the movie, “The War Room”. We had

planned to make the trip back to Middletown mid-afternoon. By that time, the

snow was falling rapidly and we only made it as far as Milford before I had to stop

and call and say that we would not make it.

Thank you to all who are engaging in this time of discernment regarding

God’s vision and mission for First Christian.

Some other exciting things are on the horizon that you will be hearing about

soon.

When I have been on vacation or traveling for business purposes, I have
taken note of something that the state of Ohio lacks. Driving on interstates into our
neighboring states provides me with a chance to be greeted at the first rest area to
a “Welcome Center.” Those welcome centers usually have state maps of the state
that you are entering along with a wealth of information regarding places you might
want to visit while in that state. Some welcome centers even offer regional snack
or drink. Often you are able to make motel reservations if needed and the friendly
clerks greet you with a warm welcome.
I have always felt that the state of Ohio is missing an important element that
would make it user-friendlier. Now, I understand that the rest area on I-75 just
south of Monroe does have maps and other information about Ohio. I have not had
the chance to stop and check it out.
This got me to thinking about the welcome that we offer as a church. Is it
enough for us to be called a friendly church when people enter our doors? What
about the friendliness that we extend into the community? Is our welcome in our
neighborhoods and the communities in which we live such that another might say,
“I want to visit that church?” Think about it and seek to live it.
During the season of Lent I will be addressing the phrases that Jesus used in
the prayer that he taught his disciples and that he has given to us. Join us as we
begin that adventure.

 

 

Pastor Nik