A Note from the Pastor

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

At home one evening, recently, I finished up some of the laundry for our baby. I didn’t realize how much these tiny clothes could really add up. After I dumped all of the freshly dried clothes, bibs, and towels on the bed, Marifer picked up a tiny blue and white striped sock and asked if I could find the other one because she wanted to put those socks on Lucas. I said ok, then looked at the massive pile of clothes, wondering if this was her way of getting me to fold the laundry, as I had to search through the haystack of laundry for this lost sock. I began folding the clothes and towels and trying to organize them all across the bed. When I was just about finished, I found the missing sock only to realize I had lost the first sock somewhere along the way! I eventually found both and got them to Marifer after all. 

I’ve reflected recently on the many distractions life can bring. With a newborn, there are plenty. Sometimes those distractions pile up, and we may lose sight of what we were supposed to be doing in the first place. Sometimes it’s not one big thing that pulls us away, but a pile of small things that slowly shift our attention. As the celebration of the Resurrection is just around the corner, I have been reminded of our focal point as followers of Jesus. In Hebrews 12, there is a great section describing the example of Jesus, but this section begins with an instruction to stay focused and keep our eyes on Jesus. This celebration is the biggest celebration in the Church calendar. I know many people like Christmas (including myself), but Easter is the main event. It is the time we remember what exactly Christ has done for us, and what life we have been called to; the life of modeling that kind of love. With the amount of distractions, both big and small, that can pile up throughout the year, I hope this is a time of intentionally redirecting our focus to Jesus. Look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, the author of Hebrews says. The way that we should act, care, love, and worship have all been exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ. 

As we enter this celebration, it is worth asking: what are the things that have quietly taken our attention? What are the small distractions that have piled up, shifting our focus away from Christ without us even realizing it? Like that pile of laundry, they may not be bad things on their own, but they can still keep us from the one thing that truly matters.

The good news is that even when we lose sight of what we were looking for, Christ has not lost sight of us. And so, we come back again, setting aside what hinders, and turning our attention to the one who shows us what life, love, and faithfulness truly look like.

As the old hymn tells us, turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

Grace & Peace

-Justin Miller

From your Pastor Affiliate

“And they (the 3 women) went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” (Mark 16:8)

April is here – and so is Easter! Easter is of course the heart of our faith – reminding us that sin and death don’t win – but forgiveness and eternal life do win through Jesus’ Crucifixion and RESURRECTION! It really is time to celebrate our faith – and also to live into our faith after Easter has passed!

Each Gospel writer tell the story of the Resurrection in different ways – the number of women who came to the tomb, how the rock was moved, and the response of the disciples when they heard the news. All the messages are important! One other thing that was conquered at the Resurrection was FEAR! In each of the Gospels there is of course fear, astonishment, questioning that happens when the empty tomb is discovered. Matthew and Mark specifically have an angel saying, “Do Not Be Afraid” - and we need to hear those “Easter” words too – “DO NOT BE AFRAID”. Like the woman and the disciples, we can’t fully understand the power of the Resurrection – but not only were sin and death conquered – but so was fear! That doesn’t mean we won’t ever be afraid – but we know we have a Living Lord who will help us deal with our fears!

If you read the story from Mark’s Gospel, you’ll see that verses 9-20 of chapter 16 aren’t in a lot of the early manuscripts (take a look in your Bible) – which means that the above verse (16:8) is the end of the story. When you read that verse, it is almost like there is no ending at all. The addition came because they were not comfortable with Mark’s ending.  There is no resurrection appearance by the risen Christ.  It’s broken – it doesn’t tell us enough – it just stops!  In Greek, it is literally mid-sentence.  The reader is left waiting for the other shoe to drop.  But I kind of like Mark’s original ending.  It is a master stroke of storytelling.  It leaves the reader to decide by faith how it ends. And then we provide, not the ending of the story, but the ongoing reality of what it means for us in our brokenness and in our fears to have Jesus rise. This helps you and me keep the Easter story alive each and every year as we deal with our life journeys!  And the response that God wants to see from each of us is ……….? Happy Easter all – keep the story alive!

In Jesus’ Love, Dan

Christian Education Notes

Bible Studies will begin April 7 and April 8.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study "If you are interested in diving deeper into God's Word in a different, more casual, setting as compared to Sunday morning, join us for the Tuesday Morning Bible Study. It is a time to gather, discuss, and learn from one another how God's Word is speaking to and through each of us. We will be hosting Bible studies at the church, meeting each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Room. We look forward to seeing you there!"

Wednesday Evening Bible Study If you are not able to attend Tuesday Morning Bible Study we will also meet on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.

Mission Committee

For the past couple of years First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee has been a part of the support system for CarePortal. This organization’s purpose is to meet the needs of Middletown community’s school children and their families who are in times of crisis. Caseworkers and educators who know the families use the “CarePortal platform to engage local churches and communities to wrap more support around the children and families they serve.” These needs are met in a variety of ways that begin with recognition of the need and then posting the needs on their website. Since the beginning of the year First Presbyterian Mission Committee has been able to provide four gas cards, six laundry cards, three grocery cards, five needs for utilities payments and a cell phone payment. Names are not posted but the reason behind the needs are. Reasons for requests vary.  Gas cards needed to get to work or taking a family member to the doctor. Laundry cards eliminate the embarrassment of not having clean clothes to wear to school, or not attending school at all. Cell phones are needed, so a parent may receive calls about jobs for which they are applying, or doctor’ appointments, or calls from school, and of course keeping utilities updated. This is one way we continue to support the local community. We ask for your continued prayers for the children of our community and their families.

Announcements

Maundy Thursday Service

Join us for a Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 p.m. on April 2. We will have a Cantata during this service.

M & M (Men & More) Monthly Outing

Everyone is invited to join this group for dinner and fellowship at Wildwood Golf Club, 601 Aberdeen Dr. on Tuesday, April 14. Fellowship begins approximately at 5:00, and we usually order dinner around 5:30. We hope to see you there.

In Case of an Emergency

If you have an emergency after hours or on the weekend, please email Justin at justin@fpcmiddletown.com.

In Celebrations of the birth of. . .

• birth of Josephine Jean Peterson, born on February 10, to Austin and Kristy Peterson. The proud grandparents are John and Michelle Peterson and great grandmother, Nancy Peterson.

We give thanks to God for the life of. . .

• Carol Freeze, who died on January 11.

• Eric Fraunfelter, who died on February 5. He is the brother of Chick Fraunfelter.

• Online Calendar

The church calendar is now online! Go to https://www.fpcmiddletown.com/calendar