General Conference Recap 2024
Easter 2024
“’Why are you crying?’”
(John 20:15)
In his book The Moment of Truth author Samuel Wells observes, “Easter’s drenched in tears.” This is hardly newsworthy. We have spent a lifetime hearing the Easter story unfold from John’s gospel. We already know what is follow the words, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance” (John 20:1). We anticipate our heartbeat quicken with every stride, as Mary alerts Simon Peter and the unnamed disciple. Mary struggles to catch her breath gasping for air in between a run of words, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him” (v.3)!
John describes what Simon Peter and the unnamed disciples see when they investigate Mary’s report and the mostly empty tomb (only the wrappings remain). For a culture that is fascinated and appalled by death, many abandon the Easter story by the time we finish reading John’s editorial comment, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead” (v.9). The two disciples exit the scene as “Mary stood outside the tomb crying” (v.11).
The waterworks flow. Of course, Mary weeps. We’ve leaned into the casket to kiss a loved one on the forehead. Dressed in black, we have shed tears as body is lowered into the
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Christmas 2023
“… there was no room for them in the inn.”
-Luke 2:7b
As I write, the temperatures are dropping and the snow accumulating. My Bible is plopped open to the wondrous story of Jesus’ birth in the gospel of Luke. I have always found a home among the shepherds “living in the fields nearby, keeping their watch over their flocks at night” (Luke 2:8). Usually, a beautiful medley of carols ushers me through to the end of the Christmas story. Typically, I am in awe of the angelic pronouncement to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David is a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (2:11), and I am drawn to the shepherds’ worshipful response of finding “Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (2:16). I suspect, by Christmas, these words from the gospel and the carols will enchant my heart once again.
On that holiest of nights, Luke reports on the unfolding scene in Bethlehem, “The time came for the baby to be born, and [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son” (2:6-7a). We are informed the new mother “wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (2:7b). Honestly, I haven’t given much air-time to the innkeeper in years. The innkeeper holds no speaking parts in Christmas pageants, yet alone the gospel. On
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Easter Letter 2023
Mary Magdalene seems traumatized and distracted by grief. Days prior she witnessed the brutality of the cross. Mary was close enough to hear the final breath escape Jesus’ beaten lungs, and to watch the moment his head slumps in death. In the wee hours of that first Easter, Mary makes her now famous discovery that the stone that sealed Jesus’ body in the tomb, “had been removed from the entrance” (John 20:1). As the waves of grief wash over her, and the sense of loss accumulates, utterly shocked Mary presumes Jesus’ corpse is missing.
The gospel locates Mary, “weeping outside the tomb.” (20:11). Theologian David Ford writes, “She repeats her agonized cry of loss again and again—to the disciples, to the angels, to Jesus.” Perhaps, this is the entry point that allows the Easter story to speak “wonderful words of life.” Deep in our souls, we can identify with Mary’s loss. We too know, what it is like to lose someone or something precious to us; the death of a partner or a family member; the loss of a classmate or colleague; the demise of physical ability or financial security. Loss even confronts us in joyous times of new homes, changing jobs, or graduating high school. There are numerous moments when we stand as, Mary “weeping outside the tomb” (20:11).
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Christmas Letter
Greetings,
Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once observed, “Only poets can do justice to the Christmas and Easter stories…” Perhaps this is why the songs that proclaim the incarnation and the resurrection of Jesus Christ are among our most beloved hymns. The poetic nature of these hymns reaches into the recesses of the human spirit and enlightens our minds with the rich theology of our Faith. The poets with their ability to use language well,
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Easter Letter 2022
Greetings,
In the weeks leading to Easter we have traveled the dusty and winding roads with Jesus. Along the way we gave pause to ask serious questions about our understanding of God, ourselves, and our relationship with God. In addition, a few of us participated in Adam Hamilton’s study on the life of Simon Peter, reflecting upon this “flawed but faithful disciple.” We have done well to prepare for Jesus’ death upon the cross and his resurrection on Easter morning.
We approach our final destination marked with hopeful and celebratory shouts of “Hosanna” to the silent tears
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Easter 2021 Letter
Greetings,
In the Baptismal Covenant the pastor asks, “Do you believe in God the Father?” The congregation answers with the first two lines of The Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” The pastor asks two additional questions, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” and “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?” Each time the congregation responds with the appropriate and succeeding lines from The Apostles’ Creed.
According to folklore, The Apostles’ Creed was piecemealed together by Jesus’ apostles. Historically, The Apostles’ Creed was used in the early church to summarize the important doctrines of the Christian Faith. The Apostles’ Creed functioned as a kind of catechesis (a fancy word for teaching) that prepared believers for the waters of Holy Baptism.
I am drawn to the ancient words of The Apostles’ Creed; they are time-tested having stood through various pandemics, revolutions, cultural shifts, technological advances, economic depressions, the fall and rise of nations, famine, and massive storms. The seventeen (17) lines of The Apostles’ Creed continue to stand as a powerful and sturdy witness to the Faith, especially in uncertain times.
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January Announcement 2021
Greeting friends and members of First United Methodist Church of Westfield,
I write to inform you that our church’s task force, made up our church’s leadership made the difficult decision earlier this week to suspend in-person, public worship in our church building. The suspension of in-person, public worship will begin Sunday, January 10th for the remainder of the month of January. During this time the church’s building will be restricted for gatherings of people. In the coming weeks, additional information will be provided for our return of in-person, public worship in early February.
Following the suspension of in-person, public worship in Mid-March 2020, our church leadership created a task force, a group of folks from our congregation that worked long and hard through plans, strategies, and procedures to ensure that our congregation could return for in-person, public worship in the summer of 2020. The same task force that was eager to get us back in our sacred building then now calls for our congregation to suspend in-person, public worship for the next couple of weeks due to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 in our county. Our District Superintendent and I agree and support the task force’s decision.
The current wave of COVID-19 is locally impacting the lives of close friends and family members of our congregation. While the task force has in place strong and effective policies such as: face masks, social-distancing, and no-singing, etc. this additional short-termed step of suspending in-person, public worship is simply another layer of protection for our congregation and local community. Be assured when we return in early February, we will continue to follow the policies mentioned above.
Before the pandemic began our church was already recording the Sunday sermon and putting them online. For the remainder of January, we will also provide recordings Mary playing our beloved hymns. Both sermons and musical recordings may be found on our church website (westfieldnyumc.org) and our church’s Facebook page (Westfield United Methodist Church, NY). In addition, Jan provides written sermons weekly to members of our congregation that do not have internet access. If you or someone you know would like to receive printed sermons, please contact the church office (716.326-3243).
As we hold our community and you in prayer, we ask that you continue to pray for our congregation, our staff, and our church’s leadership. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to the church office and/or Pastor Nick (716.940.9228). We want to contact everyone in our congregation about the suspension of in-person, public worship for the month of January. Help us get the word out. We love you. Until we meet again—Be well.
Christ’s Blessings,
Pastor Nick
Christmas Letter 2020
Greetings,
One hundred and seventy-one years ago, Edmund Sears wrote, “O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.” Recently, this line has found a new home within my heart. Traditionally, each Advent/Christmas season I meditate upon a phrase from a devotional book, the Scripture, or a Christmas song. Last year, I found delight when Lauren Daigle featured in Chris Tomlin’s contemporary song Noel sang, “Come and see what God has done.” The year before, Fleming Rutledge’s comment, “Advent begins in the dark” stirred within me. One year David Guthrie and Bruce Greer’s line from their cantata spoke into the depths of my spirit, “Heaven gave up a Son that day. Hear His Father cry. Sent to bear both the cross and grave, sinner’s perfect supply.”
This year my daughter has shown an interest in learning the refrains to our most beloved Christmas carols. I play the guitar and we sing the refrain to O Come, All Ye Faithful and The First Noel repeatedly. As she sings I am in awe of the beauty of the poetry to retells our Savior’s birth. To date Nadia is not (yet) interested in the refrain for We Three Kings, but we have received good mileage with Go, Tell It on the Mountain.
One night while we sung Nadia had the giggles. I am not sure if she giggled because she was stretching the word “Gloria” over four measures or if the strangeness of the Latin, “in excelsis Deo” tickled her ears in the refrain of Angels We Have Heard on High. Maybe it was by sheer accident. Maybe it was the laws of gravity hard at work. Maybe it was by divine appointment. That night my songbook slipped from the music stand and closed shut. When I reopened the book I had turned to Sears’ Christmas hymn, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and my eyes were drawn to a line I had never given much thought, “O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.”
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Fall Schedule 2020
Greetings,
I pray that this announcement finds your loved ones and you well. Your prayers and support during the current pandemic have been exceptional. Every day I am grateful to serve Christ with and among you. This year has been unlike any that most of us have ever witnessed. Covid-19 has affected all of us in big/small ways. Please notice the changes to our church calendar.
On September 20th, we will officially kick off the fall season. After consultation with our younger families, Kim Raynor and I have decided not to offer children/youth Sunday school classes, junior church, or the nursery this fall. However, our adult Sunday school will meet promptly at 9am on Sunday mornings in Gibbs Parlor.
This fall, we will continue to offer one service at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to return to worship in our beautiful sanctuary later in the fall. This service will continue to have call to worships, hymns and worship songs, Scripture readings, prayers, and a weekly message. We ask that you make a reservation to attend worship, so that we can record your presence and provide adequate spacing. Mask policies and temperature checks will remain in place.
Beginning on September 20th at 7pm, we will provide a five-week study (until October 18th) based on Adam Hamilton’s book, The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life. Hamilton’s book will be provided free of charge to those interested in participating in the study. Copies of the book and group space is limited at ten. During the study, the Sunday sermon will follow similar themes. Please contact the church office to reserve your copy and spot in the class.
Continue to hold our political and religious leaders in your prayers. These are difficult times to maneuver, and our best plans are subject to change. However, these are the current plans for our church. Know that your loved ones and you are in my daily prayers. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact Pastor Nick and/or LeAnn in the church office(326-3243).
Blessings,
Nicholas Perry, Pastor