Easter: it's a season of life

Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee.  You will see him there, just as he told you.
Mark 16:7 (CEB)

This is the young man's words to the women at the empty tomb Easter morning, according to Mark's gospel. Not alone, all four of the gospel accounts have this forward-leaning promise that is ongoing. There is a whole new future ahead because of the radical news of the present: he is not here; he is risen!  It is why historically for the Church, Easter is not a day but a season that runs for nearly 50 days until Pentecost (this year, May 20). This has real implications for us Christ-ones; among them:

• Easter is not an event but an eventuality for all who believe;
• A resurrected life assures the possibility of resurrection for all aspects of our lives and not just our eternal life;
• The Easter life is a life to be generously shared with others;
• The Easter life is one that finds joy and excitement in life;
• The Easter life is one that loves life and cares deeply about all people;
• The Easter life is for all the seasons of our lives. 

We will doing a lot of things over the next few weeks before Pentecost and summer, but undergirding all of them will be the joy of this resurrection reality that is our good news to share.

He is risen indeed!

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

"Company's Coming"

That's what our mom would say when we were kids and we knew from training what that meant:

•  Clean up your room.
• Help Mom clean the house.
• Help Mom set out the cups, dishes and decorations.
• Put on some nice clean clothes.
• Welcome the guests by looking them in the eyes, shake their hands and say, "Hi, I'm Matt; pleased to meet you."

Then we could go and play - preferably outside, especially if the company included other kids. 

Company's coming Sunday - a lot of them, and we have been getting ready to welcome them:

• We have cleaned up our rooms.
• We have cleaned the house.
• We have helped set out the cups, dishes and decorations.
• We will put on some nice clean clothes.

On Easter it will be time to welcome our guests, look them in the eyes, shake their hands and say, "Hi, I'm (your name here); pleased to meet you."

And then see where the Spirit takes your conversation. Easter is an amazing time, better still when shared with a smile and honest welcome.

See you at the welcoming place Sunday,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

Quiet Strength

Meet Hailey Peters. We have been praying for over the last six weeks during her stay at Children's Medical Center of Dallas.

Hailey just quietly moved to Our Children's House Dallas where she will begin more intensive physical therapy. Hailey is one of the strongest people I know. In a culture where strength is too often defined by dominating power of all kinds, Hailey stubbornly defies our definitions and expectations. Like the last years' #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo movements, Hailey's strength has been quiet, unassuming, unexpected, determined perseverance ... and we are all richer for her witness.

In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 11:1-11) Jesus enters Jerusalem, he does so with little fanfare. Matthew has "crowds" and Luke has "multitudes," as in the coronation of a king. Mark's version is much quieter; intentionally portraying the quiet strength of the Jesus who is coming. He does not make any bold proclamations; he does not immediately overturn tables. He simply surveys the Temple and goes off to rest and to wait ... expectantly.  

We come to Palm Sunday and Easter hoping for a lot of fanfare. Perhaps what we need is something else - a quiet strength and hope beyond our own. Look to Hailey; look to Jesus; stay in prayer.

See YOU in worship this Sunday,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

Prescriptions, Palm Sunday and Easter

Two months ago we voted as a church 172-4 on five prescriptions from our joint Healthy Church Initiative process. Two of those prescriptions were scheduled in the first 60-90 days, i.e. by Easter. A number of motivated members have worked with good energy around those prescriptions as we discern intentional steps forward.  Here is where we are.

UPDATE:

1. Vision Statement - After a Vision and Values workshop led by our coach, the Rev. Gene Wisdom, a Vision Statement was discerned, discussed and voted unanimously at the March 12 meeting of our church council, the First Leadership Team. It reads,

Connecting God and grace to self and community.

Much more to say about this, including a sermon series; it was the good feeling of our First Leadership Team that this captured the values and goals repeatedly raised by our people over the course of the HCI process. Our Vision Statement will become the baseline for decision-making about what we do and choose not to do as was discussed in the book, Simple Church (may be purchased on Amazon HERE). 

2. Hospitality - Beginning on Palm Sunday and continuing through Easter, we will be incorporating suggested changes to help us move from being not only friendly (which we do well) to being more intentionally welcoming and connecting to new faces among us. Trained "meet-ers" will make their debut on these Sundays. Of course this is a gift of love and hospitality that everyone can give someone. Like the crowds welcoming Jesus on Palm Sunday, may we be those who hail the new faces among us, for indeed in their faces we may just discover the face of Christ.

See you at the welcoming place this Sunday,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

Where Is Your Walk in the Woods?

Attending a seminar at a retreat center west of Lewisville, I was struck by how, even in themidst of loud development that has grown and surrounded the retreat center, one can still take a walk in the woods that allows for quiet and time alone with God. I am reminded that however hectic my life is, there is always a place and time that I can steal away for the quiet I need in order to hear God's soothing whisper for my mangled nerves.

We are halfway through Lent. I pray you find your quiet walk each day.

Praying for you,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

Prayers Needed

The prayer of a righteous person availeth much. - James 5:16

I cannot remember a time quite like this in my ministry:  

• Pastor Ed is recovering after the insertion of two stents around his heart and is back part-time; 
• Lisa is recovering from reconstructive surgery and will be out for another two weeks;
• Rachel is in the hospital for diagnosis and treatment of her kidneys;

I am praying for my friends and colleagues and ask you to do the same.  You are a gracious and righteous church.  I know that your prayers "availeth much" for these we love and who love us much. 

Trusting in the promises,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

God Has Work for Us to Do

This is the title of an anthem that became a favorite this time last year as we prayed through the Lenten theme, "Roll Down Justice." Both anthem and theme challenged us to ponder, reflect and rededicate ourselves to the holy change that has to happen within us before we can expect a change in the world around us. 

This year, the challenge for holy change during Lent is the same and on three fronts: our Healthy Church Initiative prescription process, the Our Home capital campaign process, and our own souls. We are simultaneously working on our first two prescriptions - hospitality and vision - and our campaign teams are recruiting, meeting and training. These will bear fruit to the extent that we all do the work within our own souls. "Lord, what do you want to do through me?" is an appropriate prayer for all three of these holy efforts.

During this Lenten season, be in prayer, be in worship, and be open to the Spirit and holy change within your life because ... God has work for us to do.

Thanks be to God,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

It is Lent

"News of him spread even more and huge crowds gathered to listen and to be healed from their illnesses.  But Jesus would withdraw to deserted places for prayer"
(Luke 5:15-16, Common English Bible).

Interesting listening to Joe Jaworski, leadership consultant to Dutch Royal Shell Co., say that before he begins a session of a corporate conference, he has everyone observe two minutes of silence, preferably with a walk in some available green space. He says it consistently changes the tone and quality of the work done together.  Lent gives us that same structured opportunity.

40 days crossed by six Sundays, we have opportunity starting tonight at 7 p.m., to find our own "deserted places" for quiet, prayer and centering. God meets us there before we confront the tyranny of the urgent in our lives. There is so much competing for our attention and energy; so much that distracts and distresses us - even in just the life of our church. We will be a better stronger people, a better stronger church, a better stronger individual as we find our quiet place and let God have our full attention first.  

From ashes we came; to ashes we shall return,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

Now the Work Begins

On Sunday, Jan. 28, we voted overwhelmingly (172-4) for the five prescriptions of resolve as a church. Two of those - Vision Statement and Hospitality - are on the short list of 60-90 days to accomplish at least a plan of action. A number of you have raised your hands saying you want to be part of the groups working on these two prescriptions. Let Kevin Clanahan (kevin.clanahan@gmail.com), Lisa Test (ltest@fumcplano.org) or me know of your interest so we can include you. Our goal is to have some working recommendations ready before Easter (April 1) so that we can welcome still better the many guests who will be with us that on that holy day. 

Thank you all for your participation and prayers; I ask you for one more. Hailey Peters, a 20-month-old girl in our church, is extremely ill at Children's Hospital in Dallas. Please hold her, sister Jordan and parents Monica and Greg in your prayers. God will sustain us (2 Corinthians 4:7-9).

Holding YOU, my church family in prayer,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor

Our Church Conference Vote Sunday: A New Year’s Resolution

That was how Kevin Clanahan said it at the Town Hall Meetings held this week. He heard that able analogy from member Alan England who pointed out that with a new year’s resolution, we resolve, we make up our mind to do a new thing, like lose weight or get in shape. Only after we determine the resolve do we then select the strategies and tactics to fulfill that resolve. Or as Dr. Jim Ozier said during the Healthy Church Initiative workshop, many churches want to grow but that is not the same as deciding to grow.

Our vote Sunday after church on the five prescriptions is all about resolve versus strategies and tactics; it is all about deciding to grow. Once we make that decision, the strategies and tactics are within ready reach to achieve our goals for our growth in the kingdom.

P.S.  Some have been confused about our HCI process and the upcoming Capital Campaign to reduce debt, waterproof our home and upgrade our sound. These are two different things that are happening at the same time. I apologize for not being clearer on that point. I look forward to worshiping the Christ who calls us this Sunday. 

Breathe peace,

Matt Gaston
Lead Pastor