Tag Archives: Edgewater Lutheran Church

Roaring or Running?

Pastor Tim Eaton,
Edgewater Lutheran Church

By Pastor Tim Eaton

There is an old adage about the instinct to fight or flight.  It suggests that when something challenging comes into our life we will react in one of two predetermined ways.  I believe that you are not necessarily a runner or a fighter, but different stimulus will create a different response.  Maybe your child is being bullied or not given a fair shake at school.  Would your blood boil?  Maybe you feel someone is trying to cheat you on a home or car repair.  Will the angry lion come out?

But how does Mr. Powerful Lion respond to things that overwhelm him?  Perhaps you have some debts that are looming over you.  Or is there a hard conversation you need to have with someone you care about?  What does running look like for you?  Is it retail therapy? Long hours working on anything but the elephant in front of you?

Proverbs 28:1 instructs us: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”  So, we don’t want to run from challenges.  But roaring like a child’s tantrum isn’t much better.  What option is left?  The bold, young David said this: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine,” (1 Samuel 17:37), With trust in Jesus, we can grow in the face of challenges and rise to meet them.

This summer, help your kids grow to meet the challenges of life.  Edgewater’s “ROAR” Vacation Bible School is a great place to start!  With free dinner every night, it might be a week without roaring or running for you!  It all happens June 10 – 14 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Harada Elementary School.  Save your spot now at EdgewaterEastvale.org.

Pastor Tim Eaton, Edgewater Lutheran Church, Sundays at 10am, Harada Elementary,12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA  92880, http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org

Vacation Bible School Returns

Edgewater Lutheran Church’s 10th Annual Vacation Bible School returns this June 10th through the 14th from 5:00 pm to 7:30pm. It will be held at Harada Elementary School which is located at 12884 Oakdale Street in Corona. This year VBS has a fun African Sahara theme where kids will learn that although life can be wild, God is good!
VBS includes: Dinner each night for kids, and concludes with a family BBQ Friday night, energetic music, entertaining teaching, and lessons reinforced through fun science projects kids can take home!
Best of all, it’s all free compliments of Edgewater Lutheran Church, which meets 10am on Sundays at Harada Elementary School.
Register for Vacation Bible School now to save your spot at EdgewaterEastvale.org.

Easter H.O.P.E.

Pastor Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Hopeless.  What does that mean to you?  Does it resonate with you? Is it where you are at?  Hopeless means that we believe we are at the end of the road.  It means we believe that there is no more opportunity for positive change.  We are expecting things to get worse.  It’s a feeling that comes when we can’t see a way out or a way up.  It’s a feeling that comes with dire consequences.  When we are hopeless, we often become action-less as well.  Or worse, we act foolishly and make our situation worse!

But what if we believe the things we keep telling ourselves are wrong? What if there was hope?  What if there was no such thing as a hopeless situation?  Did you know that the joy and the events of Easter come at a seemingly hopeless time?  Jesus, the promised Savior, had died on a cross.  His story seemed over – hopeless.  But three days later, He was alive again! By overcoming death, he pronounced every situation HOPE-FILLED!

When you feel hopeless, remember this promise from Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 

You just never know what God is going to do in your story.  Find hope for your story, this Easter at Edgewater. Join us for Easter Sunday services at 6:30 and 10:00 a.m.; as well as a special Good Friday service on April 19 at 7 p.m., and our Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. – all at Harada Elementary.

Pastor Tim Eaton, Edgewater Lutheran Church, Sundays at 10am, Harada Elementary,12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA  92880, http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org

Joy Stealers

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Joy.  Its as much a part of Christmas as trees, gifts, mangers, and mall Santas.  We see signs that say it, and hear songs that sing about it.  But do we have it? The tragedy of Christmas is that we often find a million reasons not to have joy at this “The most wonderful time of the year.” Spending too much on gifts, the pressure to have the house, the clothes, or the family just right; juggling family time with other commitments; or extended family drama can drain the joy right out of Christmas.  For still others the joy of Christmas has been stolen more naturally by the onset of physical ailments or the loss of loved ones.

For a season of joy there sure seems to be a lack of it!  But that’s exactly why God sent his son into the world.  He sent him to be a gift to overshadow and overpower even the worst of joy stealers.  His gift of Jesus was announced with these words: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)  Indeed, he is greater than whatever troubles you have! This Christmas clear away the stress and the clutter and remember the one who is the reason for the season is greater than the stressors of the season.  When your Christmas isn’t perfect remember that HE IS the perfect gift for you.

Some people love wrapping gifts – other can’t stand it!  To restore your holiday JOY, Edgewater will be offering totally free (no donation) gift wrapping in front of Kohl’s in Eastvale on Sunday, December 16th from 2 to 5 pm.  We are gathering a team that love wrapping just in case you don’t.

Put the JOY back in your Christmas: Christmas Music Celebration 12/23 5pm Christmas Eve 12/24 5pm. Pastor Tim Eaton, Edgewater Lutheran Church Sundays at 10am, Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA  92880, http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org

Rolling Stone

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Have you ever imagined yourself walking with Jesus back in His time here on earth? What kind of relationship would you have had with Him? Do you liken yourself to John, “The disciple whom Jesus loved?” Or would you be more like Peter, and deny Him three times even though you loved Him?

It’s hard to say what we would have done at the time, for the turmoil surrounding the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus was profound, to say the least. Even though the disciples walked with Him, followed Him, and learned from Him what was to come, they still had their doubts.

When the women brought spices to Jesus’ tomb and found the stone rolled away, they were astonished to find Him gone. In Luke 24, we read that Mary, Mary Magdalene and Joanna ran to tell the disciples what the angels had told them, yet they still did not believe. They had to see Him face to face.

What would you do when you saw the stone rolled away? Would you recall the words your Lord told you with joy? Matthew 27:63-64 says, “They told him, ‘Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead!’” Obviously the Pharisees and Chief Priests had their doubts, too. It took several men to roll that stone into place, and guards stood watch those three days.

The good news is, He is Risen! We don’t have to doubt. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Peter 1:3).

Have no doubts; come and hear the real story of Easter. Join us for Holy Week services at Edgewater.

Palm Sunday: April 9, 10 a.m.

Good Friday: April 14, 7 p.m.

Sonrise Service, April 16, 6 a.m.; Pancake Breakfast 8 to 9:45 a.m.; Resurrection Celebration, 10 a.m.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10am at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street., Eastvale, CA  92880. www.EdgewaterEastvale.org

New Life

EV - Tim EatonBy Pastor Tim Eaton

Easter has become synonymous with spring.  It’s a time of new life.  Just look at every hill and mountain you can see from our city.  An abundance of rain this winter has brought new green growth everywhere.  It seems miraculous that these once brown-with-death hills are covered in the lushness of life.  It reminds us where Easter and spring got connected.  In the spring new plants sprout to life, and animals awake from their slumber, but on Easter Jesus literally came back to life.

Perhaps you have experienced a time of winter in your own life.  It may not have been marked with cloudy skies, or wet and cold days.  Perhaps it simply seemed a dark cloud was following you.  Maybe you wished you could hibernate like a bear and wait for troubles to pass.  If that sounds familiar, the wonderful news is that Easter ISN’T a season.  It’s a PROMISE!  A promise of new and everlasting life.

The apostle Paul summed it up like this: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).”  Wow!  Life where there had only been death before.  Now that’s something to celebrate!

This promise of new life is simply signified by the tradition of an egg hunt (little signs of life!).  Join us for a free Egg Hunt Saturday, April 1st, at 10am.  It all takes place at American Heroes Park.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10am at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street., Eastvale, CA  92880. www.EdgewaterEastvale.org

 

Snuggle Up

By Tim Eaton 

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

Fall is in the air.  The kids are deciding on Halloween costumes, you are sipping on pumpkin spice something, apple cider suddenly sounds appealing, the frantic pace of fall sports has begun, and for a few days the temperature has finally dipped below 90 degrees.

One of the great comforts and escapes of the fall season is to snuggle up with a great story.  It’s a great time to share a love of reading with your kids, engaging their imaginations and making memories.  This fall can I make a suggestion?  Read a great story; “THE STORY.” That’s right.  THE story.  A true story.  A really great story about how important you and your loved ones are to the one who made everything.

This fall at Edgewater we are diving back into THE STORY.  This fall we will see real accounts of deliverance, of strong men and women facing horrific odds, of sometimes-weak people being used by God to accomplish great things.  It’s a story that can change your life forever.  If you don’t read it with us, I hope you will read it with those you love.  Join us Sundays starting October 16th.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

 

Habits

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

What does a nun wear that everyone has? Habits!

Far too often we simply float along through life.  Maybe we attribute our station in life to fate, or think that our life is just the way it has to be.  Even our daily routine may seem like something we have no control over – it’s just what we have to do.   Perhaps bad habits have taken over and we are not living the life we want to.

Steven Covey has left a legacy of lives changed for the better when people have realized that their life may be more controlled by habit than they ever imagined. That’s great news!  What? How can that be great news?  If bad habits have taken over, we simply need new habits.  And Steven Covey offers up seven powerful new habits you can take on in your life that will positively change it forever.

The first step is to be Proactive.  Take the initiative and seek something better for yourself, your family, and those around you.  The Apostle, Paul, suggested the same in Ephesians 4:22 -24: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Yes, new habits are Biblical, and we invite you to join us in discovering how new habits can restore hope to your life – beginning Sun., Sept. 11, at 10 a.m.  This series will be co-taught with Dr. Trevor Dietrich, an expert in Covey’s Seven Habits. And, you can get started now by reading, and implementing the book!

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

 

The Power Of Story

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Stories are a powerful thing.  They help our children go to bed.  A great love story can inspire romance and hope in our own life.  A movie with a great story can change our societies’ perception of people and events.  A great story can move us to action.  But what about your story?

If you were asked about your story what would you say?  Where would it begin; would you include the good with the bad?  Would you see the causes and effects?  More importantly, where would your story end – have you written the last chapter or is there more to come?

It is very likely that your story is more powerful than any you have read, heard, or watched.  And there is an even more powerful story that yours is a part of.  It begins in Genesis 1:26: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  Your story begins as a precious creation of God himself.  But more than that, He has incredible purpose for your story, what He knows you can do, and He is writing a much better ending that you might have imagined.

Join us at Edgewater on Sundays and discover your story in THE STORY: the Bible as one continuing story of God and His people.  Visitors will get a free copy of The Story.

 

 

The Power Of Story

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

 

Stories are a powerful thing.  They help our children go to bed.  A great love story can inspire romance and hope in our own life.  A movie with a great story can change our societies’ perception of people and events.  A great story can move us to action.  But what about your story?

If you were asked about your story what would you say?  Where would it begin; would you include the good with the bad?  Would you see the causes and effects?  More importantly, where would your story end – have you written the last chapter or is there more to come?

It is very likely that your story is more powerful than any you have read, heard, or watched.  And there is an even more powerful story that yours is a part of.  It begins in Genesis 1:26: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  Your story begins as a precious creation of God himself.  But more than that, He has incredible purpose for your story, what He knows you can do, and He is writing a much better ending that you might have imagined.

Join us at Edgewater on Sundays and discover your story in THE STORY: the Bible as one continuing story of God and His people.  Visitors will get a free copy of The Story.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

 

 

Rest For The Weary

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Summer is now fully upon us.  The mercury is rising, the days are long, and we tend to have a little extra time.  And the age-old question confronts us, “What are you going to do this summer?”  For some reason, summer has become the time to do everything, from vacation to projects around the house.

Before we get into the laundry list of things to do this summer, let’s consider a different question: Isn’t doing too many things the reason we were looking forward to a summer slowdown?  Isn’t “doing things,” what we were trying to get a break from?  It seems summer is about doing the things we didn’t have time for the rest of the year.  And that is exactly where the problem lies.

Perhaps summer is God’s way of saying, “Slow down!” In Exodus, Chapter 20 – as part of the Ten Commandments – God actually tells us to stop being so busy.  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work,” (Exodus 20:8-10).  God’s suggestion is to replace work with an activity that truly brings us rest, by reading His reinvigorating Word or seeking His wisdom in a time of prayer.

As we run here and there, doing this, that and the other thing, let’s make a pact to find time for summer inactivity.  This summer let’s actually get some rest!

We invite you to cool off and rest with us on “Soakin’ Sunday,” July 17 at 10 a.m. We will be kicking off a new series on treasuring the simple things in life, and the kids can have fun staying cool and getting wet.  Bring a towel!

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Behind The Music

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

 

Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, XM-Radio…the list goes on and on.  It looks like we can’t live without our music.  Why is that?  It seems we need a soundtrack for our lives.

Think about your playlists or “stations” on music services.  Why do you need so many?  We have playlists or stations for everything we do and every need:  news, working out, date night, music to work by (I’m listening to my writing station as I type), music for relaxation, music for recreation; there is a genre for every activity.  It points to the connection of music and emotion.  In fact, music is a powerful way we both express and experience emotions.

Think back to your dating days.  Did you have a soundtrack for falling in love?  You may even have, “Your Song,” as a couple.  Later there was the breakup mixtape.  Finally, a good (and tired of your moping) friend would come over with the pull-yourself-together-and-get-back-to-life CD.  Yes, music is a powerful part of experiencing life.  It’s even something we want to pass on to our children.  Whether it’s your native music, songs of faith, or just your favorite album from high school, we hope our children can appreciate it and make a musical connection across generations.

You probably already know how great and powerful music is, but have you considered the implications of these facts:  Why is there music at all?  Why does it have such a power to touch us? What evolutionary purpose does it serve? Music is a clue to the meaning, purpose, and direction of life and the entire world.  It demonstrates to us the beauty of a world created by a loving and creative God.  It shows us that not only does God exist, but also that He is good!  Just look at what an incredible gift he has given us.  Psalm 96 inspires us, “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.”

Growing up, some people referred to the music I liked as, “Devil Music.”  Well, if Satan has music, he had to borrow it and get the idea from God himself – sounds like a fail to me.  If in fact God created music, then He has a copyright on all of it.

So we invite you to join us at Edgewater, each Sunday in June, as we discover the Godly joy and hope found in secular music.  Visit our website at http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org to see the set list.

 

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Thanks Mom!

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

 

How often have you heard that?  Maybe not often enough.  Even when you have heard it, the thankfulness might not last long.  An even worse reality is that kids often say “Thanks Mom” sarcastically because they are not thankful at all.   You might say that most of the time, being a mom is a thankless task. That’s exactly why we have Mother’s Day. It’s not that we should say thank you only one day a year, but it’s a reminder to give moms thanks all year long.

Don’t worry. Wanting your children to say thank you isn’t a selfish desire – It’s a character building exercise for them.  God Himself gives the command: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you,” (Exodus 20:12). He even echo’s your own statement: “I brought you into this world and I’ll take you right back out of it.”  This is the only commandment with an “or else” clause.  Obviously, He takes it very seriously and knows just how little thanks you can get.

So picture this: You’ve done something incredibly nice for your children, which they may not deserve, but they end up being jewels and thank you for it.  How long do you have before they forget all about it?  Does it have something to do with how long they enjoy what you have done for them?

It sounds like you need a break.  And the kids need a gift that will last.  Why not bring them to Vacation Bible School at Edgewater?  You will have five nights with three hours of free time, and you won’t have to feed them!  They will get to hear about Jesus who loves them and promises, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20). Join us for VBS June 6th-10th from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. each day. Free dinner is included!

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Follow Me

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

I recently had the opportunity to watch The Hunger Games:  Mockingjay – Part 2.  The movie follows the journey of Katniss Everdeen, as she prepares to wage war on President Snow.  Throughout the film, she is used by various powers because she is someone to follow.  People of all ages, from all walks of life, see the truth in her, and multitudes follow her with complete faith.

Unless you are a trailblazer like Katniss, most people want someone to follow.  You might even say we need someone to follow; someone to believe in.  But WHO or WHAT are you following?  Your friends?  Social Media?  Your hopes and dreams?  Are these things providing you with what you need?  And, most importantly, are they reliable and truthful – or will they only use you?

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  Throughout his time on earth he encouraged people with truth.  He came into the world not to condemn the world, but so that the world would be saved through Him – and he lived his life as a shining example of who to follow.

Join us as we follow Jesus, every Sunday at 10 a.m. Come, and find the truth.  “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” (John 8:32).

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880;http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

The Living Hope

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Perhaps the most important day for Christians the world over, Resurrection Sunday – or Easter – has such profound meaning because it all happened just as Jesus Christ said that it would, and it also showed that He had victory over death. It gave hope to believers as no other event would ever do.
More than 500 witnesses verified that they saw Him after He was placed in the grave and the stone was rolled in place. When the women who loved Jesus went to visit the grave, an angel of the Lord, sitting upon that same stone – now opened – told the women not to be afraid.
In Matthew 28, that angel tells them, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Can you imagine this scene, especially having recently witnessed the crucifixion? Your heart is broken, you’ve come to mourn – and yet you are about to be filled with a miraculous glory in the one true Living Hope. He is risen!
Thanks be to God for our Living Hope. 1 Peter 1:3-4 tell us, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.”
Come find out more about our Living Hope by joining us this Easter Season at Edgewater. We will hold a very poignant Good Friday service at 7 p.m. on March 25; and three services on Easter Sunday – beginning with a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m.; and additional services at 8:00 and 10 a.m. There is something special to share with your family and friends…all happening at Harada Elementary.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling…”

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

We pass an old picture in the hallway.  We see friends begin a new love.  A romantic movie touches our hearts.

Whatever it is, we sometimes wonder where the love in our own life has gone.  It seems like most everything around us is designed to drain the last drop of romance or love out of our lives.  Long hours of work (or worries about a lack of work), busing the kids all over town, trying to keep the house clean, paying the bills – all of this leaves us exhausted and frustrated…anything but in the mood for love.

We misunderstand love as an emotion, but think about it.  Where do those emotions come from?  Actions create those emotions.  That’s why we call it a “romantic gesture”, something has been done that shows us love.  Love is action.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers,” (1 John 3:16).

What we might miss is that if we don’t feel very loving, doing something loving can recreate love in us just as much as it makes someone else feel loved.

If you’ve lost that lovin’ feeling this Valentine’s season, then lay down all the things in your life that have put an end to your love and do something for the one you love.  If you need help, drop the kids off at our Kid’s Night Out, held on Fri., Feb. 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Harada Elementary – and give the gift of time to the one you love.

Pastor Tim Eaton is from Edgewater Lutheran Church.  Services are on Sundays at 10am at Harada Elementary,12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA  92880.  For more information, please visit http://www.EdgewaterEastvale.org.

Start The Year With Laughter

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

 

It’s no laughing matter.  Recent news events have been some of the most horrific we have heard in a long time.  From across the globe to our own back yard, people of evil intent have sought to take lives and frighten others to their core.  It’s demoralizing to hear the news.  We struggle to get past the sadness of wonderful lives lost for no reason.  We join the bystanders in their terror and fear for their lives.  It destabilizes our everyday life – we wonder: might I encounter a similar fate in some day-to-day event?

The timing of these events couldn’t be worse.  They cast a dark shadow over the Christmas season.  After all, the San Bernardino attack was at a holiday party.  But far from ill timed, Christmas came at just the right time (Galatians 4:4-5).  God sent His Son into the world to shine a light into the shadowy events of our world.  Isaiah 9:6 proclaims, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and he will be called Prince of Peace.”

Peace seems to have been destroyed by recent events, but we are comforted to know that victory belongs to someone else.  Jesus promised as much in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus, the real meaning of Christmas, turns our mourning into dancing.  Let Him light up your world with candlelight services this Dec. 23 and 24.  And, if being broke after Christmas has you down, then start the New Year with laughter at a FREE comedy concert on Sat., Jan. 2, at 7 p.m. – featuring the award-winning comedian, Nazareth!  Get your free tickets online today at EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshiping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880;http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

A Great-Full Heart

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Are you ready for it? I don’t mean do you have all the trappings of a fabulous turkey dinner or your plans all set to see family and friends.  I mean are you ready to give thanks?  Have you started already, or do you not yet have enough to be thankful for?  As Thanksgiving approaches do you have a grateful heart or are you continually seeking more?

It’s hard to be grateful when it seems we don’t have enough.  It may seem like there is never enough time, money, resources, or help.  It’s not only hard to be grateful, it’s easy to be scared; scared that there isn’t enough, we won’t have what we need, and won’t get what we want.  When a lack of stuff scares us it isn’t long before we lash out at others – afraid they will take, use, or loose what should be ours.  It’s no wonder that an attitude of scarcity grows like a hunger in us that can never be satisfied.

But is it possible we actually have more than we need?  Maybe we have so much we don’t even realize it could be put to better use.  Perhaps it could be better appreciated instead of squandered.

King David wrote Psalm 23 while he was clearly in danger of being killed by his enemies.  It may have been written during one of the many times he fled his own kingdom to find safety (“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…in the presence of my enemies”).  It is likely he took little with him for the journey.  From the attitude of scarcity he seems to have nothing.  But David sees life from an attitude of abundance saying things like: “I lack nothing” and “my cup overflows.” His heart is Great and Full, not because of what he has, but because he trusts that God will graciously provide all that he truly needs.  A Great and Full heart is the antidote to the hunger of scarcity.  Have your heart filled every Sunday at Edgewater.

P.S. – Mark your calendars, Comedian Nazareth will be at Edgewater, January 2 and 3.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshiping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880;http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Seasons Change

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

If you live in Southern California, the weather may not have cooled and palm trees rarely loose their leaves, but there is still a change in the air.

It’s a season of stress:  back to school, sports, dance, scouts, and clubs – they all compete for precious little time as fall gets going.  I know our house has a frightful schedule.  We carefully plot out the calendar, and who is taking whom where and when.  We try to find the ever-elusive balance so we don’t lose our minds.

Recently, though, I was introduced to a revolutionary idea: Seasons – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

The trouble with “balance” is that it seems to suggest that the scheduling fiasco and the frantic juggling will never end.  Thus, we have to shoehorn the balance of time into our schedule as well.  But seasons realize this frenzy won’t last forever.

Seasons give us something to look forward to and motivation to work hard for a specific time.  In his book, “Do-Over,” Jon Acuff advocates “30 Days of Hustle.”  Think about that; you could potentially withstand anything for 30 days.  And, you could keep up your intensity, too.

Now I realize that the soccer season is more than 30 days.  So is a semester.  So is your project at work.  But the rest of the country fits four seasons in a year – so maybe your seasons shouldn’t go past three months either.  You need a break; something to look forward to…real rest.

So, if you are in a frenzied season, take heart.  Get out your calendar and put a finish line where the frenzy ends.  Push hard to get there.  And when you arrive, truly enjoy your hard earned rest.  Yes, there are things that won’t get done until then, but then you can finally give them the time they deserve.

If you need a little rest along the way – a taste of the light at the end of the tunnel – join us on Sundays.  And our Women’s Ministry will be doing a quick Bible Study, “Preparing Your Heart for the Holidays,” on Wednesday nights beginning Oct. 28 (its only four weeks long!).

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshiping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880;http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Coexist

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

You have seen the bumper sticker. You likely know someone who believes something different about God than you do. In fact, you probably know lots of different people with lots of different ideas about God, the origin and purpose of life, and how we should live.

The existence of many different answers to life’s biggest questions seems to beg a few more: Who is right (if any)? How do we live together in peace? And, How can we relate to and interact with each other?

History holds for us tragic examples of how not to coexist with people of other faiths. Rather than accept the challenge of deep dialogue and seeking understanding, many have simply tried to eliminate people of other faiths from their vicinity. They shortly answered the question of living in peace with one another with a resounding, “No.”

Jesus, in John, Chapter 4, takes a different tact. He walks right into a place he doesn’t “belong” – Samaria. He seeks a deep conversation and understanding with a woman He meets there. He holds out promise for resolution saying, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth…” He is not afraid of discussion – instead He trusts that discussion will lead to resolution.

But how do we live together until that resolution? Jesus has words that challenge us to love what we don’t yet understand. He holds out a standard of love:  “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).” By example He shows us that we won’t understand people, and we won’t resolve conflicts with them if we are not willing to begin with love and then seek understanding. That’s exactly what He did when He came to earth; He came to love and help us understand His care for us.

Join us Sundays, as we seek to understand Jesus and others better in a new series, “Coexist,” beginning Sept. 20.  And don’t miss our special guest on Oct. 4 – Dr. Adam Francisco, Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia University Irvine (whose Doctorate is in Muslim-Christian Relations) – as he teaches on Christian and Islamic relations.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshiping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880;http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.